France inscribed the guaranteed right to abortion in its constitution Friday, a powerful message of support for women’s rights on International Women’s Day.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti used a 19th-century printing press to seal the amendment in France’s Constitution at a special public ceremony. Applause filled the cobblestoned Place Vendome as France became the first country to explicitly guarantee abortion rights in its national charter.

The measure was overwhelmingly approved by French lawmakers earlier this week, and Friday’s ceremony means it can now enter into force.

President Joe Biden delivered a defiant argument for a second term in his State of the Union speech Thursday night, lacing into GOP front-runner Donald Trump for espousing “resentment, revenge and retribution” and for jeopardizing freedom at home and abroad.

Reveling in the political moment, Biden fired multiple broadsides at “my predecessor” without ever mentioning Trump by name — 13 times in all — raising his voice repeatedly as he worked to quell voter concerns about his age and job performance while sharpening the contrast with his all-but-certain November rival.

The Minneapolis City Council passed a measure Thursday that would increase wages for drivers of ride-hailing services to an equivalent of more than $15 an hour — which opponents say may increase costs to customers and fears that Uber and Lyft will follow through on their threats to leave the area altogether.

Council members passed the measure in a 9-4 vote despite Mayor Jacob Frey’s promise to veto the measure due to concerns that the ride-hailing companies could leave Minneapolis and even stop operating throughout Minnesota. If the mayor vetoes the measure, the council could override his action if they have support from at least nine members.

Megan Farrell can be reached at farr9505@stthomas.edu.