Governor of Texas Greg Abbott Wednesday signed a bill that would ban abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected.&nbsp;

That’s as early as six weeks gestation before many people know they are pregnant, effectively banning most abortions in the state.

The controversial bill is also known as the 'heartbeat bill' as it bans abortion once a foetal heartbeat is detected, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

It also includes cases where a woman became pregnant as a result of rape or incest.

The bill passed easily through both the Senate and House, despite fervent opposition from Democrats.

"Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion," Abbott said during a live video of the ceremony shared on Facebook. "In Texas, we work to save those lives and that's exactly what the Texas Legislature did this session."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The heartbeat bill is now LAW in the Lone Star State. 
 
This bill ensures the life of every unborn child with a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion. 
 
Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/SenBryanHughes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenBryanHughes</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShelbySlawson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShelbySlawson</a>, &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/txlege?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#txlege</a> for fighting for the lives of the unborn in Texas. <a href="https://t.co/aolhUKM9tv">pic.twitter.com/aolhUKM9tv</a>
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1395037572158603265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Abortion rights advocates have promised to challenge the new law, which they consider one of the most extreme nationwide and the strictest in Texas since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Governor of Texas Greg Abbott Wednesday signed a bill that would ban abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected. That’s as early as six weeks gestation before many people know they are pregnant, effectively banning most abortions in the state.

Governor of Texas Greg Abbott Wednesday signed a bill that would ban abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected. That’s as early as six weeks gestation before many people know they are pregnant, effectively banning most abortions in the state. The controversial bill is also known as the 'heartbeat bill' as it bans abortion once a foetal heartbeat is detected, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. It also includes cases where a woman became pregnant as a result of rape or incest. The bill passed easily through both the Senate and House, despite fervent opposition from Democrats. "Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion," Abbott said during a live video of the ceremony shared on Facebook. "In Texas, we work to save those lives and that's exactly what the Texas Legislature did this session." The heartbeat bill is now LAW in the Lone Star State. This bill ensures the life of every unborn child with a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion. Thank you @SenBryanHughes, @ShelbySlawson, & #txlege for fighting for the lives of the unborn in Texas. pic.twitter.com/aolhUKM9tv — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 19, 2021 × Meanwhile, Abortion rights advocates have promised to challenge the new law, which they consider one of the most extreme nationwide and the strictest in Texas since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. (With inputs from agencies)

Heartbeat bill: Texas passes strict anti-abortion law

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging a law enacted by Alabama last week that bans nearly all abortions and makes performing the procedure a felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison.

The lawsuit is one of several the groups have filed or are preparing to file against states that recently passed strict anti-abortion measures in an effort to prompt the US&nbsp;Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that guarantees a woman's constitutional right to abortion.

On Friday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, signed a bill into law that bans abortion beginning in the eighth week of pregnancy. In Mississippi, a federal judge blocked a law that would ban abortions once an embryonic heartbeat is detected, which can occur at six weeks after conception.

"This dangerous, immoral, and unconstitutional ban threatens people's lives and well-being and we are using to protect our patients' rights," Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a women's healthcare and abortion provider, said in a statement.

The ACLU's Alabama chapter and Planned Parenthood of America filed their complaint in federal court in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-protest-strict-alabama-abortion-law-220009"> Alabama</a> on behalf of the Southern state's three abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Anti-abortion advocates expected legal challenges to Alabama's new law, which will be the most restrictive in the nation when it takes effect in November, and say they welcome the chance to have a court test their conviction that a fetus' right to life is paramount.

Mississippi joined Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio earlier this year in outlawing abortion after a doctor can detect an embryonic heartbeat.

In granting the preliminary injunction on Friday, US&nbsp;District Judge Carlton Reeves wrote that the Mississippi law, which was scheduled to take effect on July 1, would prevent a woman's free choice "which is central to personal dignity and autonomy."

The measure was challenged in court on behalf of the Jackson Women's Health Organization, the state's lone abortion facility.

The ACLU and Planned Parenthood obtained an injunction from a judge in March blocking Kentucky's abortion ban. The two organizations have filed lawsuits in Ohio and are preparing a legal fight in Georgia, they said in a statement on Friday.

The wave of anti-abortion legislation reflects a boost of confidence among anti-abortion advocates after Republican <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-pro-life-but-favors-exceptions-for-rape-incest-219867">President Donald Trump</a> nominated two conservative judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, to the Supreme Court, tilting the court's political balance to the right.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging a law enacted by Alabama last week that bans nearly all abortions and makes performing the procedure a felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging a law enacted by Alabama last week that bans nearly all abortions and makes performing the procedure a felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison. The lawsuit is one of several the groups have filed or are preparing to file against states that recently passed strict anti-abortion measures in an effort to prompt the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that guarantees a woman's constitutional right to abortion. On Friday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, signed a bill into law that bans abortion beginning in the eighth week of pregnancy. In Mississippi, a federal judge blocked a law that would ban abortions once an embryonic heartbeat is detected, which can occur at six weeks after conception. "This dangerous, immoral, and unconstitutional ban threatens people's lives and well-being and we are using to protect our patients' rights," Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a women's healthcare and abortion provider, said in a statement. The ACLU's Alabama chapter and Planned Parenthood of America filed their complaint in federal court in Alabama on behalf of the Southern state's three abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood Southeast. Anti-abortion advocates expected legal challenges to Alabama's new law, which will be the most restrictive in the nation when it takes effect in November, and say they welcome the chance to have a court test their conviction that a fetus' right to life is paramount. Mississippi joined Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio earlier this year in outlawing abortion after a doctor can detect an embryonic heartbeat. In granting the preliminary injunction on Friday, US District Judge Carlton Reeves wrote that the Mississippi law, which was scheduled to take effect on July 1, would prevent a woman's free choice "which is central to personal dignity and autonomy." The measure was challenged in court on behalf of the Jackson Women's Health Organization, the state's lone abortion facility. The ACLU and Planned Parenthood obtained an injunction from a judge in March blocking Kentucky's abortion ban. The two organizations have filed lawsuits in Ohio and are preparing a legal fight in Georgia, they said in a statement on Friday. The wave of anti-abortion legislation reflects a boost of confidence among anti-abortion advocates after Republican President Donald Trump nominated two conservative judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, to the Supreme Court, tilting the court's political balance to the right.

Groups sue over Alabama abortion law; judge blocks Mississippi ban

As Ireland gets ready for a landmark referendum on Friday against anti-abortion laws, the parents of Savita Halappanavar hope that the country goes for 'yes' vote and facilitate scrapping of the law that killed their daughter.

Ireland's fight against its strict abortion laws got more impetus in 2012 when an Indian woman Savita Halappanavar died after she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. According to reports, Halappanavar repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat.

31-year-old Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to University Hospital Galway in Ireland due to septic miscarriage. She died five after she was refused a termination. The incident outraged people all across, especially those who belonged to the Indian community.&nbsp;

A widespread public debate eventually mounted pressure on the Irish government forcing it to change the abortion legislation and allowing the procedure in cases where there is a threat to the mother's life. However, termination of pregnancy in cases of foetal abnormalities, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, rape was still prohibited.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-anti-abortion-referendum-yes-campaigners-take-lead-in-ireland-138623">Ahead of anti-abortion referendum, yes campaigners take lead in Ireland</a>

This Friday, Ireland will decide whether it would repeal the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution which identifies the life of the baby and mother as equal.&nbsp;

If repealed, the people of Ireland will succeed at overturning one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Women, who now have to go all the way to London, UK will then enjoy the right to demand an abortion.

Halappanavar's parents, as quoted in various media reports, bat for 'yes' vote and urge the people of Ireland to render the subversive law as redundant, ineffective. Her parents feel that Savita had a long life which was cut short mercilessly and that the same should not happen to other women.

Halappanavar's father, Andanappa Yalagi, told a UK-based newspaper that voting against the anti-abortion on Friday will ensure that women in Ireland will not be subjected to what his daughter went through and that by voting in favour of free abortion policies will do a great service to her "departed soul".

Ireland's fight against its strict abortion laws got more impetus in 2012 when an Indian woman Savita Halappanavar died after she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage

As Ireland gets ready for a landmark referendum on Friday against anti-abortion laws, the parents of Savita Halappanavar hope that the country goes for 'yes' vote and facilitate scrapping of the law that killed their daughter. Ireland's fight against its strict abortion laws got more impetus in 2012 when an Indian woman Savita Halappanavar died after she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage. According to reports, Halappanavar repeatedly asked for a termination but was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. 31-year-old Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to University Hospital Galway in Ireland due to septic miscarriage. She died five after she was refused a termination. The incident outraged people all across, especially those who belonged to the Indian community. A widespread public debate eventually mounted pressure on the Irish government forcing it to change the abortion legislation and allowing the procedure in cases where there is a threat to the mother's life. However, termination of pregnancy in cases of foetal abnormalities, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, rape was still prohibited. Also Read: Ahead of anti-abortion referendum, yes campaigners take lead in Ireland This Friday, Ireland will decide whether it would repeal the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution which identifies the life of the baby and mother as equal. If repealed, the people of Ireland will succeed at overturning one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Women, who now have to go all the way to London, UK will then enjoy the right to demand an abortion. Halappanavar's parents, as quoted in various media reports, bat for 'yes' vote and urge the people of Ireland to render the subversive law as redundant, ineffective. Her parents feel that Savita had a long life which was cut short mercilessly and that the same should not happen to other women. Halappanavar's father, Andanappa Yalagi, told a UK-based newspaper that voting against the anti-abortion on Friday will ensure that women in Ireland will not be subjected to what his daughter went through and that by voting in favour of free abortion policies will do a great service to her "departed soul".

Savita Halappanavar's parents want Ireland to vote out anti-abortion law that led to her death