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Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is walking back a controversial policy decision regarding coverage for anesthesia in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder.

In a statement released Thursday, the company defended its decision to reverse the policy as a response to "significant widespread misinformation" ... though, it was notably timed amid the hunt for Thompson's shooter.

ABCBS shared the now-controversial policy was never meant "to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services" ... rather, the "proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines."

OnlyFans model Sophie Rain's net worth could get even bigger ... if she's willing to cash in on the X-rated offers she's received following her viral payday.

A source close to Sophie tells TMZ ... the brunette beauty has been inundated with offers after she broke the Internet with her claim that she's made more than $40 million working as a virgin OnlyFans model.

We're told Sophie has received offers from other OF stars, as well as porn companies ... some of which include dudes who want to document the swiping of her V-card on camera.

Here's an interesting stocking stuffer to consider ... and it's a blast from the past, literally.

A radioactive atomic energy lab kit complete with real uranium is hitting the auction block ... and it's considered the world's most dangerous toy.

Officially known as the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory, the toy is from the early 1950s -- back when atomic bombs were relatively new -- and it was marketed as an educational toy for budding scientists.

Grindr’s out here doing the lord’s work by rewarding a bunch of hunky men ... compiled from cultural trends, sexual habits, and other juicy stats about their users.

The likes of Shawn Mendes, Bad Bunny, and Travis Kelce have all made it into Grindr's annual "Unwrapped" lists -- but it’s Pedro Pascal who’s sitting pretty at the top of their "Hottest Men of the Year" lineup.

"The Bear" star Jeremy Allen White also has plenty of admirers, rounding out the top 5 on Grindr’s Hottest Men list.

Emma Dumont's making a major revelation ... revealing they're non-binary -- and, their friends and family are calling them by a new name.

The "Oppenheimer" star changed their pronouns and name on their Instagram bio recently ... writing they now go by "they/them" pronouns instead of "she/her."

We reached out to a rep for Dumont who tells TMZ ..."They identify as a trans masculine non-binary person. Their work name is still going to be Emma Dumont, but they will go by Nick with friends and family."

A couple of looters may've dressed like Santa Claus for a recent heist, but they acted more like the Grinch ... smashing glass and making off with goods in a new video making the rounds online.

Check it out ... security camera footage documents the exact moment a couple of bandits decided to act naughty instead of nice Sunday, smashing through an electronics store's glass door and filling their sacks with items behind the counter.

One of the culprits -- who slips and nearly falls onto a pile of glass after rushing into the store -- also helps himself to a shelf filled with tumblers, booze and more.

Ariana Grande expressed strong feelings while opening up about body-shamers ... confessing it’s been overwhelming dealing with endless opinions on what people think she should look like, but making it clear she has no time for them.

The actress was continuing on with her "Wicked" promo duties alongside Cynthia Erivo on the "Oui Oui Baguette" web series when she spilled about the never-ending struggle -- you fix what people say is wrong, and just like that, they've got another problem for other reasons.

Ariana got real about how body-shaming hit her hard in the past, starting as a teenager in the biz, and how tough it’s been to shield herself from all that constant noise since.

Flavor Flav's all about fighting the power, standing up to NBC security ... but, it seems they were just doing their jobs -- 'cause we're told he wasn't expected at the tree-lighting, and security booted him.

Here's the deal ... Flav took to X to air some grievances about NBC kicking him out of the Backstreet Boys dressing room at the the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony Wednesday night -- despite all his work with them during the Olympics.

However, sources tell TMZ security had a very good reason to kick him out of the event ... 'cause he wasn't on the list of expected attendees.

Taylor Lorenz -- a controversial journalist formerly of the Washington Post -- is clarifying some of her comments about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ... and she says his brutal killing isn't the real tragedy here.

Taylor joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and we asked her what she meant by two social media posts that have gotten a lot of attention in the wake of Thompson's killing ... including one that lots of folks interpreted as her calling for more violence against healthcare executives.

She says she wasn't calling for murder when she shared a photo of the Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Kim Keck above a post about BCBS announcing it wouldn't cover anesthesia for the entirety of some surgeries.

All Mariah Carey wanted for Christmas was a peaceful holiday concert ... but fans had something else in store for the pop star when they started throwing punches during her show.

Check it out ... a brawl broke out during one of MiMi's recent Christmas concerts after a verbal spat and a thrown drink escalated things amid the singer's performance of "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

As you can see in the video, the drama started between 2 women ... where the one with curly hair pushed the other from behind. The shoved concertgoer then responded by tossing her drink onto the other lady -- sparking chaos.

Lizzo scored a big legal win in the harassment case filed against her -- at least, for her as an individual ... but her touring company is still facing serious claims.

Here's the deal ... on Monday, a judge dismissed the claims made by former backup dancer Asha Daniels against Lizzo as an individual -- ruling that such claims can only be made against Daniels' corporate employer, not Lizzo as an individual.

Basically, the judge found Lizzo can't be held personally liable for the harassment alleged in the lawsuit.

A former bodyguard for Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was shot and killed in NYC, is in complete disbelief the exec didn't have security when he was murdered.

Philip Klein, whose Texas-based security firm Klein Investigations previously provided bodyguards for Thompson in the 2000s, tells TMZ ... he is "shocked and baffled" to see the high-profile CEO didn't have a "detail" (at least 10 security guards) with him while out and about in Manhattan -- given the malevolence the insurance industry often faces.

He also says Thompson should've been wearing a vest in addition to having guards by his side, but adds ... he likely didn't have it on due to personal preference.

Martin Lawrence's daughter is engaged to Eddie Murphy's son ... and Martin says he's going to foot the bill when they tie the knot.

The "Bad Boys" star revealed his plan to bankroll the upcoming wedding ceremony during an appearance this week on Big Boy's show, "Big Boy's Neighborhood."

Martin didn't exactly volunteer ... he says Eddie told him he has to be the one to pay because Eddie's already paid for 6 weddings for his kids.

Robin Thicke and April Love Geary are living it up in Japan, turning their trip into a full-blown romance fest and sharing all the lovey-dovey vibes on social media.

The duo has been soaking up the vibes -- taking in the sights, feasting on delicious bites, and fully embracing the kid-free getaway.

Robin and April were having a blast at a museum, snapping away in front of some super cool light installations.

Lil Durk is facing a legal slugfest, with the feds claiming he's the mastermind behind a murder-for-hire plot ... and his attorneys are convinced it's a classic example of prosecutors grasping at straws with some street-savvy rap lyrics because they don't have a real case against the rap star.

The Chicago rapper's attorneys -- Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg, of The Findling Law Firm, P.C., along with Jonathan Brayman, and Christy O'Connor -- tell TMZ Hip Hop ... "When you see an artist’s rap lyrics quoted as 'evidence' against them, it is a glaring indication that there is no real evidence against that person."

According to the feds, Durk detailed the steps that led up to the August 2022 murder of rival Quando Rondo's cousin Saviay'a Robinson on Babyface Ray's song "Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy" when he rapped ... "Told me they got an addy (gooo) / Got location (gooo) Green light (go, go, go, go, go) / Look on the news and see your son, You screamin’, 'No, no' (p***y!!!)"

Police say the suspect who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson can't hide forever in NYC ... 'cause security cameras recorded a person believed to be the shooter riding away from the murder scene.

Check out the new video, obtained by ABC News, showing a person -- who cops say is the suspect -- riding down a Manhattan street just minutes after Thompson was shot to death early Wednesday outside a hotel.

It appears the rider's wearing a mask, riding down the street very quickly ... but, cops say this is the person they're looking for -- blending in with the rest of the concrete jungle.