A US federal appeals court, on Wednesday (August 16th),&nbsp;imposed restrictions on&nbsp;the widely used abortion pill, mifepristone. The ruling, which partially blocks&nbsp;a lower court ruling&nbsp;that sought to&nbsp;revoke&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the abortion pill, has instead&nbsp;limited&nbsp;its use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy, and&nbsp;prevented its distribution by mail.&nbsp;

Limiting the access and use of the abortion pill,&nbsp;a three-judge panel&nbsp;of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said: "In loosening mifepristone's safety restrictions, FDA failed to address several important concerns about whether the drug would be safe for the women who use it."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ros-vs-wade-fallout-13-year-old-girl-gives-birth-after-she-was-raped-and-denied-abortion-in-mississippi-625601">Roe vs Wade fallout: 13-year-old girl gives birth after she was raped and denied abortion in Mississippi</a>

As per the news agency AFP, the ruling and the restrictions it imposes will remain on hold as the US Supreme Court ponders whether to take up the case.

<h2>What the ruling means</h2>

The ruling reduces the abortion pill usage window from 10 to seven&nbsp;weeks and&nbsp;mandates that&nbsp;mifepristone must be prescribed by a doctor. However, for the time being, the drug will continue to be available on the market.

The decision, as per AFP, has been made by a panel of conservative judges, two of whom were appointed by former US president Donald Trump, a Republican.

<h2>Reproductive rights,&nbsp;mifepristone and the US</h2>

Anti-abortion groups&nbsp;have been advocating for a ban on mifepristone. Despite the medicine's proven&nbsp;track record, they cite safety concerns as the reason for the proposed ban.

Mifepristone, as per AFP,&nbsp;is responsible for over half of all abortions in the United States.&nbsp;The FDA reports that&nbsp;since its approval in 2000, approximately 5.6 million Americans have used mifepristone to abort pregnancies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-regulatory-body-set-to-unveil-measures-for-surveillance-industry-625929">US regulatory body set to unveil measures for 'Surveillance&nbsp;Industry'</a>

<h2>Pro-choice vs Pro-life</h2>

In April, Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, another appointee of Trump, overturned the FDA's 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. Following this, the Supreme Court&nbsp;stepped in and&nbsp;temporarily preserved&nbsp;access to mifepristone. The apex court then sent the case back to the 5th Circuit.&nbsp;

Kacsmaryk's decision was labelled 'out of bounds' by US President Joe Biden. However, in a hearing held in May, the three-judge panel pushed back against the government's stance that the decision on mifepristone's use should be left to the FDA.

In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the historic Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion.&nbsp;Since then the United States has been engaged in a&nbsp;struggle over reproductive rights. This legal battle over access to abortion pills is the latest in the ongoing fight.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A US federal appeals court, on Wednesday (August 16th), imposed restrictions on the widely used abortion pill, mifepristone. The ruling, which partially blocks a lower court ruling that sought to revoke Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the abortion pill, has instead limited its use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy, and prevented its distribution by mail.

A US federal appeals court, on Wednesday (August 16th), imposed restrictions on the widely used abortion pill, mifepristone. The ruling, which partially blocks a lower court ruling that sought to revoke Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the abortion pill, has instead limited its use to the first seven weeks of pregnancy, and prevented its distribution by mail. Limiting the access and use of the abortion pill, a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said: "In loosening mifepristone's safety restrictions, FDA failed to address several important concerns about whether the drug would be safe for the women who use it." Also read | Roe vs Wade fallout: 13-year-old girl gives birth after she was raped and denied abortion in Mississippi As per the news agency AFP, the ruling and the restrictions it imposes will remain on hold as the US Supreme Court ponders whether to take up the case. What the ruling means The ruling reduces the abortion pill usage window from 10 to seven weeks and mandates that mifepristone must be prescribed by a doctor. However, for the time being, the drug will continue to be available on the market. The decision, as per AFP, has been made by a panel of conservative judges, two of whom were appointed by former US president Donald Trump, a Republican. Reproductive rights, mifepristone and the US Anti-abortion groups have been advocating for a ban on mifepristone. Despite the medicine's proven track record, they cite safety concerns as the reason for the proposed ban. Mifepristone, as per AFP, is responsible for over half of all abortions in the United States. The FDA reports that since its approval in 2000, approximately 5.6 million Americans have used mifepristone to abort pregnancies. Also read | US regulatory body set to unveil measures for 'Surveillance Industry' Pro-choice vs Pro-life In April, Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, another appointee of Trump, overturned the FDA's 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. Following this, the Supreme Court stepped in and temporarily preserved access to mifepristone. The apex court then sent the case back to the 5th Circuit. Kacsmaryk's decision was labelled 'out of bounds' by US President Joe Biden. However, in a hearing held in May, the three-judge panel pushed back against the government's stance that the decision on mifepristone's use should be left to the FDA. In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the historic Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion. Since then the United States has been engaged in a struggle over reproductive rights. This legal battle over access to abortion pills is the latest in the ongoing fight. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US appeals court places restrictions on abortion pill mifepristone, Supreme Court to have final say

In the United States, as abortion access for troops emerges as a sore spot, a second military branch is now without a confirmed leader.

On Friday, the US Army's chief of staff, General James McConville, stepped down after completing his tenure. However, protests over abortion access for US troops have come in the way of approval of Pentagon nominations, leaving the top post vacant.

<h2>The waiting game</h2>

As per AFP, more than 300 nominations, including the generals that are to be the new heads of Army and Marine Corps, are awaiting confirmation by the US Senate.

"Unfortunately, today, for the first time in the history of the Department of Defence, two of our services will be operating without Senate-confirmed leadership," said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at a ceremony marking the end of General McConville's tenure.

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"The failure to confirm our superbly qualified senior uniformed leaders undermines our military readiness. It undermines our retention of some of our very best officers. And it is upending the lives of far too many of their spouses, children, and loved ones," he remarked.

The Pentagon, too, has emphasised that the delay in approval of these nominations negatively affects military families.

<h2>Lives 'in limbo'</h2>

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said. "We need the Senate to act not only on his nomination but also on the over 300 other general and flag officers across the armed services whose careers and lives are now in limbo because of this unprecedented hold."

To replace McConville, the Pentagon has nominated the current vice chief of staff of the Army, General Randy George. Till his nomination is confirmed, George will perform all the Army chief duties in an acting capacity.

The US Marine Corps commandant stepped down on July 10th, till date his post remains vacant. The problem is set to worsen as soon other top officers, including Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

<h2>Pro-choice vs Pro-life</h2>

In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, striking down the nationwide right to abortion.&nbsp;

While the decision had clear, lasting repercussions for American women in most states, for those serving in the army it meant travelling to at times far away states, if stationed in places where abortion is restricted or banned.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-people-hope-to-kill-massive-serpents-in-floridas-burmese-pythons-killing-contest-622297">US: People hope to kill massive serpents in Florida’s Burmese pythons killing contest</a>

To allow troops to take administrative absences to receive "non-covered reproductive health care," and to establish travel allowances to help them cover costs, the Defence Secretary directed the US Defence Department to develop policies.

However, pro-life supporters like Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, claim these efforts are illegal and have vowed to delay approval of senior officers as well Defence Department civilian officials until Austin's policies are reversed.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the United States, as abortion access for troops emerges as a sore spot, a second military branch is now without a confirmed leader. On Friday, the US Army's chief of staff, General James McConville, stepped down after completing his tenure.

In the United States, as abortion access for troops emerges as a sore spot, a second military branch is now without a confirmed leader. On Friday, the US Army's chief of staff, General James McConville, stepped down after completing his tenure. However, protests over abortion access for US troops have come in the way of approval of Pentagon nominations, leaving the top post vacant. The waiting game As per AFP, more than 300 nominations, including the generals that are to be the new heads of Army and Marine Corps, are awaiting confirmation by the US Senate. "Unfortunately, today, for the first time in the history of the Department of Defence, two of our services will be operating without Senate-confirmed leadership," said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at a ceremony marking the end of General McConville's tenure. Also read | Ocean temperatures set new record, scientists warn we are in hot soup "The failure to confirm our superbly qualified senior uniformed leaders undermines our military readiness. It undermines our retention of some of our very best officers. And it is upending the lives of far too many of their spouses, children, and loved ones," he remarked. The Pentagon, too, has emphasised that the delay in approval of these nominations negatively affects military families. Lives 'in limbo' Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said. "We need the Senate to act not only on his nomination but also on the over 300 other general and flag officers across the armed services whose careers and lives are now in limbo because of this unprecedented hold." To replace McConville, the Pentagon has nominated the current vice chief of staff of the Army, General Randy George. Till his nomination is confirmed, George will perform all the Army chief duties in an acting capacity. The US Marine Corps commandant stepped down on July 10th, till date his post remains vacant. The problem is set to worsen as soon other top officers, including Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. Pro-choice vs Pro-life In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, striking down the nationwide right to abortion. While the decision had clear, lasting repercussions for American women in most states, for those serving in the army it meant travelling to at times far away states, if stationed in places where abortion is restricted or banned. Also read | US: People hope to kill massive serpents in Florida’s Burmese pythons killing contest To allow troops to take administrative absences to receive "non-covered reproductive health care," and to establish travel allowances to help them cover costs, the Defence Secretary directed the US Defence Department to develop policies. However, pro-life supporters like Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, claim these efforts are illegal and have vowed to delay approval of senior officers as well Defence Department civilian officials until Austin's policies are reversed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lives in 'limbo' as pro-life protest leaves top US military jobs unfilled

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US appeals court places restrictions on abortion pill mifepristone, Supreme Court to have final say

Lives in 'limbo' as pro-life protest leaves top US military jobs unfilled