Harris called for a cease-fire in Gaza, as well as France’s introduction of abortion rights

The Right to Abortion in France: The Paris House of Representatives paved the way for enshrouding the Right to an abortion

France is expected to hold a historic joint session of parliament today to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution. If the measure passes, France will be the first country to do so.

The government of French President Emmanuel Macron started pushing for the move in 2022, when the country looked on with alarm as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and states began to chip away at abortion rights.

” I made a commitment to make women’s liberty to have an abortion irreversible by inscribing it in the constitution,” he stated on X after lawmakers approved it.

In order for the change to the constitution to be official, the Versailles parliament must approve the measure in a three-fifths majority. With both houses already approving the measure, Monday’s joint session at Versailles is expected to pass it.

The French Senate paved the way last week when more than 80% of legislators usually in the mostly male and socially conservative body gave their green light.

None of the major political parties represented in parliament question the morality of abortion, though some conservative lawmakers said there was no need to amend the constitution.

“It serves no purpose, because no political movement is questioning abortion,” said far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who represents the National Rally party in parliament. Le Pen voted to approve the measure.

There were large protests against the measure and Veil was personally attacked in France that was still a largely conservative, Catholic country.

The proposed 15-week nationwide ban that has caused uproar in the United States is only applicable to France and has a time limit of 14 weeks.

There were different views on the matter on the streets of Paris. “France does not see abortion as under threat,” says a 62-year-old dentist who wishes to remain anonymous.

Fifty-year-old Corinne Bosser disagrees. “The right to an abortion could come under threat one day, we don’t know,” she says. “This is a way to guarantee that our daughters and granddaughters will have the same rights we have.”

A Good Start to the Day: Kamalaharris Gaza-Cease-Fire Calls for Palestinian Rights, France to Constitutionally Enshrine Abortion Rights

Good start to the day. You are reading a newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Vice President Harris supports a temporary cease fire between Israel and Hamas to allow for the release of hostages from Hamas and for more aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Harris called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe” while speaking at the annual commemoration of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Ala., a symbolic site in the U.S. fight for civil rights.

Nikki Haley has won D.C.’s Republican primary, marking the first victory of her 2024 campaign. She trails far behind Donald Trump, who has won all his nominating contests by double digits. It will be critical for her to win the majority of the states tomorrow on Super Tuesday. More than a third of delegates are up for grabs on the busiest day of the primary season. Here’s what to expect.

See photos of the Hirbawi family hard at work at their factory. Learn how the keffiyeh became a symbol for the Palestinians.

Source: Harris calls for Gaza cease-fire; France to constitutionally enshrine abortion rights

NPR’s College Podcast Challenge: Semifinalists and Anomalous Audio-Quantum Effects on Living with Mental Illness

What is it like to live with a mental illness? How does your faith affect your family? How is the college experience different to a woman in her 50’s? NPR’s College Podcast challenge received more than 500 entries this year. Before the winner is announced later this month you can listen to the 10 semifinalists discussing their college podcasting ideas.