Scarlett Johansson Blasts Ivanka Trump as 'Cowardly'

Scarlett Johansson held back no punches, blasting Ivanka Trump as a coward.

Scarlett went off Thursday with Arianna Huffington at the Women in the World Summit in NYC ... eviscerating Ivanka after Ivanka said her biggest influence will happen behind the scenes.

The actress was baffled, saying her approach of standing behind a man and only voicing her disagreements in private "is so old fashioned and it is so uninspired and actually really cowardly."

Scarlett was a big Hillary supporter and recently mocked Ivanka on 'SNL' with a fake perfume ad called "Complicit."

Sanaa Lathan Mainstream Media Ignored Missing D.C. Girls Because of Race

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IT'S ABOUT TIME
TMZ.com

Sanaa Lathan thinks the media has ignored the slew of young girls who have gone missing in Washington D.C. because of their race.

The "Love & Basketball" star was strong Friday as she left E Baldi in Bev Hills, singing the praises of social media for calling attention to what appears to be a massive tragedy with no end in sight.

She also makes it clear ... if the victims were white, they'd be on every newscast.

'King Kong' Premiere Up in Flames!!

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THE FLAMING APE
Sky News

King Kong's too hot to handle in Vietnam -- his new movie premiere literally went up in flames.

The incident went down Thursday at the premiere of "Kong: Skull Island" in Ho Chi Minh City when a huge model of the beast, and the stage around it, caught fire.

The blaze was reportedly caused by either a stray tiki torch or a prop volcano. At first, spectators thought it was all part of the show, and lingered a little too long taking photos.

Still, no one was injured and firefighters knocked down the fire in about 15 minutes. In true Hollywood fashion, the premiere went on as scheduled.

O.J. Simpson Could Be Freed and On Reality TV in 2017

O.J. Simpson could be released from prison as early as October, and the buzz in the reality TV industry is that some producers are getting ready to scramble to sign him.

We've contacted a number of reality TV production companies, TV agents and platforms where such a show could run, and the reactions range from recoiling in disgust to pouncing on the opportunity.

None of the people to whom we spoke wanted to be quoted by name, but they all say the most likely formats are documentary or interview show.

Simpson actually co-wrote a book and then in 2006 shot a TV special, 'If I Did It.' O.J.'s co-author has said O.J. confessed to the double murder in the book and we know he read that passage for the TV special. There was a public outcry and Fox killed the show and our sources say it will never air.

The producers and agents with whom we spoke say they're certain someone will try to recreate the TV special that was never broadcast for several reasons ... years have passed, O.J. has done time for unrelated crimes, and 'People vs. O.J. Simpson' was a big hit.

Here's the problem. Almost to a person, producers and agents said broadcast and cable networks would never air a show featuring O.J. They say the public wouldn't tolerate it and no one would advertise on it.

That said, producers say there would be a home on Pay-Per-View because, as one person put it, "people could pay without being judged."

As for O.J. making money off a show ... he's still on the hook for a $33 million wrongful death judgment, and any money he makes could be attached to satisfy the judgment.

Nancy Grace Skewers Casey Anthony ... 'Caylee Never Had a Chance'

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I'M NOT BUYING IT
TMZ.com

Nancy Grace is angry and sad about Casey Anthony's flippant remarks about Caylee -- and can't understand how Anthony sleeps "pretty good at night."

Nancy lit into Anthony when we talked to her about the AP interview where Caylee's mother --acquitted of her murder -- said her daughter would be a "badass" if she were alive today. You gotta hear how Nancy reacted to that statement.

Nancy also choked up over Casey saying she has no guilt or remorse, and sleeps just fine.

This makes it clear ... if Casey Anthony's gonna be talking again ... Nancy Grace is still gonna be on her ass. As it should be.

Emeril Lagasse, John Besh Celeb Chefs Have Recipe for Relief For N.O. Tornado Victims

Celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and John Besh are cooking for a cause ... helping tornado victims in New Orleans.

The chefs have opened their wallets and offered up food after 7 tornadoes ripped through the City's 9th Ward Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and leaving dozens injured.

Emeril donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The org has already distributed more than 23,000 pounds of food.

Meanwhile, John -- a former regular on 'Iron Chef' shows -- and his partner, Alon Shaya, have used one of their restaurants to whip up 500 meals for locals.

Emeril has 4 restaurants in New Orleans, and John -- a Louisiana native -- has 15.

ABC News Busted for Fake News Image ... Used Phony Trump Pic

ABC News used a mocked up pic of Donald Trump in the Oval Office to promote its first TV interview with the prez, and the image was ripped from The New Yorker! Oops.

The network ran the phony image Tuesday night to promote an interview with Trump -- the first since he took office -- for Wednesday's nightly news, and apparently didn't realize it was photoshopped or another outlet's work.

We're told the photo did in fact see air time Tuesday, but has since been replaced. ABC has apologized, and copped to its marketing team screwing up.

Side note: Shout-out to The New Yorker's art department. Ya fooled ABC.

Prince Harry And the Hairy Hero Award Goes to ...

Prince Harry lifted the beard of a badass military hero to present him with a medal at the inaugural Endeavour Fund Awards.

Neil Heritage is the happy, hirsute man who received the award at the ceremony in London on Tuesday. Neil lost both legs in a suicide bombing in Iraq, but didn't let it stop him from rowing across the Atlantic, and nearly climbing the Matterhorn.

Prince William was also there to honor the late adventurer Henry Worsley. He and his bro spent the evening recognizing the achievements of many wounded or sick servicemen and women.

As far as we can tell, though ... only Harry grabbed a handful of beard hair at the event.

Vladimir Putin We Have the World's Best Whores

Vladimir Putin scoffed at the now discredited dossier suggesting Donald Trump engaged in funny business in Russia ... but it didn't stop him from bragging about his country's prostitutes.

Putin held a news conference in the Kremlin, throwing shade at the ex-British intelligence officer's so-called report. Putin said Trump's been surrounded by beauty pageant contestants for years, and ... "I find it hard to believe that he rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world."

Bottom line? If you're into that sorta thing ... come to Russia!

Donald Trump LAPD Fears Unrest, Even Riots During Inauguration Protests

The LAPD will be massively out in force Friday, bracing for what they believe could be large, unruly crowds protesting the beginning of the Trump presidency.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, LAPD cops will have riot gear at the ready as they try to control the various demonstrations they are expecting.

As for how much police will tolerate ... not a lot. We're told if demonstrators try to block traffic, freeways or vandalize anything ... they'll be arrested.

And, we're told, there will be special focus on social media, which could set the direction of the protests.

There are certain locations that will get special police attention ... the Federal Building in Westwood, Hollywood and Highland and freeways.

Our sources say cops are mindful of the constitutional right of demonstrators to protest ... they just can't cross the line.

Donald Trump Toe-to-Toe Shouting Match With CNN Reporter

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NO QUESTION FOR YOU!

President-elect Donald Trump just went ballistic on a reporter from one of the news outlets he's blaming for spreading the alleged Russian hack report on him.

Trump's news conference got super heated when a CNN reporter tried to get his attention to ask a question. Mind you, Trump had already called out BuzzFeed and CNN multiple times for the "fake news" -- so the reporter couldn't possibly have thought this would go well.

It didn't. EPIC verbal melee.

Donald Trump Feds Probe Allegations Russia has Compromising Info on Trump Trump Says 'Fake News'

The FBI and other agencies are reportedly investigating allegations the Russians have a compromising dossier on Donald Trump, but the Prez-elect now says it's all "fake news" disseminated by his rivals.

CNN reports the Feds are calling the information "credible" ... compiled by a British intelligence operative who worked for the Democrats during the election. The allegations include what CNN says is a possible blackmail attempt by President Vladimir Putin, using "compromising information" on Trump.

Some outlets have published what they call "unconfirmed" salacious allegations against Trump, but add some of the information from the British intelligence operative is erroneous.

As for Trump, he tweeted, citing Russian officials who say the story is "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE," adding "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?"

Trump will clearly be asked about the story at his news conference at 11:00 ET. We'll be live streaming.

Dan Rather Russian Dossier Story 'Unprecedented on Steroids'

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THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE
TMZ.com

Dan Rather knows news and understands history as well as just about anyone in the biz, and he says events surrounding the transition of power, including the FBI investigation into allegations Putin has compiled info to blackmail Trump, is "unprecedented on steroids."

We got Rather coming out of 30 Rock Tuesday and he had an interesting comment ... the damage is already done. Listen to how he says it. It's unclear if he means the leak over the allegations or a squeeze by Putin.

Airport Shooting Witness Shooter Was White Man ... Used a Handgun

A witness at the Ft. Lauderdale airport tells TMZ the shooter appeared to be a white man who used a handgun.

We spoke with Chenet Nerette who says he was in baggage claim at Terminal 2 when the shots rang out.

He says he ran for his life -- but says he got a look at the shooter who appeared to be a white man.

Chenet says the man took a knee right before he opened fire -- seemingly to brace himself before the massacre.

As for the gun, Chenet says it was NOT a big gun -- he believes the shooter used a handgun.

After the shooting ... Chenet pulled out his camera and shot footage of the aftermath. (See Below)

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THE SHOOTING VICTIMS
ViralHog

Ft. Lauderdale Airport Shooting At Least 5 Dead, Multiple Injuries

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THE SHOOTING VICTIMS
ViralHog

12:04 PM PT -- The gunman's been ID'd as 26-year-old U.S. born Esteban Santiago of New Jersey, according to law enforcement. Santiago had military ID on him.

Ft. Lauderdale Airport is on lockdown after a gunman opened fire in the baggage claim area ... reportedly killing at least 5 people.

Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was in the airport as the chaos erupted and tweeted, "Everyone is running."

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AT THE SCENE

According to multiple reports ... at least 9 people were injured and the lone gunman has been captured by police.

Hundreds of travelers are still out on the tarmac as police try to make sure there's no additional threat.

Story developing ...

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POLICE SCANNER AUDIO

Trump Tower Suspicious Package Sparks Evacuation

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THE CHAOTIC EXIT
@cielo_celest

2:11 PM PT -- NYPD just gave the all clear and will let people back in the building soon. We're told the suspicious package was an unattended yellow backpack found in the lobby.

Trump Tower has just been evacuated after a suspicious package was found somewhere inside the building.

An NYPD cop was directing people to flee the area ... which you can see from the video. A slew of NYPD and FDNY units responded.

Donald Trump was not in the building at the time of the evacuation.

Story developing ...