French protests 60s

Thousands of people prepared to descend on Paris on Sunday (Oct 6) to protest a government plan to let single women and lesbians become pregnant with fertility treatments, the first major social reform since France legalised gay marriage in 2013. IVF treatment is currently only available to heterosexual couples in France. (Photo: AFP/Josep Lago) Organisers say they are hoping 100,000 will turn out against a law heading to the Senate this month, after it was approved by the lower house of parliament in September. President Emmanuel Macron pledged during his 2017 election campaign to push the law despite deep resistance among right-wing opponents as well as conservative Roman Catholics and other religious groups. They had mobilised massively in 2012 and 2013 against a move by Macron's Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande to legalise marriage for homosexual couples, with one Paris protest attracting 340,000 people according to police. But that law did not allow lesbian … [Read more...] about French to protest pro IVF law for single women, lesbians

By Ned MacKay | East Bay Regional Park DistrictPUBLISHED: October 7, 2019 at 5:00 am | UPDATED: October 7, 2019 at 5:01 am Harold French was one of the leaders whose years of effort led to establishment of the East Bay Regional Park District. An avid hiker, French founded the Contra Costa Hills Club in 1920. His vision was to have a group similar to the Sierra Club, but with a more specific East Bay focus. From that time on, he worked tirelessly to protect the East Bay’s open spaces and promote establishment of public parklands. He wrote letters, served on committees and authored articles in local newspapers. French, Sibley and many other community activists worked for years to achieve their goal. Their efforts were rewarded when the East Bay Regional Park District became a reality in 1934. French died in 1962, and the French Trail in Redwood Regional Park is named in his honor. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Contra Costa Hills Club has funded construction of a … [Read more...] about Park It: Contra Costa Hills Club founder honored at Sibley

Suffolk Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins attributed the rise in the number of women incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system to substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, and “relationships that have compromised them.” According to Tompkins, gender-specific programming allows his office to help address issues of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and substance use disorders. “This is not about ICE, this is not about Trump, this is not about the federal government, this is about saving lives,” he said. The decision was grounded in helping people get back on their feet, according to Tompkins. “To do that, I need space,” he said. The South Bay facility houses about 1,200 detainees, according to Tompkins. Of that number about 200 are ICE detainees, who are all housed in the same building, he said. The move will allow his office to house 200 to 250 more women at South Bay by the end of the month, he said. There are 80 … [Read more...] about Suffolk sheriff’s department ending contract with ICE

Chinese President Xi Jinping is coming to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, just weeks after Beijing supported India’s rival Pakistan in raising the issue of New Delhi’s recent actions in disputed Kashmir at the U.N. General Assembly meeting.It was just the latest slight to India-China relations, which both leaders project as solid but which are constantly at risk because of the ongoing rivalry for dominance in Asia. Here’s a look at what the upcoming meeting signals:Q: WHY ARE THEY MEETING?A: The two leaders will be touring a temple town in southern India at the tip of the Bay of Bengal that is popular with Chinese tourists before sitting down for their first one-on-one since meeting at a resort in Wuhan, China, in April 2018. On Saturday, Modi and Xi will hold talks on regional development, according to India’s foreign ministry. In Wuhan, the two leaders agreed to meet regularly for “informal summits” to keep tensions from … [Read more...] about Q&A: How is China-India summit affecting Asia rivalry

By Michael Edwards on Oct 03, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Morocco, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel Amani means desire or wish in Arabic. The Palais Amani gives guests the chance to fulfil their dreams of living at the heart of Fez’s ancient and authentic Medina. For guests the Palais Amani, with is opulent Arab-Andalusian style, is their home for a few precious days, as they savour an imperial city of colours and flavours. Fez is a city where there are hands-on opportunities to engage with the people. Guests may learn traditional Fez skills such as baking, calligraphy and cooking. Or they can just relax in the Hamman. The welcome Leaving the car and the 21st century behind, a porter took my luggage through the entrance into the labyrinthine tangle of over 9,500 alleys – beyond mapping and beyond GPS – that is Fez’s ancient Medina. At the Palais Amani there is a traditional Arabic welcome for weary travellers: chilled flannel, iced … [Read more...] about Short stay: Palais Amani, Fez, Morocco