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Texas Democrats vow legal fight after abortion bill passes

Democrats promised a legal challenge to the measure, which will ban abortions after 20 weeks.

The Charles River Conservancy hosted the first public swim in the river in 50 years.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

 A group of swimmers from Education First joined hands before swimming in the Charles River Saturday.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Swimmers took the plunge from a boat dock near the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Since 1995, when the EPA gave the water quality a grade of D, the health of the river has improved dramatically, rising to a B in 2011.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

The Charles River and now meets the state standards for swimming most days of the summer.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Saturday morning was the first time officials permitted a swim to be held for the general public. Getting the permit took six months.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Over the course of two hours, about two dozen swimmers at a time took their turn jumping from the dock into the 78-degree water.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Swimmers were kept in a small roped-off area. Four lifeguards watched from the dock, and two in kayaks kept watch.

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Charles River opens for first public swim since 1950s

The health of the river has improved dramatically in recent years, now meeting the state standards for swimming.

Treasurer Steven Grossman spoke with supporters Nancy Hall (right) and her son Craig (left), both of Weymouth, at the state Democratic Convention in Lowell.

Grossman pledges paid family leave if elected governor

Treasurer Steven Grossman formally announced his gubernatorial bid at the state Democratic convention.

Exclusive Sunday Preview | Travel

First impressions of Japan — meaningful or cliché?

First-time visitors often fall for its culture, and long for their own lives to take on Japanese qualities upon returning home.

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,460 feet.

AFP/Getty Images

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,460 feet.

The Nijubashi Bridge in the Imperial Palace East Garden.

istockphoto

The Nijubashi Bridge in the Imperial Palace East Garden.

The East Garden of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Getty Images

The East Garden of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

A room on the top floor of the Suntory Museum of Art.

UIG via Getty Images

A room on the top floor of the Suntory Museum of Art.

Statuary at the new Nezu Museum, first established in 1941.

AFT/Getty images

Statuary at the new Nezu Museum, first established in 1941.

The National Art Center in Toyko's midtown features interesting architecture.

Getty images

The National Art Center in Toyko's midtown features interesting architecture.

The elegant Hotel Okura is a modernist building designed in 1962 by Yoshiro Taniguchi.

Martin Moos/Getty images

The elegant Hotel Okura is a modernist building designed in 1962 by Yoshiro Taniguchi.

The extraordinary shopping plaza,  Omotesando Hills, was designed by Tadao Ando.

Getty images

The extraordinary shopping plaza, Omotesando Hills, was designed by Tadao Ando.

Shoppers walked along the Omotesando Hills comple, which has six stories above ground and six underground

Katsumi Kasahara/Associated Press/file

Shoppers walked along the complex, which has six stories above ground and six below

The futuristic Prada store was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.

getty images

The futuristic Prada store was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.

Shoppers walked along Tokyo's ritzy Omotesando Hills shopping mall.

Tokyo in 12 hours

Though taking in Tokyo in a single day is an absurd notion, a 12-hour itinerary will leave you with a taste of the city.

Exclusive Sunday Preview | Theater

Fringe festival shakes up the Berkshires theater scene

An increasing number of so-called fringe theater troupes are bringing funny names and off-beat shows to the Berkshires.

Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard will be in court July 31 for a hearing to determine whether his latest arrest is grounds for revoking his probation.

After DUI arrest, Dennard faces July 31 probation hearing

The hearing for Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard will determine whether his latest arrest is grounds for revoking his probation.

Opinion

Opinion | RENÉE LOTH

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/07/13/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/reneeLoth_150px-1389.jpg Put that phone down and just walk

Reports have found that the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries while using a cellphone or some other electronic device is rising.

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