Russia’s latest threats over Ukraine included references to World War III; Alex Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to those affected by the Sandy Hook shooting; and a large boost to Social Security benefits is expected. These stories highlight the daily rundown for Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

Russia threatens World War III – Russian state media quoted a Russian Security Council official invoking the threat of World War III Thursday. The official’s comments came in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement of a surprise bid for fast-track membership of NATO in the hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin formally proclaimed the annexation of up to 18% of Ukraine last month.

“Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War III,” TASS quoted Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, as saying.

Alex Jones defamation verdict – Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was ordered in Connecticut court to pay $965 million to Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims’ relatives and an FBI agent. Between Wednesday’s verdict and the verdicts from Jones’ Texas trials, Jones has now been ordered to pay more than $1 billion for spreading the myth that the shooting never happened and that the grieving families seen in news coverage were actors hired as part of a plot to take away people’s guns.

“From a personal standpoint, what it does to me is it shows that the Internet is not the wild, wild west and that your actions have consequences,” Bill Sherlach, whose wife was killed in the shooting, said Wednesday. “We’ve sent a response. We’ve put a dose of civility into the society that we really need at this point in time.”

Social Security benefits boost – Millions of Social Security recipients are set to learn how big a boost in benefits they will get next year. The increase to be announced Thursday, expected to be the largest in 40 years, is fueled by record high inflation.

The boost in benefits will be coupled with a 3% drop in Medicare Part B premiums, meaning retirees will get the full impact of the jump in Social Security benefits. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the combination will give seniors a chance to get ahead of inflation.

“We will put more money in their pockets and provide them with a little extra breathing room,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “Experts forecast [the increase in Social Security] will be $140 per month, on average, starting in January.”

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.