Conservative US Supreme Court justices on Wednesday indicated support for curbing abortion rights in America by upholding a restrictive Mississippi law, as liberal justices warned against ditching important legal precedents like the 1973 Roe v Wade decision that legalised the procedure nationwide.
The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, heard oral arguments in the southern state's appeal to revive its ban on abortion starting at 15 weeks of pregnancy. Lower courts had blocked the Republican-backed law.
Jackson Women's Health Organisation, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, challenged the law and has the support of Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. A ruling is expected by the end of next June.
The closely watched case brought hundreds of protesters from both sides of the issue to duelling rallies outside the Supreme Court.
Roe v Wade recognised that the right to personal privacy under the US Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. The Supreme Court in a 1992 ruling — Planned Parenthood of South-Eastern Pennsylvania v Casey — reaffirmed abortion rights and prohibited laws imposing an “undue burden” on abortion access.
The Roe and Casey decisions determined that states cannot ban abortion before a foetus is viable outside the womb, generally viewed by doctors as between 24 and 28 weeks.
“Why is 15 weeks not enough time” for a woman to decide to have an abortion, conservative Chief Justice John Roberts asked during the argument.
While Mr Roberts seemed to indicate that the court could uphold the Mississippi law without overturning Roe v Wade, some of his fellow conservatives, including Justice Neil Gorsuch, appeared to be interested in going further.
“The constitution is neither pro-life nor pro-choice … and leaves the issue to the people to resolve in the democratic process,” said conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Mr Kavanaugh wondered if the court should be neutral on abortion rights, which would require overturning Roe. If Mississippi wins the case, Mr Kavanaugh added, such a ruling would not prohibit abortion nationwide but would let states regulate it as they see fit.
Julie Rikelman, the lawyer arguing for the abortion clinic that challenged the Mississippi law, said overturning Roe would not mean the court is neutral as it would be saying that even though the constitution protects liberty, women “would never have equal status under the constitution".
“Allowing a state to take control of a woman's body … is a fundamental violation of her liberty,” Ms Rikelman said.
Liberal justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor spoke on the dangers of politicising the issue.
Bowing to political pressure and delivering such a ruling would “subvert the court's legitimacy”, Mr Breyer said.
“Will this institution survive the stench this creates?” Ms Sotomayor asked, saying that it would give the impression that the constitution and its interpretation is based purely on politics.
“If people think it is all political … how will the court survive?”
If people think it is all political ... how will the court survive?
US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Anti-abortion advocates view the case as being one step closer to overturning Roe v Wade, a long-standing goal for Christian conservatives.
Encouraged by the high court's conservative-leaning majority, some notable Republicans were already expressing confidence.
“We are asking the court in no uncertain terms to make history,” former vice president Mike Pence said.
Mississippi's is one of a series of restrictive abortion laws passed in Republican-governed states in recent years. The Supreme Court on November 1 heard arguments on a Texas law banning abortion at about six weeks of pregnancy but has not yet issued a ruling.
Wednesday's arguments could provide insight into whether there are the needed five votes among the six conservative justices to overturn Roe v Wade.
Republican former president Donald Trump vowed when he ran for office in 2016 to nominate justices who would overturn the judicial decision.
Mr Trump followed through, appointing three conservative justices who transformed the court and made it easier to offer new challenges to abortion rights: Mr Gorsuch, Mr Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
Supreme Court justices are given lifetime appointments and have the potential to shape US policy for a generation.
Agencies contributed to this report
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The five pillars of Islam
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE%20SWIMMERS
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
