A top U.S. Air Force official sent a stunning confession to his subordinates this week that warns of a looming war with China that he believes will manifest in the next couple years.

General Mike Minihan -- a four-star officer -- fired off an internal memo Friday to the rank and file that reports to him within the Air Mobility Command ... a unit that encompasses roughly 50,000 service members and oversees 500 planes for transport/refueling purposes.

While AMC doesn't sound like a combat-ready entity, Minihan reportedly told his guys to prepare for battle ... this according to NBC News, which says it obtained a copy of his note.

According to the outlet, Gen. Minihan writes ... "I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me will fight in 2025," while going on to describe what he says he believes China will do during the 2024 general election cycle -- namely, use that volatility here in the States to move on Taiwan.

In the event this comes to pass, Minihan reportedly laid out a very detailed defense and attack plan ... which includes building up a "Joint Force Maneuver Team" that can mobilize quickly to "fight and win inside the first island chain." He's ordering all airwing commanders and AF operational commanders to report on their progress for this by the end of February.

There's more ... Minihan reportedly has goals in mind for February and March, which entail his boys firing clips at 7-meter targets -- while noting, "unrepentant lethality matters most. Aim for the head." In March, he wants the AMC team to "consider their personal affairs and whether a visit should be scheduled with their servicing base legal office to ensure they are legally ready and prepared." Also, he tells them to update their emergency contacts.

In addition to this, Minihan's memo talks of risk/reward in training ... reportedly saying, "Run deliberately, not recklessly," and later adding, "If you are comfortable in your approach to training, then you are not taking enough risk." NBC News also says he discusses the possible use of commercial drone swarms as a tactic the U.S. might use against China.

In other words, this guy is rounding up the cavalry in very real terms ... not hypotheticals. And yet, a DoD rep went on record to say Minihan's concerns don't reflect the department's view on China ... distancing themselves from what sounds like legit wartime preparations.

Protests over the brutal slaying of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police boiled over in NYC Friday night, but overall the demonstrations were peaceful across the country.

Check out this footage -- a man standing on the hood of an NYPD vehicle in Times Square packed with demonstrators marching against the 5 former Memphis cops now charged with Tyre's recorded on-camera murder.

He stomps and punches the windshield, crushing the glass. Cops quickly swarm him, throwing him to the ground and cuffing him. Protesters gather around and film the arrest, repeatedly telling the officers ... "Easy, don't hurt him."

NYPD heard the message loud and clear ... the officers led the man through the crowd, asking people to back away so they could get through.

The suspect was booked for criminal mischief. Two women were also arrested -- one for making graffiti on a police car (not clear what she wrote) and the other for assaulting a cop.

More protests formed in cities across the country, including Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta and Memphis, where Tyre was killed. But they were all largely peaceful.

Al Sharpton went in on the former Memphis police officers accused of murdering Tyre Nichols, saying the fact the 5 cops are all Black makes the situation even worse.

We caught up with the Reverend on Friday outside NBC Studios in NYC ... and he didn't mince words after the release of police body cam footage showing Tyre's deadly assault.

The Rev told us ... "I want to make it clear: these five officers are Black does not make it less. In fact, it's more egregious that some black cops in a town where MLK gave his life, that's where he was killed, would do this is outrageous."

Of course, Al was referring to the fatal shooting of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, TN, on April 4, 1968. James Earl Ray confessed to the murder and died of liver disease in prison.

What's more, the Rev said the ex-officers did a disservice to Black people trying to change the justice system from within ... "We fought to get them on the [police] force to correct the force, not to do this."

He also took a swipe at Congress for failing to pass into law the 2021 George Floyd Act, which would have increased accountability for police misconduct.

The Rev said ... "I put this at the feet of those that would not vote for federal law after George Floyd, there were no laws changed!"

Floyd, as you know, was infamously killed in 2020 by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of the homicide and sentenced to decades behind bars.

Al wrapped things up by urging anyone protesting in Tyre's name not to engage in violence. He said if they do riot it will only help the accused officers defend themselves in the criminal case.

Paul Pelosi's attacker cased the family's home before making a move inside, leading to a chilling 911 call from Paul where he subtly relayed to the operator he was in danger.

We've obtained additional footage from outside the Pelosi home in San Francisco from the night of the attack when David DePape broke in and struck Paul with a hammer. At first, DePape checks around the house, possibly looking for a way in.

A few minutes pass, and he returns with a bag ... pulling out a hammer and gloves. DePape doesn't waste a lot of time smashing the back door with his weapon and climbing inside.

The 911 call Paul made is equally as terrifying, you hear him try to stay calm -- without outright saying there was a problem -- it's clearly an attempt to keep DePape at bay.

He tells the operator his name, and states his friend is there but he doesn't know the "friend" as you can also hear DePape in the background. Paul then tells the operator he has to go, and that his "friend" really wants him to get off the phone.

In additional footage released Friday, you see cops find Pelosi and DePape at the door, Pelosi tries to wrestle the hammer away from the intruder -- but he strikes him in the head -- knocking Paul out cold before cops intervene.

Police body cam footage from Paul Pelosi's hammer-wielding home burglar attack has been released ... showing the 82-year-old getting struck in the head by a hammer.

The footage, released Friday, shows officers approach Paul and Nancy's home. Paul opens the door, standing next to his attacker, both men have their hands on the hammer in an effort to control it.

The attacker breaks away, holding the hammer, and immediately strikes Paul in the head with the weapon. Both men fall to the ground as police move into the house and take the attacker into custody. Paul is totally out cold from the impact.

As we reported, Paul was asleep at his San Francisco home in October when suspect David DePape broke in ... later telling the FBI he was planning on shattering the then-House Speaker's kneecaps because he thought she was a liar.

DePape allegedly brought zip ties, tape and rope for Nancy -- who was in D.C. during the attack.

Pelosi made a 911 call, reportedly speaking in codes to the operator while alerting them something was wrong. Cops said they saw Pelosi fighting with DePape over a hammer when they arrived, which is when he got hit in the head.

The suspect's been charged with attempted murder, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elder, and threats to a public official and their family -- and, if convicted, he faces 13 years to life.

Since the attack, Paul's had successful brain surgery, and attended a few public events where he seemed to be well on his way to making a full recovery.

David Miscavige, leader of the Church of Scientology, is playing a cat-and-mouse game with lawyers trying to serve him a trafficking suit -- at least that's what the lawyers think now that he's allegedly vanished.

Over a four month period, Miscavige has reportedly eluded process servers a whopping 27 times at Scientology offices in L.A. and Clearwater, Florida, where the group is headquartered.

Security guards at both locations keep refusing to accept the suit, saying they have no idea where Miscavige is hiding ... according to multiple media reports.

Three plaintiffs, who formerly belonged to a Scientology sect called Sea Org, claim they were forced into the church as kids and worked into adulthood for nominal pay.

Valeska Paris, along with Gawain and Laura Baxter (who are married), eventually quit Sea Org and filed a civil complaint against Miscavige in 2022.

Last month, one of the plaintiff's lawyers filed docs, saying ... “Miscavige cannot be permitted to continue his gamesmanship" -- and a federal judge says she will soon decide whether Miscavige can be considered officially served.

What's weird about Miscavige's alleged disappearance is that some people believe his wife, Shelly, has also vanished. She was reported missing in 2013 by ex-Scientologist Leah Remini, who is one of the org's chief critics.

The police report said Shelly hadn't been seen since August 2007, but her lawyer issued a 2012 statement, saying, "Any reports [Shelly] is missing are false."

As for the Miscaviges' current status, there's been no update from their reps or lawyers.

Answers about Tyre Nichols' death are coming ... Memphis PD says it's preparing to release the graphic body cam footage of the 29-year-old Black man's arrest.

Police Chief Cerelyn Davis updated the public Wednesday night, saying the clip will be released "in the coming days" ... and promising her department will provide full cooperation to investigators surrounding the horrific incident.

She also says she's expecting protests to occur, but asks the community to keep each other safe in the process.

As you know, Nichols' death has sparked outrage across the country after getting pulled over on January 7 for reckless driving in Memphis -- allegedly running away from police on foot, and eventually getting apprehended.

Memphis PD says Nichols started complaining about shortness of breath during his arrest, which is when an ambulance was called -- and he was rushed to St. Francis Hospital, where he passed away 3 days later.

A gruesome image from inside the hospital was released by Nichols' stepfather this week, showing blood on his face and a severely swollen eye. His mother also says he was hooked up to a breathing machine.

Nichols' family, as well as attorney Ben Crump and his legal team, reviewed the body cam footage privately -- with Crump calling it "appalling" and "heinous."

Another attorney in Crump's firm referred to Nichols as "a human piñata for those police officers."

MPD has since fired the 5 officers involved in the arrest of Nichols, saying they violated "multiple department policies, including excessive use of force, duty to intervene, and duty to render aid."

Kim Kardashian has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man who has allegedly come to her house multiple times, calls her his "wife" and even sent a ring.

The docs, obtained by TMZ, claim Jomonie Victor Zigler first made contact with Kim in December -- making multiple visits to her home (only to be stopped by security), posting explicit messages about her online and referring to her as his wife.

In the docs, filed by Kim's attorney, Shawn Holley, Kim claims Zigler has also sent items to her home ... including a diamond ring and keys to a hotel room.

What's equally scary -- Kim says Zigler has a criminal history that includes firearms and threats ... she says his actions have caused emotional distress.

Apparently, a judge agrees, because they signed off on the temporary restraining order against the 28-year-old until a hearing, scheduled for next month.

The everyday guy-turned-hero who disarmed the Monterey Park mass shooter wasn't afraid to step in and get physical, and new surveillance video shows just how brave he was in the pivotal moment.

The video was taken Saturday evening, moments after 72-year-old Huu Can Tran entered a popular dance studio in Alhambra, CA.

From the video ... you'll see 26-year-old Brandon Tsay, who helps run the ballroom, confront the suspect, who is holding an assault pistol with an extended magazine. It apparently had a large silencer as well.

The 2 guys seemed to exchange a few words, before Brandon charges at the suspect in the lobby ... and a fight breaks out between them over the firearm. Brandon eventually takes control of the weapon, and Tran runs out the door.

As we told you ... Brandon later spoke about the moment, saying something just came over him when he saw the firearm and sprung into action. Apparently, he didn't even know about the shooting that happened minutes before he confronted Tran.

As you know, Tran killed 11 people and wounded 10 others during a separate festival at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park -- not far from Tsay's ballroom. Law enforcement surrounded his van Sunday in Torrance, where police later confirmed he died by suicide.

As for Brandon, he sat down with Gavin Newsom Monday ... and he seems to be getting his flowers for the courageous act that likely prevented a second mass shooting

A gunman accused of killing 7 people in another California mass shooting was arrested Monday by gun-wielding police ... and the video is just wild.

Check out this footage, released by a local ABC affiliate, showing detectives pointing their guns at 67-year-old Chunli Zhao and ordering him to surrender outside the San Mateo Sheriff's substation in Half Moon Bay, CA.

The video shows Zhao following their commands -- but, as he gets closer, the officers pounce on him, tackling him to the ground. The cops quickly cuff his hands behind his back and frisk him, removing items from his pockets, including a COVID mask.

Interestingly, Zhao had been parked at the substation ... not sure why though. Police found a semi-automatic pistol in his vehicle during a search.

According to authorities, Zhao went on a shooting spree at two plant nurseries in Northern California on Monday, killing at least 7 people and critically wounding another person. Cops believe Zhao worked at one of the agricultural facilities. A motive has not been disclosed. Police also said Zhao acted alone, tamping down fears of a lingering threat.

The attack marked the second mass shooting in California in a matter of days ... The first occurred over the weekend in Monterey Park, where 11 people were killed and 9 injured at a dance studio. The shooter took his own life with a firearm.

What's more, both mass shootings took place in largely Asian communities ... and both alleged gunmen were older and of Asian descent. Although there has not been a clear connection made between the two massacres, some people have speculated that they were hate crimes.

The man who disarmed the Monterey Park killer -- likely preventing a second mass shooting over the weekend -- is speaking out about the terrifying altercation ... saying something just came over him as he saw a firearm, springing him into action.

Brandon Tsay, who helps run the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, CA with his family, told 'GMA's Robin Roberts he heard the front door close behind him Saturday night during their Lunar New Year celebration ... which is when he saw 72-year-old Huu Can Tran standing inside with a gun.

He goes on to detail his brave struggle with Tran ... adding he got bashed in the back of the head, eventually using his elbows to separate Tran from the gun -- shouting at him to "Get the hell out of here" while pointing the weapon at him.

Tsay says he didn't run off immediately, but instead oddly stuck around before jogging back to his van.

As you know, Tran tragically took the lives of 10 people and harmed another 10 at a separate festival at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park -- not far from Tsay's ballroom. Law enforcement surrounded his van Sunday in Torrance, where police later confirmed he died by suicide inside.

Tran frequented the Monterey Park ballroom in the past ... with people who knew him telling CNN he even met his ex-wife there -- and reportedly believed the instructors had said "evil things about him."

The days of 'Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah' at Disney parks in the U.S. are about to be long gone -- which is why folks are forming massive lines this weekend for a final go-around.

Tons of Disneyland & Disney World patrons posted photos/videos Saturday and Sunday that show them waiting for their chance to hop on a log and cruise through Splash Mountain one final time before it officially closes down for a re-imagining starting Monday.

The classic fan fave ride is going to be reworked into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure -- a riff off the movie 'The Princess and The Frog,' which features a New Orleans swampy setting. That version is expected to reopen sometime in 2024 ... so SM will go dark until at least then.

In light of this hiatus, ticket-buyers are flocking to the attraction like never before, with lines that stretch into entirely different sections of the park. We're talking hundreds of people.

Unclear how long the wait times are, but we imagine a couple hours at least. The riders don't seem to care though -- frankly, this is the last opportunity anyone is going to have to enjoy Splash Mountain as it originally was ... and it seems Disney fiends want their fill.

Splash Mountain has been around since the late '80s, and it's become a staple for many in any Disney park visit. The water ride is based on the 1946 live action/animated film 'Song of the South' ... and includes all the 'Br'er' characters from the movie -- Rabbit, Fox, Bear, etc.

The reason Splash Mountain is being remade at all is because the old movie and character have been called problematic -- namely, that they romanticize the old South and play into stereotypes about African-Americans, etc. It hasn't aged well in the 21st century.

A gunman killed 10 people and wounded 10 others in a mass shooting at a popular dance studio in Monterey Park.

The assailant went on his bloody rampage late Saturday night near where people had been celebrating the Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park. Thousands of people had attended that event about an hour earlier ... organizers later canceled festivities scheduled for Sunday.

After the attack at the dance hall, the shooter fled. Police have not disclosed a motive and have no description of the suspect. No weapon was found either.

CNN interviewed a witness who said people usually hang out at the ballroom on weekends, but they were also marking the Chinese Lunar New Year ... "So as these celebrations were going on, these shots rang out."

L.A. Sheriff's Department Captain Andrew Meyer described a chaotic scene after police responded to a "shots fired call" around 10:20 PM.

"When officers arrived on scene, they observed numerous individuals, patrons of the location pouring out of the location, screaming," Meyer said. "The officers made entry to the location and located additional victims."

Meyer said the fire department also responded to the scene and treated the injured before transporting them to area hospitals. The victims were listed in various conditions ranging from stable to critical.

The Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI. Investigators are looking into a possibly related incident in nearby Alhambra.

Don Lemon didn't appreciate Stephen Colbert mocking him over the fact he dressed down on the job ... responding by comparing himself to Zelensky, Obama and Trayvon Martin.

The news anchor -- who now heads up the morning time slot on a new show called 'CNN This Morning' -- appeared genuinely hurt that the 'Late Show' host went in on him on national TV Thursday night ... making fun of a hoodie-suit DL wore that morning on the air.

Colbert was pretty forceful in his joking about Don's wardrobe choice, saying ... "As a wise man once said, 'What the f*** is that?'" He continued to poke fun at Don, and told him he had some explaining to do -- this while he was in the middle of an interview with a guest.

Welp, Don wasn't really in a laughing mood about this. Instead, he took a much more serious tone in firing back -- saying he believes SC showed his true colors here ... and then launched into a soliloquy about how conventional dress code standards have changed.

He says the pandemic has flipped work attire on its head, while noting he'd been asked by his bosses at CNN to have fun and be more causal -- which his Thursday outfit definitely was. Then, Don name-dropped the above-mentioned individuals ... watch for yourself.

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger grabbed a bite or 2 at a restaurant where 2 of the slain students worked, and he did so not long before the murders were committed ... according to a former employee.

The restaurant's called Mad Greek, and the ex-staffer -- who wasn't identified -- told People Kohberger visited the downtown Moscow eatery at least twice. Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, 2 of the 4 victims, worked as servers there, but it's unclear if they ever had any direct interactions with Kohberger.

The employee says there wasn't anything suspicious about Kohberger at the time, although his order stood out, which is why they remembered him -- he reportedly asked for a vegan pizza, wanting to make sure no animal products were used in it.

Kohberger also "slid into one of the girls' DMs several times," according to a different source who told People the messages simply said, "Hey, how are you?" over and over again. The person didn't say which one of the 3 female victims Kohberger messaged.

As we reported, the search warrant for Kohberger's home, obtained by TMZ, noted there was a significant amount of blood spilled in the murder house ... and police seized items with dark red and brown stains from his apartment.