Texas judge rules abortion ban too strict for risky pregnancies

State attorney general immediately appeals against ruling that says doctors must be allowed to end unsafe pregnancies

A judge in Texas has ruled that the state's abortion ban is too restrictive for women with serious pregnancy complications and must allow exceptions without doctors fearing the threat of criminal charges.

The ruling in Austin was the first to undercut the law since it took effect in 2022 and delivers a major victory to abortion rights supporters, who see the case as a potential blueprint to weaken restrictions elsewhere that Republican-led states have rushed to implement.