Business
The Lawyer’s Of Prince Harry Seek $2.5 Million In Fees After Win In British Tabloid Phone Hacking Case
LONDON — A lawyer for Prince Harry asked a judge Monday to order the publisher of the Daily Mirror tabloid to pay nearly 2 million pounds ($2.5 million) for a portion of the legal fees incurred in proving that Mirror Group Newspapers invaded his privacy by hacking his phone and using illegal means to obtain scoops on him.
The Duke of Sussex was granted 140,000 pounds ($178,000) in damages last month after a judge determined that phone hacking was “widespread and habitual” at Mirror publications and that management covered it up.
The amount was a fraction of what he sought, but it was a significant triumph in his legal battle against the British media. It is only one of numerous claims he is pursuing against tabloid publishers after defying his family’s longstanding aversion to litigation and becoming the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court in over a century.
The Lawyer’s Of Prince Harry Seek $2.5 Million In Fees After Win In British Tabloid Phone Hacking Case
Harry, 39, King Charles III’s estranged younger son, is expected to return to court in the next year in similar cases against The Sun and Daily Mail publishers over allegations of illegal surveillance. Following an unfavourable preliminary verdict, he recently dismissed a libel suit against the Mail publisher.
The hearing on Monday was over legal fees for a trial in which Harry was one of four claimants, including two members of Britain’s longest-running TV soap opera, “Coronation Street,” who accused Mirror of hacking their phones and hiring private investigators to unlawfully gather information about their lives.
The judge determined that all four claimants’ privacy had been infringed, but he dismissed charges brought by actor Nikki Sanderson and Fiona Wightman, the former wife of comedian Paul Whitehouse since they were submitted too late. He gave actor Michael Turner 31,000 pounds ($39,000).
Attorney David Sherborne claimed that his case was “overwhelmingly successful” and that his clients should be reimbursed for legal fees because Mirror “advanced a fundamentally dishonest case.”
Mirror Group’s attorney, Roger Mallalieu, contended that the company should only pay legal fees for the claims it lost. It stated that Sanderson and Wightman should pay MGN’s fees for losing their cases. He contended that Turner should only receive costs until Mirror offered a settlement that would have surpassed the amount he was awarded at trial and that he should pay their expenses afterwards.
The Lawyer’s Of Prince Harry Seek $2.5 Million In Fees After Win In British Tabloid Phone Hacking Case
Justice Timothy Fancourt suggested that he would rule at a later date.
The costs requested were primarily for the general claim that all claimants made against Mirror rather than for the undetermined legal expenses associated with preparing for and presenting Harry’s specific cases.
Fancourt determined that Mirror used illegal information collecting in 15 of the 33 newspaper pieces regarding Harry that were presented at trial. These articles were chosen as a representative sampling from almost 150 publications he claimed violated his privacy.
Sherborne requested that a trial be convened to address the remaining 115 articles. Mirror suggested in court papers that it had offered a confidential settlement offer to Harry.
Once those claims are determined, Harry will be able to seek extra legal fees.
Phone hacking by British newspapers dates back more than two decades, when unethical journalists called the numbers of royals, celebrities, politicians, and sports stars and, when asked to leave a message, entered default passcodes to eavesdrop on voicemails.
The Lawyer’s Of Prince Harry Seek $2.5 Million In Fees After Win In British Tabloid Phone Hacking Case
The practice exploded into a full-fledged controversy in 2011 when Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World was revealed to have intercepted letters from a murdered girl, relatives of fallen British servicemen and bombing victims. Murdoch closed the newspaper.
Newspapers were later shown to have utilised more intrusive methods, such as phone tapping, house bugging, and acquiring flight and medical records.
Mirror Group Newspapers stated that it has paid more than 100 million pounds ($128 million) in previous phone hacking lawsuits but denied wrongdoing in Harry’s case. It claimed to have obtained information about the prince through lawful reporting procedures.
SOURCE – (AP)
Business
Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists
Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.
Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.
Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.
Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.
Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.
Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.
Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.
The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.
The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.
The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.
They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.
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Business
Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout
An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.
The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.
According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.
The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.
It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.
Amazon Strike at 10 Locations
Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.
The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.
The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.
Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.
Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.
Stalled Contract Negotiations
Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.
However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.
Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.
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Business
Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.
(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.
The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.
The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.
Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.
The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.
Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.
Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.
“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.
“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.
The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.
The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.
Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.
Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.
Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.
In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.
The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.
In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.
“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”
The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.
SOURCE: NPR
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