In the United States, the Alabama Senate has passed a bill banning abortion. The legislation bans any termination of pregnancy and punishing doctors who perform the procedure with life in prison. The state Senate yesterday approved the law by 25 votes to six, rejecting exemptions for cases of rape or incest.

Human rights organisation, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), promised to file a lawsuit to block its implementation. But, those backing the bill have expressly said they want to bring the case to the Supreme Court. The Court’s present conservative majority has some Republicans wanting it to overturn a landmark 1973 ruling that recognised women’s right to abortion.