New Orleans mayor and bodyguard lover charged with fraud and corruption.

 

The mayor of New Orleans and her bodyguard have been charged with fraud and corruption offences over claims they used public funds to fuel an alleged romance.

Prosecutors said on Friday that LaToya Cantrell developed a "personal, intimate relationship" with Jeffrey Vappie from October 2021, while he was part of her protection team.

From then until his retirement in June 2024, the pair are accused of claiming Mr Vappie was on duty when they were actually engaged in "personal activities", including during 14 separate domestic and international trips.

Neither Cantrell nor Mr Vappie have publicly commented on the allegations.

Tropical Storm Erin could become Atlantic season's 1st hurricane later this week, forecasters say

 

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Erin formed Monday in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean and could become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season later this week, forecasters say.

In the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Henriette strengthened well away from Hawaii. But the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said no coastal watches or warnings are in effect for either storm.

By Monday afternoon, Erin was about 430 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the hurricane center. It said Erin was moving westward at 20 mph and is expected to continue on that general path for several days.

Gradual strengthening was forecast over the next several days and forecasters said Erin could reach hurricane intensity by the latter part of the week. The hurricane center said it remains too early to determine possible impacts, if any, from Erin as it moves closer to the northern Leeward Islands.

Anas al-Sharif, prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza

 

A prominent Al Jazeera journalist who had previously been threatened by Israel has been killed along with four colleagues in an Israeli airstrike.

Anas al-Sharif, who was one of Al Jazeera’s most recognisable faces in Gaza, was killed while inside a tent for journalists outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on Sunday night. His funeral was held on Monday morning.

Seven people in total were killed in the attack, including al-Sharif, Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, according to the Qatar-based broadcaster.Calling al-Sharif “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists,” Al Jazeera said the attack was “a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza.”

Last month Israeli IDF spokesperson Avichai Adraee shared a video of al-Sharif on X and accused him of being a member of Hamas’ military wing. At the time the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, called it “an unsubstantiated claim” and a “blatant assault on journalists”.

Steelers defeat Jaguars, 31-25

The Steelers opened the preseason with a 31-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, holding on at the end, while getting a good look at players at multiple positions, including the quarterback spot.

Mason Rudolph, who returned to the Steelers this offseason after spending the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans, and Skylar Thompson handled the majority of the quarterback duties, while the debut of rookie Will Howard didn't happen due to an injury suffered in training camp.

Rudolph started the game, completing nine of 10 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington.

"(Offensive coordinator) Arthur (Smith) did a good job of calling some aggressive shots over the middle," said Rudolph. "First couple plays and first drive. Roman Wilson made a really nice catch to kind of get us going. So, it was fun.

"Good to be back in the black and gold. Just a lot of friends, a lot of dear friends and coaches that I've spent a lot of time with and there's just a level of comfortability there that you can't really replace."

Thompson entered the game in the second quarter, finishing the night completing 20 of 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns.

"I was super excited to get out and compete today," said Thompson. "Coming into a new organization, new team, a little bit of a fresh start for me. I was excited to go play some football with all my teammates and definitely did that today."

Wrexham can enjoy 'underdog' tag at Southampton

 

Boss Phil Parkinson believes Wrexham can enjoy the "underdog" tag as they begin their 2025-26 Championship campaign at Southampton today (12:30 BST).

Two tiers separated the sides last season, although the Saints are among the promotion favourites this term to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Ahead of what will be his side's first season in the second tier since 1981-82, Parkinson says it is difficult to predict what Wrexham can expect against Will Still's outfit.

"There's huge expectation on the teams who have come down and we can enjoy that underdog card going down there," he said.

"What am I expecting? It's difficult to predict their line-up because they've had a few injuries over pre-season and a few players in the background may be moving, they may still be there.

"I'm sure their manager is getting asked the same questions I am.

"If it's three or four weeks into the season, you can predict how teams are going to play and what shape they're going to play, but I think this one is slightly more difficult.

"So it's about concentrating on what we feel we need to do to be at our best at the weekend."

Heading into his fifth campaign as manager with Wrexham, Parkinson has already secured three promotions during his time at the Stok Cae Ras.

And the 57-year-old says he was afforded some time during the off-season to be with his family to reflect on the club's remarkable progress, rising from the National League under the ownership of Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"There's definitely been some reflection. We all had our separate holidays and it was great to be away with the family and see my parents who live in the North East and spend a bit of time with them to talk about the achievement," he said.

"Once the season is up and running, it's kind of 100mph.

"When you look at the competitiveness of that division (League One), to get promoted was tremendous for us all.

"It was a huge effort. Sometimes people look at us and think 'Wrexham have just spent money, that's it'. No, there's a lot of detail, thought and structure behind the scenes which has taken place to enable us to get those three promotions."

Comedian accused of indecent assault in BBC studio.

Comedian and ex-Big Brother contestant Hardeep Singh Kohli has been accused of indecently assaulting a woman in a BBC studio, a court has heard.

Mr Kohli, 56, has denied six sex-related charges against three women between April 2007 and December 2016.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that in one alleged incident he grabbed a woman's buttocks and hugged her at BBC Scotland's headquarters at Pacific Quay, Glasgow.

He is also accused of making sexual comments and other assault charges. He is due to go on trial in November.

The New ChatGPT Resets the AI Race With GPT-5, OpenAI is making its strongest effort yet to hook users.

 

Yesterday evening, Sam Altman shared an image of the Death Star on X. There was no caption on the picture, which showed the world-destroying Star Wars space station rising over an Earth-like planet, but his audience understood the context. In fewer than 24 hours, OpenAI would release an AI model intended to wipe out all the rest.

That model, GPT-5, launched earlier today with all the requisite fanfare. In an announcement video, Altman said that the product will serve as a “legitimate Ph.D.-level expert in anything—any area you need, on demand—that can help you with whatever your goals are.” He added that “anyone, pretty soon, will be able to do more than anyone in history could.” In more concrete terms, GPT-5 is an upgrade to the ChatGPT interface you’re likely already familiar with: a model that’s now a bit better at writing, coding, math and science problems, and the like.

Chargers star OT Slater suffers leg injury weeks after signing contract extension.

 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon in practice Thursday and will miss the upcoming season.

He'll undergo surgery and be placed on injured reserve, the team said.

Slater was hurt less than two weeks after signing a multi-year contract extension last month.

Slater's teammates came up to hug him before he was carted off the field.

“We're praying for him, man. We hope he's doing well,” outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu said. “That's just something you don't want to see.”

Slater has started all 52 career games at left tackle since being drafted 13th overall by the Chargers in the first round in 2021. Slater has been Justin Herbert's main protector, allowing the quarterback to set several league-wide passing records.

Last season, Slater's presence helped the offense commit a franchise-record eight turnovers, tying for the second-fewest offensive turnovers in a single season in NFL history.

The Walking Dead’ actress Kelley Mack dies at 33.

Actress Kelley Mack, known for her appearance in post-apocalyptic zombie drama “The Walking Dead,” has died. She was 33.

Mack, who was born Kelley Klebenow, “passed away peacefully” in her hometown of Cincinatti on Saturday after battling glioma of the central nervous system, according to a statement posted on the social networking site CaringBridge. A glioma is a type of tumor that affects the brain or spinal cord.

“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley. Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go,” read a post on Mack’s Instagram on Tuesday alongside a photo of the actress.

A second person has died and more than 50 are sick from Legionnaires' cluster in Harlem

 

A second person has now died and more than 50 people have fallen ill as part of a growing Legionnaires' cluster in Harlem, city health officials reported Monday.

The disease was initially detected on July 25; since then, two people have died and 58 people have been diagnosed, the New York City Health Department revealed in its latest update.

Legionnaires', a type of pneumonia, is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm water. The cases from the cluster have been found in five Harlem ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, along with the bordering communities, according to health officials.

Excellent prospect' Ngumoha stars for Liverpool - but who is he?

The Reds played an unusual double header against Athletic Bilbao, with - loosely speaking - their second XIs meeting at 17:00 BST and their first teams facing off at 20:00.

England Under-17 forward Ngumoha started the first game - and had a goal and assist to his name in the opening five minutes.

It ended 4-1 with Darwin Nunez, Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott also on the scoresheet.

Later on in the first-team game, Arne Slot fielded £263.5m worth of summer signings.

They were midfielder Florian Wirtz, forward Hugo Ekitike, full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili - whose deal has gone through a year after it was agreed.

But it was Cody Gakpo who probably earned the headlines - scoring twice in the right net, and once in his own goal, as Liverpool won 3-2. Mohamed Salah netted the opener and later skied a penalty.

"In both games we created a lot of chances and scored seven goals. That's very pleasing to see," said boss Slot.

Sports Yankees Face 'All-Around Terrible' Giancarlo Stanton Decision After Brutal Injury

 

As the team endures a marked fall from grace after a torrid start to the year, it has placed the franchise slugger on the injured list with a strained flexor tendon. He is expected to return this season, but the fallout from that brutal injury will still be far reaching.

Without Judge to carry the batting order, the team could be changing its approach to the trade deadline with less confidence that bringing in some win-now talent can propel a championship. And Judge's injury could drive a surprising change for designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton as well.

"Yes, Judge can still swing with a bad flexor, but where does that leave Stanton?" Yankees columnist Bob Klapisch asked for NJ.com. "Back to the outfield, which is an all-around terrible idea. Give Stanton credit for a good attitude — 'I'll do whatever it takes' — but let's be serious about a defender who's afraid to run, lest he gets hurt again."

Loni Anderson tributes: Barbara Eden, more remember 'WKRP in Cincinnati' icon

 

Loni Anderson was a beloved figure, on and off the WKRP airwaves.

The Emmy-nominated actress, who starred as receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the classic sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati," died at age 79 at a Los Angeles hospital on Sunday, Aug. 3, following "an acute prolonged illness," the actress' representative Cheryl J. Kagan confirmed to USA TODAY. Anderson would have turned 80 on Aug. 5.

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