Home Blog Page 250

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tells Republican senators he’s ‘all for’ vaccines

0
Robert F. Kennedy, Donald Trump
Photo illustration

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaigned on an anti-vaccine platform as he questioned the scientific data behind vaccines. During his campaign, RFK Jr. promised to ban COVID and polio vaccines. He claimed COVID vaccines were the “deadliest ever created.”

Now the failed presidential candidate appears to be backtracking from his anti-vaccine stance.

The news comes after President Trump announced a $500 billion joint venture with OpenAI and Softbank to create MRNA cancer vaccines.

Oracle’s Larry Ellison said AI can develop “personalized cancer vaccines” in just under 48 hours.

Kennedy Jr. is reportedly assuring Republican senators that he’s “all for” vaccines.

RFK Jr. told the senators that he isn’t going to ban any vaccines.

According to lawmakers who spoke to Politico.com, Kennedy Jr. told senators he just wants to make safety and efficacy data easier to access.

SAUL LOEB / POOL / AFP

RFK Jr. (center) previously suggested that the measles vaccine causes autism and that the polio vaccines may have killed “many, many, many, many, many more people than polio ever did.”

But now he is backing vaccines as long as they pass safety tests.

“He told me he is not anti-vaccine. He is pro-vaccine safety, which strikes me as a rational position to take,” Senator John Cornyn told Politico.

One vaccine that has proven to work is the HPV vaccine. Cervical cancer deaths have plummeted 62% in girls and womens under age 25, according to a study published in the journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Experts say HPV vaccine uptake at about 60% for adolescents aged 13-15 could eliminate cervical cancer. However, childhood vaccination rates have dropped since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Read Emotional Letter to Jay-Z from His Alleged Victim

0

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Jay-Z’s alleged victim wants her emotional letter to be submitted as evidence in her lawsuit against the rapper.

In October 2024, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Jane Doe against Sean Combs for alleged rape. The Alabama woman claims she was sexually assaulted by Combs and another man at an afterparty for the MTV Video Music Awards in New York in 2000.

The lawsuit was amended in December 2024 to add Jay-Z’s name as the other man.

As In Touch previously reported, Jay-Z (born Shawn Carter) filed an anonymous lawsuit against Tony Buzbee on November 18, 2024.

Jay-Z accused Buzbee of demanding an exorbitant sum of money in an extortion attempt. Jay-Z said he was told that the allegations would go away if he paid millions.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Buzbee said although Jay-Z’s lawsuit against him “contains numerous sensationalistic and histrionic allegations, it fails to state a single viable claim against the Buzbee Parties.”

In his motion for dismissal, Buzbee asked the court if a letter from Jay-Z’s alleged victim could be admitted as evidence.

Buzbee also dropped hints that more lawsuits will be filed against Jay-Z soon.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Buzbee said several of his clients identified Jay-Z as an “accomplice of” Sean Combs and a “perpetrator of sexual violence against them.”

As part of his motion to dismiss, Buzbee attached the letter he sent to Jay-Z’s lawyers in an attempt to settle Jane Doe’s case out of court.

The letter read, “Due to the trauma of the assault, Doe has endured intense emotional suffering, plagued by overwhelming anxiety and panic. Depression weighs heavily on her. She avoids many social environments and crowded spaces. Her mental and emotional health has deteriorated such that normal daily functioning is unattainable. She fears for her life and constantly relives the horror she endured at the hands of you and your associates over the span of years. She will never fully heal from the atrocities she was forced to commit after being drugged and raped by you and Combs.”

Jane Doe
Photo illustration

The letter continued, “It has been my experience that when someone does this to a victim once, the likelihood is that they have done the same or similar things to others. I have recommended to Ms. Doe that we immediately file suit, and I expect when we do that other victims will come forward who have been taken advantage of at your hands in the way that Ms. Doe reports. To her credit, Ms. Doe has no real interest in causing a public spectacle, or filing a public lawsuit – but she will do so. She does, however, want something of substance done about this unacceptable situation and your actions.”

“Thus, Ms. Doe hereby demands that within two weeks of the date of this letter your designee contact my office to schedule a confidential mediation. At that mediation, we expect the attendance of you or someone with authority to act on your behalf, who can work together with Ms. Doe to resolve this delicate and important matter. If my office fails to hear from you or your designee by close of business on November 19, 2024, we will take a different course,” the letter added. “Should this demand to reasonably mediate not be accepted, Ms. Doe will have no choice but to file suit in a court of law and see all legal remedies available. We will of course provide you or your attorney details that identify Ms. Doe once we hear from you.”

Meghan Markle’s team shopped a book about life after divorce from Prince Harry

0
BACKGRID

Meghan Markle reportedly shopped a book about life after divorce from England’s Prince Harry. Although they are still married, Meghan’s team allegedly sat down with a publisher to “gauge interest” in a book about her “post-divorce” life.

This revelation confirms reports of Meghan’s “professional split” from Harry. The royal couple reportedly had a “trial separation” in recent months.
 
READ ALSO: Meghan Markle Releases Statement Amid ‘Professional Separation’ from Prince Harry
 

KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images

A source told Vanity Fair magazine that the book was about Meghan’s “hypothetical split” from Harry and not her first husband, Trevor Engleson, whom she divorced in 2014 after 3 years of marriage.

The insider further clarified the book is not a “general” discussion about life after divorce.

Unique Nicole/Getty Images

Meghan’s legal team shopped the book around to see if publishers would “theoretically be interested” in the book if she went through with the divorce.

Another source said the publishing house showed interest in the book – and even made an offer. But no manuscript was ever produced.

MEGA/WENN

Sources say Prince Harry has no idea that Meghan is plotting behind his back.

Meghan signed an ironclad prenup before she and Harry said their vows. The prenup doesn’t leave her with enough money to maintain her extravagant lifestyle post-divorce.

MEGA/WENN

Last month rumors spread that Prince Harry and Meghan were heading for divorce. But Harry dismissed the rumors.

An insider said, “Everyone has noticed they’re rarely together anymore.”

But the insider added that a divorce is not in the works.

“They’re very clear they are not divorcing and just as committed as ever, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some areas they want to, and need to, work on,” the source said. “One thing that has really fallen by the wayside is the romance, and they’ve vowed to tackle that proactively.”

Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, are parents to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Prosecutor told A$AP Rocky’s mom ‘he should’ve taken the plea deal’

0
ShotbyNYP / BACKGRID

Rapper A$AP Rocky rejected a final plea deal offer of 180 days in the county jail as his trial began in Los Angeles.

A Los Angeles prosecutor offered Rocky a deal to plead guilty to one of his 2 felony assault charges. But Rocky said no thanks.

ShotbyNYP / BACKGRID

Rocky faces a maximum of 24 years in prison if found guilty on both felony charges.

During a break in the trial, the L.A. prosecutor was overheard telling Rocky’s mom, “He should have taken the plea deal.”

Rocky (real name Rakim Meyers) is accused of firing a gun at his former friend, retired rapper A$AP Relli outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021.

Rocky pleaded not guilty to 2 felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

During a preliminary hearing in 2023, the prosecution presented video footage that shows Rocky and Relli in a heated confrontation in a parking garage.

Photo may have been deleted
Screengrab

Rocky is seen in the video holding a gun behind his back. The rapper is alleged to have fired the gun at Relli as he ran away. Relli later testified that a bullet grazed his knuckles.

Rocky’s attorney Joe Tacopina said the video surveillance showed Rocky carrying a starter pistol that he used as a prop gun for security reasons.

BACKGRID

A witness will testify that Rocky had a starter pistol during the street fight in 2021.

But Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John Lewin said Rocky’s lawyer never mentioned the starter pistol during earlier hearings. Lewin said the “brand new defense” was based on a witness they have “never been able to talk to.”

Phil Lewis/WENN

12 jurors will be selected from a jury pool of 106 people. Reverend Al Sharpton says there are only four Black people in the jury pool. He said Rocky won’t get a fair trial.

“It is absolutely ridiculous that the jury will not be fair and representative, so as to deprive A$AP Rocky of a fair trial,” Sharpton said in a statement.

“He deserves to be judged fairly by his peers, as is his Constitutional right,” he added.

Al Sharpton letter

The trial is expected to last three weeks. Rocky’s longtime girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna won’t attend the trial. She is in New York with the couple’s 2 toddler sons, RZA and Riot Rose.

Jeannie Mai Calls Police After Ex-Husband Jeezy Locked Her Out of His Georgia Home

0
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Jeannie Mai called Atlanta police after ex-husband Jeezy locked her out of his Atlanta area home recently.

According to In Touch, Jeannie showed up to Jeezy’s home to collect boxes of personal items. But she claims he refused her entry and left her standing outside in the cold.

Jeannie was forced to call the police after she was refused entry, In Touch reports exclusively.

Jeannie Mai and Jeezy kiss
Instagram

Jeezy and Jeannie once shared the home with their daughter and her parents and brother. But the couple drifted apart due to cultural differences. A judge signed off on their bitter divorce in November 2024.

The judge ruled that Jeannie could pick up her personal belongings from the rapper’s house within 21 days. But Jeezy asked the court to modify the order because he didn’t want Jeannie roaming around inside his home.

Derek White/Getty Images

Jeezy placed Jeannie’s property, including her Emmy Award and other personal items in boxes that he left in the garage for her to pick up.

But Jeannie wanted access to the house to make sure she didn’t leave anything behind.

However, Jeezy’s lawyer said his client had “legitimate concerns about Jeannie being able to walk through the whole house.”

MEGA

Jeezy is still upset that Jeannie accused him of walking around his own house with an assault rifle, and that he put their daughter in danger.

“[Jeezy] does not feel safe having [Jeannie] in his home. Given [Jeannie’s] history of attempting to destroy his career with misleading information, [Jeezy] would have no way of knowing if she is planting listening devices or cameras in his home,” his lawyer said.

“[Jeannie] is angry about the parties’ divorce and she is revengeful. In addition, the mere presence of [Jeannie] inside [Jeezy’s] home and personal space, after the highly contested nature of the divorce case, would absolutely destroy [Jeezy’s] peace and tranquility, as well as invade his privacy,” his lawyer added.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds ask judge to gag Justin Baldoni’s lawyer

0
Mattpapz / BACKGRID

Blake Lively is asking a judge to put a stop to a “retaliatory media campaign” by actor Justin Baldoni’s lawyer.

Lively’s legal team is accusing Baldoni’s lawyer of engaging in a “harassing and retaliatory media campaign” against the actress and her husband Ryan Reynolds after she sued Baldoni for harassment on the set.

Lively, 37, and Reynolds, 48, have been married 13 years and they share four children.

Lawyers for the “Gossip Girl” veteran submitted a letter to the court accusing attorney Bryan Freedman of “improper conduct,” TMZ reports.

Mattpapz / BACKGRID

Lively filed a lawsuit in December accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of “It Ends with Us.” She formally sued Baldoni on Dec. 31, the same day he filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for an in-depth article on Lively’s allegations against Baldoni.

Lively claimed in her sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni that, during the filming of a scene, he “leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck as he said, ‘it smells so good.'”

Jose Perez / BACKGRID

Lively said those lines were not in the script, and that he was not “remotely in character, or based on any dialogue in the script.”

Her lawsuit alleged that “nothing needed to be said because, again, there was no sound” and that Baldoni was “caressing Ms. Lively with his mouth in a way that had nothing to do with their roles.”

But Baldoni’s legal team released footage from the set of that shows Lively laughing and appearing comfortable and not all stressed by what he said to her.

BACKGRID

Lively accused lawyer Freeman of releasing the video footage to taint the jury pool.

“The following videos captured on May 23, 2023 clearly refute Ms. Lively’s characterization of his behavior,” attorney Freeman wrote in a statement that preceded the video.

Jose Perez / BACKGRID

“The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another. Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism.”

But in a statement, Lively’s attorneys say the video footage shows the opposite.

“Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope that this latest stunt will get ahead of the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” the statement read. “The video shows Ms. Lively leaning away and repeatedly asking for the characters to just talk. Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort.”

The lawsuit could set a precedent for the way Hollywood stars interact with each other on movie sets in the future.

Rihanna leads emotional tributes to ‘Bling Empire’ star Lynn Ban, dead at 51

0
Photo may have been deleted
Instagram/@lynnban

“Bling Empire: NY” star Lynn Ban has died from complications of brain surgery following a skiing accident. She was 51.

Lynn’s son Sebastian announced the news on Instagram on Wednesday morning. The reality TV star had undergone emergency brain surgery and was in recovery when she passed away suddenly.

On December 30, Lynn took a post-op selfie of her half-shaven head and surgical staples in her scalp.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

“In a blink of an eye … life can change,” the Netflix reality star captioned a series of photos from her hospital bed. “Christmas Eve on a beautiful sunny day in Aspen on vacation with my family, I had a ski accident that would change my life. At the top of the mountain I caught a tip and face planted. Luckily I always wear a helmet. It didn’t seem that bad at the time and I was able to ski to the bottom.”

Lynn said she was assessed by Ski Patrol to “err on the side of caution.”

“They assessed me and I was cleared. I had a bit of a headache but thought after lunch it would be fine and I could ski again. The paramedic suggested I go to the hospital for a cat scan. This saved my life,” she added.

Pop star Rihanna led the emotional tributes to the celebrity jewelry designer as many celebrities flocked to share their condolences.

Rihanna wrote: “2025 is rocking me at this point! This is too much!!! Lynn you will always be our fairy godmother! Love you forever and always! Can’t believe I’m writing this in a comment section rn! [single tear and heartbreak emojis] Thank you for all the joy you brought to us!”

Tamera Mowry on her children’s request for another sibling

0
Tamera Mowry, Adam Housley
Instagram

Tamera Mowry-Housley’s 2 children are eager for another sibling to play with. The “Sister, Sister” star took to Instagram on Friday, Jan. 17, to share her hilarious reaction when her kids asked her for another sibling.

She captioned the post: “When the kids start asking me for another brother or sister.”

Tamera, 46, made it clear that her baby-making factory is permanently closed.

“Unless we adopt! This momma, her eggs and her body is done! I’m still working off the pregnancy weight from Ariah. Any other mommas relate? Or had some fun surprises,” she added.

Tamera and her husband, former Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, share son, Aden, 12, and daughter Ariah, 9.

Unlike other Hollywood kids, Aden and Ariah don’t have their own social media pages yet.

Last November, Tamera celebrated Aden’s 12th birthday with a sweet message. “Aden, today makes you a pre-teen! Can’t believe it! We love you so much and can’t wait to celebrate YOU today! You’re growing up so fast it brings tears to my eyes. Whether it’s hearing you say ‘Bruh’ 100 times a day or watching you passionately play baseball, I’m so grateful to be your momma. Happy 12th birthday, Adeennn!!!!! Mommy loves you!”

Chase Rolison partners with her mother T-Boz to support LA fire victims

0
Chase Rolison
Instagram/@chaserolison

20 years ago musical icon Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins (TLC) opened a fashion boutique inspired by her beautiful daughter Chase Anela Rolison.

The boutique titled, “Chase’s Closet” was patronized by the “Who’s Who” in Hollywood wanting to keep their little ones fashion forward.

Chase Rolison
Instagram/@chaserolison

On the anniversary of Chase’s Closet, inspired by her mother’s trendsetting fashion contributions both on and off the stage, Chase has launched ‘Anela Vintage’ an online boutique highlighting the impact of the 90’s and early 2000’s on today’s fashion, music, art and entertainment.

Chase Rolison
Instagram/@chaserolison

Anela Vintage will host a pop-up shop on Sunday, January 26th from 3-9PM at 2520 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 to raise money for the LA Fire Department Foundation.

Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage

As a resident of LA, Chase hopes to support her friends and neighbors from the devastating loss from the fires while honoring the passion for fashion her mother instilled in her as a child.

To support visit: www.anelavintage.com

Back On the Market? Kamala Harris blames Doug Emhoff’s cheating scandals for losing the election

0
Paparazzi Papi / BACKGRID

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly blaming her husband Doug Emhoff‘s cheating scandals for losing the presidential election.

Harris and Emhoff were all smiles as they visited Firehouse 12 in Altadena, California on Jan. 20 to praise firefighters who battled the wildfires. Harris made her first trip back to California since the recent LA wildfires began on Jan. 7.

Paparazzi Papi / BACKGRID

Harris handed out bottled water to residents of Altadena.

According to reports, Harris is considering running for governor of California. But she is allegedly concerned about her “dead weight” husband. Sources say their marriage is “in turmoil”

Pool via CNP / MEGA

A source exclusively told DailyMail.com: “Doug did Kamala no favors during the election – frankly, he looked like a hypocritical a** after the bombshells that he had got his child’s nanny pregnant while married to his first wife and assaulted his ex-girlfriend on the heels of his ‘I am woman’ crusade.”

As she weighs her political future, Harris has to consider whether Emhoff is an asset or a liability, according to DailyMail.com.

Word is that Harris is planning to move to a $20,000-a-month apartment in New York City. The former California state prosecutor accepted a job at a law firm in NYC. Her new job would require her to split her time between New York and Los Angeles where Emhoff works as a corporate attorney.

During the inauguration, Harris and Emhoff watched as Trump was sworn-in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

Emhoff grimaced and shook his head when Trump promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.

Diggzy/Jesal / BACKGRID

Harris and Emhoff left the Capitol building together – briefly shaking hands with Trump and bidding Joe and Jill Biden farewell – as they boarded a flight to California.