Taliban Soldiers in American Gear Recreate WWII Iwo Jima Flag Shot

The Taliban is rubbing America's nose in the mess left behind in Afghanistan -- and they're doing so with a massive troll move ... recreating an iconic war photo, for their own purposes.

A Taliban military unit that calls themselves the Badri 313 Battalion put out a ton of propaganda footage this week -- showing a bunch of these guys rocking what appears to be American uniforms and gear left behind in the chaos from the past few weeks.

They're out there patrolling the streets in fatigues that are eerily similar to what U.S. soldiers have worn in the area ... only now, the Taliban seems to have gotten ahold of it. The B313B boys also have rifles in hand, and they're also using jeeps that seem to be American too.

That's not the worst of it though -- in what appears to be a total F-U to the USA, the battalion also posted a photo of them raising a Taliban flag ... in the same style as the shot of American troops raising the U.S. flag atop Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima during WWII.

There doesn't seem to be a caption attached, but the message couldn't be more clear ... they see this as them claiming victory in the region, which is exactly what this pic has gone on to represent in our history. It's a slap in the face, really ... an audacious one at that.

BTW, what you're seeing here as far as artillery and weaponry and whatnot being used by the Taliban is just a taste of what's said to be part of a total estimate of about $28 billion worth of gear we'd sent to Afghan army forces dating back to the early 2000s.

Word is, anything that hasn't already been destroyed of late is now in their hands ... and there seems to be a lot that was abandoned in the ongoing mass evacuations there.

Britney Spears' Housekeeper Dog Was Near Death Table Food, Dehydration Critical Problems

UPDATE

10:30 AM PT -- A Britney source tells TMZ the dogs were returned to her Friday. The dog sitter -- the woman who kept the dogs for 2 weeks -- returned them and we're told she's still working for Britney. We're told the housekeeper is not.

Britney Spears' dogs fell seriously ill with one close to death, and her housekeeper believed the only way to save the animals was an emergency trip to the vet, which turned into the dogs being kept away from Britney entirely ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... one of Britney's two dogs has serious digestive issues and both dogs were supposed to be fed a special type of food. We're told the housekeeper became alarmed when she saw the dogs regularly being fed table scraps ... causing the pets to become very sick, especially the one with digestive issues.

The housekeeper also said both dogs were dehydrated from a lack of water ... which ultimately caused her to take them to the vet.

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PUPPY LOVE
@britneyspears / Instagram

Our sources say after examining the dogs, the vet was alarmed, and Britney's dog sitter decided it would be best if she cared for the dogs instead of Britney.

As we reported ... Britney's dogs never came home after the vet visit, and she suspected her dad, Jamie Spears, had something to do with their disappearance. She called the cops August 10 and was prepared to file a theft report over the pooches, but changed her mind.

TMZ broke the story, the dogs' whereabouts triggered a heated argument Monday between Britney and the housekeeper ... during which we're told the housekeeper showed Britney cell phone photos she'd taken of the sick dogs.

Our sources said Britney became enraged, believing the housekeeper was sending the pics to Jamie Spears. She allegedly grabbed for the phone and, according to the housekeeper, struck her arm in the process. The housekeeper filed a police report for battery. We're told Britney denies touching the housekeeper ... and that all she did was grab the phone.

As of Friday afternoon, the dogs were still not back at Britney's home and the police investigation had not wrapped. The police findings will eventually be sent to the district attorney's office to review the matter for possible misdemeanor battery charges.

Originally Published -- 1:00 AM PT

New England Patriots Team Jet Loaded Up ... Flying Relief Mission to Haiti

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READY FOR DELIVERY

The New England Patriots logo will be a symbol of much-needed relief for earthquake-ravaged Haiti ... the team's plane is heading to the island with medical supplies and doctors.

The 767 jet was loaded up Saturday morning at Logan International Airport in Boston, and is about to go wheels up ... carrying thousands of items like IV fluid and bags, oxygen masks, surgical supplies, hospital beds, sterilizers and generators. Just as importantly, it's carrying 2 orthopedic surgeons, 3 physicians and a nurse to assist victims in the wake of the 7.2 earthquake and a tropical storm. More than 2,100 have died and millions are injured or without shelter.

Build Health International coordinated the relief items, and team owner Robert Kraft donated the jet to transport the supplies. Additionally, we're told the Kraft family is donating drinking water, surgical masks and PPE that includes N95 masks and face shields.

These missions are becoming just as common for the Patriots as Super Bowl victories. You'll recall, the team jet was used in May to fly COVID vaccines to Central America ... and last year the Kraft family sent it to China to bring back tons of N95 masks to the U.S.

The Haitian relief flight was scheduled to take off Saturday morning, and just in the nick of time -- Tropical Storm Henri is bearing down on New England. The plane will make a stop in Miami for more supplies before touching down in Haiti Saturday evening.

Kanye West I'll Take You Down Memory Lane ... Here's My Childhood House!!!

Kanye West is sending smoke signals that he's zeroing in on his album release, by posting a pic of the house he grew up in.

Ye displayed a photo of his childhood home on the South Side of Chicago. You'll recall, it's the house he bought last year for $225,000.

As for the clue -- well, the album is titled "Donda," an homage to his late mother, so it would seem he's telegraphing the album is, at the very least, top of mind.

The album was supposed to be released last month, but that date was moved to early August but still, no album. Fact is ... that's SOP for Kanye.

For whatever reason, Kanye scrubbed his entire Instagram page ... so all you get is the house photo. It's unclear why he did this ... maybe to really profile the pic and send some sort of message that the album is near.

He's been tinkering with the album ever since the first unveiling at the listening party in Atlanta for friends and fam back in July.

The first listening party broke the Apple Music Global Livestream record with 3.3 million viewers.

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SHOWIN' UP FOR YE
MEGA

Kim has been really supportive ... showing up at both listening parties and wearing the same color outfit as her estranged husband.

They also had lunch together this week, so it seems the divorce is super amicable.

No word on when the divorce will become final and whether they've worked out all the property and custody issues, but so far, it looks like things are friendly and calm.

Bill Maher Apple's Move to Check Phones for Child Porn is Appalling

Bill Maher took a subject that, on the surface, doesn't seem debatable, and he then tore it apart ... Apple announcing it would scan customers' phones for child porn.

The "Real Time" host was incredulous ... calling it a shocking breach of privacy. Mind you, he was not pro child porn, but he said there's a much bigger issue. A phone, he argued, is no different than a wallet or a purse. No one would argue those items are fair game for others to peruse, so what's the different between a wallet and a phone?

He did get something wrong ... he called it a "blatant Constitutional breach" and a violation of the 4th Amendment's guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures. Fact is ... that only applies to government intrusions -- not private companies. Nevertheless, we get the point.

Bill then went on to make a larger point ... the damage smart phones do to our society. As he says, "They turn people into assholes."

Watch ... it's interesting.

Adam Levine Forgets Lyrics to 'She Will Be Loved' ... 'You Know What? I F***ed Up!!!'

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MUSICAL MISHAP
TMZ.com

Adam Levine's lost it!!! Well, for a sec anyway 'cause he forgot the lyrics to "She Will Be Loved" ... and everyone got a kick out of it.

So, here's what happened ... "Maroon 5" had a show Thursday in Milwaukee at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Adam was sweet-talking the ladies -- and gents -- before crooning his 2002 banger off his debut album "Songs About Jane."

Adam quickly realized he mistakenly sang the SECOND verse first. He tried ignoring the hiccup but then ... he screwed up AGAIN. 😅

The crowd actually enjoyed the blunder... but Adam stopped the show and confessed ... "I f***ed up!!!" He told the crowd it's the first time he's EVER screwed up the famous track, which btw, celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.

BTW ... before anyone starts throwing stones -- Adam's show followed strict COVID-19 protocols as concertgoers had to either be fully vaccinated or show a negative COVID test.

Good times.

Stars and Scars You Be the Judge

Britney Spears is now the subject of a criminal battery investigation over a dispute with her housekeeper, and Mike Richards may be the shortest-lived game show host in game show history. So, we gotta ask ...

Britney Spears Battery Investigation ...

Biden's Plan To Exit Afghanistan ...

Mike Richards Stepping Down As 'Jeopardy!' Host ...

Better Show ...

Beyonce's Next Album Should Be ...

Kylie And Travis Will Name Their Kid ...

Which Will Last Longer?

I'll get A COVID Booster

COVID Has Me ...

'FBOY Island' Garrett Morosky I Wanna Box Jake Paul ... I'll Beat His Ass!!!

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ONE ROUND SMACKDOWN
TMZSports.com

"FBOY Island" villain Garrett Morosky is out to make even more enemies ... 'cause he's calling out Jake Paul for a boxing match -- dubbing it "The Battle of the F***boys."

Garrett had an infamous run on the hit reality dating show ... and if you haven't seen it yet, we won't spoil it for ya -- but just trust us on this one.

Now that he's off the island, Morosky has changed his focus from breaking hearts to breaking the YouTube superstar's face ... telling us he wants to be Paul's next opponent in the ring after his Tyron Woodley fight next week.

While Morosky started off complimentary of Jake's accomplishments in the sport ... he quickly changed his tune when he brought up the possibility of stepping in the ring with the 4-0 fighter.

"I'll still beat the f*** out of him," Morosky tells TMZ Sports. "I'll still beat his ass."

He unloads some even more brutal smack talk ... name-dropping Jake's on-and-off GF Julia Rose in the process.

As for his fighting experience, Morosky says he's been in about 3 college bar brawls in his life ... and claims he's never lost!!

But, the dude understands that things are totally different in the ring, and he's dead serious about getting the training he needs to be able to compete with Jake.

Morosky says he'll be in Cleveland to watch Paul go head-to-head with the former UFC champ on Aug. 29 ... and needless to say, he's hoping Woodley comes out on top.

Celebrity Chef Jet Tila Sued Your Dog Attacked My Kid!!!

Celebrity chef Jet Tila let his dangerous dog bite a young child on the nose and now she's scarred for life ... at least that's how the kid's parents see it, according to a new lawsuit.

The famed chef and Food Network regular is being sued by the young girl's folks, who claim his dog, Halo, viciously attacked their daughter when she went up to say hello to the pooch.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Jet rented out a playground at the preschool his kid and the girl attend for an event the day after Christmas, and had his dog leashed to a table.

The docs say Jet's wife "chose to relinquish personal control" of Halo and that's when the girl "gently went up" to the Belgian Malinois and the dog started barking and attacked, biting her and leaving a gash on her nose.

The child's family says she was rushed to the ER, and they claim her injuries will permanently disfigure her face.

In the suit, the parents also claim Jet knew his dog was capable of being "aggressive, vicious, and excessively dangerous."

We reached out to Jet, so far no word back.

'Selling Sunset' Star Christine Chrishell Has No Leg Up on Listings ... Just 'Cause She Sleeps w/ The Boss!!!!

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SAW IT COMING
TMZ.com

Christine Quinn says Chrishell Stause hasn't gotten any favoritism just because her boss/BF Jason Oppenheim ... at least not yet.

We got the "Selling Sunset" star Friday leaving Starbucks on Sunset Blvd. and our photog wondered what all the fans of the show are thinking ... is Chrishell being served hot listings by her boss/BF on a silver platter?

The question's fair ... considering "Selling Sunset" fans know once upon a time Jason dated/hooked up with Mary Fitzgerald ... one of the agents at The Oppenheim Group.

It was quickly revealed in season 2 the women had serious gripes with Jason and took him to task ... accusing him of giving Mary coveted listings.

Well, fast forward to now ... Jason's dating another one of his agents ... and while Christine says she hasn't seen Jason show Chrishell any favoritism ... it's easy to see why people are skeptical.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

So far so good ... says Christine, who went on to make some jokes at Mary's expense.

As we reported ... Chrishelle and Jason went Instagram official during a group trip to Italy. That trip, btw, also included Mary and her new/young hubby. Awk?

What's The Big Frigin' Difference?

Don't let these two almost identical images of Paris Hilton have you starting to see double ... take a closer look at these two images and try your best to see if you can spot any of the sneaky switches that have been made to trick ya!

Hilton was seen out and about in New York City just before a late-night show appearance earlier this week ... and we have made a few changes to the original pic! Put your detective skills to the test and see if you can find the differences between these two super similar snaps.

**HINT -- There are three differences between the above photos!**

Summer Babes In Bucket Hats ... Pail In Comparison!

These sun-kissed stars are keeping a lid on what's left of the summer sun and they're doin' it in style ... ALL CAPS!

Celebs like Kourtney Kardashian, Emily Ratajkowski, Teyana Taylor and several other stars have been throwin' on bucket hats and heading out to kick it with a bit of shade!

Whether these babes are preserving their skincare routine or just having a matching moment, they sure are bringing the heat while checking hot off their bucket list!

Take a look through our gallery of summer babes in bucket hats to see more stars such as Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Hudgens, Sofia Richie and Kylie Jenner rock these sweet shields!

Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz Let's Get Away For The Weekend

Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz look like they're about to take their rumored relationship to the next level ... because they're packing up and shipping out of New York ... together.

The duo, who were first seen in public together this week after tons of dating rumors, grabbed their bags Friday and hopped in a car ... looking like they're ready for a weekend getaway somewhere.

Channing has his arms full with designer luggage in one arm and grocery bags in the other, while Zoe is traveling light with a small paper bag. Channing's also the one behind the wheel, so he's going full gentleman here.

Wherever they're going, it looks like they're excited for a chance to get out of the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple ... as you can see, they're both smiling in the car.

They're not officially a couple yet ... but it looks like things are trending that way.

Paris Hilton and Carter Reum We're a Malibu Couple Now!!! Scoop Up Oceanfront Home

Paris Hilton and her fiancée are expanding outside city living ... because they just snatched up a beautiful oceanfront property in Malibu.

Records show Paris and Carter Reum are the proud new owners of a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home along the coastline in the famous beach town ... and they threw down a cool $8,400,000 for the 2,968-square-foot pad.

It's a big change of scenery from Paris' longtime home in Beverly Hills ... every room in the two-story home has an ocean view and there's a patio with an outdoor shower and a staircase down to the sand.

There's a hot tub on the upstairs balcony and the master suite has a fireplace and spa-style bath. There's also a private garden and state-of-the-art kitchen with granite countertops.

Paris' beach house is just down the road from the Malibu pier and celeb hot spot Nobu, perfect for some romantic dates with her man.

'Jeopardy!' Mike Richards' Episodes Will Air ... Despite Quick Exit as Host

Mike Richards is already out as "Jeopardy!" host, but he'll still get some TV time ... because the few episodes he shot are going to air as scheduled, TMZ has learned.

Production sources tell us ... Mike shot 5 episodes Thursday before stepping down as the new daily host, and all of them will air beginning September 13.

We're told this decision was made by Sony Studios execs for a couple of reasons -- first, to keep the continuity of the show and honor the contestants ... and second, because one of these contestants was on an incredible hot streak before "Jeopardy!" went into its most recent hiatus.

This contestant, Matt Amodio, has won 18 in a row and racked up $574,801 in prize money -- good for third all-time -- so he's obviously one of the contestants on Richards' first episode ... and possibly beyond that.

So, despite Mike's controversial exit from hosting, we're told it was a no-brainer for the honchos to air his episodes. However, our sources say "Jeopardy!" may display some sort of disclaimer at the beginning of his shows to explain why he is no longer host.

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PERSONAL QUESTION
The Randumb Show

As we reported ... Mike resigned after old comments of his resurfaced where he degraded women and allegedly disparaged Jewish people. We're told he will remain as an EP on the show though, but Sony Studios execs are evaluating that situation as well.

'American Idol' Syesha Mercado Reunited with Infant Daughter ... Toddler Son's Still Gone

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REUNITED WITH AST

"American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado and her partner have a huge reason to smile ... they've been reunited with their infant daughter.

Syehsa's partner, Tyron Deener, posted video Friday, presumably during their car ride home, with baby Ast sound asleep in a child safety seat. Syesha had a huge grin on her face and Tyron couldn't look prouder to have their daughter back.

He thanked everyone for helping them get the resources they needed to get their daughter back from Florida's Child Protective Services. He said, "We still got work to do to get 'Ra back. Thank you, because of y'all we had the proper support to get the best attorneys in the country."

Remember ... the couple started a GoFundMe to help cover the legal costs and raised more than $400k. Syesha's joy was evident in her caption -- “AST IS HOME!!!! #BringRaHome POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!”

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TAKEN FROM FAMILY
@syesha / Instagram

As we reported ... Syesha sobbed as the Manatee County Sheriff's deputies took Ast from her earlier this month. She reluctantly handed over the infant in accordance with a family court judge's order.

The couple's toddler son, Amen'Ra, was put in foster care back in March after a doctor claimed the boy was malnourished. Deputies told the couple they were taking Ast because they didn't tell authorities she'd given birth to Ast during the ongoing legal battle for Ra.

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PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

Ben Crump, the noted civil rights attorney, got involved in the case. He had previously called out the deputies for making a spectacle out of a Black family and "publicly dehumanizing them."