Taliban say it is negotiating with US to swap three Americans for a former aide to Osama bin Laden

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said Tuesday that the state is going to stockpile abortion medication in preparation for President-elect Trump's return to the White House next week with GOP control of both chambers of Congress.

The governor made comments about protecting abortion drugs like mifepristone during his state of the state address, when he vowed to work with Trump on issues where they share priorities, but also stressed that the state is ready to push back against the incoming administration in areas where they are opposed.

Murphy is one of a handful of Democrat governors who say they are open to cooperation with Trump's administration. But Murphy emphasized that he will not back down from challenging "anti-choice" policies backed by the Republican-led House and Senate in Washington and said the state will stockpile mifepristone "so every woman can access this crucial form of reproductive care."

"I will never back away from partnering with the Trump Administration where our priorities align," Murphy said. "But just as importantly, I will never back down from defending our New Jersey values — if and when they are tested."

MONTANA AG ASKS SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD LAW REQUIRING PARENTAL CONSENT FOR A MINOR'S ABORTION

New Jersey is the latest Democrat-led state to announce plans to stockpile mifepristone, one of two drugs used in combination to end pregnancies.

Trump, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, said last month he does not plan to restrict abortion drugs, but he also admitted that "things change."

Pro-choice groups have expressed concern that Pam Bondi, who Trump nominated for attorney general, may bring back the Comstock Act, a law passed by Congress in 1873 that banned the mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD CHAPTER PROVIDED HARRIS CAMPAIGN WORKSPACE, VIOLATING TAX LAW: IRS COMPLAINT

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled to preserve access to mifepristone. The case sought to restrict access to the drug, including in states where abortion is legal.

Abortion is banned, with some exceptions, at all stages of pregnancy in 14 states, and after about six weeks of pregnancy in three others.

In Murphy's Tuesday state of the state address, which was his second-to-last, he emphasized his reluctance to become a lame-duck governor before his second term ends, unveiling several proposals for the year. The term-limited governor will be leaving office in a year after November's gubernatorial election. New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states regularly scheduled with gubernatorial races this year.

"During this final chapter of our journey, our absolute top priority — as it has been since Day One — is delivering economic security and opportunity to every New Jerseyan," Murphy said.

Other proposals Murphy announced include directing schools to ban cellphones in grades K-12.

"Our children are inundated with screens," he said. "And they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Shields was only a newborn when she appeared in her first TV ad, setting off a chain reaction of events that would see her become a generational touchstone of beauty and youth. Her candid new book is a surprisingly optimistic take on aging full of lessons in self-love and self-advocacy, writes Annabel Nugent. But while definitely hopeful, these promises ring hollow in a society that’s yet to catch up with Shields

Trump has echoed Moscow’s rhetoric, which has described its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine as a response to planned Nato membership for Kyiv

Some of the most destructive wildfires in California's history have killed at least 25 people in Los Angeles County, caused hundreds of thousands to evacuate and choked air quality across the region for the past week.

The big picture: The fires erupted in extremely dry conditions last Tuesday as powerful Santa Ana winds struck. As some assess damage in what's set to be among the most costly wildfire disasters ever in the U.S., parts of L.A. and Ventura counties face a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning into Wednesday.

Timeline: Wildfires threaten Southern California

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Blue Ivy Carter has a Beyhive all her own.

Members include Jenna Bush Hager and Taraji P. Henson, who defended the gold strapless gown the 13-year-old wore to the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere in Los Angeles after internet trolls questioned if the look was “age appropriate.”

Christian Siriano — who designed the metallic stunner for Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s eldest daughter — appeared alongside Bush Hager and Henson on the Monday, January 14, episode of Today with Jenna & Friends who praised the Project Runway alum for the “gorgeous” gown.

“It’s so beautiful,” Henson, 54, gushed. “I thought she was age appropriate. She looked like a princess!”

Beyonce Praises Blue Ivy at 'Mufasa' Premiere Amid Jay-Z Rape Allegations

Bush Hager, 43, “totally” agreed with her temporary co-host and added, “For anybody that says differently, we say bye bye.”
“People need to shut up!” Henson quipped. “It was very classy.”

Siriano and his team had a mere 48 hours to make the dress, and they wanted to focus on ensuring the teen looked like Hollywood royalty.
“What girl doesn’t want to have a princess moment?” Siriano, 39, asked hypothetically. “And when your parents are Beyoncé and Jay-Z what are you supposed to wear? A doily? Like, you’re not going to wear a tutu. You want to look like a star, come on.”

Henson was quick to point out that Blue Ivy is still just “a child” and urged everyone to keep “our opinions to ourselves.”

“Kindness really matters, and it’s not as easy to do,” she continued. “You can sit on your phone and Twitter your thumbs all you want to, but let’s see you get on the red carpet and pull off a look.”

Bush Hager also gave Siriano props for how the dress’ golden finish resembled the color scheme of the film she starred in, so it was “what she should be wearing.” (Beyoncé, 43, voiced Queen Nala in the Disney live action prequel, while Blue Ivy voiced her daughter Kiara.)

Blue Ivy Carter Joins Beyonce in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

Blue Ivy initially faced some criticism from trolls who deemed the dress “inappropriate,” to which Henson (a regular on the red-carpet best-dressed list) clapped back: “It was very appropriate,”

Several other celebrities — including Sherri Shepherd and Christina Milian — have also joined the conversation to voice their support for Blue Ivy’s show-stopping style.

For her part, Beyoncé hasn’t dignified the naysayers with a response and has yet to acknowledge the mixed reviews. Instead, she proudly joined her daughter at the premiere with her husband, Jay-Z, 55, — in a coordinated black-and-gold Balmain dress from the label’s limited-edition Disney x Balmain: The Lion King collection.

Designed by Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, the strapless column was adorned with gold polka dots made from metal leaves that, while on-theme, didn’t steal the spotlight from Blue Ivy.

After the red carpet was rolled up, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer praised her mini-me in a heartfelt Instagram shoutout on December 9. “My gorgeous baby girl,” she captioned the post featuring photos of her daughter posing for photographers. “This is your night. You worked hard and you did such a beautiful job as the voice of Kiara. Your family could not be prouder. Keep shining.”

After all, Blue Ivy is a rising fashion star in the making — and according to Beyoncé’s stylist Shiona Turini, Blue Ivy “makes the final choice” when it comes to her stage looks.

Case in point? The all-white wardrobe Beyoncé recently donned for her much-talked-about halftime performance during the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens Christmas Day game. (The 13-minute performance, dubbed the “Beyoncé Bowl,” aired live on Netflix and is now streaming on the platform.)

For the set, the Grammy winner sang tracks from her Grammy-nominated country album Cowboy Carter. Flanked by a massive ensemble on the field — which included Blue Ivy — they all fittingly wore Western-inspired white costumes, with Beyoncé in a custom Roberto Cavalli feather coat and more than 350 carats of diamond Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Beyonce and Jay-Z's Daughter Blue Ivy Is Growing Up: Photos Over the Years

Meanwhile, Blue Ivy dressed like a mini “Cowboy Carter” in a crystal-covered corset and wide-leg pants from Ukrainian designer Frolov that were festooned with fringe. They both topped things off with a Stetson hat.

“When Bey said she wanted everyone in white, I knew we had to look at different textures, different patterns, different accents — whether it was fringe, suede, crystals, American flags,” Turini said in a December interview with Harper’s Bazaar. “You really have to lean into the elements that are going to make each section feel different so it doesn’t feel repetitive.”

Turini continued: “But for Blue, you can play around with her options because she will be different from anyone else, no matter what.” Standout style, indeed.

We get it — bra shopping isn’t the most exciting, but finding one that achieves the perfect fit is the best feeling. Too often, looking for a new bra comes with frustration: Bulky fit, itchy fabric, terribly uncomfortable . . . we could go on and on.

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The 15 Best Sports Bras That Deliver Superior Style, Comfort and Support

Over 400 shoppers have purchased the wire-free bra this month.

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Melissa Gorga Says This $22 Sports Bra Is a ‘Game Changer’

O-Town is making it clear that they have no connection to Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“Of all the bands in Making the Band, we’re the only one not tied to him,” original member Jacob Underwood said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, January 14.“The more people confuse us with a Diddy band and post our pictures with his story, the more it goes against us. We make a living touring and can’t afford to have [bookers] Googling us to find the latest Diddy clickbait.”

Underwood, 44, pointed out that he has never even met the 55-year-old rapper.

O-Town was formed during the inaugural season of Making the Band, which aired in 2000 on ABC. During season 1, Lou Pearlman — who was the infamous mastermind behind the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSync — was on the hunt for the next great boyband. Underwood, Erik-Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, Ashley Parker Angel and Ikaika Kahoano were selected at first. However, Kahoano departed the group and current member Dan Miller was brought in as a replacement. (Angel later exited the group for good in 2003.)

Why O-Town Says ‘Liquid Dreams’ Is Their Least Favorite Song to Perform

After season 1 ended, O’Town was signed to a record label. Following O-Town’s success a new season of Making the Band was in the works. However, the show left ABC and was then broadcast on MTV. The MTV version brought in Diddy to scout the talent where he formed the musical acts Danity Kane, Da Band, Day26 and solo artist Donnie Klang.

While O-Town was not involved in Diddy’s version of the singing competition series, the group has claimed to suffer from fallout amid the rapper’s current legal situation. Diddy remains behind bars awaiting trial after being indicted on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering last year. Diddy has denied all the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.

“We already inherited our own infamous producer/manager from our version of Making the Band and now another version and its mogul is affecting us.”For our livelihood to be impacted this many years after the brand was moved to him is so unfortunate, ” Estrada, 45, said to The Hollywood Reporter, referring to Pearlman’s legal scandals. In 2008, Pearlman was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of conspiracy, money laundering and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding. He died of cardiac arrest in 2016 at age 62 while in prison.

The band’s agent Matt Rafal added that O-Town has had offers “pulled due to the perception of the group being attached to Diddy” despite making it clear there was no connection between them and Diddy.

“I can’t play victim because there are people who have experienced atrocities from this person and are scarred for life,” Estrada said to the outlet. “We have financial and booking stress, but they have emotional stress. We just have to take this on the chin and keep going.”