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Dwyane Wade's cousin, a 32-year-old mother of 4, was killed in Chicago Friday in what the NBA star is calling an "act of senseless gun violence."

Nykea Aldridge was pushing a baby stroller in Chicago's Parkway Gardens neighborhood when two men opened fire on another. Aldridge was caught in the crossfire and struck in the head and arm ... she was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Wade said Friday night, "My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough"

You'll remember ... Wade took the ESPYS stage a few months ago with Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul to spread a message of peace and to end senseless violence.

Cops are questioning two men in connection with Aldridge's death.

Reggaeton star J Balvin is lucky to be alive after a small plane he was traveling in went down just after takeoff.

The plane was leaving the Bahamas Friday when the wreck happened. A rep for the singer says he was not injured and at this time it's unclear what caused the crash.

Balvin posted a photo of the wreckage just after it happened with a message thanking God for his survival.

Get those dollar bills ready, Chi-Town ... it's about to go down next week when V Live Chicago opens its doors, and TMZ has video of the wannabe strippers looking to twerk the poles.

We're told over 1,300 people poured into the Hard Rock Hotel for an insane casting call that featured strippers strutting their stuff in VERY flexible ways ... we'll leave it at that.

Around 160 will end up getting hired.

The job fair looked for everything -- strippers, bartenders, waitresses and security. But check out the vid ... the strippers had the joint cracking ... and totally outdid T.I.'s casting call in Atlanta.

Things are looking bright in these almost identical Hailey Baldwin pics ... Study the stylish photos and see if you can find the differences between these two summertime shots.

Britney Spears is deploying her super hot body in an all-out media blitz ... before the eve of a huge appearance at the VMAs and right after the rollout of her new album.

We got the cover of "Flaunt" magazine, which is about to come out, the day before she hits the stage for what we're told is a high-tech performance to push her new album. Our VMA sources say there are no big surprises -- like a Madonna kiss or 12-foot python -- it's all about music.

Britney is everywhere ... her James Corden Carpool Karaoke went viral, she and Kanye are the clear stars of Sunday's VMAs, and her album, "Glory," just dropped.

BTW ... Britney said on Corden's show she was done with men. She was serious, at least in terms of the VMAs, because we're told her backup dancers for the show are all women.

Yung Joc knew exactly what he was doing when he let his hair down ... he got skewered on social media, but it's all paying off.

The rapper was leaving Wood Ranch in L.A. Friday night when our photog asked why he did the do.

YJ's plan worked to a tee. There is one problem ... a certain mineral would do him in like Kryptonite on Superman.

Ryan Lochte's been hammered into the ground, but enough's enough, right? And Casper THINKS he'll get back with J Lo. So we gotta ask ...

Michael Bolton's music is right for every occasion ... says Michael Bolton.

We got the singer leaving Il Pastaio in Bev Hills, and our photog asked for a very special playlist.

-- Girlfriend's going off to grad school ... Play Michael Bolton

-- Girlfriend comes home from school ... Play Michael Bolton

-- Looking for best love song this century -- Play Michael Bolton

Jennifer Lopez still has affection for ex-BF Casper Smart, but she's sure making him feel bad.

JLo was out and about in NYC Friday, just after posting this "Protect your heart." And she did ... barely.

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer is going to bat for his boy, Casper Smart -- asking Jennifer Lopez to give him a pass for blowing off a NY fundraiser to be Octagon-side at UFC 202.

Kim Zolciak's left arm is getting a serious workout thanks to the 11 karats worth of ice her husband just put on her for their 5th anniversary.

Kroy Biermann slipped the new diamond on her a few months early, but you know Kim's not complaining. The couple got married on 11/11/11 ... hence the karat count for the gift, we're told.

Our sources say the NFL linebacker dropped $100k on the piece and keep in mind ... Kim was already hauling a 10 karat engagement rock! Modern etiquette says 5th anniversary gifts should be silverware -- but imagine her face if he'd gone that route.

Kroy's playing for the Buffalo Bills this season, so Kim's gonna be solo in Atlanta for a few months.

The ring will keep her company.

Alyssa Arce and Tyrie Rudolph had all the room they needed for activities on their friend date at the beach ... and they definitely took advantage.

We got the two Wilhelmina L.A. models in Santa Monica soaking up waves and rays ... and then gettin' their smash on in the sand.

Cassie's had a change of heart -- she's back with Diddy ... despite a domestic incident last week in which cops were called.

We broke the story ... Cassie dumped Diddy and a heated argument ensued. Diddy allegedly grabbed Cassie's phone, jumped out of the car they were in and skedaddled.

The Beverly Hills police investigated the incident and determined it was just one of those things and no crime was committed. Diddy gave the phone back and there was no violence, so it came down to a case of no harm, no foul.

Even if the cops saw it differently, Cassie made it clear she didn't want her boo prosecuted so it would have been dropped anyway.

Make it work, guys.

Check out these under appreciated celebrity boob selfies and see if you can get to the bottom of which star posted the peek-a-boob pics.

Authorities in Rio really showed Ryan Lochte and his teammates who's the boss -- just ask Rio authorities, who are patting themselves on the back ... hard!

The Court of Justice in Rio believes its handling of Lochte-gate brought "international prestige" to its city and required "courageous action." We know this because the court actually fired off a statement to the media saying so.

Rio police similarly shouted out the efforts of Rio police ... saying they uncovered the "farce" of the Team USA swimmers' story.

The praise and adulation came 24 hours after Lochte was charged for lying to police -- a non-extraditable offense that Lochte has no intention of returning to Brazil to face.