13th December 2020
Shorts:
News at a glance
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Argentinian Abortion Bill close to legalization
-Snigdha dhameja
President Alberto Fernández’ government created history by passing a bill that is the stepping stone to legalizing abortion in the country. The lower House of Congress approved the bill, a majority of 131-117 in favour of the bill. The bill will only be legalized after a vote in the Senate, and pro-choice activists are hopeful that this will happen.
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Alberto Fernández’ philosophy and principles draw parallels with progressive Democrats in the US, and this bill is a testament towards his belief in equal rights for women. He has voiced previously that during his term, he will strive to bring long-term changes in the country’s attitudes towards transgender, gay and female populations.
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Argentina is the first country in Latin America to move towards making abortion legal, in a region where Catholicism and rigid beliefs have previously prevented the passing of such bills. Most of the activists in opposition of the bill spent the night praying outside, in hopes that the bill would not be passed.
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While the nation awaits the decision of the Senate, it is important to note that Mr. Fernández has promised more than 15% of the nation’s 2021 budget towards reducing gender inequality, bringing women into the formal labour force and ending human trafficking. From August, all government meetings of more than four people require at least one-third of the participants to be women, or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Critics of Mr. Fernández’ government state that this is not ‘the right time’ to discuss and legalize issues like abortion, when the country is in the midst of both a recession and a pandemic.
Sources: The New York Times
Bolivia's civil registry approves same-sex union
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-Grace treesa
Bolivia’s civil registry approved the first same-sex civil union after a lengthy legal battle of two years. Activists hope that this will roll out the carpet for a change in the country’s laws. David and Guido, a lawyer and a businessman were denied the right to register their union by authorities who said the country's laws did not allow it.
The couple, who were together for more than a decade took the case to court and argued it successfully on the basis of human rights violation and discrimination.
The court also confirmed that the registry had violated the process, because they didn't consider international obligations. They referred to an article by the American Convention on Human Rights which rightfully stated that all rights applicable to heterosexual couples should extend to same-sex ones.
“All civil registries in Bolivia should stop treating them like second-class citizens and start recognising their unions” says Jose Miguel, director at Human Rights Watch when he called for recognition. He also mentioned that they were an integral part of Bolivia’s social fabric.
Despite widespread opposition from religious groups, countries in Latin America are becoming increasingly accepting of gay marriage, with legalisation in Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil and parts of Mexico. These are phenomenal steps forward for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sources: Reuters
Trump’s claim in Texas, Georgia rejected by Supreme Court
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-Devansh mishra
In a desperate attempt to salvage his presidency for another term, President Donald Trump appealed to the Supreme Court with regards to unfair counting of mail-in ballots in the states of Texas and Georgia among others. This re-check, if it would have gone in his favour, might have swung the votes by just enough to snatch a victory. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the Supreme Court recently declined this appeal just before the final consensus of the Electoral College.
This was the President’s last chance to swing the odds in his favour, just before the verdict of 306-232 in favour of Joe Biden is declared formally. Trump’s unprecedented call to the Supreme Court was swiftly debased by lawyers and experts alike. In a tweet on Friday, President Trump openly attacked the judicial system by saying ‘The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!’
Further actions still have to be identified and executed, but President Trump’s appeal doesn’t seem like it will pass.
Sources: Wall Street Journal
Brexit verdict, and what it means for europe
-Shravan h
Eleven months ago, the UK left the European Union. However, not everything was finalised then - there were many questions left regarding trade, access to fishing waters, and worker immigration, amongst others. Leaders set a deadline of 31st December, 2020, to resolve these issues, and come to a deal addressing them.
If a deal is made, it may provide a building block upon which UK-EU tensions are eased, and relations facilitated. On the other hand, if Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU representative Ursula von der Leyen are unable to come to a mutual understanding by the end of the year, trade relations between the two parties will abide by standard World Trade Organization guidelines.
The EU’s primary goal with these talks is allegedly to restrict British access to their goods & services, since the UK’s new import policies for 2021 would set protectionist standards on imports from Europe. The UK, on the other hand, wishes to maintain control over British waters. President Johnson and British Admiral West are threatening to move the Royal Navy to protect their waters by force if necessary.
For European citizens, WTO guidelines will reportedly mean more tariffs (up to 35%) and less free trade, leading to increased prices and more pressure on industries like automation and agriculture. It may also result in stricter regulations on goods crossing borders, and a new immigration system.
As for where the deal stands, PM Johnson cautions that it is “very likely” that no agreement will be reached by the deadline, which is also echoed by Mrs. von der Leyen. The overall outlook about a Brexit deal is pessimistic, and while there is hope for a last-minute deal, the possibility is slim. The likely result would be a decline in relations between the UK and the EU, and both parties have prepared hasty contingency plans for this situation.
Sources: BBC
Sports news
cricket around the world
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-Devansh mishra
With many bilateral series occurring simultaneously, one can truly say that the effects of pandemic on cricket seem to be long gone. Audience packing up the stadium till the brim has been a relieving sight to all cricket fans around the world.
Lights out for one last time
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-n. shriman kumarappan
Sergio Perez was last at the end of the first lap in Sakhir, and about 86 laps later, he crossed the line first with a 10 second advantage over Renault's Esteban Ocon, while leading home a brilliant Racing Point F1 One-Three.