Evan Gershkovich Sentenced to 16 Years in Russia ... After Espionage Conviction

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was just hit with a 16-year prison term after being convicted of spying in Russia – a charge American leaders have categorically denied.

Gershkovich was found guilty Friday by a Russian court in Yekaterinburg as prosecutors asked for an 18-year sentence, but Evan instead was handed 16, according to multiple reports.

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GERSHKOVICH IN COURT
X/@BBCSteveR

In March 2023, Evan was first arrested for espionage as he took a trip to Yekaterinburg while
working on a WSJ story -- he's been in Russia ever since ... despite outcry here in the States.

Trump's RNC Speech Comperatore Misspelled On Firefighter's Gear ... Was Always That Way

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HONORING COREY
Fox News

Donald Trump's RNC tribute to Corey Comperatore -- the firefighter killed during the assassination attempt -- featured his turnout coat and a big ol' typo ... the hero's name was spelled wrong, but it's not the RNC's fault.

During the former president's first public speech since taking a bullet to the ear, he honored Corey who died while shielding his family from the hail of bullets.

During the tribute, Trump stood with CC's firefighter gear, including his helmet and jacket which had his last name written on the back, but spelled like "Compertore" -- missing the "a."

Japanese Gymnast Shoko Miyata Out Of Paris Olympics ... For Smoking, Drinking

Japanese gymnastics star Shoko Miyata will not compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris later this month ... after an investigation determined she violated team rules by smoking and drinking alcohol.

19-year-old Miyata is Japan's reigning national title holder ... and won bronze in the balance beam competition at the 2022 World Championships. She was slated to represent the squad as captain at the Paris Games.

The Japanese Gymnastics Association issued an apology for the controversy and said Miyata owned up to her actions ... and her coach, Mutsumi Harada, called for sympathy over the matter -- citing the huge expectations to excel at the international level.

KIM KARDASHIAN Olive Branch to Taylor Swift???

The infamous Kim Kardashian-Taylor Swift beef might be over -- well, that's if Kim's recent shout-out for Ivanka Trump's daughter’s birthday is evidence.

So here's the scoop -- Ivanka posted an IG carousel celebrating her daughter Arabella's 13th birthday, and there were a few pics of a Swiftie-inspired cake in the mix!

Taylor's favorite number, "13," made a perfect fit for Arabella's big day ... replete with big red candles. It also had the lyric, "Boys only want love if it's torture," from Taylor's hit song "Blank Space" written on top.

Powerball Winner Edwin Castro Winning Love Lottery Too ... Snuggles Up to Model GF!!!

Edwin Castro's one lucky bastard -- not only did he win a crap ton of money, but he's now gone public with his hot girlfriend ... and he's looking like he just won another jackpot!

The $2 billion Powerball winner hit a Giorgio Armani event in Malibu with his new squeeze Payten Vincent, who's a model/poet ... photos of which she shared with her nearly 125k followers on Instagram.

Check out the pics ... the two are grinning from ear to ear while sitting in the city's famous Soho House -- with both so happy it's like they've won the love lottery.

Melania Trump Kisses Donald After RNC Speech ... Or Does She???

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HAND IN HAND
Fox News

Melania Trump did the unthinkable at the Republican National Convention -- she actually showed some affection to her hubby Donald Trump ... but it's up for debate if she actually kissed him.

The former First Lady was on hand in the flesh Thursday in Milwaukee for the final night of the convention ... which saw DT deliver a VERY long speech to cap off the event, for which she was present to witness first-hand ... a surprise cameo that not many really expected.

Melania looked great and smiled/waved like she has in the past -- but the shocking part was what she did after Donald's remarks ... joining him onstage and, at least, going in for a kiss.

Hulk Hogan Runs Wild At RNC ... Rips Off Shirt In Pro-Trump Speech

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TRUMP-O-MANIA

UPDATE

8:57 AM PT -- Trump is taking advantage of Hulk's viral moment ... 'cause the former president's campaign is now selling the same cutoff the wrestling legend rocked on stage!!

Folks can cop the merch with a donation of $35 or more ... and we take it it'll be a hot item with the MAGA crowd following the memorable performance.

The Republican National Convention stage looked more like a wrestling ring Thursday night -- at least for a few minutes -- as Hulk Hogan ripped off his shirt and fired up the crowd with an impassioned pro-Donald Trump speech.

The WWE-style moments all went down at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee ... about an hour or so before Trump formally accepted the GOP's nomination for President.

Hulk, who said he committed to speaking at the event following Saturday's attempt on Trump's life, repeatedly praised the former Prez ... all while speaking as if he were in the center of a squared circle at WrestleMania.

'RHOBH' Star Kyle Richards Scrubs 'Wife' From IG Profile ... Is Mauricio Next?

Kyle Richards is sending her own not-so-subtle message to Mauricio Umansky about the status of their marriage – it's kaput!!!

"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star removed "wife" from her Instagram bio on Thursday after Mauricio was photographed kissing a young woman at an airport in Greece days before.

Kyle's IG bio now reads "Mom, actor, author, producer, animal lover, a RHOBH, CAA." The word "wife" was previously sandwiched between "Mom" and "actor" – but not anymore.

Donald Trump Recounts Shooting at RNC God On My Side, I Shouldn't Be Here

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RELIVING THE MOMENT
Fox News

Donald Trump just accepted the GOP nomination for President at the Republican National Convention -- and he recounted the attempted assassination ... a sobering moment, indeed.

45 took the stage Thursday in Milwaukee -- where he capped a week's-worth of speeches and appearances all in anticipation of saying, yes ... I'll be your guy heading into the November election. Of course, everyone was anticipating what he would say about Saturday.

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SHOTS FIRED

Trump took a fair amount of time to reflect on the life-death situation ... and he was genuinely humbled, saying God was on his side and that he shouldn't be here today.

Thomas Matthew Crooks RNC Protester Hails Him as 'American Hero'

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POKING THE BEAR
X / @RepAdamMorgan

The would-be assassin who got killed after taking a shot at Donald Trump is being remembered as an American hero ... at least in the mind of one man outside the RNC.

Ya gotta see this wild video from Milwaukee ... where a man with a dirt bike showed up on the outskirts of the Republican National Convention with a big sign in support of Thomas Matthew Crooks -- which had a "RIP" to boot.

The guy says he's dead serious about TMC deserving hero status. He struggles to explain what Crooks did that was so heroic before finally landing on this ... "He stood up to a dictatorship."

Trump Assassination Attempt Shooter's 'Hood Takes Real Estate Market Hit

Thomas Matthew Crooks' assassination attempt on Donald Trump is plaguing his hometown in more ways than one, and that includes the real estate market ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with multiple realtors representing homes in Bethel Park, PA -- the hometown of the would-be-assassin -- and they've painted a bleak picture in the aftermath of Saturday's shooting.

For instance, realtor Kristy Kaslewicz tells TMZ ... she has had zero showings since the attack. While she couldn't say for sure the shooting has directly impacted her business, she's suspicious, especially because law enforcement has barricaded the block leading up to Thomas' parents' home.

'Big Brother' Champ Dick Donato Blasts Show for Nixing Live Feed ... It's All Over $$$!!!

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IT'S A BIG DEAL
TMZ.com

"Big Brother" winner Dick Donato is sounding off on Paramount+'s decision to axe the live feed's rewind and archive features, and he has a one-word theory on why they did it ... money!

We caught up with Evel Dick after the streaming platform retooled the live feed -- which left fans seriously pissed, because now they can't watch back unfiltered moments. Fans speculated this was a strategy to keep problematic moments in the house from plaguing the show ... but DD isn't sold on this theory, telling us this is likely a money thing.

As Dick put it, Paramount+ and CBS don't care about controversy, as this often captures fans' interest and gets them to tune in. Instead, he points to the fact the show is filmed with HD cameras ... and says archiving that footage likely costs a pretty penny.

Ingrid Andress Music Plays Spike After Derby Anthem

It seems Ingrid Andress' lowest moment on the microphone is actually benefitting her career ... TMZ Sports has learned her music has seen a big spike following her disastrous national anthem performance at Monday's Home Run Derby.

Officials over at SoundCloud -- one of the largest music streaming services in the world -- tell us ... plays on her tunes have gone up around 50 percent since her debacle in Arlington, Texas.

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BARELY HOLDING IT TOGETHER
Courtesy of MLB / ESPN

Specifically, we're told her 2019 "More Hearts Than Mine" song has really caught the ear of listeners.

TMZ TV HOT TAKES Alec Plans 'Rust' Case Lawsuit ... Joe Jonas, Mojo Muhtadi

Alec Baldwin is gearing up for a lawsuit, Joe Jonas is opening up on his new music and Mojo Muhtadi is paying it forward ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

TMZ Live

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CONSIDERING ACTION
TMZ.com

First up on "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles break down a legal threat from Alec ... aimed at the New Mexico sheriff and special prosecutor involved in his manslaughter case from the "Rust" shooting.

Guess Who This Cute Boy In His Blazer Turned Into!

Before this blonde dapper boy from Salt Lake City, Utah turned into a big Hollywood star, he was just throwing on his blazer and slacks, hitting the ballroom and having a dance off with his lil' sis.

Before he made a name for himself jiving in the ballroom and showin' off his moves, he spent his younger years studying and dancing in London. Yes, he can groove, but he's also written a New York Times Best Selling book.

The tables turned when he entered as a judge on "World of Dance" with Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo.

Can you guess who he is? 

Bianca Censori Look Ma, No Pants!!!

Bianca Censori and Kanye West are at it again ... and this time she's out in public with only a thong covering her below the waist -- a bit of a change from what we're used to.

Ye and his wife broke bread Wednesday at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles and Bianca didn't bother wearing pants, shorts, a skirt ... nothing. It was just her undies out there.

Check out the pics ... Bianca's not wearing a bra either (duh) and folks can see right through her sheer top ... which is doing nothing to cover up her breasts. Still, it's more coverage upstairs than we usually see when she's in public.

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