It’s Friday! I’d like to take a minute for today’s Bwoglines, so just sit right there.

Happening in the World: The Iranian government has eased a 40-year-long ban preventing women from attending soccer matches at Iranian stadiums. Under pressure from FIFA, authorities allowed about 3500 women to purchase tickets—for seats in a women-only section—for the World Cup qualifying round between Iran and Cambodia on Thursday. This development comes after Sahar Khodayari, an Iranian soccer fan, set herself on fire and died in September while facing charges for attempting to enter a stadium to watch a game. Critics of the change are arguing that the move is a “cynical publicity stunt” meant to smooth over the backlash surrounding Khodayari’s self-immolation without creating any real change. (NPR)

Happening in the US: According to a Hollywood Reporter profile of Will Smith published on Thursday, the star is planning a spinoff of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. If it comes to fruition, the show will be one of a number of rebooted series in development, including Saved by the Bell, Gossip Girl, and Lizzie McGuire. It’s expected to be produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s company, Westbrook, and also to flip-turn some avid fans’ lives upside-down. (Pitchfork)

Happening in NYC: U.S. Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced on Thursday that she will not seek re-election in 2020. Now 82, Rep. Lowey was first elected in 1988 and is the first woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Chelsea Clinton may be considering a run for her seat. (NYT)

Happening on Campus: Tonight, Italian musicians Emanuele Torquati and Francesco Dillon will perform at the Italian Academy. The performance is part of a three-night series of Beethoven performances for cello and piano in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. The concert is open to the public and will begin at 7 pm.

chillin’ out, maxin’, relaxin’ all cool via Flickr