IMF expects continuing US support for Ukraine despite Congress dropping aid
The International Monetary Fund says it expects the U.S. to continue playing its key role in amassing multinational support that has helped keep Ukraine’s economy afloat during Russia’s invasion
2023-10-05 00:47
Biden will visit a Minnesota family farm this week as top officials kick off stops in rural America
President Joe Biden will visit a family farm in Minnesota on Wednesday as part of two weeks of stops in rural America by top administration officials
2023-10-29 20:47
Russia launches 'exceptional' air attack in Kyiv with drones, missiles
Ukrainian officials say Russia has launched an intense air attack in Kyiv using a combination of drones, cruise missiles and possible ballistic missiles
2023-05-16 14:28
Kremlin bans Western journalists from Russia's 'Davos'
By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Saturday that journalists from "unfriendly countries" would not be allowed into
2023-06-03 22:17
‘It's giving grooming’: Internet calls out Harry Jowsey as he gifts $14K bracelet to ‘DWTS’ partner Rylee Arnold amid dating rumors
Harry Jowsey gifted a $14,000 bracelet to his 'DWTS' partner Rylee Arnold during their Thanksgiving celebration, fueling speculation about their relationship
2023-11-29 09:53
As Clarence Thomas faces record unpopularity, Americans want an ethics code for the Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas ended a monthslong saga last week by officially disclosing trips paid for by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow.
2023-09-03 22:24
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss warns of China threats during Taiwan visit
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss has warned of the economic and political threats posed to the West by China during a visit to Taiwan
2023-05-17 13:25
Dutch 'coffee shops' savour legal pot trial
In the back room of "The Baron", a Dutch marijuana-selling "coffee shop", owner Rick Brand excitedly browsed through the cannabis products he will...
2023-10-11 17:45
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 21:24
How the attempted coup in Niger could expand the reach of extremism, and Wagner, in West Africa
Until Wednesday’s coup attempt in Niger, the United States' security ally had avoided the military takeovers that destabilized West African neighbors in recent years
2023-07-27 19:17
Sierra Leone leader urges end of Ukraine war for 'sake of humanity'
Sierra Leone's president expressed hope in an AFP interview that a new African mediation mission would help end Russia's war in Ukraine which has hit the "poorest...
2023-05-18 16:16
Chris Rushing: Pilot killed as plane crashes into another while landing at Reno air show
Chris Rushing dedicated himself to preserving the history and legacy of the World War II-era AT-6 Texan trainer plane
2023-09-18 20:25
You Might Like...
Putin social media influencers profiting from war propaganda
Who is Kimberly Bufkin? NBA Draft star Kobe Bufkin receives flak for bizarrely stroking his mother's leg on live TV
Hamas hostages: Israeli mothers their children being kidnapped by Hamas
Texas heat wave has inmates' families worried about lack of air conditioning in state's prisons
Japan government panel to decide whether to ask court to revoke legal status of Unification Church
Biden's junk fee crusade turns to short-term health insurance plans
Oklahoma triple murder-suicide: Brandy McCaslin's neighbors mourn the 3 children killed, say 'those kids had nothing to do with it'
Tristan Tate's cryptic post supposedly referring to Matthew Perry's death leaves Internet baffled