South Carolina's Highest Court Upholds Controversial Abortion Ban

South Carolina's Supreme Court has upheld a new law banning most abortions after approximately six weeks, reversing a previous decision that found a similar law violated the right to privacy. The law, known as the "heartbeat" law, prohibits abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected, with exceptions for cases where the woman's life is at risk or if continuing the pregnancy could cause substantial physical impairment. The decision has sparked controversy and confusion, with clinics immediately halting abortions for patients more than six weeks pregnant. Abortion rights groups argue that the law is not substantially different from the one previously struck down, while antiabortion advocates celebrate the ruling. South Carolina is now the only state with an all-male state supreme court.