Friday, 5 August 2022

What's next after Brittney Griner's conviction? Plus, fixing a boy's 'Swiss cheese' heart.

August 05, 2022 | VIEW IN BROWSER

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A court victory against Alex Jones for parents of a Sandy Hook shooting victim, and Russia is ready to talk about a prisoner swap for Brittney Griner. Plus, a baby who bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain Hollywood actor.

THE LATEST

Alex Jones must pay at least $4.1 million to parents of a Sandy Hook shooting victim in a defamation case.

A Texas jury decided yesterday that InfoWars host Alex Jones must pay at least $4.1 million to Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin, whose son, Jesse, 6, was killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. The parents had sought $150 million for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress by Jones, who has repeatedly suggested that the shooting was a hoax.

Russia 'ready to discuss' a prisoner swap after WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison on drug charges.

Basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to 9 years in prison yesterday on drug charges after Russian authorities detained her in February, saying they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage in a Moscow airport. President Biden condemned yesterday's verdict, and a Russian official said this morning Moscow is ready to discuss a prisoner swap. The U.S. government has previously proposed a swap of Griner and American Paul Whelan for imprisoned Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

A baby hippo is born at the Cincinnati Zoo, making Fiona the hippo a big sister.

Baby hippo! What else needs to be said? This is the new little sibling of Fiona, the famous hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo. The as-yet-unnamed baby calf is the offspring of Fiona's mother, a 23-year-old hippo named Bibi. The adorable baby is already walking and will spend the next two weeks away from the other hippos as the calf bonds with Bibi. See video of the cute baby here.

At birth, his heart looked like 'Swiss cheese.' Now he's a thriving 5-year-old.

Maverick Waler was born with what is informally known as a Swiss cheese heart, a condition that leaves multiple holes in the muscular wall between the right and left ventricle. He had to have open heart surgery at just 2 weeks old and continued to suffer complications up until last fall before undergoing a life-changing surgery that most likely means he won't need surgery for the rest of his life. "It's the most incredible gift we get every day," his mother told us.

LIVE BETTER TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

Kari Hughes Newman, 46, had gained 80 pounds over six years of working with her husband to build a business, and it left her with aching knees, constant fatigue, poor sleep and hot flashes. She vowed to lose the weight, first dropping 60 pounds in six months and the next 40 pounds in a year. She shared 7 tips on how she was able to reach her goal by gradually changing her lifestyle instead of making immediate, radical changes.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Take advantage of tomato season with this easy-to-make Brooklyn Yankee tomato pie from chef and television host Adam Richman. The pie combines flavors from pizza with the fluffiness of a quiche that can stand as a meal on its own or be combined with a simple green salad. Adam recommends making it with heirloom tomatoes for their color and flavor.

DAILY DELIGHT

A little pick-me-up before you go.

No, that's not one of Woody Harrelson's baby pictures. That's 9-month-old Cora, whose mother tweeted a photo of her that pointed out the uncanny resemblance to the "Cheers" star. The "White Men Can't Jump" actor got a kick out of it himself, responding on Instagram with a poem about Cora's wonderful smile and writing, "I just wish I had your hair." Every 61 years, a new Woody Harrelson is born. The circle of life continues.