Darth Vader Interrupts City Council Over Controversial Police Cameras

A Texas court has reduced the penalty handed to Alex Jones for spreading misinformation about the Sandy Hook massacre. The Infowars founder was ordered to pay $50 million to Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of six-year-old Jesse Lewis, who was killed alongside 19 other young students and six adults in the tragic 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. The Texas Third Court of Appeals left intact more than $4.1 million in compensatory damages awarded by a jury to Heslin and Lewis for defamation and emotional distress but slashed more than $45 million in additional punitive damages down to $1.5 million to comply with the state’s $750,000 cap for each plaintiff. Heslin and Lewis argued during the trial for damages that they’d received death threats and harassment from Jones’ supporters. Jones and his company have filed for bankruptcy.

U.S. Olympic track athlete Jenny Simpson has revealed she will never run again after surviving a cardiac arrest during a training session in June. Simpson, 39, collapsed while running in North Carolina, requiring CPR and an automated external defibrillator before being rushed to the hospital. Doctors later diagnosed her with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which caused her heart to stop. “My future is an incredible gift. It’s hopeful, and it will continue to have great purpose,” Simpson wrote on Instagram. “But my diagnosis also means it would be dangerous for me to return to running. That chapter has ended. Thankfully, my story hasn’t.” She asked fans not to tell her they feel sorry for her. “Please tell me you’re glad that I’m here,” she wrote. “That’s how I feel-so glad that I’m still here.” Simpson won bronze in the 1,500 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics and captured the world championship in 2011. She also earned world silver medals in 2013 and 2017 and previously held the American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

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Fall is officially around the corner, which means shorter days, cooler weather, and criminally overrated pumpkin spice everything is on the agenda in the coming month. As we inch closer to the dreaded end of daylight saving time and the beginning of SAD season (or “cuffing season,” if you’re a glass-half-full person), the good news is that it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a new blanket. Lola Blankets are indisputably the best on the market—they’re designed from the softest faux fur fabric we’ve ever felt and are actually machine-washable. Right now, the brand is offering a very generous 50 percent-off deal to help us quell our post-summer blues during its annual Christmas in August sale.

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In addition to this unheard-of deal, the brand is also offering free shipping on orders over $250 and a $50 gift card with every order. It’s a great opportunity to treat yourself and save one for holiday gifting… or not. If you’re new to Lola Blankets, you cannot go wrong with the Original Lola, but we also love the XL size (it fits over a queen-size bed) and the weighted versions. Either way, it’s one of (if not *the*) biggest deals of the year, so if you’re looking for a luxury blanket for snuggle season, now’s the time to treat yourself. Use the code AUG50 at checkout to unlock the savings.

Pizza Hut is dropping “Pizza” from its name as the chain begins a temporary football-themed makeover. The franchise is going simply by “HUT” to mark the start of football season, covering the word “Pizza” on some restaurant signs with a large red football banner. The company noted that “hut” has been called before football snaps for generations, adding that now “it’s calling your next order.” The company said in a social media post the temporary rebrand will be in place for the next 25 weeks. The transformation comes as the parent company Yum! Brands is preparing to sell the chain in a deal worth $2.7 billion. Private equity firm LongRange Capital agreed to acquire Pizza Hut’s operations outside mainland China for about $1.5 billion, while Yum China will buy the Chinese business for $1.2 billion. Pizza Hut Global CEO Aaron Powell announced on Friday that he will leave the company after the LongRange deal closes, despite being asked to remain in the role. “I’ve always believed in leaving things better than you found them—and this business is in a better state,” Powell wrote on LinkedIn. Pizza Hut is not the first major food chain to shorten an iconic name. Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC in 1991 to distance itself from negative health connotations, while Dunkin’ Donuts officially became Dunkin’ in 2019. The Daily Beast has reached out to ‘Hut’ for comment.

A man dressed as Darth Vader used a San Diego City Council meeting to deliver a satirical warning about the city’s use of Flock surveillance cameras. The unidentified speaker appeared Thursday in a full Darth Vader costume during a meeting focused on public safety. When “Darth Vader” was called for public comment, he approached the podium and declared his “support” for the license plate-reading cameras in the Star Wars villain’s distinctive voice. Vader said the “Emperor” was also a fan because the technology could help them surveil “rebel scum,” follow children and even help him stalk his ex-girlfriend. The stunt appeared aimed at concerns over Flock’s automated license plate readers, which upload vehicle information to a searchable database used by law enforcement. The cameras have helped authorities find missing people and investigate major crimes, but privacy concerns have fueled growing opposition. The Washington Post identified nearly 50 cases in which officers were accused or charged with improperly using surveillance systems, including to track romantic partners.

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If you’re planning to tune into the U.S. Open this year, there’s a new way to get in on the action (even if your knowledge of tennis begins and ends with Challengers). Polymarket, the popular prediction-market platform, increasingly allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, ranging from politics and pop culture to sports.

Unlike a traditional sportsbook, Polymarket works more like a financial market: Users buy and sell contracts based on whether they think a particular outcome will happen, with prices fluctuating as the market’s collective expectations change. This means you can put your tennis predictions to the test while seeing what thousands of other traders think will happen in real time.

The timing is especially fitting for this year’s U.S. Open. Polymarket recently became the ATP Tour’s official prediction-market partner, expanding its presence in professional tennis and integrating real-time prediction markets with live match coverage.

With the 2026 U.S. Open kicking off Aug. 23 and the main singles draw beginning Aug. 30, users can follow the action (and the market’s shifting predictions) as some of the biggest names in tennis compete for the final Grand Slam title of the year.

A car salesman has been declared a Belgian prince after the king’s brother identified him as his secret son. King Philippe’s younger brother, 63-year-old Prince Laurent, identified the 26-year-old Clément Vandenkerckhove as his son about six months ago, with details reported Wednesday. The new prince has equal rights to his father’s private estate alongside his three siblings: half-sister Princess Louise, 20, half-brothers Prince Nicolas, 20, and Prince Aymeric, 19. Vandenkerckhove has embraced the new title but will not receive a royal allowance, take on royal duties, or join the line of succession to the Belgian throne. He remains undecided on whether he will take on Laurent’s Saxe-Coburg family name. “I am proud of the name Vandenkerckhove,” the young prince said. “If I were to sacrifice that family name, it would be a betrayal of everything my mother has done for me.” Vandenkerckhove, raised by his Belgian singer and socialite mother, Wendy Van Wanten, confirmed his royal status in a TV documentary on Belgian network VTM last September.

A tornado destroyed a Long Island beach club on Thursday evening. Videos taken at East Atlantic Beach, Nassau County, show a waterspout forming near the shoreline and moving toward the mainland, where it became a tornado. The county declared a state of emergency after the unlikely natural disaster. “A tornado touched down in Nassau County minutes ago in Atlantic Beach,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement amid the storm. He also reported in Thursday’s press release that there were no confirmed serious injuries. The rare weather occurrence, which was the first tornado to hit the island in five years, damaged many of Silver Point Beach Club’s cabanas and other structures. “There is property damage at Silver Point Beach Club and Sun and Surf that is being assessed right now,” Blakeman added. “A search team has been mobilized to make sure no one is trapped within the cabanas.”

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg’s new house has a spooky past. The billionaire’s new Gothic 1830s Strancally Castle in County Waterford, Ireland, is the latest property acquisition by him and his wife, Priscilla Chan. The 440-acre property sits just under three miles from the site of an original 12th-century castle, with today’s building built for former Member of Parliament John Keily. But its predecessor has a dark past. Author William Howitt wrote in his book Homes and Haunts of the Most Eminent British Poets, first published in 1847, that a “murderous device” had once been used in the original castle. “The unwary, when decoyed within the castle, were tied hand and foot, and hung down the murder-hole,” he wrote. “The rapid river hurried by, and soon carried away their gasping shrieks, and the dead told no tales.” Zuckerberg’s spokesperson told the BBC: “Mark and his family are excited to continue caring for this historic home and look forward to spending time in Ireland, where Meta maintains its international headquarters.” The price is not known, but the Irish Times estimates the deal could have closed for between $23-$35 million.

Dave Bautista is officially taking over as the titular role in God of War after the new series’ original lead actor suffered an on-set injury. Bautista, 57, was confirmed to be playing the role of Kratos in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series based on the popular video game franchise, according to Variety. The series had previously announced in January that actor Ryan Hurst was cast in the lead role. However, Hurst suffered a torn bicep that required surgery during filming, which would have delayed production into 2027. Amazon and Sony, which are co-producing the series, announced shortly afterward that they were recasting Kratos. Bautista, a retired pro wrestler, is an ideal pick for the role, as the character in the games boasts an impressively muscular build. The series will focus on the story told in the two latest games of the God of War franchise. It will follow Kratos as he cares for his 10-year-old son Atreus (played by Callum Vinson) while they defend themselves against Norse gods such as Odin and Baldur.

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When it comes to liver-focused supplements, many of us assume they’re only for recovering from a hangover or for people who drink heavily (or at least frequently). But alcohol is just one small part of the equation. Your liver is responsible for hundreds of essential functions, including filtering waste products from the blood, processing nutrients, supporting metabolism, and producing bile. This digestive fluid helps break down fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. When bile secretion or liver function is less than optimal, digestion can suffer, possibly contributing to symptoms like bloating, gastrointestinal discomfort, and sluggishness.

In other words, whether you drink alcohol or not, your liver could probably use a little extra TLC—especially if you’re dealing with persistent digestive issues such as bloating, irregularity, or stomach discomfort. Vitamin Shoppe is celebrating Wellness Month this August, with a slew of products formulated to support your liver (along with digestion and metabolism). Still, our favorite is Dose For Your Liver’s liquid supplement.

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Dose For Your Liver has earned the nickname “liquid gold” for good reason. The daily wellness shot is formulated with science-backed ingredients traditionally associated with liver health, including turmeric, milk thistle, dandelion, and ginger. The formula also contains bioflavonoids and other plant compounds designed to support healthy liver function, digestion, and metabolism. Plus, it actually tastes good. The bright, citrusy flavor reminds me of the SunnyD “orange drink” I grew up on, minus the artificial ingredients and sugar overload. Instead, you’re getting a concentrated mixture of botanicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help support the body’s natural detoxification processes and general digestive health.

If you’re looking to give your liver (and, by extension, your digestive system) a little extra support without adding yet another capsule to your supplement routine, Dose For Your Liver offers a convenient way to combine several popular wellness ingredients into one surprisingly delicious daily shot. Grab a bottle (or two) on sale at The Vitamin Shoppe this month.

The New York Times lost its first defamation suit in more than 50 years when a jury found it had defamed a former college basketball star. In 2023, the Times wrongly reported that Kai Spears, who played for the University of Alabama men’s basketball team, was in a car with teammates at the scene of a shooting where a 23-year-old mother died. A teammate was charged with murder and awaits trial. The reporter relied on a single anonymous source to place Spears at the scene. After publication, Spears’ father denied his son was present, and the article was updated with his denials. However, two months later, Spears sued, complaining that he would forever be linked with a murder. The article was corrected, and the reporter even apologized to Spears in court. On Thursday, the jury awarded Spears $9.25 million in damages. This followed a nine-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Spears’ lawyer told the jury in his closing argument that they had “the opportunity today to change the way journalism works at The New York Times.” “There was a mistake, an honest mistake,” Michael Bell, a lawyer for the paper, argued. After the verdict, Spears posted a Bible verse from James 1‬:‭17‬ on Instagram: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Fox & Friends host Lawrence Jones has come clean about why he’s been suddenly and unexpectedly absent from the network. Jones was forced to take an unscheduled break from his on-air duties after complications from eye surgery, he wrote in a post to X on Thursday. “You may have noticed my recent absence,” Jones began, explaining his eye surgery earlier in the year was caused by a childhood sports injury and then saying he had experienced another retina detachment, “which is common after the initial tear,” he wrote. “Yesterday, I underwent surgery again with the best care team… I’m optimistic that I’ll be back soon!” Jones took leave in January for the initial surgery on his eye, after the surprise discovery of the problem in December. Jones had a retinal detachment—when the retina separates from supportive tissue—which causes painless symptoms including flashes of light, spots in your vision, blurred vision, and darkening of peripheral vision, and can lead to blindness if untreated. He said he doesn’t know what incident in his childhood caused the condition.