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Teresa Giudice put on a brave face for her brother's book release party ... hard to do just hours after her husband, Joe, was taken into ICE custody.

The 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star dressed to the nines Thursday night in NYC for a shindig honoring her brother, Joe Gorga. He released his book, "The Gorga Guide to Success" ... in which he talks about succeeding in business, marriage and life.

We got Teresa walking into the party locked arm-in-arm with her pops, Giacinto. She was mum about Joe's predicament. As we reported ... Joe was officially released Thursday from a Pennsylvania prison but was immediately taken into ICE custody.

Joe -- who served 36 months for conspiracy to commit wire and bankruptcy fraud -- remains at an undisclosed location while he's appealing his deportation case.

Gianni Russo wasn't just in "The Godfather," he claims to have deep mob ties -- and tells TMZ there's NO WAY the hit on Gambino crime boss Frank Cali was carried out by the Italian mafia.

And why? Because Russo says the killer broke a SACRED mafia rule that no Italian mobster would dare to violate.

"I don't think it was an Italian hit or a Family hit because they shot [Cali] in front of his family's house. They don't do that," Russo explained.

Russo played Carlo Rizzi in "The Godfather" -- who famously betrayed the Corleone Family, only to be whacked in a hit orchestrated by Michael Corleone.

Russo also says he was an errand boy for the mob back in the day -- and had close mobster friends, including Gambino mob boss Paul Castellano, who was killed in 1985.

As for Cali, officials say the 53-year-old mobster was shot to death in a hit in front of his Staten Island home. The killers also ran over his body after the shooting.

Russo says Italian mobsters respect an unspoken rule that family homes are sacred -- and that's why he believes the shooting was probably motivated by money and drugs, and not mob politics.

Officials say they're investigating the shooting -- but so far, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.

Shane Battier is off the deeeeeeeep end ... and it's beautiful as hell.

The 2-time NBA champ hit the stage to put on his best rendition of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's "Shallow" at his charity karaoke event on Thursday ... and this guy pulled out all the stops.

Look ... singing the ballad in front of ANYONE requires some guts. But, to do it in front of a huge crowd while wearing a dress AND a wig puts the whole thing over the top.

Miami Heat TV host Jason Jackson played the role of Cooper ... and he even put on a wig as well!!

It was all part of the 7th Annual Battioke Event in Miami ... which raises money for college scholarships.

Battier clearly stole the show ... but there were other great performances from Kelly Olynyk, who sang some classic One Direction ... and Pierre Garcon, who pulled off "Let Me Love You" by Mario.

The championship belt ended up going to Heat GM Andy Elisburg, who sang "Soul Man" by the Blues Brothers.

We're told the event raised more than $150k!!!

There's "God's Plan" and then there's Drake's plan ... telling everyone and their mother how much he adores his 1-year-old son, and the proof's in the baby pudding.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Drake and his baby mama, Sophie Brussaux, have a pretty remarkable relationship (ZERO drama) ... and the fact they can seamlessly co-parent has allowed him and his son, Adonis, to develop a super strong father-son relationship.

It's no wonder Drake just rolled out the red carpet for Sophie in Paris.

We're told Drake FaceTimes his son every day. He'd rather be with the baby, but Drizzy's touring schedule makes that extremely difficult.

Our sources say Drake regularly updates friends and family with pictures of his son. Even the screensaver on the rapper's phone, we're told, features Adonis. Showing him off is nothing new ... you'll recall the rapper recently got a tattoo of his son on his right forearm.

As for Sophie ... we're told she couldn't be happier. Drake still sends private jets so they can fly to see him. Back home, our sources say Sophie's teaching Adonis multiple languages and exposing him to art. As you know ... Adonis is already Drake's little Picasso.

Keep fathering, Drake ... that's the new motto.

Tito Jackson says it's unfair to convict a dead man -- Michael Jackson -- and mute his music based just on the words of his accusers.

Tito was at LAX Thursday and singled out Wade Robson -- who, along with James Safechuck, detailed what they say were years of sexual abuse at the hands of MJ -- grousing that Wade's story shouldn't be enough to recast his late brother as a pariah.

The owner of the Utah Jazz addressed the Russell Westbrook incident head-on Thursday night -- saying Utah is "not a racist community" ... and warning fans to treat opposing players with respect.

Of course, the Westbrook incident made international headlines after he told a fan, "I'll f*ck you up." Westbrook claimed the fan and his wife had made offensive comments. The fan denied it. The Jazz ultimately banned the fan for life.

Enter Jazz owner Gail Miller ... who grabbed the mic before the Jazz took on the Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena and warned fans she'll boot ANYONE who acts like a jerk.

"I am extremely disappointed that one of our 'fans' conducted himself in such a way as to offend not only a guest in our arena, but also me personally, my family, our organization, the community, our players, and you as the best fans in the NBA,” Miller said.

"This should never happen. We are not a racist community."

She added, "We have a code of conduct in this arena. It will be strictly enforced."

More legal troubles for Nicki Minaj's bad boy boyfriend ... he just pled guilty to driving on a suspended license.

According to court files, obtained by TMZ, Kenneth Petty pled guilty in New York to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Kenneth's gotta pay $88 in fines and clear his license.

In the docs, a police officer says he witnessed Kenneth blow through a stop sign around 1:30 AM on Sept. 13 in Long Island. Cops pulled Kenneth over and discovered he was driving on a suspended license.

As you know, Nicki's boyfriend has a checkered past ... he's been convicted of first-degree attempted rape and manslaughter. While serving hard time for killing a guy, Kenneth racked up tons of prison violations.

So, relatively speaking ... this is no big whoop.

Meghan Markle's half-brother got a sweet deal in his DUI case ... but he'll have to keep his nose clean for the next year.

Thomas Markle Jr. entered a DUI diversion program last month stemming from his January arrest in Oregon for driving under the influence of alcohol. We broke the story ... cops said Thomas bombed a field sobriety test and blew a .11.

The court's allowing the 52-year-old to enter a 1-year diversion program, but it comes with strings attached.

First, Markle Jr. must attend a victim impact panel this month. He also has to get an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle ... and he's gotta fork over more than $700 in fees.

Thomas must be booked and fingerprinted by the end of the month.

Out of Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury ... who does all-time heavyweight great Lennox Lewis think would've given him the absolute TOUGHEST fight?

Answer ... the 6'9" herky-jerky boxer-puncher that rose from the dead to get a draw with Wilder last year ... Tyson Fury.

We talked to the 3x heavyweight champ who ruled the division for a decade -- who's calling the Errol Spence-Mikey Garcia mega fight on Saturday -- and he told us why he thinks his fellow countryman would cause him the biggest problems.

"I think Tyson Fury would've given me some trouble because he's so big. He's a bit lanky."

That's sayin' a lot ... Lewis was an absolute beast in the ring -- compiling a 41-2-1 record with 32 knockouts -- including wins over boxing legends like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

So, does Lennox think that Fury could actually beat him???

HELL NO.

Lori Loughlin's daughters are not letting USC decide their fate, because they will NOT be returning to the University for fear of bullying ... sources connected to both daughters tell TMZ.

We're told 19-year-old Olivia and 20-year-old Isabella have made the decision to withdraw from the University. Our sources say they have the full support of their parents, Lori and Mossimo Giannulli, both of whom have been indicted in the college bribery scandal.

Our sources say the family feels certain, if the girls went back to USC, they would be "viciously bullied." So, the decision has been made.

As we reported, the indictment claims Lori and Mossimo paid $500,000 to have their daughters designated as recruits for the crew team at USC ... despite the fact they did not actually participate in crew. Mossimo allegedly sent action photos of their daughters on rowing machines to Rick Singer, the ringleader of the alleged scam, and he presumably sent them on to USC.

We're told Olivia and Isabella never really wanted to go to USC. Our sources say they liked the concept of school principally because of partying, and had their sights set on Arizona State University. That's why Mossimo sent an email saying he wanted to get his daughters "into a school other than ASU!"

Our sources say Olivia in particular "is a mess, despondent and feeling like it's the end of the world."

We're told Olivia and Isabella will "lay low" and not try and enroll in another school ... at least not for a long while.

In the least shocking news of the day, Conor McGregor has officially been sued by the man who claims the UFC star smashed and stole his cell phone.

22-year-old Ahmed Abdirzak filed his suit in Miami-Dade County on Thursday -- claiming battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In his suit, Abdirzak says he was leaving the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami and tried to take a picture of Conor on his phone -- but McGregor snapped and grabbed his arm so tightly that he couldn't get away.

"[McGregor] then flew into a rage and punched [Abdirzak's] smart phone out of his hand."

Abdirzak says McGregor then grabbed the phone, smashed it to the ground and "began stomping on the phone repeatedly."

Abdirzak says he went after Conor to try and get his phone back but Conor just laughed as yelled back, "F*ck you!"

He's now seeking unspecified damages north of $15,000.

As we previously reported, McGregor was arrested Monday for the incident, which took place while he was leaving the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami.

Abdirzak told TMZ he did NOTHING to provoke McGregor and was shocked when the 30-year-old snatched his phone, threw it on the ground and stomped on it twice.

TMZ Sports obtained footage of the altercation -- you can see and hear Conor putting his foot down on the phone while Abdirzak is being restrained by unidentified men.

Abdirzak appeared on "TMZ Live" on Thursday morning and said he hadn't decided if he was going to sue, insisting he just wants "justice."

Donald Trump is showing some serious insecurity over the border wall, because he wants an affirmation from his die-hard supporters before he puts pen to paper and vetoes the legislation rejecting his border wall emergency proclamation.

The President blasted out a poll to his email subscribers shortly after the Senate voted Thursday 59-41 to put the kibosh on Trump's declaration of national emergency, asking their opinion on whether he exercises his first veto as Prez.

If he can't get support from the people who say he can do no wrong, well ...

And, check out how he loads the vote -- "Friend, President Trump will not let this National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare continue. Liberals in the Senate just voted against a National Emergency."

Looks like there are at least 12 Republicans who aren't on board -- the Republican Senators who joined Democrats in defying Trump ... something not mentioned in the email.

POTUS already made his intentions clear when he tweeted "VETO!" right after the Senate motion passed, so the poll is not just ridiculous ... it's superfluous.

He'll get his way this time, 'cause there aren't enough votes in Congress to override a veto.

Stay tuned.

Rosario Dawson's all in on Cory Booker for President in 2020, but she might be a little biased ... because she just confirmed with us ... they're in a serious, loving relationship!!!

The actress was at the Reagan National Airport in D.C. Thursday when our guy quizzed her on what's been widely rumored -- she's the woman Booker referred to last month on the Breakfast Club when he said he was dating someone very special, while adding, "I got a boo."

It didn't take much prodding before Dawson said it was true and began gushing over her man, calling him an amazing human being and saying their relationship is a wonderful thing.

She continued ... "I am just grateful to be with someone that I respect and love and admire so much," and added several more doting words to describe the presidential hopeful.

Speaking of that ... Rosario says Cory would be an amazing Prez, and she's pushing him with a campaign button.

Conor McGregor ain't letting a possible 15-year prison sentence get him down -- the UFC star hit up a Florida bar Wednesday and ordered up 100 SHOTS of his famous Irish whiskey!

The Notorious rolled into Miller's Ale House in Hollywood, FL and turned up like he was celebrating -- going behind the bar, taking pics with fans ... and even cooking steaks in the kitchen!!!

Seriously, we spoke with people at the bar who tell us Conor wasn't there to be served, he was there to WORK!

Of course, Conor was pushing his Proper 12 whiskey -- ordering up 100 shots for the people in the bar -- and even buying a couple of bottles for himself (he likes it).

When it was all said and done, Conor's bill came out to $636.66 -- but he wanted to show the staff some love ... so he tipped an additional $200!!!

Conor had been arrested in Miami on Monday for allegedly stealing a cell phone from a man outside of the Fontainebleau hotel and then stomping on it. We obtained footage of the incident.

McGregor was booked for robbery/strong-arm and criminal mischief over $1,000 -- and the first charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Conor has been downplaying the allegations. Clearly, he thinks it's no big deal.