A baby Japanese macaque named Punch has gone viral for capturing hearts around the world -- after his mother neglected him at birth and led him to find comfort in a stuffed monkey ... but according to one expert we spoke to, he will eventually need a living, loving mom in his life.

We spoke with Michael Stern -- a Harvard-trained primatologist with decades of experience studying gorillas both in captivity and in the wild in Uganda -- who tells us every primate needs something to love when they're a baby, and they need to be loved ... just like us humans!

Sterns tells us it's been scientifically proven that just about every mammal out there has the same basic emotions as a human, and every baby needs something to put that loving emotion toward ... he says, "To me, it's kind of sad that what he had was this stuffed animal."

4:19 PM PT -- Fox News reporter Matt Finn received further clarification from the Sheriff's office about this incident ... chalking this up to a "lost in translation" moment.

Pima County officials say they told the volunteers they need PERMISSION to go on private property -- not a PERMIT to look for Nancy.

1:40 PM PT -- The Pima County Sheriff's Dept posted a response to volunteer groups wishing to assist in the search for Nancy on her property. They shared a 3-part statement on X, saying ... "Private Search Parties: Volunteer search groups have inquired about being in the area. Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work."

They continue ... "We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals. PCSD has volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department. Private property laws apply and it is up to each individual property owner to grant permission for someone to search their property."

The Madres Buscadoras de Sonora -- the Mexican activist group that wants to help find Nancy Guthrie -- won't be allowed to search for her, they say ... not without getting the proper permits first.

Two members of the organization -- wearing shirts and holding flyers featuring Nancy's face -- spoke to reporters outside Guthrie's home in new video circulating online. They say they came all the way from Mexico to aid in the search ... but were turned away.

James Van Der Beek's wife Kimberly is reacting to the devastating loss of actor Eric Dane ... posting a group photo of her and James alongside Eric and his wife, Rebecca, with their two daughters.

Kimberly added a deeply personal note to the tribute, writing, "We love you. Will miss our guys laughing at Christmas parties together" ... a simple but powerful reminder of the off-camera friendship and holiday memories they shared.

Ski season will be over before you know it ... but, before it goes, we've got a series of fur hat hotties for you to enjoy!

Sexy stars might be stripping down for the most part, but they love a little headgear ... like Lisa and Madison Bailey who tossed on these fine (likely faux) furs to keep their body heat up.

Nancy left in an Uber at 5:32 PM to have dinner at her daughter Annie's house in Tucson, Arizona.

At 9:48 PM, Nancy's son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her back off at her home. Tommaso, Annie's husband, reportedly waited 2 minutes for Nancy to get safely inside and then drove away.

A doorbell camera at Nancy's home was mysteriously disconnected at 1:47 AM. Even more distressing, Nancy's pacemaker app is disconnected from her phone by 2:28 AM.

Ghislaine Maxwell's brother is publicly backing former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ... claiming his actions may have been "sleazy" -- but, prosecutors clearly can't find any sexual misconduct dirt on him.

Ian Maxwell -- Ghislaine's older brother -- spoke with the UK publication The Telegraph on Thursday ... which just so happened to be the day Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former prince had a known association with Ghislaine and her late partner Jeffrey Epstein ... so naturally, the arrest came up.

Maxwell says Mountbatten-Windsor is going through an even more difficult time than his sister -- because while he and other family members stand behind her, he thinks the royals have abandoned Andrew.

Millie Bobby Brown brought out some close friends and family together for an intimate birthday party ... and, if those David Harbour rift rumors weren't dead before, they certainly should be now.

The actress turned 22 earlier this week ... and the party raged at Maison Close in the Soho district of New York City Friday night, where our sources say the group congregated into the early Saturday morning hours.

Millie and her man Jake Bongiovi looked like the toppers of a wedding cake ... with Millie in a chic white dress -- while holding what looks like a Union Jack, the UK's flag, and Jake dressed up in a thick black coat and white dress shirt with a frilled collar.

Legendary salsa musician Willie Colón has died at the age of 75.

Willie's Facebook page shared a statement early Saturday morning to confirm the news, saying, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician, Willie Colon."

The statement reveals he passed away peacefully Saturday morning, surrounded by his loving family ... adding "While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever."

The post ends with ... "Our family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support during this time of mourning. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief."

Ryan Garcia -- aka "King Ryan" -- was getting his pre-fight energy up backstage before the big weigh-in Friday night … with a little help from the undefeated David Benavidez.

TMZ Sports obtained video of the professional boxer backstage in Las Vegas for his anticipated weigh-in ... practicing some killer moves with Benavidez's young son and showing off some quick jabs, while keeping his focus razor-sharp.

Check the clip ... in true superstar fashion, Garcia and Benavidez are seen posing for a few photos in front of a giant Mexican flag -- showing his pride.

"American Idol" alum Caleb Flynn appeared in court on Friday after being charged with murdering his wife ... and he's standing by the fact that he just wants to care for his two daughters, who were allegedly asleep in another room during the time of the killing.

Flynn remotely stepped foot into Miami County Municipal Court for his arraignment, where he is seen on video emphasizing to the judge he just wants to "take care of his daughters" ... and in terms of being a flight risk, he adds "I'm not a risk" while holding back tears.

His lawyer is heard in the video -- even though it's a bit hard to hear -- saying Flynn's entering a plea of not guilty and asking for a preliminary hearing to be scheduled for late February.

DJ Young Slade -- Lil Jon's son -- was laid to rest this week after his father confirmed his death earlier this month.

Lil Jon took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute video of his late son and added, "On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family."

The rapper continued, "I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength."

Bill Mazeroski -- Pittsburgh Pirates legend and Baseball Hall of Famer -- has died at the age of 89.

The Pirates issued a statement announcing his death on Saturday morning, saying, "It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski."

The team continues to add ... "Maz was a 7-time All-Star who hit the greatest home run in baseball history. He was a beloved member of the Pirates family and he will be deeply missed."

Mazeroski devoted his entire 17-year MLB career to the Pittsburgh Pirates, signing with the team at just 17 in 1954. After spending two years in the minors, he was called up to the big leagues midway through the 1956 season.

The "American Idol" alum charged with murdering his wife allegedly shot her inside their Ohio home while their two children slept in another room, according to a new report.

Caleb Flynn was arrested Thursday on charges of murder, assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife Ashley in their Tipp City home, just north of Dayton, police said. 

The Dayton Daily News obtained a police affidavit, stating the couple's two daughters were home at the time of the shooting, but did not wake up and were still in their bedroom when police arrived on scene. The family's two Goldendoodles were also in the house during the shooting, according to the affidavit.

Police say Caleb shot Ashley in the head but tried to cover up the murder by trying to make it look like a fatal home invasion burglary. Cops found Ashley in bed with at least one gunshot wound to the head and two spent shells on the floor nearby, the docs say.

Gabourey Sidibe’s husband -- Brandon Frankel -- has revealed he’s battling Stage 1 papillary thyroid cancer ... and he says pushing doctors to listen may have saved his life.

The husband of the "American Horror Story" actress shared the news Friday in a lengthy Instagram post, writing, “Things I never thought I’d have to post: I was diagnosed with Stage I Papillary Thyroid cancer.”

He included hospital bed selfies with Sidibe smiling by his side. According to Frankel, doctors caught the cancer early, but only because he insisted on getting an ultrasound ... which his doctor initially didn’t think he needed.

'Real Housewives of Orange County' alum Meghan King accused her ex-husband Jim Edmonds of leaking her cell phone to sex workers to harass her years ago ... something she mentioned to cops while reporting recent harassing phone threats from an unknown person -- but a rep for Jim adamantly denies the claim.

According to a Kirkwood Police Department report, Meghan drove to the station in Missouri in September 2025 to report alleged threatening phone calls she'd been getting.

Meghan told an officer she'd been receiving consistent calls from an unknown person threatening to hurt her and her kids. Meghan claimed she was getting the calls for the past 2 months ... but said it had gotten increasingly worse over the prior 2 days. She told the officer the person had been making “crazed overt threats” and making less and less sense.

Eric Dane’s friends are rallying around his family following his heartbreaking death, after a "hard-fought" battle with ALS ... launching a GoFundMe page in the wake of the actor’s passing.

The fundraiser, created on Friday, includes the same message the family shared on the day of his passing. Noting he leaves behind his devoted wife Rebecca and two teenage daughters Billie and Georgia ... adding his illness progressed “far more quickly than anyone could have imagined.”

The tribute ends by saying "any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time" and that the proceeds would go towards supporting Eric’s wonderful daughters and their future needs.