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Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union who was largely responsible for ending the Cold War, has died.

Gorbachev was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 - 1991. His title changed to President in 1990.

He was initially a Marxist-Leninist, but eventually realized his country needed to evolve into a more democratic union.

Maybe the most famous reference to Gorbachev was one where he was not present -- when Ronald Reagan paid a visit to the Berlin wall -- which separated the Communist East Berlin from the democratic West Berlin -- and challenged his counterpart to "tear down this wall."

Gorbachev won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his role in ending the Cold War.

His rise was spectacular -- raised by peasant parents, he climbed the political ladder to the top.

Gorbachev was Kennedy-esque in the sense he was a vibrant leader with a very glamorous wife -- Raisa -- who was a fashionista in the same vein as Jackie Kennedy.

He had a very distinct, large birthmark on his forehead ... it was quite prominent, and on occasion, when he sat for an official photo, the birthmark was removed for the portrait.

By 1991, the Soviet Union had broken apart and Gorbachev stepped down and handed the mantle of power to Boris Yeltsin.

Usher is shutting down any thoughts of him getting in a Verzuz battle ... all because he says his discography is too massive to whittle it down to just 20 songs!!!

The superstar singer was a recent guest on the "PEOPLE Every Day" podcast, where he basically said the best Verzuz matchup would feature him standing on stage battling against himself!!!

Ironically, Usher already did something like that with his 2010 album "Raymond v. Raymond" ... but he's now doubling down on his grandeur, daring any artist to take on his greatest hits.

The air of confidence obviously carried over from Usher's interview last week where he owned the R&B crown, denying the genre was ever dead like Diddy claimed.

Any potential Usher challengers will have to wait. As we've reported, Verzuz creators Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, along with Sony Music, are suing Triller -- but Diddy and Jermaine Dupri are still planning to go head-to-head soon.

A&E is pissed over a new police show on Reelz, claiming the producers of their popular "Live PD" franchise are running a copycat version on a rival network ... and now they're suing.

According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, A&E claims the new Reelz show "On Patrol: Live" is a blatant rip-off of their law enforcement reality series ... and they're asking a judge to shut down the alleged copycat version of "Live PD" and fork over any profits they've made from it.

Remember ... "Live PD" showcased police departments across the country enforcing the law in real-time, with Dan Abrams hosting from a studio and guiding the action. The show aired from 2016 to 2020, when A&E pulled the plug on it in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality.

In the suit, A&E says Big Fish, the production company behind "Live PD," cloned the show for Reelz ... using the same format, re-enlisting Dan as host and marketing "On Patrol: Live" as the return of "Live PD" on TV.

A&E says Reelz ignored their warnings and pushed through with the new series, which recently started airing and has been a big hit.

In the suit, A&E claims Reelz was struggling to get eyeballs in 2021 when they were the 89th ranked TV network in total viewers ... and A&E says Reelz is now getting millions of viewers for 'On Patrol.'

A&E says the OG "Live PD" spawned tons of authorized spin-offs, but the Reelz show did not have their blessing ... and now A&E is going after Reelz for money and an injunction stopping 'On Patrol' from copying "Live PD."

Britney Spears' ex-fiancé, Jason Trawick, is not gay -- despite the fact an IG post on his account stated otherwise -- because it turns out one of his pals pulled a fast one.

JT tells TMZ ... "Ha no, it wasn’t me – this is what happens when you leave your phone unlocked and unattended at brunch with a gay guy friend that thinks he’s being funny and cute. I am not gay."

Jason's referring to this IG Story that read, "At my boyfriends apartment Out and proud Finally living my true self This is me people." The text was over a photo of a living room, which happened to include a portrait of Brit on a wall.

Remember, Jason was temporarily a co-conservator of Britney's way back in the day ... so TikTok has been running wild with theories that Jason's alleged coming out meant his engagement to Britney was just a ruse to get her out of the conservatorship.

She'd been in it for about 5 years or so when she and JT got engaged in 2011.

That theory didn't make much sense -- they were romantically linked from 2009 to 2013, but of course, Brit remained in the conservatorship far longer than that.

Brian Robinson is back at the Commanders' facility for the first time since Sunday's shooting -- and he's clearly pumped to return to work, flashing a huge smile while laughing with his coaches.

The star rookie sported a big wrap on his right knee and needed crutches to get around -- but in video and pics shared by Washington, you can see he was thrilled to be there.

Robinson even brought Oreos "to fulfill his rookie duties of getting snacks for the RB room," the team said.

"Boy, let me tell ya," Commanders running backs coach Randy Jordan said after seeing Robinson in the facility's lobby, "you're a sight for sore eyes!"

Ron Rivera also gave Robinson a big hug -- and after the head coach asked him if he was doing well, the 23-year-old said, "It's good to be back in the building, for real."

As we reported, Robinson was struck by gunfire in the glute and his lower leg at around 5:30 p.m. in D.C. on Sunday after authorities say two people tried to rob him at gunpoint.

Robinson required surgery to fix the damage caused by bullets -- but both he and Rivera have said the recovery process has gone smoothly since.

Michael Jackson's estate just scored a big legal win ... preventing a potential sale of MJ property the estate claims was stolen from the singer's home right after his death.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a judge issued a preliminary injunction barring Jeffre Phillips from selling any items he allegedly removed from the residence back in 2009.

TMZ broke the story ... Michael's estate claims Phillips was engaged to one of MJ's siblings and used the chaos and sadness around Michael's death to take a bunch of personal and private property from MJ's Carolwood House.

Michael's estate claims Phillips used a 9-day stay at the Carolwood House to swipe the singer's iPhone, California driver's license, prescription pill bottles with pills inside, handwritten notes and some clothes, including the pajamas Michael was wearing in the final hours before his death inside the famous estate.

What's more, Michael's estate alleges Phillips also stole a resuscitator tube that may have been used on the King of Pop.

The legal development comes just before a new TMZ documentary, "TMZ Investigates: Who Really Killed Michael Jackson," airs Tuesday on FOX at 8/7c.

50 Cent's Tycoon Houston turned into the venue for a fight between hometown heroes and ex-friends Z-Ro and Trae Tha Truth, and yet Z-Ro says he's letting it slide. For now, at least.

We use the word "fight" loosely to describe what went down last weekend because, judging by the footage, Z-Ro was totally outnumbered.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Mo City Don Tuesday, who gave us his view of what led up to him being surrounded by Trae's goons. Z-Ro says he was out Saturday enjoying the Tycoon Houston festivities, taking pics outside with supporters, when he was approached by Trae to have a conversation outside the crowd.

The two Texas-bred stars went their separate ways around 2012 and while Z-Ro admits they haven't been chummy, he didn't think they had any real issues ... until he was greeted by multiple fists and eventually feet to the face after being lured into Trae's trap.

Check out the footage ... a disoriented Z-Ro actually shrugs off the apparent beatdown to charge his attackers after police intervened, but officers ultimately held him back.

In terms of retaliation, Z-Ro says he's not as mad as some of the fans in the street … who have torn artists they grew up listening to have issues that escalated to violence.

Z-Ro says he’s been asking Trae for a charitable boxing challenge for years in order to settle their differences, but all he's gotten is radio silence.

Ben Affleck is having a great month ... on the heels of his second wedding to Jennifer Lopez and honeymoon in Italy, he's found a buyer for his Pacific Palisades home.

Real estate sources tell TMZ ... Ben accepted an offer Tuesday on his 7-bedroom estate, which he listed for $29,995,000.

The home is 13,453 square feet of pure luxury ... it's got all the bells and whistles, including a pool, spa, walk-in wine cellar, theater and gym.

As we first reported ... Ben listed the house 3 weeks ago, and he and J Lo are planning to move into her Bel-Air home once a massive remodel is complete. In the meantime, Ben and Jen are renting James Packer's $60 million Bev Hills compound.

Ben and Jen just got back from their Italian honeymoon, taking a private jet back to Los Angeles Monday, so he's returning to a bit of good news.

Joe Rogan says VP Kamala Harris is a hypocrite for advocating on behalf of Brittney Griner -- who remains in jail in Russia on drug charges -- when she's prosecuted people for non-violent drug offenses as Attorney General of California.

Rogan made the remarks during his 3-hour sitdown convo with Aaron Rodgers on his 'JRE' podcast, where the Packers QB seemingly agreed with Joe's stance on Harris.

"That's why the hypocrisy about the Brittney Griner situation was so egregious in this country," Rogan said. "Where Kamala Harris is talking about how horrible it is that Brittney Griner is in jail."

"Well, you put people in jail. You did. Thousands of people in jail for marijuana. Yeah, it's crazy," Rogan continued.

Harris served as the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco's history ... and became the 32nd Attorney General in California, holding the position from 2011-2017.

Rogan accused Harris and the White House -- who just announced a loan forgiveness program -- of failing to deliver on its campaign promises, specifically addressing non-violent people serving lengthy prison sentences for weed ... which has since been made legal in many states.

"How come you guys didn't exonerate people that were in jail for marijuana when you said you were going to?" Rogan said. "They said that they were going to make marijuana federally legal."

"They said they were going to exonerate prisoners who were in jail for non-violent drug offenses. This is what they said. None of that has happened."

Rodgers, who also addressed his vax controversy during the show, sided with the 'JRE' host, saying, "You mean a politician said something they ran on and then didn't actually enact that said policy?"

Charlbi Dean -- famous among DC fans, indie film buffs and fashionistas -- has died.

A rep for the South African actress/model tells TMZ Dean passed away Monday from an unexpected sudden illness. We don't yet know what illness Dean was fighting, but a source tells us she died in a hospital in NYC.

Dean recently landed her biggest role in "Triangle of Sadness." It hasn't hit theaters just yet, but it did impress at this year's Cannes Film Festival ... where it took top honors with the Palme d'Or award. It's about a wrecked cruise ship and its passengers getting washed ashore, Charlbi is the lead, starring opposite Woody Harrelson ... the cast made a big splash in France in May, showing up at events and hitting red carpets together.

When their film won, Charlbi wrote ... "Congratulations our family we did it!!! @ruben_ostlund you're the GOAT I'm forever thankful for you for trusting me to be apart of your genius and my dear @sinaostlund Can't believe I had the best year making this during one of the hardest times in my life. Here's some pics of the year in Sweden and Greece during the pandemic. Forever and always our @triangleofsadness family."

She is also known for her work on the CW show "Black Lightning," where she played Syonide ... an assassin/hitman-type of anti-hero who's got bulletproof skin and top-notch combat skills. Other films she's worked on include "Blood in the Water," "Don't Sleep," "An Interview with God," and "Porthole."

She's also walked her fair share of runways and graced a number of magazine covers too ... CD has modeled all over the world.

Charlbi was engaged to male model Luke Volker. She was 32.

Chris Rock has the Internet up in arms over a joke he made comparing his possible return to The Oscars with Nicole Brown Simpson's vicious murder.

Rock performed Sunday in Phoenix where he reportedly told the audience coming back to host the 2023 Oscars would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson to go back to the restaurant where she ate before she was brutally murdered in 1994.

Some people on social media have accused Rock of being misogynistic and cracking jokes at the expense of a woman, similar to the criticism he got for the Jada Pinkett joke. Others on social believe Will should have slapped Chris harder.

It was 6 months ago when Will Smith got up on stage and slapped Chris after the comedian made a joke about Jada's shaved head.

Chris Rock later said he was unaware Jada suffered from alopecia.

​A vicious fight broke out at a Chris Brown concert Friday ... and TMZ has obtained video of the VERY SCARY scene ... a woman laid out unconscious on the ground while two men are going at it around her.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... the nasty brawl started between two women in the front section of the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, near the end of Breezy's set. Lil Baby also performed at the August 26 show.

Two men jumped into the fight ... and one of them clocked one of the women, knocking her unconscious.

Several fans dragged the woman to the side of the arena and tried to revive her, but she wouldn't move. The battle between the two men also spilled over to the side. Law enforcement sources tell us at least one person was transported to the hospital.

Our video shows the men wrestling and wildly throwing punches while the woman lays like a rag doll nearby with people standing over her.

We're told bystanders broke up the fight after about three minutes and security guards didn't do much at all when they finally arrived on the scene.

The condition of the injured woman is unknown. It's also unclear what precipitated the fight or how the parties knew each other ... if it all.

As for Breezy, he didn't seem to know what was going down and continued his performance.

We've reached out to police and EMS ... so far no word back.

Amazing news ... Easton Oliverson -- the Little League World Series player who was injured in a fall from his bunk bed earlier this month -- is now heading home back to Utah after successful skull surgery last week, and he's clearly in great spirits!

The Oliverson family announced on Monday they're finally leaving Pennsylvania a little over two weeks after the pitcher/outfielder was initially hurt ... and it's obvious Easton is pumped.

Oliverson flashed a big smile in a video message posted to his social media page Tuesday, where he thanked all of his followers for their support and prayers.

Oliverson is expected to head back to Salt Lake City at some point later Tuesday -- and his family thanked hospital staffers for everything they did in the fight to save the Little Leaguer's life.

"While this is a great step forward, it’s bittersweet leaving behind the people that have put their heart and souls into Easton’s recovery," the family said.

"THANK YOU to each and every individual at Geisinger Hospital who played a role in taking care of, and saving our boy.🤍"

Sylvester Stallone is firing back at his estranged wife, Jennifer Flavin, by denying that he's hiding any of their marital property ... but wholly agreeing the marriage is dunzo.

The actor filed a response to Flavin's divorce petition in Palm Beach County, FL -- which clearly states Sly has NOT engaged in the intentional dissipation, depletion and/or waste of marital assets ... this, according to docs, obtained by TMZ.

It doesn't get more specific beyond that -- neither did Flavin, BTW -- but his attorneys make crystal clear that SS is not doing anything that could be labeled as moving/hiding assets.

Sly also has an answer for Jen's request for exclusive use of their Palm Beach mansion -- and to that, he says ... hell no. He's officially opposing her ask, letting a judge know he's firmly against that.

One thing Sly concedes ... there's no remedy to fix this mess. He acknowledges their union is "irretrievably broken" -- he's also cool with her restoring her maiden name.

As we reported ... we'd heard from sources directly connected to the Stallones that the straw that broke the camel's back might've stemmed from an argument over a dog that Sly wanted, but which Jen didn't.

Sly, however, denied that ... telling TMZ the Rottweiler, Dwight, didn't trigger anything ... and he and Jen had simply grown apart. He added, "I have the highest respect for Jennifer. I will always love her. She's an amazing woman. She's the nicest human being I've ever met." He'd previously told us he loved his family and wanted to deal with this privately.

Brutal couple days for former WWE superstar Velveteen Dream last week -- TMZ Sports has confirmed he was arrested TWICE in Florida.

According to court records, VD -- real name Patrick Clark -- was initially arrested on Aug. 20 by the Orlando Police Dept. and booked on misdemeanor charges of battery and trespass on property after warning.

It's unclear what the wrestler has exactly been accused of -- we're working on it -- but the records show his attorney filed a written plea of not guilty and his arraignment hearing, set for September, was canceled.

Just six days later, on Aug. 26, Clark was arrested again in Orange County, Fla., according to jail records.

Orange County Corrections Department officials tell us he was booked on an out-of-county warrant for a violation of probation by the Orlando Police Department.

We're told it all stemmed from a previous drug case against the wrestler in Seminole County, Fla.

OCCD officials say Clark is currently being held on a no-bond status and is still in the Orange County Jail. He is expected to be turned over to Seminole County soon.

The 27-year-old first joined the WWE in 2015 -- and he went on to become a star in NXT, showing off insane athleticism and over-the-top promos, stunts and moves. He was marred in controversy in 2020, though, following allegations that he sent indecent photos to underage kids. He vehemently denied the claims.

Blueface and his girlfriend, Chrisean Rock, are pinky promising to avoid further physical altercations -- after her arrest last week -- but it's not a great sign that they nearly got into a spat right in front of us.

The couple talked to us Monday at LAX, fresh off the rough patch they landed in when Chrisean was arrested in Arizona for hitting her man in the face ... twice. This time, they seem to be on much better terms -- looking super boo'd up on camera.

Our photog asks what they've learned about each other and their relationship over the past month -- which has been tumultuous, to say the least.

CR is doing most of the talking here ... but what she's saying is a little weird.

Watch -- she says she's realized she shouldn't hit Blueface anymore ... publicly, that is. She also has a remedy on how to avoid conflict, and it has to do with their bedroom.

We ask if they're worried things could boil over again, and Blueface jokingly tells us he personally is ... and Chrisean gets visibly upset about that, to the point she separates from him.

Obviously, this is a very hot-and-cold couple, but they left us on a good note.