Chris Pine At War With Neighbor ... You're Barking Up Wrong Ficus Tree!!!

Chris Pine's in a court battle with his neighbor over the roots he's put down in L.A. -- roots that are allegedly infiltrating this woman's backyard ... and we mean that quite literally.

TMZ has obtained legal docs that show Chris ensnared in a showdown with music attorney Helen Yu -- who lives next door to him in the Hollywood Hills ... and who's brought action against him for what she claims is destruction of her property due to his trees.

Long story short ... Yu alleges Chris has planted at least a dozen ficus trees at the border of his own home, but because these pesky plants have out-of-control roots ... she claims they've started to spread and encroach on her own parcel, and it's ruining her yard.

Tracy Morgan Gives Tyrese Maxey The Bird ... After Game-Tying Shot

The birds were flyin' at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday ... all thanks to diehard Knicks fan Tracy Morgan, who couldn't help but share his frustrations with Sixers star Tyrese Maxey by giving him the finger!!

The hilarious (not so much for New York fans) moment went down in the closing seconds of the Knicks' Game 5 matchup against Philadelphia ... when the former Kentucky Wildcat pulled up from behind the arc to tie things up at 97.

The shot completed the Sixers' late-game push ... coming back from down six in the last 30 seconds to force overtime.

Columbia University NYPD Seizes Control Of Building ... After Violent Protesters Took It Over

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MOVIN' IN
FOX 5 New York

The New York Police Department took charge of Columbia University Tuesday night, using force to reclaim an academic building seized by violent pro-Palestinian protesters while making dozens of arrests.

Hundreds of NYPD officers in riot gear marched onto the Ivy League school's main campus in Manhattan to remove the agitators who just one day earlier had smashed their way into Hamilton Hall, assuming control over the building.

Check out this dramatic video ... a bunch of cops wearing helmets climbed up a ladder to a second-floor window and crawled inside the building with zip-tie handcuffs.

George Santos Brings Back Drag Queen Persona ... In New Cameo Video

George Santos
KITARA IS BACK
Cameo

George Santos breathed new life into his old drag queen persona -- bringing back his old shtick in a new video ... where he seems inclined to say hello for some cash.

The ousted GOP congressman hopped on Cameo -- where he has an account, and where he's hawking personalized messages for people -- dressed in a familiar getup that he used to rock back in his youth ... namely, as Kitara Ravache, his drag character.

Remember ... this is how he'd dress up way back in the day when he was hanging out down in Brazil -- something that came to light when he was a congressman and wrapped in scandal.

Britney Spears Calls Sister Jamie Lynn 'Bitch' ... In Rambling New Video

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WILD RIDE

Britney Spears is back to attacking her little sister, Jamie Lynn Spears -- out here calling her a "bitch" ... this while going on and on about things that just don't make sense.

The pop star posted a few since-deleted videos to her Instagram Story Tuesday, which features her in the passenger seat of a car ... with three other people with her, including what appears to be her assistant -- at least that's how Brit describes her anyway.

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HORSE GIRL

The footage is strange ... the group is going up the side of some mountain, following a Jeep that seems to be leading them somewhere remote. Britney and the gang say they're going horseback riding -- which, if accurate, jibes with other posts of hers from earlier in the week.

Jason Tartick & Kat Stickler Take Their Romance Public ... Grab Dinner with Her Kid!!!

'Bachelorette' alum Jason Tartick is taking his new relationship with TikTok star Kat Stickler out of the shadows and into the spotlight ... as the pair stepped out for a dinner date Monday evening.

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DINNER DATE
TMZ.com

The couple hit the town in Tampa, FL at the restaurant Meat Market, and they were joined by Kat's young daughter MJ ... which speaks volumes about the seriousness of their relationship.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... 3 other guests were on hand for the evening out with the couple -- so, it's crystal clear Jason and Kat are done keeping a low public profile.

Richard Simmons Slams Barbra Streisand For Ozempic Question To Melissa McCarthy

The drama between Melissa McCarthy and Barbra Streisand over an Ozempic question ain't over yet ... 'cause Richard Simmons is now weighing on the matter.

In a Facebook post Tuesday night, the legendary exercise guru threw his full support behind Melissa while calling out Barbra for asking the slimmed-down McCarthy if she was taking the weight loss drug.

Richard started by writing, "I love Melissa McCarthy…. I have seen every one of her movies."

Ex-NFLer Jay 'Finesse' Ajayi Drops Debut Rap Single ... Hoping For Future Collab With Travis Scott!!!

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FEELIN' THE FINESSE
TMZSports.com

Former Super Bowl champion Jay Ajayi has traded in his cleats for a mic -- officially entering the music game with a debut rap single this week -- and he's hoping the response to the tunes is so good, it'll lead to a future collab with Travis Scott.

The ex-Philadelphia Eagles star first got into the booth full-time following his retirement from the NFL in 2022 -- rapping under the pseudonym "Finesse" -- and on Tuesday, he released his first single, "PEAK."

The former running back tells TMZ Sports he's taking the new career very seriously ... with the goal of featuring "some trap, south side beats, heavy 808s, and just a lot of vibes" on his tracks.

TMZ TV Hot Takes Brian Cox Slams the Bible ... Jon Bon Jovi's Infidelity, Logan Paul & Patrick Mahomes Team Up

We're only a few days into a new week ... and there's already so much to discuss!!!

TMZ Live

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HOLY BOOK HOLY WAR
TMZ.com

First up, on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles discuss Brian Cox slamming the Bible as the worst book ever ... sounding off on organized religion altogether.

Guess Who This Lil' Performer Turned Into!

Before this lil' cutie with buns turned into a singer and global icon, she was playin' a friendly game of Texas hold 'em, growing up in Houston, with her destiny being great from the time she was just a little one!

Aside from decades of great songs and performances from this mega star, she's also hit the big screen showcasing her acting skills ... "The Pink Panther" and "Dream Girls" just to shout out a couple.

The only gal she may need to watch out for stealing her thunder is her dancing daughter!

This ain't Texas ya'll ... Can you guess who she is? 

Melissa McCarthy Not Sweatin' Streisand's Ozempic Q ... Babs Says My Bad, Guys!!!

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SHE'S A TREASURE!
The Image Direct

Melissa McCarthy is making it clear there is no beef between herself and Barbra Streisand after the latter's Ozempic ask -- and Barb herself is also issuing an apology over it.

After Babs caught some heat for asking if Melissa had shed some pounds thanks to the weight loss drug ... a photog caught up with the actress on the street in L.A. Tuesday -- where she said she still has love for the superstar.

MMC made it clear it was NBD at all saying ... "I think Barbra is a treasure and I love her." She even waved off the photog's question on whether she thought Barbra was out of line.

Roaring Sex Lions Get Busy on Top of Safari Truck ... Tourists Take It All In

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CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT???
Jam Press

A couple of lions felt the love so much that they started banging on top of a tourist safari truck ... and the people inside certainly got an eyeful and then some.

A group of tourists partaking in a South African safari were recently left stunned as 2 randy big cats made themselves at home atop their vehicle.

The male lion is seen mounting a resting female lion ... confirming their boinking session with a couple of growls. The jeep noticeably shakes from side to side as they do it ... sparking laughter and gasps from the tourists seated below.

TikToker Kyle Marisa Roth Parents Saw Troubling Video ... Before She Was Found Dead

Kyle Marisa Roth had her parents very concerned on the day she was found dead -- and it was over something they'd seen online, which was relayed to cops ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Annapolis PD responded to Kyle's apartment complex on April 14 after one of her parents had called 911 to request a welfare check for their daughter ... this was after not hearing from her for a few days.

Her father, Robert, told police he'd last spoken to Kyle on April 8 -- whereas her mother, Jacquie, said she hadn't talked to Kyle in months. Either way ... Kyle's mom said she was alarmed about a certain video Kyle posted on April 4 -- although the exact reasoning for that is unclear.

'Stranger Things' Star Slams Palestine Protesters For Blocking Off Jewish Students

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THINK OF IT THIS WAY...
TMZ.com

There's been jarring imagery coming out of college campuses embroiled in pro-Palestine protests -- including Jewish students being blocked off, which Brett Gelman finds disgusting.

We got the 'Stranger Things' star at LAX Tuesday, where he weighed in on everything going on at Columbia University and other schools ... namely, demonstrators who are sympathetic to what's happening in Gaza assembling en masse and setting up encampments.

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BLOCKED FROM CAMPUS
Instagram / @tsiveseli

A lot of this unrest has actually made its way out west -- including at UCLA ... where one student this week was filmed apparently being barred by protesters from entering campus.

Jessica Simpson Issues $$$ Warning to Britney Spears ... Cool It on Vacays!!!

Jessica Simpson
BLOWIN' MONEY ON VACATION
BACKGRID

Jessica Simpson has issued a warning to Britney Spears about her finances ... telling the pop star to be wary of lavish vacays, 'cause it's a real easy way to blow your cash!!!

The singer shared this word of advice while leaving LAX Tuesday ... this while chatting with a pap who was asking her about this topic -- namely, the fact Britney's finances are in disarray.

Watch ... Jessica acknowledges that she takes a lot of lavish vacays herself, which can get pricey fast -- unless you got a Mama Bear who's willing to help out at times, and it sounds like Jessica does. Anyway, they eventually land on Britney herself ... and JS has thoughts.

YNW Melly Reacts to Kendrick's Drake Diss Bars About Him ... Honored & Appalled!!!

YNW Melly was propped up as a punch line on Kendrick Lamar's now-viral "Euphoria" Drake diss track, which the incarcerated rap star considers quite the backhanded compliment.

Midway through the track, Kendrick references the "Murder on My Mind" rapper, and his ongoing double homicide case ... where he stands accused of killing his two friends Chris "YNW Juvy" Thomas and Anthony "YNW Sakchaser" Williams.

Kendrick raps, "Yeah, Cole and Aubrey know I’m selfish/ The crown is heavy I pray they my real friends/ But if not, I’m YNW Melly."