Developing Stories

Many crew members have flat out refused to go to Japan for two concerts later this month, because they're afraid of the cancer risks from the recent nuclear disaster. They also fear another earthquake. Short story -- they are refusing to go to Osaka for a May 17 concert and another concert two days later in Tokyo.

Today in Adelaide, Australia, an angry Scooter Braun -- Justin's manager -- exploded at the crew ... sources who were there tell TMZ.

Braun told the crew, "Man the f**k up and do the right thing by these kids."

But during the meeting -- the 3rd one in 4 days -- members of the crew fired back that it wasn't safe to go and Avril Lavigne and Slash had canceled their Japan concerts.

Scooter said Justin did not want to disappoint the kids who bought tickets and that the Japanese government had given an "all clear" -- that it was safe to be in both cities.

Sources connected with ABC tell TMZ -- under the deal that is in the final stages -- Katie would do specials for ABC News, "20/20," and do a significant amount of fill-in work -- including anchoring.

ABC would also give Katie a 1-hour, 5-day-a-week syndicated talk show, that would begin in September, 2012. Our sources say ... one option ABC is considering is giving its affiliates back the hour where "General Hospital" airs to make room for Katie. In other words, ABC would axe the third longest-running soap in history and the last one standing on ABC.

ABC is also realistic, believing that one of its two new 2011 syndicated shows will fail, leaving room for K.C.

We're told ... when the dust settles and ABC's daytime schedule gets rearranged, Katie would probably land in the 3 PM time slot.

BTW ... we're told Matt Lauer will NOT be part of Katie's show.

TMZ broke the story ... Oksana's lawyer shockingly went to court yesterday and told Judge Scott Gordon she would drop all of her claims in custody court that Mel committed domestic violence against her.

Oksana's attorney, Dan Horowitz, also got Judge Scott Gordon to lift the protective order prohibiting contact between Mel and Oksana.

Witnesses who have been present when Mel and Oksana have been together post break-up tell TMZ ... she has "repeatedly" tried to engage him in conversation, notably at doctor's appointments for Lucia. We're told Mel has always rebuffed any of her overtures.

We're told Mel is adamant -- he wants nothing to do with Oksana and uses his people to shield her from him.

Hilton was taping her Oxygen reality show "The World According to Paris" ... when a homeless woman mistook her for Lindsay Lohan.

At first, Paris seemed to take it in stride ... but then P-FUNK DROPS THE HAMMER!!!

Prince von Ahole tells TMZ, Zsa Zsa was acting unusual this morning -- so they called their doctor, who said Zsa Zsa had water in her lungs and needed to go to the hospital.

Katherine appeared on "Today" this morning ... where Matt Lauer asked if there was anything she wanted to clear up about her son's life.

Katherine responded, "As far as Michael being a child molester ... that's the biggest lie ever been told."

MJ's mom said she read an article after MJ died -- in which the 1993 accuser allegedly admitted he made up the story against Michael.

When Lauer asked why MJ forked over a settlement with the boy ... Katherine said, "His lawyers told him he should just pay the money .. they thought that just paying the money and shut the people up would be the right thing to do."

Katherine said she asked MJ why he made the move -- and MJ told

In an interview airing tonight on "Nightline," James says he hasn't seen baby Louis -- the baby he adopted with Sandra -- since they broke up last year.

James said, "I could only cry so much about [Louie] until I have to suck it up and keep a stiff upper lip and realize, Hey, [there are] three kids that I do have."

TMZ broke the story ... Lindsay will plead no contest to misdemeanor theft, and it's likely the judge will not increase the 120 day sentence -- in other words, once she serves the 120 days, she's home free.

Now here's the twist. TMZ has checked with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department -- which runs the jail where Lindsay must serve her sentence. We're told for non-violent, misdemeanor offenses, the Sheriff's Department routinely allows inmates to serve their time at home, provided they wear an electronic monitoring device.

We're also told the L.A. County Probation Dept. is down with non-violent, misdemeanor offenders serving time at home.

Judge Stephanie Sautner has made it clear -- Lindsay will be treated just like any other defendant, and people in Lindsay's shoes simply don't get put behind bars.

Sheen gave his version of events during his "My Violent Torpedo of Truth" stop in Vancouver Monday night. He says he was downstairs drinking coffee, when he heard a shot from upstairs.

Sheen says he then saw a naked Kelly Preston at the top of the stairs, covered in blood.

Charlie explained Kelly had picked up a pair of his pants in the bathroom -- when a revolver that was secreted in his pocket fell to the ground and discharged. Sheen claims the bullet hit the toilet and either shrapnel or a piece of porcelain from the toilet ricocheted and struck her.

Charlie says at the time he knew he'd be blamed for it.

So far, no word on when the White House plans to release the first image.

A senior U.S. official tells CNN ... there are 3 sets of photos that were taken from the day OBL was killed: 1) Photos of OBL's body taken at a hangar moments after the raid. 2) Photos of the burial at sea. 3) Photos of the raid itself.

The official explains ... the photo that most clearly shows OBL's face is also the most graphic -- due to the massive head wound across his face. Officials do not believe it is suitable to run in the media, however it's the photo that most clearly identifies the son of a bitch.

Molly -- the proud mother of 20-year-old Colton -- tells us, "I can tell you just how proud so many of us are of our family members who have worked long and hard to fight terrorism ... It amazes me that these young men and women are now a part of history!"

Molly adds, "I am so proud of all of our troops and all they give up for us. And for all the family of these service members who give up so much also."

But Molly says she's only gotten radio silence from Colton since Osama's burial -- telling us, "I have not heard from my son, and chances are I will not for quite some time and until the military deems it safe for him to contact."

We gotta ask ...