Ford hit with $1.7 billion verdict for fatal crash in Ga., reports say
Ford Motor Co. was told by a jury to pay more than $1.7 billion over a 2014 rollover accident that killed a Georgia couple, according to Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal.
Jurors delivered their verdict on punitive damages Friday following a 14-day trial in state court in Lawrenceville, Ga., the plaintiffs' attorney, Gerald Davidson, told Bloomberg.
A day earlier, the jury awarded the family of Melvin and Voncile Hill $24 million in compensatory damages and allocated 70 percent of the blame to Ford, Davidson said.
“While our sympathies go out to the Hill family, we don’t believe the verdict is supported by the evidence, and we plan to appeal,” a Ford spokesman told the Journal on Saturday.
Davidson confirmed details of the case reported earlier by Courtroom View Network:
The Hills were driving from their farm in Reynolds, Ga., in a 2002 Ford F-250 pickup when a tire ruptured and the truck rolled over, crushing them.
The Hill family claimed that Ford knew the roofs of the F-250 pickups was too flimsy to protect riders in the event of a roll-over but failed to warn consumer and stuck to the defective roof design until 2016.
“We are very, very happy for the Hill family and very happy for the advancement of automobile safety,” Davidson said.
In Georgia, 75 percent of proceeds from punitive damage verdicts go to the state. The rest is split between the plaintiffs and the lawyers.
Large punitive damage awards are often scaled back by judges or appeals courts when they are found to be disproportionate to compensatory damages.
Ford has been beset by quality issues along with a rising number of U.S. recalls and warranty costs -- particularly in 2022.
“We continue to be hampered by recalls and customer satisfaction actions,” CEO Jim Farley told analysts last month during a call to discuss Ford’s otherwise strong second quarter. “This affects our cost, but more importantly, it falls short on our most fundamental commitment to our customers.”
Source-AutoNews
Hackers may have exploited security flaws - Apple
Apple has released an update to fix security flaws on its iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, which it says hackers may have "actively exploited".
The tech company said the new software "provides important security updates and is recommended for all users".
The flaw could allow hackers to take complete control of affected devices, industry experts have suggested.
The update has been made available to iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad 5th gen and later.
It is also available to the iPad mini 4 and later versions and the iPod touch (7th generation). Mac users running macOS Monterey are also being encouraged to update.
Software updates are an everyday (and sometimes irritating) part of our modern tech lives, but this is one update not to ignore.
The cyber-security world is rightly concerned about the potential power hackers could wield if they target a device that is vulnerable to this attack.
So it's sensible to check the settings on your Apple gear and install the patch. Even better - turn on automatic updates.
Apple said hackers used the flaw to infiltrate WebKit, the engine that powers the Apple web browser Safari. The technology company said the exploit could be used by hackers if the user accessed "maliciously-crafted web content".
For the vast majority of users, there is nothing to panic about as there is no suggestion that hackers have exploited the security loophole to launch mass attacks against the general public.
It also has to be said that the outcry on social media about the security update is possibly overblown.
Apple has released similar emergency security updates throughout the year - most recently in March - without much fanfare or panic.
Source-BBC
FortisTCI speaks on Rising Fuel Prices and Electricity Bills
The only power company in the TCI, FortisTCI has issued a release on the high power bills impacting many customers in the TCI. Religious Groups, members of the Civil Service and citizens expressed shock and dismay as the first batch of bills were sent out to residents.
In a release to RTC News, FortisTCI added that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to affect the supply and cost of fuel worldwide, and significant increases in fuel prices are expected to continue in the upcoming months. This translates into higher electricity bills.
We empathize with the challenges customers are facing due to higher electricity bills at this time. While the cost of fuel is beyond our control, we want to help ease the burden as much as possible. We remain committed to keeping customers informed about these global trends.
Customer notices were issued back in April, and information was shared via mainstream media channels on these developments. At the time, we also shared that our fuel supplier, Sun Oil Ltd, projected further increases in the cost of fuel in the months ahead, and this has now become a reality for utilities and customers. These higher fuel costs are reflected in the fuel factor rate on customer electricity bills.
Fuel Factor Rate Increases
Due to fuel price increases in the month of May, the fuel factor for Grand Turk and Salt Cay customers increased from $0.1672 to $0.2053, and from $0.1962 to $0.2405 for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos customers, respectively. These represent an increase of 23%, which are reflected on June electricity bills.
For example, if the fuel factor on May's bill was $100, this would change to $123 on June's bill, provided that the customer's consumption remained the same month over month.
The fuel factor rate for customers on South Caicos was $0.2299 in May and an increase in the rate is also expected. The fuel factor rate is calculated monthly as outlined in the Electricity Ordinance. As FortisTCI is a regulated electricity company, the fuel factor rate is sent to the TCI Government’s Energy and Utilities Commissioners Office each month for authentication.
What To Expect In The Months Ahead
Based on the latest information received from our fuel supplier, the cost of fuel will rise significantly over the next several months, which will cause a further increase in the fuel factor and ultimately an increase in electricity bills. Similar to the rising prices at gas stations, grocery stores, and across other sectors, the utility industry is also recording the same upward trend due to global market factors.
In addition, we are now in the summer months and higher temperatures at this time of the year may affect electricity costs. Higher temperatures can mean increased use of air conditioning, which is the biggest consumer of electricity in the home.
Customer Support Measures
The following measures are now in effect:
No penalties on late payments during the months of July and August 2022.
No disconnections for balances less than 60 days overdue from July to August 2022.
Payment plans on a case-by-case basis.
To further assist customers, FortisTCI will launch a series of interactive online educational sessions on how to manage energy use.
We encourage customers to keep track of their electricity use by signing up for My Online Account. Visit www.fortistci.com to register. My Online Account allows customers to set budget limits on their electricity usage and receive alerts when their consumption limit is approaching.
We believe that renewable energy is a pathway to lower energy costs and we are working with TCI Government to implement supportive regulations. As your partner in energy, we will continue to expand our renewable energy programs and reduce our dependence on diesel fuel added FortisTCI.
TURKS AND CAICOS TO SELECT WINNER TO COMPETE IN THE CARIBBEAN YOUTH CONGRESS 2022
The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Youth Congress has returned in person for 2022. The annual event, structured to mirror a CTO Board of Directors’ Meeting, aim is to stimulate greater awareness of and excitement about tourism among young people in the Caribbean communities, by allowing them to research various facets of the tourism sector and share their ideas and vision, with respect to future directions for Caribbean Tourism.
The last in-person event took place in St. John’s Antigua in 2019, where Turks and Caicos Junior Minister of Tourism, Danae Dennie, from the Helena J Robinson High School in Grand Turk took - home the topic and now holds the title of Junior minister of Tourism for the Caribbean Region.
This year, the event is being held on Tuesday, 5th July in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hosted at Fortis TCI in Providenciales, will see this year’s competition select a new winner and prepare them for the regional competition that takes place in September in the Cayman Islands. Students from around the Turks and Caicos Islands will compete in this competition and it is only eligible to fourth form students.
Miss Blythe Clare, Training Manager for the TCI Tourist Board who spearheads this event, said that she was elated that TCI won the regional competition after years of participation in the regional event, stating: “Danae has indeed made us all proud in TCI.”
The participating schools as follows:
Helena J Robinson High School
Marjorie Basden High
Clement Howell High
Raymond Gardine High
Marantha Academy
Wesley Methodist High
Students who participate in this event benefit from exposure to the 3Es in Tourism: Exciting, Educational and Entertaining experiences; gain an awareness of tourism within his/her country and throughout the region; experience the tourism product of another country; meet new friends and gain a better understanding of the tourism sector, which is critical to the overall social and economic well-being of the Caribbean region.
At the 2022 Tourism Youth Congress, students are required to prepare and come ready to present their ideas on this topic: Experiental Tourism. Each student will be given three (3) minutes to express his/her ideas on the chosen topic. The students are also required to answer a mystery question. It is important to note, that the Youth Congress is not a debating competition.
The judging criteria is as follows:
Knowledge of subject area
Level of preparedness
Presentation of Information
Relevant Content
Poise and Confidence
The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourist Board would like to wish all the participants the best of luck in competition.
Supreme Court limits Biden's power to cut emissions
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lost some of its power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The landmark ruling by the US Supreme Court represents a major setback to President Joe Biden's climate plans.
Environmental campaigners have reacted with dismay, one calling the ruling "judicial overreach".
The case against the EPA was brought by West Virginia on behalf of 18 other mostly Republican-led states and some of the nation's largest coal
companies.
They were challenging whether the agency has the power to regulate planet-warming emissions for state-wide power sectors or just individual power plants.
These 19 states were worried their power sectors would be regulated and they would be forced to move away from using coal, at a severe economic cost.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt for Missouri - one of the 19 states - called it a "big victory... that pushes back on the Biden EPA's job-killing regulations".
The court hasn't completely prevented the EPA from making these regulations in the future - but says that Congress would have to clearly say it authorises this power. And Congress has previously rejected the EPA's proposed carbon limiting programmes.
Environmental groups will be deeply concerned by the outcome as historically the 19 states have made little progress on reducing their emissions - which is necessary to limit climate change.
The states made up 44% of the US emissions in 2018, and since 2000 have only achieved a 7% reduction in their emissions on average.
"Today's Supreme Court ruling undermines EPA's authority to protect people from climate pollution at a time when all evidence shows we must take action with great urgency," said Vickie Patton, general counsel for Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
It means President Biden is now relying on a change of policy from these states or a change from Congress - otherwise the US is unlikely to achieve its climate targets.
This is a significant loss for the president who entered office on a pledge to ramp up US efforts on the environment and climate.
On his first day in office he re-entered the country into the Paris Agreement, the first legally-binding universal agreement on climate change targets.
And he committed the country to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 52% by 2030 against 2005 levels.
The outcome of this case will be noted by governments around the world, as it will affect global efforts to tackle climate change. The US accounts for nearly 14% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
A United Nations spokesman called it "a setback in our fight against climate change" but added that no single nation could derail the global effort.
Source-BBC
Haitian Police recommended for dismissal as investigation continues in Moise’s assassination
The National Police of Haiti (PNH) has confirmed that 33 police officers have been recommended for dismissal as the investigations continue into the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
Moise 53, was gunned down at his private residence overlooking the capital, and while police say a group of mercenaries, most of them Colombians, was behind the attack which they suspect a Haitian doctor of ordering as part of a plot to become president, no one has yet been formally charged with the murder of the Haitian leader.
The authorities have detained dozens of people in connection with the assassination and a number of others are being sought. But the investigation has been slow, and the exact details about the people who carried out the plan, those behind it and their real motives are still not clear.
PNH spokesman, Divisional Inspector Gary Desrosiers, told a news conference that the file on the assassination of President Moïse is at the top of the list of cases being processed at the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ).
In addition he announced that the General Inspectorate (IGPNH), had recommended the dismissal of 33 police officers and the layoff of three others as part of the administrative investigation into the assassination of the President.
Moise had been shot 12 times and had bullet wounds to his forehead and several to his torso. One of the judges conducting the investigation said his left eye had been gouged out and bones in his arm and in his ankle had been broken.
Desrosiers told reporters that the police, would very soon engage criminal gangs and that a plan is being developed “with clear and precise objectives” to regain control of the Palace of Justice in Port-au-Prince.
The authorities said the Village-de-Dieu gang “5 seconds” has since June 10 taken over control of the Palace of Justice, and as a result, several matters have been transferred to the Peace Court of the southern section of Port-au-Prince.
The “Je Klere” Foundation has been urging the police and the army to dislodge the bandits, recover stolen state property and restore the magistrates to their offices.
Desrosiers confirmed that the materials and equipment to strengthen the operational capacity of the PNH will arrive soon, without elaborating.
“For strategic reasons, we cannot reveal the date of the arrival of the materials and equipment,” he said
But last Wednesday, after having received authorization from the Department of State, the Haitian government disbursed US$12 million to a foreign firm for the acquisition of a large batch of materials and equipment including weapons and ammunition for the PNH to enable it to fight effectively against organized crime in the country.
Source-CMC
OECS creating right business environment in the sub-region
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) says the business environment in the nine-member sub-region is being boosted by strengthening the voice of the region’s private sector.
The OECS says it has, as its core mandate, the responsibility to stimulate economic opportunities and growth through private sector development. In this regard, the public-private dialogue in policy formulation and implementation is essential to the OECS’ regional integration agenda.
In this regard, the OECS said that through its Competitive Business Unit (CBU) with support from the European Union (EU), it has launched the project for the revitalisation and sustainability of the OECS Business Council.
It said the project falls under the OECS – EU Regional Integration through Growth, Haramonisation and Technology (RIGHT) Programme and recalled the late Sir K Dwight Venner, the former Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), who viewed the private sector as playing a more substantive role in the economic affairs of the region.
The Castries-based OECS Commission said that he had commissioned a private sector body called the OECS Business Council (OBC) which was established in July 2015.
Head of the OECS Commission’s Competitive Business Unit, Kareem Guiste, has noted the importance of the private sector to the OECS’ economic affairs and regional integration agenda.
“At the regional level, the need for private sector participation in the processes for policy, regulatory and legislative formulation and implementation is imperative, and the goal is to improve private sector representation and participation in relevant discussions of the organs of the OECS.”
Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Barbados, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Luis Maia, believes that there is a collective responsibility to develop sustainable solutions for economic resilience in the OECS region.
“We are of the view that by fostering a structured dialogue among all stakeholders, including the private sector, including the private sector, from formulation to implementation to boost sustainable investments and economic stability.”
President of the OECS Business Council, Gordon Charles, noted that with the authority to represent common concerns of the region’s business sector, the OBC will be in a better position to advocate for the collective interests of the private sector at the policy and negotiation level.
“The OECS private sector has lacked a unified voice to represent its collective issues, concerns, priorities and development goals. We need a strong, unified private sector presence in the development and implementation of policies that impact them.”
The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.
Source-CMC
R. Kelly gets 30 Years as survivors detail abuse in impact statements
Some of the women who were abused by singer R. Kelly described how he had "destroyed so many people's lives" as they addressed him in court before he was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday.
"You made me do things that broke my spirit. I literally wished I would die because of how low you made me feel," one survivor told the disgraced star in the New York hearing. "Do you remember that?"
Another sobbed as she told the court that Kelly victimised her after she attended one of his concerts at the age of 17.
"I was afraid, naïve and didn't know to handle the situation," she said, explaining why she didn't speak up at the time. "Silence is a very lonely place."
The singer, who was previously best known for chart-topping songs like Ignition (Remix) and I Believe I Can Fly, heard seven impact statements from his victims in court shortly before he was jailed for racketeering and sex trafficking crimes.
Some women used their real names, while others were only known by their first name or a pseudonym, and several became emotional as they spoke.
Lizzette Martinez described how Kelly had promised to be a mentor when she was pursuing a singing career at 17.
"I am now 45, a mother, and I struggle with mental health," she told the court. "Robert, you destroyed so many people's lives."
Speaking after the sentencing, she told the BBC: "I was a very young girl, under-age girl, who had a lot of dreams and he cut my dreams short and abused me mentally, physically, emotionally, any way that you can imagine.
"I just wanted to just live a normal life and just kind of try to heal, but it could take me a lifetime to heal. Just because he's sentenced doesn't mean it goes away for us."
Prior to the sentencing, a lawyer for Kelly blamed the singer's "hypersexual" behaviour on being repeatedly sexually abused himself as a child.
But Ms Martinez said: "There are so many people that are abused in this world and we don't turn around and abuse others. He had all the resources. We don't have resources like that.
He could have gotten help. So many things he could have done to stop himself. It's the power of celebrity."
Another survivor, Stephanie, said Kelly had left a "permanent stain" on her life. "I felt special, because someone who was special to the world was interested in me," she said.
"I hope you go to jail for the rest of your life."
One woman, Addie, recalled meeting the singer at a concert where he sexually assaulted her. "I never knew that going to that concert in September of 1994 was going to change me for ever," she said.
"These last four years have been a rude awakening of how my silence has hurt others. I hope Robert Kelly cannot sleep at night, knowing this is what he's done."
Angela (a pseudonym) detailed the singer's "deplorable and inexplicable" behaviour.
She referred to the fact that Kelly was known as the self-styled "pied piper of R&B" - a title which she said applied "both in music and in technique and in approach".
"Success and love... you presented these glittering gems as if they were gold," she told him. "You used your fame and power to groom and coach under-age boys and girls for your own sexual gratification."
As Kelly was sentenced, Kitti Jones said "many of us have been waiting for this day to come", while Faith added: "I hope you get some help, as well as ask God for forgiveness."
Another survivor, Sonja, told the court: "There were numerous times I was scared for my life, scared for my daughter's life. I hope and I pray to God that we can all heal."
Jovante Cunningham, a former backing singer for Kelly, said: "We are starting to see justice and we still have more litigation to go."
Ms Cunningham took part in the docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, where she talked about witnessing the adult singer having sex with Aaliyah when the late R&B star was under age.
Referring to his sentencing, Ms Cunningham said: "You know, the Bible says that what you do in secret, God will reward you openly. He did all of this in secret, so now he gets rewarded openly."
Lawyers for the singer, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, said he would appeal against his sentence. Further prosecutions are set to take place in Chicago and Minnesota.
Source-BBC
Britain's Andy Murray knocked out in second round
British two-time champion Andy Murray suffered his earliest Wimbledon exit as he lost in four sets against American John Isner in the second round.
The 35-year-old former world number one clinched the third set to keep alive his hopes but fell 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 to the big-hitting 20th seed.
Isner, a 2018 semi-finalist, fired 36 aces on his way to an impressive victory on Centre Court.
He will play 20-year-old Italian 10th seed Jannik Sinner next.
Murray had never before failed to reach the third round at SW19, in 13 previous attempts.
But he was unable to register a break of serve against the unwavering Isner, who executed his trademark big-serving game to perfection to record a memorable win, going out just hours after British teenager Emma Raducanu lost to Caroline Garcia on the same court.
Feeding off an electric atmosphere to stay in the match, Murray punched the cooling air as a looping Isner return dropped wide to conclude the third set - the crowd rising to their feet to offer further encouragement.
But then came the sucker punch. The Briton, ranked 52nd in the world, rescued one break point for deuce but a second chance proved one too many as 37-year-old Isner took a 3-2 lead in the fourth with the light beginning to fade at SW19.
At 4-2, play was paused to allow the roof to be closed and, following the restart, the American delivered on serve to turn around a 0-30 deficit and move one game from victory.
He was forced to serve out the contest and duly obliged - a love hold sealing a fitting end to an efficient display against the home favourite.
Murray, whose Wimbledon preparations were disrupted by an abdominal injury, had come back to win his opening match against Australian James Duckworth on Monday in four sets.
A fightback was once again required against an opponent he had beaten in all eight previous meetings, but Isner proved an insurmountable obstacle in their first contest on grass.
It was the American who landed the first blow, drawing a couple of errors from the Scot as he broke to 15.
A superb backhand winner was celebrated by the captivated crowd and helped Murray reach the first of two break-point opportunities in the following game, but a series of blistering serves ensured Isner escaped unharmed.
Three comfortable holds of serve, two without conceding a point, enabled the world number 24 to secure the first set relatively untroubled.
In a tight second set, Murray took a moment to compose himself, head in hands, after missing a backhand down the line that would have given him a break point when leading 4-3.
But with neither player faltering on serve, it fell to a tie-break to determine the extent of Murray's task. If he was to continue at SW19, he would have to come back from two sets down for the 11th time in his career.
Twice forced to serve to stay in the tournament when trailing 5-4 and 6-5, Murray called upon his vast experience to twice hold serve to love and reach another tie-break.
And while that one went his way, it was ultimately not to be for Murray and his faithful support as his 14th Wimbledon challenge met a premature end.
Source-BBC
TCI DELEGATES ATTEND IRF CARIBBEAN
Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honorable Akierra Misick attended the 10th International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Conference, in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Hon. Misick was accompanied by two staff members from the Public Works Department, Senior Engineer & Capital Projects Coordinator, Mr. Ian Constantine and one of the Departments' esteemed Project Managers, Mr. Crysenne Dickenson.
The IRF annual regional meet was established in 2012 and this year’s event focused on identifying solutions and discussing best practices to address the common challenges that the region faces from road safety to climate resilience, to the infrastructure needs that a new and electrified vehicle fleet will demand.
The conference also held sessions focused on resilient transport systems, encompassing topics such as 'Climate Resilient Transport in Small Island Developing States', 'Asset Maintenance & Climate Friendly Roads', 'Management Practices for Safer Roads' and 'International Roads Policing: The Future of Enforcement' workshops, which were attended by the TCI Team.
Hon. Misick commented that she is certain the acquisition of information and experience gained at the conference couldn't have come at a better time, as it complements the Ministry’s endeavors in developing a Transportation Policy for the Turks and Caicos.
She added that exposure to these regional events allows the staff members to observe first-hand the various technical features entailed in the overall processes. She said that the experience will lead to their empowerment and increased knowledge, boosting their morale and amplifying their confidence, ultimately culminating in capacity building of the Ministry and by extension the TCIG.
Minister Misick further commented saying in the Ministry's continued efforts toward sustainable development of the country’s Infrastructure and the implementation of clean energy sources, a regional approach such as depicted at the IRF Caribbean Regional Conference, has expanded the team’s perspective for the development plans.
