Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store Hit in Brazen Heist

This is a first ... a Bev Hills jewelry store was hit by robbers who smashed the window that displayed super expensive bling right in the middle of the day and made off with everything inside.

It went down at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills just after 1 PM. The store was open when 5 people showed up and took some kind of instrument to the window, shattering it .... the thieves grabbed everything in the showcase and took off.

A source at the Beverly Hills PD tells TMZ they have never seen such a brazen robbery like this ... even with all the smash-and-grabs around town.

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THE MESSY AFTERMATH

The robbers never went inside ... they just took what was in the display window and split.

They are still all at large.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Asks Ketanji Brown Jackson How Religious Are Ya, Scale of 1-10???

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GRAHAM GOES OFF
Fox News

Sen. Lindsey Graham seemed to be feeling the Holy Spirit while questioning SCOTUS nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson -- asking her how religious she is -- but it was really just a major case of grandstanding.

The bizarre badgering went down Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill while Graham was grilling the judge, who's being considered for the Supreme Court -- and it was clear his aggressive line of questioning really had nothing to do with Judge KBJ.

Sen. Graham asked Jackson what religion she practices and she answered, protestant ... but was clearly uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the senator persisted and asked, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how faithful would you say you are?"

Jackson explained why she was reluctant to respond, and Graham even acknowledged he believed she could be impartial regardless of her religion. That's when he tipped his hand as to what he was really doing.

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I WORK FOR YOU
FOX News

Watch the clip, you'll see the SC senator was doing all this to invoke Justice Amy Coney Barrett, whose Catholic faith was under the microscope during her SCOTUS confirmation hearing in 2020, and was labeled "a f***ing nut" by some in the media ... which Graham angrily pointed out.

There was another alleged discrepancy Graham wanted to explicitly state ... namely, the idea that nominees of color are treated differently based purely on their political affiliation.

He was referring to another Black female judge who got appointed to the Circuit Court, but was filibustered during her confirmation simply because President Bush had picked her.

In the same breath, he said the same wouldn't happen to Judge Jackson.

Bottom line ... Graham made her squirm simply to put on a show.

Sen. Ted Cruz Argues with Airport Staff ... Cop Has to Intervene

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MORE LIKE TED RUDE
UPDATE

7:55 AM PT -- Deputy Director of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Scott Humphrey, tells TMZ ... one of the airport's public safety officers was asked to help out with a "frustrated passenger" who had missed the check-in window for his flight, and rebooking options were limited.

UPDATE

Humphrey says, "Once travel options were explained to the passenger, he was rebooked and departed Bozeman later that evening." He tells us the officer didn't realize he was talking with Senator Cruz until after the fact ... no action was taken against the Senator.

Senator Ted Cruz apparently got a little spicy with some airport employees this weekend -- so much so, in fact, that a police officer had to step in and calm him down.

Check out this video of Cruz arguing with a couple of United Airlines staffers at the check-in counter Sunday at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana ... after he'd missed his flight, according to the original poster of the clip.

The eyewitness claims they overheard Sen. Cruz getting all 'Karen' on the airline employees ... allegedly asking for names and to speak with their manager. Moments later, as you can see in the vid, cops showed up.

The airport cop is seen standing at the ticket counter and talking down Cruz, and while you can't really make out what either of them is saying -- the Senator was masked up -- it seems pretty tense. Push didn't come to shove, though, and all's well that ends well ... with TC reportedly getting rebooked without further incident.

Cruz was supposedly on his way to D.C. for the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson -- who's being grilled as the Senate considers her nomination to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.

As you know by now, Cruz definitely made it on time in the end ... he was one of a handful of senators who made quite a spectacle in their opening statements, bringing up the hearings for Brett Kavanaugh, and invoking race right from the jump.

Seems like his mood might've been influenced by his FUBAR trip 24 hours earlier.

Originally Published -- 6:38 AM PT

President Zelensky Thanks Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher For Ukraine Aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopped on Zoom to sing the praises of two American actors who have raised tens of millions of dollars in aid ... as Putin continues to rain bombs on Ukraine.

President Zelensky applauded Mila Kunis -- who was born in Ukraine -- and her husband Ashton Kutcher, for raising nearly $35 million to aid and support Ukrainian refugees ... "I thank them on behalf of our people ... on behalf all us," he said.

He called them a star couple "who believe in us in our victory in our future".

The Ukrainian Prez also posted a photo on Twitter of a video chat with the couple and thanked them for being among the first to respond ... "Grateful for their support. Impressed by their determination. They inspire the world. #StandWithUkraine,” he wrote.

The couple not only raised nearly $35 million in aid, but also pledged $3 million from their own pockets ... just 3 weeks after launching their GoFundMe Page. Their initial goal was $30 million, so they have already blown passed that by several million bucks.

"Today, I am a proud Ukrainian. While my family came to the United States in 1991, I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983. Ukrainians are proud and brave people who deserve our help in their time of need," Mila wrote.

Kutcher says he couldn't be more proud to be married to a Ukrainian.

China Plane Crash Nosedives into Mountain ... Sparks Massive Fire, 132 Onboard

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UP IN FLAMES
Newsflare

New video shows the moment a Chinese passenger plane crashed into a mountainside, causing a huge forest fire ... and 132 are feared dead.

The China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 was heading from Kunming to Guangzhou Monday when it lost contact with air traffic control -- and the horrifying footage shows the plane taking a nosedive into a mountainous area. Fire and smoke immediately started billowing from the crash site.

Surveillance data shows the plane plummeted for a total of 2 minutes ... after maintaining a cruising altitude of 29,000 feet. The pilots briefly pulled out of the dive around 10,000 feet, but then it started going down again -- and the last data contact with the plane was at 3,200 feet.

The airline released a statement, saying "China Eastern Airlines has activated the emergency mechanism, dispatched a working group to the scene, and opened a special line for emergency assistance to family members."

Shortly after the crash, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a search and rescue operation, alongside an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Rescue teams headed to the scene, but based on the photos and video ... it would be an absolute miracle if anyone survived.

Ukraine Russia Fires Missiles at Mariupol ... As War Wages On

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MARKED MISSILES

Russian forces are unloading on a besieged city in Ukraine, firing dozens of deadly missiles that are now being seen on video for one of the first times in the war.

Check out this clip released by Russia Today and believed to be produced by the Donetsk People's Republic -- a breakaway territory in Ukraine that's sympathetic to Russia -- showing tons of rockets being launched into Mariupol.

These missiles are said to be thermobaric bombs ... which are devastating to anyone and anything in its immediate proximity, and Ukrainian civilians are in the line of fire.

The way these rockets work is scary -- essentially, when they land ... a vapor cloud laced with fuel is unleashed, which is then ignited by the fire to incinerate everything and everyone in the vicinity.

The video, produced with music and narration, shows Russia's army firing missile after missile toward Mariupol, which has been under constant attack for days now ... as both sides accuse the other of violating cease-fires intended to allow citizens to flee through protected corridors.

Putin is highly interested in seizing Mariupol because of its strategic location. It's the same city where, earlier this month, Russia bombed a maternity hospital.

Spring Break Shooting At Least 10 Victims Outside Party ... Including 14-Year-Old Kid

Rejection from a spring break party turned into a mass shooting tragedy in Dallas ... where 10 people are nursing injuries, including an 18-year-old in critical condition.

The shots rang out last Saturday night at The Space, a venue in South Dallas ... where, according to cops, security guards had turned away multiple people who tried to enter the party with firearms.

Joe Morgan, who was working security at the party, told reporters the shooting suspects were pissed because guards tried to take their weapons during a search. He says, “They just got in their car and started shooting."

There was a long line outside the party and when the gunfire erupted, everyone in line began trampling security and running through the gate to take cover.

When first responders arrived, they found multiple gunshot victims, including an 18-year-old man who was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Nine other victims, including a 14-year-old, were hospitalized in stable condition.

At this time, no arrests have been made, and cops have yet to release info about the suspects.

SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas Hospitalized ... Bed-Ridden w/ Infection

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been hospitalized with what sounds like a serious illness ... but the high court says he should be okay in due time.

The SCOTUS's Office of Public Information made the announcement Sunday, saying Thomas had been admitted to Sibley Memorial in D.C. Friday after experiencing flu-like symptoms. After undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with an infection ... and is now being treated with intravenous antibiotics.

The good news ... his bosses say his symptoms are waning, and he should be released in a day or two. In the meantime, they say he's resting comfortably.

As for his work duties, Thomas will apparently continue to weigh in on cases to be considered for the Supreme Court while he's bed-ridden -- but he'll do so on the basis of briefs, transcripts and audio of oral arguments. So ... no in-person stuff for now.

The SCOTUS office made clear after the fact ... this is not COVID-related -- Thomas is said to be vaxxed and boosted.

Thomas is the longest-serving justice on the bench -- and there are some big cases on the docket that'll require his say in the near future ... including a few that are scheduled for this week.

Get well soon.

Volodymyr Zelensky A Third World War Looms ... If Russia Negotiations Fail

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war or peace
CNN

As the war in Ukraine drags on, its president has made it quite clear that failing to come to terms with Russia will result in what he calls World War 3 ... striking an ominous tone.

Volodymyr Zelensky said as much Sunday during an interview with CNN, in which he was asked about the prospect of ending all this via peace talks with Russia. He said he's obviously open to that, and has even tried negotiating with Putin for years now.

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DEADLY AFTERMATH

However, he was very blunt in saying ... if Ukraine and Russia cannot figure this out diplomatically -- as they've already tried several times thus far -- then it'll mean an even bigger global conflict.

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UNDER ATTACK
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

That conflict would translate to a "third world war," according to VZ -- who didn't really elaborate on what exactly he meant.

Watch the clip for yourself, because it's pretty enlightening. He says Ukraine has done a good job thus far in maintaining its sovereignty and dignity, but that alone won't resolve this fighting. He seems to be alluding to the fact that NATO could get more involved than it already is ... which is almost certainly what it would take to spark an actual world war.

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DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION
Twitter / @ZelenskyyUa

At this point, several countries within NATO have provided tons of aid to Ukraine in the form of money, weapons and other support ... but have stopped short of offering up troops on the ground, including the U.S. The reason, obviously, is because Putin would see that as a reason to start getting nukes ready for launch -- and that's the last thing anyone wants.

As far as what each country wants, it's simple ... Ukraine wants Russia to respect its borders and sovereignty while guaranteeing they won't be under constant threat of invasion. Russia, meanwhile, wants Ukraine to formally acknowledge the Crimean Peninsula is theirs, and to allow separatist territories to join Russia ... plus a promise of never joining NATO.

Based on what we've heard thus far ... neither side is willing to concede what the other wants, but ya gotta hope they can reach a settlement -- otherwise, it could spell further trouble for everyone.

Spring Break Shooting in Miami Beach ... 2 Injured, Breakers Run for their Lives

Spring Break in Miami Beach turned violent Saturday night ... after 2 people were shot and kids scrambled for their lives.

It all went down on famed Ocean Drive ... you hear the shots and people start running for their lives.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

As for the shooting victims ... a woman was hit in the leg. The other person may have been more seriously hurt ... that person was carried out on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. The injuries were not life-threatening. We also don't know if cops caught the shooter.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

It's been a tough Spring Break week ... three people were hurt after a shooting broke out in Texas.

Earlier this month, some Spring Breakers OD'd on fentanyl-laced cocaine. The alleged dealer was arrested.

'People's Convoy' in D.C. We're Gonna 'Tar & Feather' BLM Plaza!!! Trucker Vows During Rally

Racial tension is simmering in the nation's capital where the so-called "People's Convoy" is taking a KKK-ish turn -- a protest leader invoked lynchings while promising to "take back" Black Lives Matter Plaza.

The convoy of truckers has been roving around Washington D.C. highways for about 2 weeks, purportedly to protest COVID restrictions. However, during a Friday rally, one of the truckers vowed to "tar and feather" BLM Plaza ... the street just a few blocks from White House grounds that was renamed in June 2020.

The trucker's pronouncement drew big cheers from the crowd, and the unidentified man also said they -- whoever "they" are -- were also going to "tar and feather delegates."

When the "People's Convoy" started, it sounded like America's version of the convoy in Canada earlier this year ... which made for some tense standoffs with law enforcement, but never turned violent.

Interestingly, BLM Plaza is currently undergoing renovations to make it a permanent installation. The big yellow lettering is still there, but it's been moved about a half block.

So far there's no increased police or security around the plaza.

Pete Davidson Drops Out of Blue Origin Space Flight After Launch Date Gets Pushed

UPDATE

5:25 AM PT -- 3/18 -- A source with direct knowledge tells us Pete was unable to accommodate the new launch date with his schedule.

Pete Davidson won't be going to space -- at least not during Blue Origin's next trip -- he's dropped out of the flight after it's launch date was pushed back.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin made the announcement late Thursday, saying, "Blue Origin's 20th flight of New Shepard has shifted to Tuesday, March 29. Pete Davidson is no longer able to join the NS-20 crew on this mission. We will announce the sixth crew member in the coming days."

The announcement is surprising, considering the launch date was supposed to be less than a week away on March 23.

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BLOOD ON THE LEAVES
SplashNews.com

It's currently unclear why Pete will be unable to make the trip, but as we reported -- he's been working on various projects, including James DeMonaco's "The Home" in which Pete was spotted covered in blood for a scene. So, it's possible one of them got in the way.

As for the remaining passengers who were scheduled to go up with Pete -- there's Party America CEO Marty Allen, hubby and wife duo Sharon and Marc Hagle, entrepreneur Jim Kitchen and Commercial Space Technologies Prez Dr. George Nield.

We got pics of Pete and Kim grabbing In-N-Out Thursday night in L.A. so it appears if there was even such a thing as a space diet, it's clearly out the window -- and for good reason.

Originally Published -- 3/17 9:32 PM PT

President Zelensky Wanted As 2022 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky deserves the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize ... according to several world leaders now pushing to get him the high honor.

It comes as no shock ... Zelensky's become a beacon of courage around the world for the way he's inspired and rallied Ukrainians against the Russian invasion. That's clearly why a group of European politicians now want the Norwegian Nobel Committee to reopen the nomination for its 2022 peace prize.

The politicians issued a statement, saying ... "We therefore humbly call upon you, the Committee, to consider: Extending and thereby re-opening the nomination procedure for the Nobel Peace Prize until March 31, 2022 to allow for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine."

The extension is necessary because the nomination process closed on January 31.

For the uninitiated, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to an organization or person who has done the most/best to advance fellowship among countries, or the reduction of standing armies ... and have advocated for peace.

Translation: hand the thing to Zelensky.

Nearly 251 people and 92 orgs applied for this year's honor, but for some politicians -- and millions of citizens around the world -- this year's winner should be a no-brainer.

The 2022 Nobel Prize announcements are slated to take place the first week of October.

'Challenge' Star Johnny Bananas Ukraine Mission Eye-Opening ... Be Thankful for What You Have, America!!!

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DIRE SITUATION
TMZ.com

"The Challenge" star Johnny Bananas is overseas helping as many Ukrainian refugees as he can, and says the heartbreaking effort is shining a light on just how good we have it here in the U.S. of A.

Right now, Johnny's splitting his time between Poland and Ukraine -- he's joined a humanitarian convoy with the Humanosh Foundation, and earlier this week helped deliver 3 ambulances and 3 vans loaded with food, military gear and medical equipment.

He says the mission's made him realize American issues pale in comparison to what Ukrainians are facing.

With people in the U.S. currently upset about soaring gas prices and inflation at the supermarket -- Johnny thinks we should imagine a world where there is no gas to be found!

Johnny says Americans have gotten "too comfortable," and coming to a war-torn country like Ukraine really put things into perspective for him.

BTW ... the Humanosh Foundation is a nonprofit that provides shelter and aid to refugees and soldiers.

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FROM MY PERSPECTIVE
TMZ.com

Last week Johnny's friend called asking if anyone he knew with a big platform would be willing to help show the world the good the nonprofit is trying to accomplish.

Three days later Johnny arrived in Warsaw and has been helping ever since.

Justin Bieber Lights Out in Denver ... Concert Grinds to Halt After Electrical Fire

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BEFORE THE SHOW STOPPAGE
TMZ.com
UPDATE

10:55 AM PT -- A tour rep tells us the video failure was the result of an electrical fire within the venue. We're told show producers were able to power lights and sound with the help of a generator, but the video screens had to remain off.

UPDATE

Our sources say the power failure knocked out a whole city block, but thankfully the fire department was able to quickly get the fire under control and Justin finished out the show for his fans like a champ.

UPDATE
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GOOD TO GO!!!
TMZ.com
UPDATE

10:55 AM PT -- Concertgoers told us they were thrilled JB managed to keep it going ... even if it was less flashy, as you can see in this clip after they got back power.

Justin Bieber was forced to take a seat Wednesday during his concert in the Mile High City ... but not because of the altitude ... because his concert went to crap.

It went down at Justin's Justice World Tour show in Denver at the Ball Arena.

JB was performing "Yummy" when the stage lights went out, video monitors went dark, sound equipment shut down, lasers went off, the large monitor behind him went out ... and only the pyrotechnics -- mini fireworks -- still worked.

Once things started to go sideways, Bieber stopped performing and just sat down on the side of the stage ... while technicians worked frantically to restore power.

JB was only a few songs into his set ... and it was no quick fix because JB didn't rise up for more than 15 minutes.

And, speaking of sitting, it didn't sit well with his fans, who plunked down hundreds of dollars and traveled miles. Making matters worse, the concert had already been postponed and downsized due to COVID.

The show resumed after a 30 min pause, but there were still tech issues. Justin powered through but didn't have all the bells and whistles, like some of the large video screens, lasers and stage lighting.

When he returned to the stage, Justin mentioned Hailey ... asking the crowd if they had "heard about my wife in the news, she's doing better." TMZ broke the story, Hailey was hospitalized last week in Palm Springs with a blood clot. As we reported, doctors at the time thought it was COVID-related.

Justin said, "Thank you for your patience, sometimes life throws you a curveball, not much you can do about it."

Well, 2 curveballs in a week are a bit much.

Originally Published -- 7:06 AM PT

Ukraine Theater Destroyed By Russian Shelling ... As 1,000 Shelter Inside

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LEFT IN RUINS
Mariupolnow/Telegram

All that remains on the surface is smoldering wreckage, but underneath this theater, in Ukraine, more than 1,000 civilians are sheltered trying to survive another wave of Russian shelling.

Russian bomber planes demolished the theater Wednesday in the southern city of Mariupol, and images of the aftermath are devastating when you realize somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 peaceful Ukrainians were inside hiding for their lives.

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BEFORE THE BOMBING

The number of casualties is unclear, although Parliament of Ukraine member Dmytro Gurin told BBC, "It looks like most of them have survived," noting the basement where many are taking cover remains standing.

The Mariupol mayor's office says emergency workers are still struggling to get to the building due to constant shelling.

This latest airstrike on defenseless civilians comes after Russia's previous attacks on a church, apartment buildings and a maternity hospital.

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia targeted the theater deliberately, and added, "Our hearts are broken by what Russia is doing to our people. To our Mariupol."

Satellite photos taken on Monday -- 2 days before the attack -- showed the Russian word for "children" written on the ground, warning Russian jets to avoid the building.

Local authorities say at least 2,400 people have been killed in Mariupol since the war began.

An estimated 300,000 residents are trapped in the city, while gas, electricity and water have been cut off.

Despite the horrifying video evidence, the Russian defense ministry is denying attacking the theater.