International

Vatican responds to France’s inclusion of abortion in constitution: “ending a life is not a right”

The Pontifical Academy for Life of the Vatican defended on Monday that “ending a human life cannot be a right,” in response to the decision of the French Senate to include abortion in the Constitution.

“The Pontifical Academy for Life reiterates that precisely in the era of universal human rights, there cannot be a ‘right’ to suppress a human life,” it states in a statement.

The French Senate approved last Wednesday the inclusion of the right to abortion in the Constitution, in the same terms as decided by the National Assembly almost a month ago, making France the first country to adopt this measure.

Vatican Academy: “Protection of Life Must Become an Absolute Priority”

The Vatican Academy addressed all governments of the world and all religions to make the protection of life “an absolute priority” at this stage in history, with concrete steps towards peace and social justice, and effective measures for universal access to resources, education, and health.

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“The particular life situations and difficult and dramatic contexts of our time must be faced with the tools of a legal civilization that looks above all to the protection of the weakest and most vulnerable,” it indicates.

In this regard, it emphasizes that “the protection of human life is the primary goal of humanity” and can only be developed in “a world without conflicts or wounds, with a science, technology, and industry at the service of the individual and brotherhood.”

“For the Catholic Church, the defense of life is not an ideology but a reality, a human reality that involves all Christians, precisely because they are Christians and human beings,” affirms the pontifical academy, paraphrasing a speech by Pope Francis at the general audience on March 25, 2020.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.