Stiletto, a boutique hotel and brothel in downtown Sydney, has recently been given the go-ahead to start on a 40 room, multi million dollar expansion, making it the largest sex premises in all of Australia. Rooms go for an hourly rate of approximately $370 (the price includes drinks and a lady of your choice).

• A Planned Parenthood in Nebraska has filed a lawsuit against the state to stop a law that would require mental health screening for women seeking abortions. If they are unsuccessful, the law will go into effect next month. •

• According to a study from Cornell University, children of mothers who play favorites are more likely to show depressive symptoms far into adulthood than those who received equal treatment as children.

• Former first lady Laura Bush appeared on Larry King last night where she finally admitted that she doesn't agree with her husband on abortion and gay rights. Even though she could have taken a stronger stance: good for her.

In attempts to save older customers from dying during copulation, Swiss brothel owners are training their prostitutes to operate defibrillators. "Having customers die on us isn't exactly good publicity," remarked the owner of a sex club. [Telegraph]

The owner of a Nevada brothel says she hopes to house the first legal male prostitutes in the U.S. within the month, thanks to a change in STD-testing regulations. No word yet on how much the services will cost. [AP]

Oprah dedicated today's show to a star-studded discussion of the issues facing women around the world. Inviting Nicholas Kristof and his wife and co-author, Sheryl WuDunn to discuss their book Half the Sky, the conversation was both enlightening and frustrating.

• The Dominican Republic has joined a small group of countries that Constitutionally prohibit abortion, with no exceptions for health-related cases. The ban was issued with support of President Leonel Fernandez and the Catholic Church. •

• And the disaster porn continues: More details have emerged about Jaycee Dugard's abduction and life in captivity. CBS also has a "special section" devoted to Jaycee, and a video of Dr. Phil giving his "expert" opinions. •

• Scientists in the UK have discovered that cats are more manipulative than we think; felines frequently embed a meow or yowl for food within their purrs, which creates a weird combination of happy-needy that humans readily respond to. •

• After being abandoned by their mother, these two baby hedgehogs were taken in by an animal shelter in the UK. The adorable infants weigh 16 grams each and have to be fed every half hour. •

*Inspired by Shirley MacLaine's assertion that the best parts for actresses fall into one of the above categories.

• Males born to women who ate a lot of beef during pregnancy may suffer from reduced sperm counts. [CNN]
• Researchers recommend more MRI scans to be used for women at high risk for breast cancer. Problem is, the US healthcare system isn't set up to handle the estimated extra million women who fall into the "high risk"…