On April 13, 2029 (which happens to be Friday the 13th), something unsettling will happen.

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When a draft of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jackson opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade leaked in May of last year, US Senator Tina Smith had only three words. “This is bulls***,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted. She had similar words when Walgreens announced in March of this year it would not dispense abortion pills in states where abortion remained legal. Ms Smith told The Independent in a phone interview that she knew the consequences of overturning the enshrined constitutional right to seek an abortion from her time working at Planned Parenthood as the Minnesota branch’s executive vice president for external affairs. She said her time working there taught her about the effects restrictions have on women’s lives. “The first thing I realized is that for women facing a decision about what to do about an unplanned pregnancy, a pregnancy that they don't want, this is a purely personal decision for them,” she said. “As a policymaker, why do Republicans in the Senate and in state legislators around the country think that they know better than those women whose stories they'll never know? Why do they think that they should be the ones who decide? It’s those women's decisions.” Ms Smith said that the Dobbs decision has led to rooting the question of abortion rights in terms of personal freedom. “You know, they can see this, these stories of individuals and doctors that are trying to provide the best health care, get the best health care for people, and you know, they unable to do that and they can see that that's just wrong,” she said. Sen Smith arrived under peculiar circumstances after then-Governor Mark Dayton nominated her, while she was serving as lieutenant governor of Minnesota, to replace Sen Al Franken amid multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour. Similarly, she has often been overshadowed by Minnesota’s senior Democratic Sen Amy Klobuchar, who ran for president. She and fellow midwestern Democratic Sen Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin, have a running joke that reporters and Capitol Hill staff often confuse them. In the past year, Sen Smith has emerged as a stronger presence. She wrote some of the climate provisions in what would become the Inflation Reduction Act. When Sen John Fetterman (D-PA) left the Senate for a few weeks to undergo treatment for depression, she spoke about her own difficulties with the condition. In addition, she’s emerged as one of the strongest voices defending abortion rights. Ms Smith said the Dobbs decision has made the contrast between Democrats and Republicans clearer. In recent months, Sen Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has blocked military nominations because of the Pentagon’s policy that reimburses people who travel out of state to receive abortions. “What Senator Tuberville is doing is so outside the norms of what we should be doing in the Senate, it's outrageous,” she said. “I just need to point out that what Senator Tuberville is trying to do is to overturn a policy which basically provides women serving in the military with the same access to health care that people that are incarcerated in our federal prisons have.” Few Republicans seem deterred from their opposition to abortion despite the role it played in dulling their efforts to flip the Senate last year. Ms Smith’s colleague Sen Tim Scott (R-SC), now a candidate for president, told the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference last month “thank God almighty for the Dobbs decision.” Former vice president Mike Pence has called for a 15-week national abortion ban. Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump has campaigned as the president who nominated the three Supreme Court justices who made the decision possible. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who often places a second distant behind Mr Trump in polls, signed legislation banning abortion after six weeks. As vice chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Ms Smith faces a tough challenge because not only does she have to defend Senate seats in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada – all of which President Joe Biden won in 2020 – she also has to defend Senate seats in three states Mr Trump won twice: Ohio, Montana and West Virginia. “And make no mistake, if Republicans win the Senate or if Republicans win the White House, we can see from their statements, they're going to move to pass a national ban on abortion,” she said, noting how many GOP candidates for Senate oppose abortion. “So, this is the contrast, this is what voters will be confronted with when they cast their votes in 2024,” she said. “Do you want to elect individuals who think they know better, that they should be the ones making decisions, individuals that want to ban abortion rights? Or do you want to elect Democrats who believe that women and not politicians should be making their own health care decisions?” At the same time, Democrats face huge challenges to codify abortion rights. Last week, Mr Biden told donors he was personally uncomfortable with abortion. “I'm a practising Catholic,” he said on Tuesday. “I'm not big on abortion, but guess what? Roe v Wade got it right.” Sen Smith defended Mr Biden’s actions defending abortion rights. “I believe that the President and the administration have moved decisively in all the ways that they can as they look for other ways to the practical reproductive freedom, that's a good thing,” she said. “I'm proud of the work that they've done. I think ultimately, the action that we need to take is legislative action, and that is why we need to win these elections.” Last year, shortly after the Dobbs leak, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tried to put the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified the protections in Roe, to a vote. But Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV) opposed the measure. Even then, Sen Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who later left the Democratic Party to become an independent, opposes removing the filibuster, which demands a two-thirds majority to pass legislation. Sen Smith said if Democrats with the House, the Senate and the White House again, they should get rid of the filibuster. “And you know, we need to work towards a Senate majority that will not only support reproductive freedom but will also change Senate rules so that we can act on that belief,” she said. “And that I think is going to as I said before, that I believe will be a decisive issue in the in the elections in 2024.” Read More Congresswoman who authored abortion rights bill calls Senate’s inaction to codify Roe v Wade ‘such a crime’ Ritchie Torres, the only openly gay Black man in Congress, on how he fights GOP ‘bullying’ of LGBT+ people Republicans try to thread the needle on abortion on anniversary of the death of Roe 'Rage giving' prompted by the end of Roe has dropped off, abortion access groups say Arizona executive order safeguards abortion seekers and providers from prosecution Why some doctors stay in US states with restrictive abortion laws and others leave

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Naomi Campbell played a starring role on the catwalk as Sarah Burton presented her last collection as creative director of Alexander McQueen. The British supermodel, 53, closed the spring/summer 2024 show wearing a stunning silver ensemble comprised of a strapless beaded corset and a draped skirt that shimmered as she walked. Cate Blanchett, who often wears McQueen at awards ceremonies, was on the front row at the Paris Fashion Week event. The Australian actor was dressed in a black suit with a huge pink bow on the back. American actor Elle Fanning – who stars alongside Campbell in the label’s autumn/winter campaign – was also in attendance, the 25-year-old wearing a full-skirted polka dot dress with a statement choker necklace. The spring/summer 2024 collection represents the end of 26 years at the British fashion brand for Burton. She was appointed to the role of creative director in 2010 following the death of Lee Alexander McQueen, having worked alongside the groundbreaking designer for 14 years. Burton was responsible for creating the wedding dress worn by the Princess of Wales when she married Prince William in 2011. Kaia Gerber – daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford – opened the spring/summer show in a short black corset dress. With a keyhole cut-out on the chest, the long-sleeved dress hinted at the subversive designs that were to come. Lee Alexander McQueen was the master of gasp-inducing fashion and for Burton’s final collection she served up plenty of suggestive slits alongside her usual bold tailoring and glamorous gowns. “This collection is inspired by female anatomy, Queen Elizabeth I, the blood red rose and Magdalena Abakanowicz, a transgressive and powerfully creative artist who refused ever to compromise her vision,” Burton revealed in the show notes. “The show is dedicated to the memory of Lee Alexander McQueen, whose wish was always to empower women, and to the passion, talent and loyalty of my team.” Burton is the latest designer to take inspiration from roses for spring, following Simone Rocha at London Fashion Week and Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing in Paris. The queen of flowers featured repeatedly, first in the form of photorealistic scarlet stems blown up on black and white slip dresses. Later, a pair of ruffled pink and red ombre gowns resembled rose petals (as well as, it must be said, a certain part of the female body). Exploring shape and volume, the designer sent out curved leather corset tops with exaggerated hips, shaggy coats and draped dresses. Sharp-shouldered jackets were decorated with intricate crimson embroidery that looked like brushstrokes (or possibly blood stains), the ends of the threads hanging off to form flowing tassels. The floral theme continued with an elaborately woven cream jumper and an opulent golden lace dress teamed with thigh-high leather boots, before the show culminated with some sparkling stand-out looks. Burton has excelled at eveningwear throughout her time at McQueen, displaying almost couture-level craftsmanship, and this show was no exception. A white tulle gown with glittering gunmetal adornments cascading across one sleeve and a form-fitting jumpsuit covered in silver beading were highlights. Following Campbell’s star appearance, David Bowie’s Heroes played as the models took their final turn on the catwalk. The audience was already on its feet applauding as Burton appeared to receive her standing ovation and hug VIP guests. The house of McQueen has yet to announce who will take the take over as creative director. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live This is how your make-up needs change as you age Victorian dahlia show recreated at Stonehenge with thousands of flowers Daily activities could help lower heart attack risk, study suggests

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If your itinerary of weddings to attend shows no sign of slowing down this summer, you might feel like you’re going through wedding guest looks faster than swimsuits. With every occasion a direct reflection of the couple and their tastes, no two affairs — or dress codes — are the same. But while venues may range from an indoor ballroom to a beach wedding within a single month, and clothing suggestions from black-tie to tropical cocktail to match, there’s no need to shop for a new look every time an invitation lands in the mail. Instead, invest in a few good dresses that you can see staying in your closet for a while, and give them a second (and 10th and 20th) life by rotating the accessories.

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