The "And in other news..." thread

[brad465]

I didn’t want to waste a whole thread on this appalling grifter so this seems like a good place to put it.
Looks like reality finally caught up with Alex Jones:

Alex Jones must pay $49.3m for Sandy Hook hoax claim

The parents of a child killed in the attack said they had endured harassment and emotional distress.

www.bbc.co.uk

Has there ever been a bigger sum in damages ordered against one person before:

Alex Jones told to pay $965m damages to Sandy Hook victims' families

The shock jock is ordered to pay huge damages after branding the Connecticut school shooting a hoax.

www.bbc.co.uk

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to pay $965m (£869m) in damages after falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax.
The families of eight victims, and an FBI agent who responded to the attack, had sought at least $550m in the defamation trial in Connecticut.
They alleged the right-wing radio host's misinformation led to a decade's worth of harassment and death threats.
Twenty children and six adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Jones, who founded the conspiracy-laden Infowars website and talk show, argued for years that the massacre was a "staged" government plot to take guns from Americans and that "no one died".
He now acknowledges the attack was "100% real", a concession he made in August at a separate defamation trial in Texas.
The trial in Waterbury, Connecticut - which took place some 20 miles (32 km) from the site of the 2012 shooting - was marked by emotional testimony from a succession of parents.
Some described receiving a deluge of online hate and others said they had to move homes repeatedly for their own safety. A father, Mark Barden, recounted hearing that people were desecrating his son Daniel's grave by "urinating on it and threatening to dig it up".
Jurors also heard evidence that Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, made millions of dollars selling nutritional supplements, survival gear and other products on the Infowars catalogue.

 

[johnnychips]

Has there ever been a bigger sum in damages ordered against one person before:

Alex Jones told to pay $965m damages to Sandy Hook victims' families

The shock jock is ordered to pay huge damages after branding the Connecticut school shooting a hoax.

www.bbc.co.uk

Assuming he is not a near billionaire, is there any point in awarding such a high figure?

 

[Cowley]

Assuming he is not a near billionaire, is there any point in awarding such a high figure?

He is very wealthy I believe. Certainly more than he likes admit in court anyway, once you tally up all his assets and grifts businesses.

 

[Strathclyder]

Has there ever been a bigger sum in damages ordered against one person before:

Alex Jones told to pay $965m damages to Sandy Hook victims' families

The shock jock is ordered to pay huge damages after branding the Connecticut school shooting a hoax.

www.bbc.co.uk

Not sure what the answer to the bolded part is, but I am sure of one thing: the only reason he's saying it's '100% real' at all is because he's now facing real, tangible consequences for his utterly repulsive lies that will - most importantly as far as he's concerned - financially cripple him and ruin his scams businesses, not for any sudden moral about face. I don't - and nor should anyone with a modicum of decency/common sense - believe a word of it as he clearly doesn't mean a damned word. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving scumbag.

Assuming he is not a near billionaire, is there any point in awarding such a high figure?

Putting questions about Jones' actual net worth firmly to one side (he has always been very cagey about publicly divulging such information, though I think he's a lot wealthier than he prefers to let on) for a moment, given the nature of his lies (intentional/willful, consistent and malicious, all in the name of making money and building up his fraudulant businesses) and what resulted from them (families of school shooting victims being harassed, threatened, being forced to move house etc), this is just as much about sending a message to Jones & other grifters of his ilk as it is about seeking financial restitution for the irreparable harm caused: spread this baseless **** at your own finanical/legal peril. No matter how much money he actually has, a significant chunk or all of it is getting taken away here.

While obviously welcome news, this has been long overdue for far too long. One can only hope that the families can sleep a bit easier now knowing that this stain on humanity's trouser leg will now be feeling but a fraction of the unimaginable torment he put them through for so many years on top of what they were already having to deal with. Goes without saying that they'd give back every cent if it meant they could get their children back.

He is very wealthy I believe. Certainly more than he likes admit in court anyway, once you tally up all his assets and grifts businesses.

Indeed, very much like a certain former US president in this respect. Birds of a feather grift together.

 

[najaB]

Assuming he is not a near billionaire, is there any point in awarding such a high figure?

Yes. It basically means that his con job business is done for good.

 

[Strathclyder]

Yes. It basically means that his con job business is done for good.

Indeed. Consigned to the dustbin of history where it belongs.

 

[Pete_uk]

Let's just rejoice at that news!

 

[Cowley]

Let's just rejoice at that news!

Absolutely. Cheers!

 

[Strathclyder]

Let's just rejoice at that news!

Yep, and the fact that justice has finally been done.

 

[najaB]

It's grim "oop norf"...

An 11-year-old boy who attacked a police officer is the "ringleader" of a crime spree, an MP has said.
Conservative MP Scott Benton said a gang of youths had committed "hundreds of crimes" in Blackpool in recent weeks.
He said police attempts to bring the ringleader to justice had been compromised by children's services, "who refuse to criminalise teenagers".
The council said that was "completely untrue" and there was no interference.
Mr Benton, who represents Blackpool South, said residents in the areas of Talbot and Brunswick had "been plagued by anti-social behaviour in recent weeks, with hundreds of different crimes being committed by a gang of teenagers".

Boy, 11, is Blackpool crime spree ringleader, MP says

Tory MP Scott Benton says the boy, who attacked a police officer, is part of a gang in Blackpool.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Purple Train]

He is very wealthy I believe. Certainly more than he likes admit in court anyway, once you tally up all his assets and grifts businesses.

Hearing him wail that he's "only got $2m" was sickening - quite besides the addition of the word "only", the implication that it's a possible defence against him is ridiculous.
I don't care whether he's got $2, $200,000, $2m, $200m, or $2bn, he should be made to cough up everything he's been ordered to. Philosophically, money is ultimately superficial*, whereas the harm and damage caused by his poisonous web of shameless lies will stay with the victims forever.

*Obviously I'm not denying that it will be a huge hit to his personal finances - but, as easily-charmed-into-sympathy as I am, I really don't care much.

 

[Strathclyder]

Hearing him wail that he's "only got $2m" was sickening - quite besides the addition of the word "only", the implication that it's a possible defence against him is ridiculous.
I don't care whether he's got $2, $200,000, $2m, $200m, or $2bn, he should be made to cough up everything he's been ordered to. Philosophically, money is ultimately superficial*, whereas the harm and damage caused by his poisonous web of shameless lies will stay with the victims forever.

*Obviously I'm not denying that it will be a huge hit to his personal finances - but, as easily-charmed-into-sympathy as I am, I really don't care much.

Couldn't have put it better myself. I couldn't give a monkey's about how much he actually has: just make him cough up what's been ordered of him.

 

[brad465]

What a headline this is:

UK nuclear warhead maintenance staff to vote on strike action

Nearly 2,000 staff at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) - a company that develops and services the Trident nuclear deterrent - will hold a ballot on industrial action for two weeks from 24 October.

news.sky.com

UK nuclear warhead maintenance staff to vote on strikes​

Workers who build and maintain the UK's nuclear warheads are to vote on strike action over a pay dispute.

Nearly 2,000 staff at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) - a company that develops and services the Trident nuclear deterrent - will hold a ballot on industrial action for two weeks from 24 October.


It comes after staff at the Berkshire-based firm rejected a 5% pay increase and additional lump sum.

They could join rail and postal workers, lawyers, nurses, and several other professions in walking out over real terms pay cuts amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union spearheading the vote, said: "Safely maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent is a complex and highly stressful operation that requires an extremely high level of dedication and training at all levels.

"It should attract a commensurate level of pay and respect for these staff who keep the country safe."

With inflation reaching a 40-year high at 10.1% in September, most workers are facing pay packets unable to keep up with spiralling prices.

 

[najaB]

What a headline this is...

That's not the kind of "nuclear strike" that we normally have to worry about!

 

[edwin_m]

The unions are supercritical of the pay offer and wish the workers to be more highly enriched.

 

[PG]

I'd heard them on the radio, actively fission for more...

 

[brad465]

The unions are supercritical of the pay offer and wish the workers to be more highly enriched.

But there's a high risk of worker fallout with the wider company.

 

[Lost property]

According to the Mail, great "news !"...confirmation "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here !" is confirmed as returning next year.

The news is currently depressing enough without the above, not that it constitutes news in any shape or form, and I've never watched it....however, I could feel inclined, if, it was set in a real jungle, with basic rations and a long, long way from civilisation....

 

[edwin_m]

According to the Mail, great "news !"...confirmation "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here !" is confirmed as returning next year.

The news is currently depressing enough without the above, not that it constitutes news in any shape or form, and I've never watched it....however, I could feel inclined, if, it was set in a real jungle, with basic rations and a long, long way from civilisation....

I could nominate them some "celebrities", although I'd want them to drop the "get me out of here" bit.

 

[najaB]

I could nominate them some "celebrities", although I'd want them to drop the "get me out of here" bit.

The "I'm a Celebrity" part is also questionable!

 

[yorksrob]

But there's a high risk of worker fallout with the wider company.

They needs to protect their livelihoods and survive the subsequent loss of pay due to striking.

 

[brad465]

Artwork displayed upside down for 75 years:

Piet Mondrian artwork displayed upside down for 75 years

Despite the find Piet Mondrian's painting will continue to be shown as it is to avoid any damage.

www.bbc.co.uk

An artwork by the abstract Dutch painter Piet Mondrian has been hanging upside down in various galleries for 75 years, an art historian has said.
Despite the recent discovery, the work, entitled New York City I, will continue to be displayed the wrong way up to avoid it being damaged.
The 1941 picture was first put on display at New York's MoMA in 1945.
It has hung at the art collection of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf since 1980.
Curator Susanne Meyer-Büser noticed the longstanding error when researching the museum's new show on the artist earlier this year, but warned it could disintegrate if it was hung the right side up now.
New York City I is an adhesive-tape version of the similarly named New York City painting by the same artist.

 

[Lost property]

Whilst Berkshire FRS can be commended for doing their job, alas, there are times when it would be beneficial if they weren't quite so efficient ...."so near, yet so far away " springs to mind....

Slough bus station fire spread across whole roof

The blaze started overnight and spread across the whole roof of the bus station.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Purple Train]

Whilst Berkshire FRS can be commended for doing their job, alas, there are times when it would be beneficial if they weren't quite so efficient ...."so near, yet so far away " springs to mind....

Slough bus station fire spread across whole roof

The blaze started overnight and spread across the whole roof of the bus station.

www.bbc.co.uk

Such a lovely roof as well, I'm gutted...

 

[brad465]

There's a well known parody account called "Sir Michael Take CBE" on Twitter that recently "praised" the release of sewage into the sea along Cornish coastlines, and the Daily Mail cited them as if they were a genuine person (they have since removed the reference from the article):

https://twitter.com/MichaelTakeMP/status/1586844713373646854

Delighted to see that The Daily Mail has had the good sense to quote me regarding the government’s sensible idea to disperse sewage in coastal waters in a safe manner whilst beaches are empty. The Daily Mail continues to be an example of rigorous & well researched journalism.



(Images of Daily Mail article with Sir Michael Take quote: "This is sewage being sensibly dispersed at St Agnes in Cornwall today. You'll see the beach is empty and NO ONE is being harmed. This would of course have been stopped by the nit picking EU."

 

[najaB]

So much for death being the only recession-proof business:

Co-op coffin factory workers launch strike action in Glasgow

Staff at the Co-op's only UK coffin manufacturing factory have launched a week of strike action in a pay dispute.

Unite said about 50 craft workers at the Co-op Funeralcare facility in Bogmoor Place, Glasgow, had overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer.

Members said it was less than half the current rate of inflation. Their strike will run until 7 November.

Co-op coffin factory workers extend strike action in Glasgow

Unite said about 50 craft workers at Co-op Funeralcare would strike for a second week in November.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Yew]

According to the Mail, great "news !"...confirmation "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here !" is confirmed as returning next year.

The news is currently depressing enough without the above, not that it constitutes news in any shape or form, and I've never watched it....however, I could feel inclined, if, it was set in a real jungle, with basic rations and a long, long way from civilisation....

It was an interesting concept initially - now it’s just the « throw insects on people » show.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Someone didn't look at this one before they sent out the notice.

Bus fined for being in bus lane

Article on BBC news website which includes pictures from the penalty notice clearly showing a bus, at a bus stop, full text without pictures follows:

Leeds bus fined for being in bus lane to get to bus stop

A transport company has been fined after one of its buses was captured picking up passengers at a bus stop.

The single-decker Connexions bus, which operates in West and North Yorkshire, was said to have driven in a bus lane on York Road in Leeds in October.

Owner Craig Temple said the council deserved "top marks" for the observation, but added the fine system "clearly doesn't work".

Leeds City Council has been contacted for comment.

"I've heard of other companies in the country where it's happened, but it's never happened with us," he told the BBC.

"It's a bus that we've not long bought so it's not in our colours yet, but it's still registered as a bus."

A fine from the council showed a black and white photo from a CCTV camera of the halted Scania OmniCity picking up passengers.

It said the vehicle contravened a rule about driving in a bus lane during restricted hours, despite it being a bus

Mr Temple said some councils, like York, require registration numbers for the vehicles to be sent to them as automatic cameras operate barriers in the city centre.

However, this has not been the case with Leeds.

The penalty charge notice from the council, which was sent to the Harrogate Coach Travel head office, asks the company to pay a £70 fee in 28 days, but will reduce the fee to £35 if paid within 14 days.

Mr Temple said he was going to contact the council to get it cancelled.

"I'm going to frame the letter and put it in the office," he joked.

 

[PG]

How to get elected in the USA : Die before polling day!

Democrat re-elected by a landslide in Pennsylvania – even though he’s dead

A longtime Pennsylvania state representative was re-elected in a landslide – even though he died last month.

Democrat Anthony “Tony” DeLuca, Pennsylvania’s longest-serving state representative, was the choice in more than 85% of votes cast.

DeLuca, 85, died on 9 October from lymphoma, a disease he had twice previously fended off.

By the time of his death it was too late to change the ballot or put forth another candidate for his seat.

"While we’re incredibly saddened by the loss of Representative Tony DeLuca, we are proud to see the voters continue to show their confidence in him and his commitment to Democratic values by re-electing him posthumously,” the Pennsylvania House Democratic campaign committee said in a tweet.

Some blame low voter awareness of current events – current events such as whether the candidate is alive or not – for why candidates get elected posthumously, while others suggest voters are simply choosing the name they’re most familiar with.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

How to get elected in the USA : Die before polling day!

Democrat re-elected by a landslide in Pennsylvania – even though he’s dead

Alternatively, they do know that the candidate is dead but prefer them to the other candidates!

In reality, if you vote on party lines you have to vote for the dead candidate. Not voting may let one of the other parties win.