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Alabama passes a bill banning abortion

A sexual assault survivor explains why she believes this law is bad for women
The senate in the US state of Alabama has passed a highly restrictive abortion law. It effectively bans abortions, except when the woman's life is at risk. Abortion after rape or incest would be banned and doctors face from 10 to 99 years in prison for carrying out an abortion. Opponents warn that it's part of efforts to revoke the Supreme Court judgement Roe vs Wade, which established a constitutional right to end a pregnancy. Newsday's Tom Hagler spoke to Dina Zirlott who's campaigning against the legislation.  She was raped and became pregnant at age 17.

(Photo: Protesters on both sides of the abortion issue gather in front of the US Supreme Court  Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Trump ropes Fed into US-China trade dispute

US President Donald Trump has been breaking with tradition, putting pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low.

This is unusual for presidents who have historically tried to respect the independence of the central bank in order not to erode confidence on its decisions.

But Mr Trump went a step further this week:

"China will be pumping money into their system and probably reducing interest rates, as always, in order to make up for the business they are, and will be, losing," Trump said on Twitter

"If the Federal Reserve ever did a 'match,' it would be game over, we win! In any event, China wants a deal!"

Facade of the Marriner S Eccles building of the United States Federal Reserve, the agency of the Federal Government responsible for setting the monetary policy of the United States, as well as determining interest rates, Washington, DC, July 24, 2017.
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