Supreme Court blocks Louisiana abortion law paving way for more changes
The US Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Louisiana law that critics say would limit access to abortion in the southern state.
The decision was made by a narrow majority -- 5 votes to 4 -- with Chief Justice John Roberts joining the court's progressive justices to block the legislation, which would have taken effect Friday.
It was considered a test for the high court, swung to the right under President Donald Trump.
The law would require doctors at Louisiana's abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a hospital less than 50 kilometres away.
According to pro-choice advocates, that is too restrictive - leaving only one doctor able to perform the procedure in the whole state.
But the state of Louisiana argued that due to risks of complications, it was vital to be able to transfer patients to neighbouring hospitals.
That convinced an appeals court, which after years of hearings, allowed the law to finally come into force this week.
But those challenging it filed an emergency brief in the Supreme Court asking for it to block the law as they sought an appeal.
They argued that even if they were to win later, the impact of the law coming into effect would be irreversible and...