US Supreme Court Hears Texas Abortion Law Case

The conservative-majority US Supreme Court hears challenges to the most restrictive law passed since abortion was made a constitutional right nearly 50 years ago.<br />Dozens of protesters gathered outside the court in downtown Washington ahead of two hours of arguments before the nine-member panel.<br />The Texas Heartbeat Act bans abortions after a heartbeat can be detected in the womb, which is normally around six weeks and makes no exceptions for rape or incest.<br />The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority after Donald Trump nominated three justices, is to hear two hours of arguments in a case that has sparked a fierce legal and political battle.