Stanley Colaço
Staff Writer
National
Murder charges dropped against woman who ‘self-induced’ abortion
On Sunday, Texas local prosecutor Gocha Allen Ramirez announced he will not be pursuing murder charges on Lizelle Herrerra. Herrerra attempted a “self-induced” abortion before the original arrest, and, after delivering the baby in a miscarriage due to the abortion, nurses reported Herrerra to Texas authorities. After further examination of the case, it was decided that Texas law does not prohibit “self-induced” abortions. Currently, the six-month old legislation only pursues those who help the mother have the abortion, usually meaning doctors or healthcare companies. Texas lawmakers are now asking if the current law should be amended or changed to charge women who attempt to abort their babies.
Atlanta rapper charged with illegally smuggling over 300 guns
A multi-year investigation on gun smuggling was released to the public and has led to charges against an Atlanta-based rapper for illegally smuggling guns. Frederick Norman, who uses the stage name “Slowkey Fred,” and 11 others have been charged in the operation, accused of smuggling guns from southern states, mainly Georgia, into Philadelphia. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms carried out the investigation and pursued charges with the local authorities from both Georgia and Pennsylvania. In addition to the guns, authorities also found more than 300 rounds of ammunition, though it is unclear whether these were meant to be sold as well.
Ketanji Brown Jackson wins spot on US Supreme Court
The U.S. Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice in a vote April 7. The vote in the Senate was less close than originally expected. Early predictions said Democrats such as Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia might vote against the nomination due to skepticism and controversy over Jackson’s inability to define a woman, her beliefs on abortion and her purported leniency toward child porn offenders. Every democrat ended up supporting Jackson’s confirmation in addition to three Republicans: Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
International
Le Pen and Macron to clash in French presidential election rematch
After originally going against each other in the 2017 presidential runoff election, Emmanuel Macron, incumbent, and Marine Le Pen, a conservative candidate, face each other again in France’s presidential election. Macron went into the first election as the frontrunner, though it was unclear who would take the second ballot spot for the April 24 election. The first election April 10 showed a third party candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon, socialist and member of France Unbowed, pushing far ahead of the others. While Melenchon had only five departments in mainland France, he was able to secure leading numbers in all but one overseas department. The rest of the 96 departments were split between Macron and Le Pen. The election showed some of the lowest voter turnouts in 20 years, with only 72.1% of voters going to the polls.
Mexican president avoids recall in low turnout election, will stay in office
In an election that would take him out of office, Lopez Obrador, Mexican president, avoided relegation from the presidency with over 90% of the vote. Voter turnout, however, was only 19%. In an unusual move, the president called for the referendum himself. Typically, these types of procedures come from the electorate or the courts. When he was first elected into office, in 2018, Obrador promised his voting base the referendum, saying that it would allow voters to determine if they were happy with his governance.
Pope asks Catholics, government leaders to fight for Easter truce in Ukraine
In his Palm Sunday homily, April 10, Pope Francis called for an “Easter truce” in the fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The call for peace comes after the fighting has destroyed Eastern Ukraine and reached almost all of the Easter European country, reaching as far as the capital of Kiev. He remarked on the horrors of war taking place in Ukraine to an audience of over 50,000 people in St. Peter’s square.