Abortion bans are back on the agenda for lawmakers in the Carolinas and Nebraska this week

Gov Ron DeSantis criticised Donald Trump on Tuesday for implying Florida's new six-week abortion ban is “too harsh,” stepping up his attacks on the former president as he prepares to challenge him for the 2024 Republican nomination. Mr DeSantis was responding to a question about Mr Trump's comments in an article published Monday by The Messenger about the six-week ban the Florida governor recently signed into law. “Many people within the pro-life movement feel that that was too harsh,” Trump told the online outlet. Mr DeSantis contended the law has widespread support among opponents of abortion and noted the former president didn't say what limits he would back on the procedure. “Protecting an unborn child when there’s a detectable heartbeat is something that almost 99 per cent of pro-lifers support,” Mr DeSantis said at a news conference in Florida, taking questions after he signed a measure to combat human trafficking. “As a Florida resident, you know, he didn’t give an answer about, ‘Would you have signed the heartbeat bill that Florida did, that had all the exceptions that people talk about?’” Mr DeSantis added. The rivalry between Mr Trump and Mr DeSantis is heating up as the Florida governor nears a decision on a 2024 presidential bid. Mr DeSantis allies believe he will launch his candidacy as soon as this week, although an announcement could come closer to the end of the month. Abortion has been an early flashpoint in the still-forming Republican primary field ahead of the first presidential election since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. The bickering showcases the GOP's ongoing internal debate over hard-line abortion restrictions, which may be popular in a Republican primary but could create problems in a general election for the party's eventual nominee. The bill signed into law last month by Mr DeSantis would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. It will take effect only if the state’s current 15-week ban is upheld in a legal challenge before the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives. “Ron DeSantis is flailing in the polls and is closer to the bottom of the pack than he is to President Trump, who is dominating in every single poll,” Trump campaign Steven Cheung said when asked to respond to DeSantis' remarks. Cheung pointed out an anti-abortion group's recent characterization of Trump's presidency as “the most consequential in American history for the pro-life cause.” Mr Trump has referred to himself as “the most pro-life president in American history,” as his three nominations of conservative judges to the Supreme Court paved the way for the end of legalized abortion nationwide. But in the early months of his 2024 bid, Mr Trump has often sidestepped the issue of abortion, even as Republicans across the country celebrate the Supreme Court decision stripping federal constitutional rights to the practice. In Iowa in March, he repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state — a move that anti-abortion activists have been demanding of the GOP’s presidential contenders. “We’re looking at a lot of different things," he said when asked by The Associated Press whether he supports a federal abortion ban. Last week during a primetime CNN town hall in New Hampshire, Mr Trump continued to avoid specifics on a national ban, repeatedly saying he would “do what’s right,” without specifying what that was. As he gets closer to an announcement, Mr DeSantis has been escalating his criticism of Mr Trump, who for months has been attacking him directly and through groups supporting his candidacy. Last week in Iowa, as perilous weather sidelined Mr Trump’s trip to the state, Mr DeSantis highlighted the GOP’s recent string of electoral losses — a clear knock on the former president. “We must reject the culture of losing that has impacted our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over,” Mr DeSantis said at an event in Sioux Center. “If we get distracted, if we focus the election on the past or on other side issues, then I think the Democrats are going to beat us again.” Read More Trump news – live: John Durham’s report on Trump-Russia probe attacks FBI as Giuliani accused of sexual abuse Oral sex on Trump calls and pardons for sale: The most disturbing allegations from the Giuliani lawsuit Disney asks judge to dismiss DeSantis-appointed board's lawsuit in latest tit-for-tat Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide

Lawmakers in South Carolina will reconvene Wednesday morning after debating for more than 12 hours on a bill that would ban most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

With Taylor Swift's re-recorded version of her album Speak Now coming out soon, Taylor Lautner has jokingly said he's "praying" for John Mayer. The singer's third studio album will be re-released on July 9, as part of a project to re-record her first six albums due to a dispute of her master rights - so far Swift has re-released 2008's Fearless and 2012's Red. Many of the songs on Speak Now are on the topic of love and relationships that have led to speculation over the years as to who they are about, such as the apologetic breakup track 'Back To December' reportedly referring to Taylor Lautner. The pair dated briefly in 2009 after co-starring as a high school couple in the romcom Valentine’s Day, with the 'Back to December' being all about apologising to an ex who treated them well in a relationship. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter While fans are convinced heartbreak ballad 'Dear John' is about John Mayer who dated between late 2009 and 2010 - at the time she was 19 and he was 32. As the lyrics go: "Dear John, I see it all now it was wrong/ Don’t you think 19’s too young to be played by/ Your dark twisted games when I loved you so?" Given the new album release is approaching, Lautner was quizzed about his feelings on this during an appearance on Today on Tuesday (16 May). "I think it's a great album. Yeah, I feel safe," the Twilight actor said, however there's someone else he's thinking about, as he added: "Praying for John." Swift took to her social media earlier this month to announce Speak Now (Taylor's Version) which will include six 'From The Vault' unheard tracks. "I first made Speak Now, completely self-written, between the ages of 18 and 20," she wrote. "The songs that came from this time in my life were marked by their brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions and wild wistfulness. "I love this album because it tells a tale of growing up, flailing, flying and crashing … and living to speak about it." Currently, Swift is on her Eras Tour while dating rumours circulate about her and The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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An appeals court hearing Wednesday in the blockbuster abortion pill case will set the stage for how the Supreme Court will eventually approach the legal dispute, where anti-abortion activists are asking the courts to pull the main drug used in medication abortions off the market.

Bianca Censori, an architectural designer reportedly married to Kanye West, has shocked fans after modelling a risqué outfit for fashion brand Mowalola. The 27-year-old appeared in a post on Mowalola’s Instagram page wearing black thigh-high heels and black body tape in the shape of a cross that covers her crotch and derriere. A square of body tape also covers her breasts. Censori is rumoured to have married West, who is known as Ye, earlier this year in a non-legally binding ceremony. The couple first appeared in public together in January and were recently seen holding hands in California. The outfit, designed by former Yeezy employee Mowalola Ogunlesi, left fans feeling confused. “Why does she look like a SIMS 4 [non-player character]?” one person asked, referring to the popular life simulation video game. “Is this real life?” “Where is the fashion?” another critic demanded, while a third added: “It’s giving… Brazilian wax, but make it fashion.” Others joked that they would wear the design to church, with a fan writing: “Finally, been looking for a new church outfit.” It also gained approval from Julia Fox, known for her own risque style, who left a string of heart-eyed emojis under Mowalola’s Instagram post. However, others pointed out that the outfit appears at odds with Ye’s Christian faith, which he has publicly proclaimed in his music and interviews. “This doesn’t look very Christian,” one person said, while another agreed: “That ain’t Christ-like.” Censori, who was hired as an architectural designer for Ye’s company Yeezy in 2020, reportedly wed the Donda rapper in a private ceremony this year. The couple have not filed a marriage certificate. In November, Ye’s divorce from Kim Kardashian was finalised two years after they separated. The former couple have “equal access” to their three children, North, nine, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four. Ye and Kardashian were married for nearly eight years before the SKIMS mogul filed for divorce in February 2021. Since splitting from the reality star, West has been romantically linked to Fox, social media star Chaney Jones, and model Irina Shayk. Read More Women are wearing ‘subway shirts’ over outfits to deter ‘creepy’ men Anna Nicole Smith’s ‘secret’ girlfriend says she ‘married late model in the backyard’ Kim Kardashian’s son Saint, seven, admits to telling her she’s ‘nothing’ to him Kanye West to buy Parler as George Floyd estate threaten to sue - live Kanye West hits out at Pete Davidson and Trevor Noah George Floyd’s family may sue Kanye West over claims about his death

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