UK defies US by funding abortion programmes

The UK government is to contribute £3m ($5.3m; €4.4m) over the next two years to the global safe abortion programme. The programme, developed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, aims to help meet an internationally agreed target to reduce mortality among mothers in many of the world's poorest countries. It will help member associations do more to stop unsafe abortions as well as help halt the decline in family planning and reproductive services in some countries, such as Peru. The UK government's contribution flies in the face of restrictions introduced by the US government on funding of such organisations. The US's “global gag rule” prevents federal funding of any organisation that is …