Latest news with #Democrat-dominated
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Paramount Plan To Pay Off Trump Sparks California Senate Probe, Requests For Ex-CBS News Brass To Testify
Lesley Stahl is certain Paramount will pay off Donald Trump to end POTUS' $20 billion 60 Minutes lawsuit, and Scott Pelley exclaims journalism is under attack. However, if Shari Redstone thinks a big check and an apology for a piece last year from the CBS newsmagazine series he didn't like is enough to grease the regulatory wheels for Skydance's $8 billion absorption of the company, the California state Senate has a news alert for her. In a letter Friday sent to former 60 Minutes EP Bill Owens and ex-CBS News and Stations boss Wendy McMahon, plus the Paramount Global board and the state Attorney General, the heads of the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee in Sacramento began an investigation to see if Golden State bribery and unfair competition laws are about to be violated. More from Deadline '60 Minutes' Veteran Lesley Stahl Expects To Soon Be 'Mourning, Grieving' Paramount Settlement Of 'Frivolous' Trump Lawsuit Paramount Offers Millions To Trump To End $20B '60 Minutes' Suit & Let Skydance Merger Go Through Lester Holt Signs Off As 'NBC Nightly News' Anchor: "Facts Matter" Whether such a probe from the Democrat-dominated state Senate and voluntary (well, voluntary for now) testimony from Owens and McMahon could derail the big-bucks merger Redstone is banking on is unlikely. Yet, it's sure to make it uncomfortable for the current owners and the potential future ones. 'Your recent resignations from CBS's leadership, amid public reports of internal concern about the editorial and ethical implications of the proposed settlement, suggest that you may possess important, first-hand knowledge relevant to our legislative oversight responsibilities,' state Senators Josh Becker and Thomas J. Umberg wrote to Owens and McMahon today. 'This hearing will mark the beginning of our inquiry,' the committee chairs added. 'Should additional testimony or documentation become necessary, both committees retain full subpoena authority under California law. We respectfully encourage you to participate in this important hearing. Your cooperation will help safeguard the values you have each worked to uphold in your distinguished careers.' Owens and McMahon both jumped ship from CBS in the past several weeks before they were given a fatal shove by George Cheeks for resisting the motivations of the C-suite and Redstone to tone down critiques of the former Apprentice host and reach a settlement to the lawsuit Trump filed just before last year's election. To that, Becker and Umberg want Owens and McMahon to consider the big picture, and Redstone and Skydance's David Ellison to realize they are dancing with the devil in a red tie. 'Perhaps even more concerning is the potential chilling effect of Paramount's settlement on investigative and political journalism,' the state politicians declared. 'Such a settlement would signal that politically motivated lawsuits can succeed when paired with regulatory threats. It would damage public trust in CBS News and other California-based outlets, diminishing the state's stature as a national leader in ethical journalism. Paramount's capitulation would also undermine two essential pillars of a liberal democracy: a free press and an impartial, rule-of-law regulatory system.' In a recent filing trying to stop Paramount from getting the suit tossed, Trump's lawyers claimed that the so-called tough guy POTUS suffered 'mental anguish' over editing of a 60 Minutes interview with his then-ballot box rival Kamala Harris. Filed in Texas, Trump's suit alleges violations of the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which typically is used by consumers to pursue false advertising claims. In the weeks before he was promoted to FCC chair, Brendan Carr said the 60 Minutes complaint was 'likely to arise' as part of the Paramount/Skydance merger review. Trying sometimes to out-Trump Trump, Carr has since said earlier this month that his boss' lawsuit has nothing to do with the merger consideration and regulatory approval – a statement no one with an ounce of real-world knowledge believes for one minute. Last week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) warned Redstone that any deal with Trump could constitute a violation of federal bribery laws. She clearly didn't care what the trio had to say because earlier this week, Deadline confirmed the gist of a May 28 Wall Street Journal report that Paramount had offered Trump an 'eight-figure' settlement in the $15 million range. Smelling more lucrative blood in the water, it was a settlement that Trump rejected. Sources say that he wants more money and that talks are ongoing, which means he'll likely get more money so the Skydance deal can be greenlighted. Semafor first reported the news of the California state Senate letter. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
South Carolina Supreme Court decides heartbeat definition allows six-week abortion ban
Columbia: The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday the state can keep banning abortions around six weeks after conception by agreeing with the earliest interpretation offered of when a heartbeat starts. The justices unanimously ruled that while the medical language in the 2023 law was vague, supporters and opponents of the law all seemed to think it banned abortions after six weeks until Planned Parenthood lost its challenge to the entire law two years ago. The law says abortions cannot be performed after an ultrasound can detect "cardiac activity, or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac." The state argued that is the moment when an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. Planned Parenthood said the words after the "or" mean the ban should only start after the major parts of the heart come together and "repetitive rhythmic contraction" begins, which is often around nine weeks. The justices acknowledged the medical imprecision of South Carolina's heartbeat provision, which is similar to language in the laws in several other states. But they said this drove them to study the intent of the General Assembly, which left no doubt that lawmakers on both sides of the issue saw it as a six-week ban. "We could find not one instance during the entire 2023 legislative session in which anyone connected in any way to the General Assembly framed the Act as banning abortion after approximately nine weeks," Associate Justice John Few wrote in the court's opinion. The justices said opponents of the law used six weeks when proposing amendments on when child support payments should start that were voted down. And the Supreme Court pointed out Planned Parenthood used the phrase "six-week ban" more than 300 times in previous filings, as South Carolina's 2021 ban at cardiac activity was overturned in a 3-2 decision in 2023 and then reinstated months later after the General Assembly tweaked the law and the court's only woman who overturned the ban had to retire because of her age. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended a nationwide right to abortion in 2022, most Republican-controlled states have begun enforcing new bans or restrictions while most Democrat-dominated ones have sought to protect abortion access. Currently, 12 states enforce bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions. South Carolina and three others prohibit abortions at or about six weeks into pregnancy -- often before women realize they're pregnant. The fight over South Carolina's abortion law is not over. A federal judge this month allowed to continue a lawsuit by five OB-GYN doctors who said they can't properly treat patients because they fear they could be charged with crimes due to the vague definitions of heartbeat and the exceptions allowing abortions only when a fatal fetal anomaly exists or a woman's life is at risk. South Carolina's law also allows abortions for up to 12 weeks after conception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will continue to fight as long as the law is challenged. "Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life," he said in a statement. Planned Parenthood also vowed to keep challenging the ban, saying it harms women and damages the state's healthcare system. "Justice did not prevail today, and the people of South Carolina are paying the price. People have been forced to carry pregnancies against their will, suffered life-threatening infections, and died as a direct result of this abortion ban," the organization's statement said.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SC Supreme Court upholds abortion restrictions
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday the state can keep banning abortions around six weeks after conception by agreeing with the earliest interpretation offered of when a heartbeat starts. The justices unanimously ruled that while the medical language in the 2023 law was vague, supporters and opponents of the law all seemed to think it banned abortions after six weeks until Planned Parenthood lost its challenge to the entire law two years ago. Republicans introduce bill to impose more restrictive abortion ban in North Carolina The law says abortions cannot be performed after an ultrasound can detect 'cardiac activity, or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac.' The state argued that is the moment when an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. Planned Parenthood said the words after the 'or' mean the ban should only start after the major parts of the heart come together and 'repetitive rhythmic contraction' begins, which is often around nine weeks. The justices acknowledged the medical imprecision of South Carolina's heartbeat provision, which is similar to language in the laws in several other states. But they said that drove them to study the intent of the General Assembly which left no doubt lawmakers on both sides of the issue saw it as a six-week ban. 'We could find not one instance during the entire 2023 legislative session in which anyone connected in any way to the General Assembly framed the Act as banning abortion after approximately nine weeks,' Associate Justice John Few wrote in the court's opinion. The justices said opponents of the law used six weeks when proposing amendments that were voted down on when child support payments should start. And the Supreme Court pointed out Planned Parenthood used the phrase 'six-week ban' more than 300 times in previous filings as South Carolina's 2021 ban at cardiac activity was overturned in a 3-2 decision in 2023 and then reinstated months later after the General Assembly tweaked the law and the court's only woman who overturned the ban had to retire because of her age. The ruling upholding the six-week ban mentioned the imprecision which led Planned Parenthood to sue again over the definitions. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and ended a nationwide right to abortion, most Republican-controlled states have started enforcing new bans or restrictions and most Democrat-dominated ones have sought to protect abortion access. Currently, 12 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and South Carolina and three others have bans that kick in at or about six weeks into pregnancy -- often before women realize they're pregnant. The fight over South Carolina's abortion law is not over. Earlier this month, a federal judge allowed to continue a lawsuit by five OB-GYN doctors who said the vague definitions of heartbeat and the exceptions allowing abortions when a fatal fetal anomaly exists or a woman's life is at risk prevents them from being able to properly treat patients because they fear they could be charged with crimes. South Carolina's law also allows abortions for up to 12 weeks after conception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. But in a change from previous years, there was little debate in the General Assembly on tightening the law to ban nearly all abortions. Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will continue to fight as long as the law is challenged. 'Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life,' he said in a statement.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
South Carolina Supreme Court decides heartbeat definition allows six-week abortion ban
South Carolina Supreme Court decides heartbeat definition allows six-week abortion ban (Photo: AP) The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday the state can keep banning abortions around six weeks after conception by agreeing with the earliest interpretation offered of when a heartbeat starts. The justices unanimously ruled that while the medical language in the 2023 law was vague, supporters and opponents of the law all seemed to think it banned abortions after six weeks until Planned Parenthood lost its challenge to the entire law two years ago. The law says abortions cannot be performed after an ultrasound can detect "cardiac activity, or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac." The state argued that is the moment when an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. Planned Parenthood said the words after the "or" mean the ban should only start after the major parts of the heart come together and "repetitive rhythmic contraction" begins, which is often around nine weeks. The justices acknowledged the medical imprecision of South Carolina's heartbeat provision, which is similar to language in the laws in several other states. But they said that drove them to study the intent of the General Assembly which left no doubt lawmakers on both sides of the issue saw it as a six-week ban. "We could find not one instance during the entire 2023 legislative session in which anyone connected in any way to the General Assembly framed the Act as banning abortion after approximately nine weeks," Associate Justice John Few wrote in the court's opinion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The justices said opponents of the law used six weeks when proposing amendments that were voted down on when child support payments should start. And the Supreme Court pointed out Planned Parenthood used the phrase "six-week ban" more than 300 times in previous filings as South Carolina's 2021 ban at cardiac activity was overturned in a 3-2 decision in 2023 and then reinstated months later after the General Assembly tweaked the law and the court's only woman who overturned the ban had to retire because of her age. The ruling upholding the six-week ban mentioned the imprecision which led Planned Parenthood to sue again over the definitions. Since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022 and ended a nationwide right to abortion, most Republican-controlled states have started enforcing new bans or restrictions and most Democrat-dominated ones have sought to protect abortion access. Currently, 12 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and South Carolina and three others have bans that kick in at or about six weeks into pregnancy, often before women realize they're pregnant. The fight over South Carolina's abortion law is not over. Earlier this month, a federal judge allowed to continue a lawsuit by five OB-GYN doctors who said the vague definitions of heartbeat and the exceptions allowing abortions when a fatal fetal anomaly exists or a woman's life is at risk prevents them from being able to properly treat patients because they fear they could be charged with crimes. South Carolina's law also allows abortions for up to 12 weeks after conception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. But in a change from previous years, there was little debate in the General Assembly on tightening the law to ban nearly all abortions. Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will continue to fight as long as the law is challenged. "Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life," he said in a statement.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Carolina Supreme Court decides heartbeat definition allows six-week abortion ban
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday the state can keep banning abortions around six weeks after conception by agreeing with the earliest interpretation offered of when a heartbeat starts. The justices unanimously ruled that while the medical language in the 2023 law was vague, supporters and opponents of the law all seemed to think it banned abortions after six weeks until Planned Parenthood lost its challenge to the entire law two years ago. The law says abortions cannot be performed after an ultrasound can detect 'cardiac activity, or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac.' The state argued that is the moment when an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. Planned Parenthood said the words after the 'or' mean the ban should only start after the major parts of the heart come together and 'repetitive rhythmic contraction' begins, which is often around nine weeks. The justices acknowledged the medical imprecision of South Carolina's heartbeat provision, which is similar to language in the laws in several other states. But they said that drove them to study the intent of the General Assembly which left no doubt lawmakers on both sides of the issue saw it as a six-week ban. 'We could find not one instance during the entire 2023 legislative session in which anyone connected in any way to the General Assembly framed the Act as banning abortion after approximately nine weeks,' Associate Justice John Few wrote in the court's opinion. The justices said opponents of the law used six weeks when proposing amendments that were voted down on when child support payments should start. And the Supreme Court pointed out Planned Parenthood used the phrase 'six-week ban' more than 300 times in previous filings as South Carolina's 2021 ban at cardiac activity was overturned in a 3-2 decision in 2023 and then reinstated months later after the General Assembly tweaked the law and the court's only woman who overturned the ban had to retire because of her age. The ruling upholding the six-week ban mentioned the imprecision which led Planned Parenthood to sue again over the definitions. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and ended a nationwide right to abortion, most Republican-controlled states have started enforcing new bans or restrictions and most Democrat-dominated ones have sought to protect abortion access. Currently, 12 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and South Carolina and three others have bans that kick in at or about six weeks into pregnancy -- often before women realize they're pregnant. The fight over South Carolina's abortion law is not over. Earlier this month, a federal judge allowed to continue a lawsuit by five OB-GYN doctors who said the vague definitions of heartbeat and the exceptions allowing abortions when a fatal fetal anomaly exists or a woman's life is at risk prevents them from being able to properly treat patients because they fear they could be charged with crimes. South Carolina's law also allows abortions for up to 12 weeks after conception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. But in a change from previous years, there was little debate in the General Assembly on tightening the law to ban nearly all abortions. Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will continue to fight as long as the law is challenged. 'Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life,' he said in a statement.
