Kobe Bryant's widow was awarded USD 16 million as part of a USD 31 million jury verdict Wednesday against Low Angeles County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash. The nine jurors unanimously agreed with Vanessa Bryant and her attorneys that the photos invaded her privacy and caused emotional distress. She cried quietly as it was read.

The jury deliberated 4 1/2 hours before reaching the verdict on Kobe Bryant Day, which is celebrated in LA on August 24 because it represents his jersey numbers&nbsp;8 and 24 and is the day after his birthday. Tuesday would have been Bryant's 44th birthday. An attorney for the county declined comment on the verdict outside the courtroom.

The pictures were shared mostly between employees of the LA County sheriff's and fire departments including by some who were playing video games and attending an awards banquet. They were also seen by some of their spouses and in one case by a bartender at a bar where a deputy was drinking. 
Vanessa Bryant tearfully testified during the 11-day trial that news of the photos compounded her still-raw grief a month after losing her husband and daughter, and that she still has panic attacks at the thought that they might still be out there. "I live in fear every day of being on social media and these popping up," she testified. "I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up."

Her co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter were also among the nine people killed in the crash, was awarded USD 15 million. "We're grateful for a jury and a judge who gave us a fair trial," said Chester's lawyer Jerry Jackson.

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Vanessa Bryant's attorneys did not give jurors a dollar amount they thought their client deserved, but Chester's attorney gave them suggested guidelines that would have meant tens of millions for each plaintiff. 
Vanessa Bryant and her attorney declined comment outside court Wednesday. Her face was still streaked with tears as she walked past TV cameras and dozens of reporters and climbed into an SUV. 
Vanessa Bryant's lawyer Luis Li told jurors that the close-up photos had no official or investigative purpose, and were mere "visual gossip" shared out of a gruesome curiosity.

County attorney J. Mira Hashmall argued during the trial that the photos were a necessary tool for assessing the situation. She acknowledged that they should not have been shared with everyone who saw them. But she emphasized that the photos had never appeared publicly, and had never even been seen by the plaintiffs. She said that meant that Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other officials had taken decisive and effective action when they ordered those who had the photos to delete them.

Kobe Bryant, the former Lakers star, five-time NBA champion and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was traveling with Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball game when the helicopter they were aboard crashed into hills in Calabasas west of Los Angeles on Jan.

Kobe Bryant's widow was awarded USD 16 million as part of a USD 31 million jury verdict Wednesday against Low Angeles County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash.

Kobe Bryant's widow was awarded USD 16 million as part of a USD 31 million jury verdict Wednesday against Low Angeles County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash. The nine jurors unanimously agreed with Vanessa Bryant and her attorneys that the photos invaded her privacy and caused emotional distress. She cried quietly as it was read. The jury deliberated 4 1/2 hours before reaching the verdict on Kobe Bryant Day, which is celebrated in LA on August 24 because it represents his jersey numbers 8 and 24 and is the day after his birthday. Tuesday would have been Bryant's 44th birthday. An attorney for the county declined comment on the verdict outside the courtroom. The pictures were shared mostly between employees of the LA County sheriff's and fire departments including by some who were playing video games and attending an awards banquet. They were also seen by some of their spouses and in one case by a bartender at a bar where a deputy was drinking. Vanessa Bryant tearfully testified during the 11-day trial that news of the photos compounded her still-raw grief a month after losing her husband and daughter, and that she still has panic attacks at the thought that they might still be out there. "I live in fear every day of being on social media and these popping up," she testified. "I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up." Her co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter were also among the nine people killed in the crash, was awarded USD 15 million. "We're grateful for a jury and a judge who gave us a fair trial," said Chester's lawyer Jerry Jackson. ALSO READ | Kevin Durant drops trade demand, set to stay with Brooklyn Nets after meeting with owners and Steve Nash Vanessa Bryant's attorneys did not give jurors a dollar amount they thought their client deserved, but Chester's attorney gave them suggested guidelines that would have meant tens of millions for each plaintiff. Vanessa Bryant and her attorney declined comment outside court Wednesday. Her face was still streaked with tears as she walked past TV cameras and dozens of reporters and climbed into an SUV. Vanessa Bryant's lawyer Luis Li told jurors that the close-up photos had no official or investigative purpose, and were mere "visual gossip" shared out of a gruesome curiosity. County attorney J. Mira Hashmall argued during the trial that the photos were a necessary tool for assessing the situation. She acknowledged that they should not have been shared with everyone who saw them. But she emphasized that the photos had never appeared publicly, and had never even been seen by the plaintiffs. She said that meant that Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other officials had taken decisive and effective action when they ordered those who had the photos to delete them. Kobe Bryant, the former Lakers star, five-time NBA champion and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was traveling with Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball game when the helicopter they were aboard crashed into hills in Calabasas west of Los Angeles on Jan.

Late LA Lakers basketballer Kobe Bryant's widow awarded USD 16M in trial over crash photos

A desperate cry for assistance was made on social media by a presidential candidate in Panama after his helicopter crashed into the country's jungle.&nbsp;

The video was recorded by Dimitri Flores, an independent candidate running in the 2024 elections, from the scene of the crash in a mountainous region in western Panama.

Mr. Flores was one of the six passengers on board.&nbsp;Although, everyone in the helicopter&nbsp;has&nbsp;been rescued, some of them have&nbsp;sustained fractures.&nbsp;

As reported by the BBC, Mr. Flores provided a rough location of the crash site and said that several were injured.&nbsp;

In the footage, Mr. Flores can be heard saying, "We had an accident here, brother, here at 4,500ft (1,400m) in the highlands," as he points to the helicopter's wreckage hidden behind dense bushes.

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Cae un helicóptero donde viajaba el precandidato presidencial Dimitri Flores y otros acompañantes, en área boscosa entre Bocas del Toro y Chiriquí. Viajaban en la ruta Changuinola-David. Reporte de Pedro Rodríguez. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RadioPanama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RadioPanama</a> <a href="https://t.co/t1pweTTzAQ">pic.twitter.com/t1pweTTzAQ</a>
— Radio Panamá (@radiopanama) <a href="https://twitter.com/radiopanama/status/1557413965587775489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As per the BBC,&nbsp;The politician slammed the authorities for their delayed action, stating he had&nbsp;already waited for four hours and twenty&nbsp;minutes. He also introduced two locals who had&nbsp;tracked down&nbsp;the crash scene.

"I'm very disappointed with the authorities. They flew over here with helicopters several times, helicopters which cost us millions, but which they couldn't land here," he says before adding: "There's much work to be done for our country."

National Aeronaval Service rescuers from Panama tweeted that they had spent three hours to walk to the crash site. They thanked the villagers for assisting them in finding the passengers in the nearby woods.

(With inputs from agencies)

A desperate cry for assistance was made on social media by a presidential candidate in Panama after his helicopter crashed into the country's jungle. The video was recorded by Dimitri Flores, an independent candidate running in the 2024 elections, from the scene of the crash in a mountainous region in western Panama.

A desperate cry for assistance was made on social media by a presidential candidate in Panama after his helicopter crashed into the country's jungle. The video was recorded by Dimitri Flores, an independent candidate running in the 2024 elections, from the scene of the crash in a mountainous region in western Panama. Mr. Flores was one of the six passengers on board. Although, everyone in the helicopter has been rescued, some of them have sustained fractures. As reported by the BBC, Mr. Flores provided a rough location of the crash site and said that several were injured. In the footage, Mr. Flores can be heard saying, "We had an accident here, brother, here at 4,500ft (1,400m) in the highlands," as he points to the helicopter's wreckage hidden behind dense bushes. Cae un helicóptero donde viajaba el precandidato presidencial Dimitri Flores y otros acompañantes, en área boscosa entre Bocas del Toro y Chiriquí. Viajaban en la ruta Changuinola-David. Reporte de Pedro Rodríguez. #RadioPanama pic.twitter.com/t1pweTTzAQ — Radio Panamá (@radiopanama) August 10, 2022 × As per the BBC, The politician slammed the authorities for their delayed action, stating he had already waited for four hours and twenty minutes. He also introduced two locals who had tracked down the crash scene. "I'm very disappointed with the authorities. They flew over here with helicopters several times, helicopters which cost us millions, but which they couldn't land here," he says before adding: "There's much work to be done for our country." National Aeronaval Service rescuers from Panama tweeted that they had spent three hours to walk to the crash site. They thanked the villagers for assisting them in finding the passengers in the nearby woods. (With inputs from agencies)

Panamanian politician posts SOS after helicopter crashes in the woods

A government minister in Madagascar has said he swam for 12 hours to safety after his helicopter crashed at sea during a rescue mission. Two other security officials travelling with him in the helicopter also survived the crash.

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Madagascar police chief Serge Gelle swims for 12 hours after miraculously surviving helicopter crash

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Madagascar minister swims for 12 hours after chopper crashes at sea

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Gravitas: India bids farewell to General Bipin Rawat

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other victims, who passed away in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, reached Palam Airbase in New Delhi from Sulur.

Mortal remains of India's CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, wife and others reach Palam Airbase in New Delhi

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Indian Parliament pays homage to India's 1st CDS & 12 others who lost their lives in chopper crash

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Ex-IAF officer Dr AS Bahal: India's military reforms were underway in CDS General Rawat's leadership

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