Lifestyle

French MPs vote to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Lawmakers in the French parliament voted Thursday to add the right to abortion to the constitution in response to recent changes in Poland and the United States.. "The assembly is speaking to the world, our country is speaking to the world," said jubilant MP Mathilde Panot from LFI, dedicating the vote to women in Hungary, Poland and the United States. 

Russian lawmakers approve bill banning LGBTQ 'propaganda'

Russian lawmakers unanimously approved a bill banning all forms of LGBTQ "propaganda" in a final reading on Thursday, as Moscow presses ahead with its conservative drive at home while its troops fight in Ukraine.  . This rhetoric has only strengthened since he sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, isolating Moscow and leading to an unprecedented crackdown at home. 

French lawmakers to vote on bullfighting ban

French members of parliament are expected to vote for the first time Thursday on a complete ban on bullfighting, after a national debate that has pitched animal rights defenders against fans of the traditional blood sport.. His government has urged members of parliament not to support the text from the opposition France Unbowed party, even though many members of the ruling centrist and centre-right coalition are known to personally favour it. 

Record number of children miss measles vaccine: global report

A record high of nearly 40 million children around the world missed a measles vaccine dose in 2021, according to a new report Wednesday that found immunization levels had failed to rebound from disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.. According to the report, 25 million children missed their first dose while 14.7 million missed their second.

Former players to sue French rugby authorities over concussion

A group of former players, including England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and All Black Carl Hayman, are to file legal action in France against the national rugby bodies over concussion, their lawyers told AFP on Wednesday.. He is among nearly 200 former players who have already launched lawsuits against other governing bodies, including World Rugby.

Gucci set to part ways with star designer Michele: report

The Italian designer Alessandro Michele is set to leave Gucci, where he has overseen a surge in sales at the fashion powerhouse since 2015 but seen his star fade in recent seasons, according to a report in industry bible Women's Wear Daily on Wednesday.. "Gucci is suffering from brand fatigue and Alessandro Michele has been doing the same thing for the past seven years," financial analysts at the brokerage firm Bernstein said in a research note to clients.

Afghan capital gets 400 new loudspeakers to encourage prayers

Hundreds of loudspeakers have been installed in the Afghan capital to encourage worshippers to attend prayers, the Taliban's religious enforcers said Wednesday.. Local media also reported Wednesday that the vice ministry has ordered shops in certain parts of the capital to shut for Friday prayers, the most important of the week.