TMZ.com Home

Elon Musk's brave new world is closer to reality, because he just unveiled his latest triumph ... a pig that responds to prompts after getting a computer chip placed in its brain.

The pig is Gertrude ... and this could be a precursor to chips being placed in the brains of humans.

Gertrude is seen rooting around on the ground when it hears electronic signals emitted around her, and it triggers increased brain activity.

Musk's goal is to implant these chips in humans in a fairly noninvasive way. The idea ... a surgical robot would do the honors with a chip the size of a coin that has electrodes attached.

Musk has said his initial goal is to help people with diseases such as Parkinson's, and help quadriplegics function way better than with present technology.

Here's the thing ... if this works, and it actually seems inevitable, our brain chips will eventually be able to access computers to call up a world of information in a nanosecond. That would make school almost irrelevant, since learning gets bypassed by Google.

Scott Peterson's death penalty sentence may have been reversed, but the convicted murderer's family believes he could die in prison soon anyway due to COVID-19 ... and they're pushing for a transfer.

Peterson's attorney, Cliff Gardner, tells TMZ ... Scott's family is majorly concerned for his health following the widespread and deadly coronavirus outbreak at San Quentin State Prison.

Peterson's currently locked up at San Quentin, and in the last month, the prison reportedly saw cases surge with up to two-thirds of the prison getting infected. It currently leads California's prison system in infections and deaths.

With those grim numbers in mind, Gardner says his goal is to place Peterson in the safest possible prison permitted under California law to ensure his safety.

However, according to California prison officials ... there's no plans to move him, and he'll be staying put at San Quentin for now.

As we reported ... the California Supreme Court reversed Peterson's death penalty sentence for murdering his wife and unborn child in 2002 on Christmas Eve. The Court ruled the trial judge in the case made an error in dismissing prospective jurors.

Here's the thing about Malibu ... as fancy as it can be, it's also really just kinda a one-horse town, which Scott Disick learned all too well Friday night when he, Kourtney Kardashian and Sofia Richie all dined under the same roof.

Scott and Kourtney hit up Nobu in Malibu, a favorite of celebs these days. It seems to be his go-to place. Thing is ... it was also his go-to place when he was dating Sofia for several years after his breakup with Kourtney, and she was there too.

Our Kardashian sources say Scott and Kourtney are friends with lots of history and great co-parents, but their relationship is strictly that and no more.

Miley Cyrus did a great thing in the middle of this pandemic ... she adopted an abandoned pooch that is now one lucky dog.

The bulldog in question had been wandering around Fresno, CA back in April ... eventually making her way to a fire station. The dog was flea-infested and dehydrated. If she had an owner, it seemed like a thing of the past.

The dog hung out at the station for a week or so, sleeping at the front door. She was always happy to see the firefighters return to the shop.

A relative of one of the firefighters agreed to foster the bulldog, and that began a journey. The dog was eventually turned over to The Wagmor Hotel and Pet Spa in L.A., where the org put the dog up for adoption.

Enter Miley. She's supported Wagmor in the past, adopting other dogs from them. Apparently, the bulldog's pics on Wagmor's Instagram page caught Miley's eye and that was all she wrote.

And, speaking of all she wrote, Miley texted Wagmor's owner, "This dog doesn't leave my side. I don't know how I would ever not have her." BTW ... the dog's new name is Kate Moss.

Kylie Jenner is still very much a single woman ... even though some recent photos from Paris might have suggested otherwise.

Sources close to Kylie tell TMZ ... the billionaire is NOT dating Fai Khadra -- despite rumors to the contrary -- they're just very good friends and have been part of each other's small social circle during the pandemic.

Kylie sent the rumor mill into overdrive Friday when she posted some pics with Fai in France, which made them look like a couple. But, we're told the two are NOT dating.

Our sources say Kylie and Fai also made a trip to Utah with friends earlier this summer, but still ... he's very much in the friend zone.

Remember ... Fai was Kendall Jenner's non-date, date in Santa Monica back in October, and we also squashed dating rumors back in 2018 when he grabbed juice with Kourtney Kardashian after her split from Younes Bendjima.

Bottom line from our sources ... Kylie's not currently dating anyone and she remains in a positive co-parenting relationship with Travis Scott.

The conventions are over, and the 2020 homestretch begins, and the NBA got the country's attention with a powerful boycott, so we gotta ask ...

Ex-NBA player Royce White says his friend Draymond Green is just wrong to say NBA players should continue the playoffs ... explaining why the right move is for everyone to exit the bubble ASAP!!

White spelled out his case during an episode of TMZ Sports Roundtable featuring NFL player Brandon Marshall, and WNBA star Angel McCoughtry.

The video is awesome ... the group gets into a spirited conversation about how professional athletes should move forward after demonstrations from players in the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL and more.

In other words ... what's the next step?

Royce White -- a former 1st round NBA draft pick -- says he thinks the NBA needs to ditch the bubble and head back to their communities and get out there with the people.

It's exactly the opposite of what Draymond Green said earlier this week when he encouraged players to stay and use the NBA platform to effectively send their social justice messages to the masses.

"He's mistaken, he's off the path with that," White said about Draymond ... "This is not about awareness campaigns anymore. Report to the front lines. If you can't report to the front lines, then send aid."

White also had advice for LeBron James -- "Go to Akron Ohio. March with the people. Stay there until something really changes, and If they choose to be all the way violent, let your body be laying in the street when it's over."

As for McCoughtry ... she weighed in on everything from the WNBA's plan of action, to the rift between Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler and the players.

As we previously reported, Loeffler is strongly against the league support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Some players have called for Loeffler to sell the team ... claiming she has different values than the players she is profiting off of.

Angel -- who played 10 years for the Dream -- tells us why she does NOT believe Loeffler is a racist ... but could better educate herself on social justice issues.

Brandon Marshall -- one of the first NFL players to kneel with Colin Kaepernick back in 2016 -- told us why he still doesn't fully accept Roger Goodell's Mea Cupla about how the league treated the QB back in the day.

Marshall says he doesn't feel progress can truly be made until Kaepernick has a job in the NFL again.

Bulletproof vest sales are soaring for one black-owned company that says people are seeking heightened protection during these turbulent times.

A spokesperson for the bulletproof vest business called Thyk Skynn, tells TMZ ... it's seen an increase in sales of nearly 400 percent over the past few months, and this week -- in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting and the ensuing violence -- orders are again skyrocketing.

The company was founded by a former Atlanta cop who says he started the business for innocent people craving protection.

The vests look different from traditional Kevlar vests ... they're more fashionable for starters.

The function, however, is the same ... Thyk Skynn's vests are meant to keep its customers from becoming the next victim of a senseless shooting ... whether by a cop or a citizen with a sick gun fantasy.

As you know ... protests against racism and to promote social justice reached a fever pitch this summer following the killing of George Floyd, and the movement's been reinvigorated after a white Kenosha, WI cop shot Blake in the back 7 times.

Don't let these two almost identical images of Bella Hadid have you stopped in your tracks ... get a move on it and see just how fast you might be able to find out what sneaky switches have been made to this tricky pic!

The model was seen out while running errands in New York City earlier this week ... and we made a few changes to this photo! Take a really good look around and try your best to figure out the differences between these two super-similar snaps!

Terrell Owens says the Hall of Fame, the TD's and the millions of dollars he's earned means nothing ... 'cause he's a Black man in America -- and he's afraid for his life.

TMZ Sports talked to the 46-year-old NFL legend ... and as you might expect, T.O. was visibly shaken by the latest police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI.

"As Black men bro, we're getting killed at an alarming rate now," Owens bluntly told us.

"This is why we as Black men, Black people, we're scared. Honestly, I really didn't think about it until like just driving around today, like honestly, it's scary to be a Black man in America, especially if you come in any type of encounter with law enforcement."

Of course, T.O.'s one of the greatest -- and most recognizable -- athletes in the United States ... but he says these days, that provides him no comfort or protection at all.

"There been times where, obviously, I knew my status or what have you can get me out of a situation," Terrell says.

"But, I'm sure if I get pulled over, I'm sure my heart will probably be beating 90 miles an hour. Especially considering everything that has transpired since the George Floyd murder."

Owens ended the conversation by explaining that, straight up, cops have to be better going forward.

It seems like The Oppenheim Group is showing off way more than just some luxury real estate!

These Hollywood hotties have been taking over Netflix's top 10 watch list ... and with these hot shots, it's no wonder why! It seems as though this steamy cast is bringing the heat in more ways than just those heated arguments!

So, let's put a pause on the drama for a second and focus on figuring out which cast member is in the sexy snap ... Get a good look at all the agents by checking out our gallery of 'Selling Sunset' hot bods and then take your best guess!

Welp, it's finally over for Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez -- they will not be buying the NY Mets.

The couple was in a serious battle with hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen to buy the team from the Wilpon family, but they officially dropped out of the running Friday night.

"Alex and I are so disappointed," Lopez said in a statement.

"We worked so hard the past 6 months with the dream of becoming the first minority couple and the first woman owner to buy her father’s favorite Major League Baseball team with her own hard-earned money. We still haven’t given up!!"

J Lo and A-Rod had put together an ownership group which included sports drink billionaire Mike Repole and NFL stars Travis Kelce and DeMarco Murray.

The group issued a statement saying, "The consortium led by Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez has informed the Mets that they are no longer pursuing the acquisition of the team."

"The consortium said that they are disappointed to not be part of the revitalization of New York City and provide an exhilarating experience for the fans and wish the Wilpon family and the entire Mets organization well."

J-Rod had just toured Citi Field earlier this month -- and just this week, Jennifer went on Barstool Sports' "The Corp" podcast and talked about how special it would be to have a woman as an MLB owner.

Steve Cohen has now reportedly entered "exclusive negotiations" to buy the team and should have it all wrapped up in the next few days.

The final price is expected to be somewhere north of $2.6 billion.

Leonard Cohen's legendary song "Hallelujah" was not approved to be used at the Republican National Convention -- though it was, twice -- and now the late singer-songwriter's team is speaking out ... and threatening legal action.

Reps for both Cohen's estate and the publishing company say they rejected requests by the GOP to play or perform his song at the RNC, but President Trump's party ignored this and did it anyway.

Cohen estate’s lawyer, Michelle L. Rice, says they were surprised and dismayed the song was used at the RNC despite their declination, and described the move as a "brazen attempt to politicize and exploit" one of his most famous songs.

Rice also got a dig in at Trump, adding ... "Had the RNC requested another song, 'You Want it Darker,' for which Leonard won a posthumous Grammy in 2017, we might have considered approval of that song." She says the estate is now exploring legal options.

Likewise, Cohen's publishing company, Sony/ATV Music, also claims it was contacted about using "Hallelujah" on the eve of the RNC's final night, and said no, but they were ignored.

ICYMI ... a version of "Hallelujah" by Tori Kelly was played during the fireworks following Trump's Thursday night speech, and was then performed live in an operatic rendition by Christopher Macchio.

Remember, it was earlier this month when Neil Young sued the Trump campaign for using his songs "Rockin' in the Free World" and "Devil's Sidewalk" before rallies, after previously warning him not to.

Derek Chauvin -- the ex-Minneapolis cop charged with murdering George Floyd -- deserves an especially harsh sentence because, among other things, he killed Floyd in front of kids ... according to prosecutors.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison just informed the judge in the Floyd murder case he'll be seeking a harsher sentence for Chauvin, for several reasons.

The AG says the alleged murder was especially heinous because there were a number of children around who had to watch a man die.

In legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Ellison says Floyd was in a "particularly vulnerable" state because he was handcuffed and chest down on the pavement, repeatedly telling Chauvin and the other officers he could not breathe.

Ellison also claims Chauvin treated Floyd with "particular cruelty," by ignoring Floyd's pleas that he couldn't breathe and was going to die. Prosecutors also say Chauvin was heartless because he ignored horrified onlookers, and kept his knee pinned on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes, including 4 minutes where Floyd was motionless.

The AG says the knee to the neck inflicted great pain on Floyd and claims Chauvin did not offer Floyd any medical assistance and discouraged others from doing so while witnesses watched him die.

Justin and Hailey Bieber are land barons in L.A., with multiple, multi-million dollar mansions in the same city ... and the latest is a major upgrade.

The singer and his model wife just dropped a whopping $25.8 million on a massive home in the rich and star-studded Beverly Park, an insanely exclusive Beverly Hills gated community ... where they'll live right across the street from Magic Johnson.

The 11,000-sq. ft. mansion comes with 7 bedrooms and TEN bathrooms, sitting on a 2.5-acre estate up high in the Bev Hills mountains.

Among the highlights -- besides the obvious -- checkerboard stone floor in the foyer, a chef's kitchen, a library that opens up to a garden, a master suite with its own patio, a home gym, a movie theater, an outdoor fireplace, and infinity-edged swimming pool, a koi pond ... and a full-size tennis court.

Along with Magic ... some of their other new neighbors include Sofia Vergara, Sylvester Stallone, Eddie Murphy, Rod Stewart and Denzel Washington.

The Biebers still own a 6,132-square-foot, 5-bed, 7-bath Beverly Hills property they bought in 2018 for $8.5 million. However, like we first told you, they were quickly looking for a new place in L.A. to plant roots ... and Justin casually posted about selling it in October.

Pro wrestling legend "Bullet" Bob Armstrong -- a WWE Hall of Famer -- has passed away Thursday after battling bone cancer, his family announced.

He was 80 years old.

Armstong is a true legend in the sport -- he started wrestling back in 1960 and became famous for his signature move, the Georgia Jawbreaker.

He became a fan favorite back when pro wrestling was split into territories throughout the U.S. -- and was particularly beloved in his home state of Georgia.

He initially "retired" in 1988 -- but never really hung up biz boots ... staying involved in the sport for decades in one way or another.

Armstrong famously teamed up with Dusty Rhodes and Larry Zbyszko back in the early 2000s and continued to perform until 2019!!

Many huge wrestlers also looked up to Armstrong as a mentor -- including CM Punk, who posted a tribute on social media.

"Bullet Bob. Always so nice to me. I’d like to think he saw how thrilled I was whenever I got to speak with him, which fortunately for me was often."

Armstrong has 4 sons who all became pro wrestlers -- notably Scott Armstrong (who became a famous referee) and Brian, known as WWE Hall of Famer Road Dogg.

Armstrong was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Shawn Michaels.