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
Womens pro soccer
University of Kansas apologizes for Snoop Dogg’s performance
Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $14,037 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct after he fought with Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey last week. Beckham and Humphrey were flagged after they tangled in the third quarter of Cleveland’s 40-25 win. Humphrey, who played Beckham aggressively the entire game, was assessed the same $14,037 fine. The league decided not to levy fines for fighting on both players. First-time offenders are fined $35,096, according to the league’s fine schedule. Humphrey and Beckham began shoving on a running play before grabbing each other’s face masks and going to the ground. Humphrey pinned Beckham and appeared to choke him before being pulled off. Beckham said he will appeal the fine. He'd been fined previously for a fight with ex-Carolina cornerback Josh Norman and could have been fined up to $100,000 for a second offense. Browns center JC Tretter was also fined $14,037 for unsportsmanlike conduct after coming to … [Read more...] about University of Kansas apologizes for Snoop Dogg’s performance
What’s better left unsaid in Bellingham? Politics
“People avoid talking about it,” said Jan Krause Greene, a writer, peace activist, and grandmother who moved to Bellingham five years ago. “It’s the first time in my life I’ve avoided talking about it. . . . I don’t bring it up unless I’m in a safe space.” The taboo topic, of course, is politics, and more specifically, President Trump, whose 2016 election uncloaked a chasm between voters all over the country, but here especially so. In Bellingham, residents turned out in force at the polls that day, mostly unaware of the rift within their ranks. When the votes were counted, Bellingham emerged as the most closely divided town in Massachusetts, a mere 26 votes out of almost 9,000 deciding the race locally in favor of Donald Trump. For a time, people tried to talk about it. Arguments flared; Facebook friends were un-friended. Soon, unspoken rules were laid down, and an uneasy quiet descended. Last month, as House Democrats … [Read more...] about What’s better left unsaid in Bellingham? Politics
Laver Cup officials lay out their plans for Boston 2020
The 38-year-old Federer, who created the Laver Cup to honor its 81-year-old namesake, has never played tennis in Boston. In fact, he’s never set foot in Boston. “He’ll be excited,” said Federer’s longtime agent, Tony Godsick. “He knows the history, not just of tennis but sports in general. He’ll be excited to come here and talk about that. It was an easy decision in the end.” Godsick was in town with Laver Cup CEO Steve Zacks to begin working on details for tournament, which will be held Sept. 25-27, at TD Garden. Godsick and Zacks spent Monday morning at Harvard Business School, where students in Anita Elberse’s class grilled the two in a case study about the event. There have been just three host cities of the Laver Cup: Prague two years ago, Chicago last year, and Geneva this year. “Boston hasn’t had tennis, and that checked a very important box for us,” said Godsick. “Huge market, important box … [Read more...] about Laver Cup officials lay out their plans for Boston 2020
Here’s why Dan Koh is thinking about another run for Congress
Could the 3rd District see a primary rematch next year? Dan Koh says it’s up to Rep. Lori Trahan, even though he’s the one mulling a primary challenge. Koh, an Andover native and former chief of staff for Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, has been pressuring the freshman congresswoman to release bank statements to prove she didn’t break campaign finance laws during her narrow 2018 win in the Democratic primary race for the Massachusetts congressional seat. If she doesn’t, Koh says he’s seriously considering another run — even if it rankles fellow Democrats — and has positioned himself as a more forceful, progressive advocate in the era of President Donald Trump. But before he jumps in, the 34-year-old is testing how the issue of Trahan’s campaign funding plays with voters. “The residents of the 3rd Congressional District deserve honesty and transparency from their elected officials, especially at a time when trust in government is … [Read more...] about Here’s why Dan Koh is thinking about another run for Congress