Senate banking panel to vote on Fed nominees Wednesday
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will vote on Wednesday on whether to advance President Joe Biden's pick for
2023-07-08 03:18
More cargo ships from Ukraine use a civilian corridor despite Russian threats
Two cargo vessels have left Ukraine despite Russian threats and are in the Black Sea, maritime officials said Saturday
2023-09-02 20:59
Nowitzki, Gasol, Parker give international flavor to Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement
Fans waved a German flag and chanted Dirk Nowitzki’s name when he walked the red carpet into Symphony Hall for the Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony
2023-08-13 10:15
Christie Forms Super PAC, Plans White House Run Within Two Weeks
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is laying the foundation for a 2024 presidential run after allies established
2023-05-31 04:18
China's top chipmaker may be in hot water as US lawmakers call for further sanctions after Huawei 'breakthrough'
Shares in SMIC, China's largest contract chipmaker, plunged on Thursday, after two US congressmen called on the White House to further restrict export sales to the company.
2023-09-07 15:49
Uber sued after mother-of-four driver was shot in head by rider while pleading for her life
A year after an Uber driver was shot in the head, the mother of the victim has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the ride-share company. Christina “Christi” Spicuzza, 38, is alleged to have been murdered by Calvin Anthony Crew, 24, after he pulled a gun on her as she was driving him as part of an Uber taxi service. Cindy Spicuzza, the mother of the victim, has now filed a federal civil lawsuit against Uber for the wrongful death of her daughter. The ride began on 10 February; Mr Crew called his girlfriend Tanaya Mullen to order him an Uber using her Apple Pay account, Allegheny County Police say. Spicuzza accepted the ride and picked up Mr Crew around 9.11pm. Spicuzza, a mother of four, was found dead around midday on 12 February 2022. She was left lying face-down wearing a “Covid face mask” in a wooded area in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Mr Crew was known to authorities as already “adjudicated for a robbery” he committed at the age of 14. The lawsuit relays that Uber failed to protect Spicuzza in three different ways: Uber should have verified Mr Crew’s identity before he entered Spicuzza’s vehicle, that Mr Crew’s previous criminal convictions should have been notified to Spicuzza and finally that Uber should have provided her with basic safety features. Distressing dashcam footage released by the court shows the moment that Mr Crew, who was wearing a balaclava to try and hide his identity, pushed a gun to the back of Spicuzza’s neck while holding her ponytail. In the background, the Uber app is heard saying to “drop off Tanaya”, meaning the journey was supposed to end there. The probable cause affidavit confirmed that the suspect told Spicuzza to keep on driving while holding the gun to her head. “Come on, I have a family,” Spicuzza said. “I got a family too, now drive,” Mr Crew replied. “I’m begging you, I have four kids,” Spicuzza said. “Please take that off of me,” asking him to put down the gun. The suspect allegedly said, “Do what I say and everything will be alright.” According to the affidavit, Mr Crew had been texting and calling his girlfriend Ms Mullen throughout the ride, possibly talking about picking up cannabis. “Whatever you doing tonight be careful,” Ms Mullen allegedly said to Mr Crew during the Uber ride. The night after the murder of Spicuzza, Ms Mullen allegedly texted Mr Crew, “I’m not going to jail if we get caught.” Mr Crew made the victim drive for an hour while going through her banking apps, and then eventually killed her, detectives say. “Had Uber applied its driver background check procedures to passengers, used its massive data analysis capabilities to screen out dangerous passengers, permitted drivers to cancel suspicious fares without penalty, or simply provided basic safety features in Ms Spicuzza’s Uber-approved rental car, these simple and effective measures—all readily available to Uber—could have saved Ms Spicuzza’s life,” the lawsuit said. “Unfortunately, however, Uber knew the dangers its drivers faced from dangerous, unverified passengers like Mr. Crew, and chose to do nothing, evincing a conscious corporate attitude for ‘profits over people,’ leaving behind Ms. Spicuzza’s family to grieve her tragic and preventable death.” The lawsuit states that Uber “could easily fulfil” its duty to protect their drivers “by applying the same screening standards it currently applies to its drivers to its passengers, as well as verifying who is ordering the ride.” In a statement to Law&Crime, an Uber spokesperson said that “No family should have to suffer such an unimaginable loss.” “While we cannot comment on pending litigation, we are committed to the safety of drivers who utilize the Uber app. Over the years, we’ve introduced features and policies, designed with safety in mind, like the in-app Safety Toolkit, the ability to freeze rider accounts with fake names and requiring ID from riders in some circumstances,” the Uber spokesperson said. “The safety of drivers is a high priority, and we’ll continue investing in safety features to raise the bar.” The lawsuit seeks a jury trial in the civil case. Mr Crew was arrested several days after the murder of Spicuzza. CBS News reported in March this year that a jury selection is set to begin his trial, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. Read More Uber raises minimum age for most California drivers to 25, saying insurance costs are too high Woman escapes alleged kidnapper posing as an Uber driver by passing secret note to gas station customer Danelo Cavalcante - live: Homeowner ‘opened fire’ on fugitive after he stole rifle, locals told to lock doors
2023-09-12 21:26
3 NFL coaches squarely on the hot seat after Week 5
These three NFL coaches couldn't have expected to be on the hot seat in 2023, but embarrassingly bad performances have turned up the heat.
2023-10-09 12:25
Labor rift deepens between Republican governor and dockworkers in South Carolina
Dockworkers and the Republican governor in South Carolina are digging in their heels over a labor dispute that has left the newest container terminal at the East Coast’s deepest harbor largely inactive
2023-07-13 06:26
AI investment is booming. How much is hype?
French startup Mistral AI didn't have a working product when it raised €105 million ($118 million) in one of Europe's largest-ever seed rounds last month. But Antoine Moyroud, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of the biggest backers of the fledgling firm, wasn't fazed.
2023-07-23 17:22
"Barbie" has legs: Greta Gerwig's film tops the box office again and surpasses $500 million
“Barbie” is cruising atop the box office
2023-08-14 01:46
Nicki Minaj delays album release but reveals record's name
Nicki Minaj has delayed her album release date by nearly a month, but has told fans the record will be called 'Pink Friday 2', and admitted she will begin to tour the LP "around" the first quarter of 2024.
2023-06-30 15:26
Own goal, Spanish attack, takes away Costa Rican focus in loss at Women's World Cup
They were outscored 3-0
2023-07-21 20:29
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