Musings From Abroad

USA: Democrats kick as leaked draft reveals Supreme Court plan to overturn abortion right

Published

1 year ago

May 3, 2022

In the United States, the reported leaked draft ruling that indicated the US Supreme Court was set to overturn the landmark Roe vs Wade ruling which guaranteed abortion rights across the country has caused outrage.

The Roe vs Wade, ruling was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.

The leaked draft, which is dated February 10 and was signed by Justice Samuel Alito, who is part of the court’s strong conservative majority, was published by Politico on Monday night.

The Supreme Court has refused to comment on the authenticity of the leaked draft.

The leaked document has triggered immediate outrage among Democratic politicians and groups dedicated to the protection of abortion rights in the US. Barricades were placed around the Supreme Court building in Washington as protesters began assembling outside.

Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, in aseries of tweets on Twitter said “an extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn #RoeVWade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country. It’s time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. We’re not going back—not ever”

An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn #RoeVWade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country. It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. We're not going back—not ever.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 3, 2022

Another Democrat, Raphael Warnock, also expressed his opinion of the leaked draft and remarked that the issue of abortion right is a matter of public health that shouldn’t be trivialized, particularly for the women.

If the reports are true, I’m deeply disappointed. As a pro-choice pastor and voice for Georgia in the Senate, it’s more urgent than ever that we pass the Women’s Health Protection Act.

These are decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor—not the government. https://t.co/3o8UkDGbxe

— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) May 3, 2022

Musings From Abroad

China supports South Africa on BRICS summit— Report

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Local media in China are reporting that the Asian giant will support South Africa to host the BRICS summit later this year.

South Africa has come under diplomatic pleasure following its continued relations with Russia, with the United States alleging recently that it aided Russia with ammunition in the ongoing Ukraine war.

South Africa is under the spotlight as it decides if it would arrest Russian President, Vladimir Putin during his expected visit for the BRICS Summit in August after the International Criminal Court placed a warrant on the European leader.

But with China now backing South Africa’s stance in the international space, particularly in hosting the BRICS summit and in relations with Putin’s expected visit, it may find some courage to rebuff the West.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping is reported to have had a phone conversation with South Africa’s Ramaphosa with assurances communicated.

Musings From Abroad

Italy, Netherlands, EU set to announce aid package for Tunisia

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has said that a fresh aid package to Tunisia would be announced by the European Union alongside her country and the Netherlands on Sunday.

Meloni, who recently ended a visit to Tunisia, will visit again on Sunday with her Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte and the EU Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen with high hopes.

“It seems to me that important steps forward are being taken,” Meloni said.

There are concerns that the delay with the loan could deepen Tunisia’s financial crisis and escalate migrants’ crisis across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in Europe.

Creditors, which are largely European, want President Kais Saied to accept the terms of financial reforms by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its loan which will unlock extra funds in bilateral aid for the country.

Creditors are also refusing to provide Tunisia with long-term budget support unless the IMF agrees to a deal that assures them of repayment of its debts. They have, however, given Tunisia smaller sums to help it purchase food and fuel.

President Saied announced last week that additional taxes would be implemented as a stopgap measure before an expected IMF loan.

Tunisia is in debt to the tune of roughly 80% of its GDP, and the IMF agreed in principle last year to a new loan of nearly $2 billion to help it overcome its severe financial crisis.