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Google Accused Of Directing Motorist To Drive Off Collapsed Bridge

Published

1 year ago

2023-09-21

The family of a US man who was killed after driving off a crumbled bridge claims he died because Google’s maps were outdated.

Philip Paxson’s family is suing Google for his death, claiming that Google was irresponsible in failing to reveal that the bridge had collapsed nine years before.

Mr. Paxson died in September 2022 while attempting to drive across a broken Hickory, North Carolina bridge.

Google’s spokesman stated that the corporation was looking into the allegations.

On Tuesday, the case was filed in Wake County civil court.

According to the family’s lawsuit, Mr Paxson, a father of two, was driving home from his daughter’s ninth birthday celebration at a friend’s house and was in an unfamiliar neighborhood at the time of his death.

His wife had already driven his two girls home, and he had stuck behind to help clean up.

“Unaware of local roads, he relied on Google Maps, expecting it to safely direct him home to his wife and daughters,” the family’s lawyers said in a statement announcing the complaint.

“Tragically, as he drove cautiously in the rain, he unwittingly followed Google’s out-of-date directions to what his family later learned was known for nearly a decade as the ‘Bridge to Nowhere,’ crashing into Snow Creek, where he drowned.”

The family of a US man who was killed after driving off a crumbled bridge claims he died because Google’s maps were outdated.

According to the lawsuit, when the bridge fell in 2013, local people frequently contacted Google to request that their online maps be changed.

According to the Charlotte Observer, vandals removed the barriers regularly put over the bridge entrance.

The complaint also accuses three local businesses of failing to maintain the bridge.

“Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I’m at a loss for words that they can understand because, as an adult, I still can’t understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with such little regard for human life,” his wife, Alicia Paxson, said in a statement.

“We have deepest sympathies for the Paxson family,” a Google spokesman told AP News.

“Our goal in Maps is to provide accurate routing information, and we are reviewing this lawsuit.”

SOURCE – (BBC)

Kiara Grace

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Actor Ian McKellen, 85, Is In ‘Good Spirits’ And Expected To Recover From Fall Off Stage In London

Published

5 months ago

2024-06-18

Kiara Grace

Ian McKellen | AP News Image

LONDON — Actor Ian McKellen is expected to recover fully after falling from a London stage during a fight scene and being hospitalized, according to producers.

According to a representative for the Noel Coward Theatre production, McKellen, 85, was in “good spirits” after medics indicated a scan showed he was likely to recover completely following his fall on Monday night.

Ian Mckellen | AP news Image

Actor Ian McKellen, 85, Is In ‘Good Spirits’ And Expected To Recover From Fall Off Stage In London

According to producers, McKellen’s Tuesday performance was canceled, but he was anticipated to return to the stage on Wednesday.

The stage and screen veteran, who played Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” movie, yelled out in pain following the fall, according to a BBC correspondent at the theatre.

McKellen was cast as the rogue John Falstaff in “Player Kings,” a Robert Icke-directed dramatization of William Shakespeare’s two “Henry IV” history plays.

Ian Mckellen | AP news Image

Actor Ian McKellen, 85, Is In ‘Good Spirits’ And Expected To Recover From Fall Off Stage In London

McKellen lost his balance and fell off the stage in a scene with Toheeb Jimoh’s Prince Hal and Samuel Edward-Cook’s Henry Percy, which surprised the audience.

“Sir Ian seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene,” audience member Paul Critchley told the PA news agency, describing it as a surprise. “He picked up momentum as he moved downstage which resulted in him falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.”

Staff and two medics in the audience assisted the actor, according to a statement from the theatre.

The theatre was evacuated, and the play was canceled.

Ian McKellen | AP News Image

Actor Ian McKellen, 85, Is In ‘Good Spirits’ And Expected To Recover From Fall Off Stage In London

McKellen, who played Magneto in the “X-Men” films, is a well-known Shakespearean actor in Britain, having performed in Richard III, Macbeth, and King Lear.

He has received a Tony Award (for “Amadeus”), six Olivier Awards, and nominations for two Academy Awards, five Emmys, and several BAFTA awards.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace

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Aegis Space Law Helps Startups With Free Online Space Regulatory Calculator

Published

5 months ago

2024-06-04

Geoff Thomas

Space Regulatory Calculator: Aegis Space Law

Aegis Space Law is providing a free online Space Regulatory Calculator to help US businesses negotiate the complex regulatory landscape.

The Space Regulatory Calculator, which was unveiled on June 4, is intended to assist early-stage space companies in complying with space-related regulations issued by the Commerce Department, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Communications Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the State Department.

“Aegis works with a lot of space startups,” Bailey Reichelt, Aegis Space Law’s partner and co-founder, told SpaceNews via email. “The common denominator is that they don’t consider regulations as something to plan for until they have the engineering and financing in place. Unfortunately, regulatory timelines can be significantly longer than other timelines.”

Reichelt, who developed the Space Regulatory Calculator with Aegis colleague Will Lewis, advises founders to consider regulatory permission as soon as they start designing space technology and seeking funds “to maximize the chances of that business succeeding.”
Costly mistakes

Failure to address regulations early in the planning process might result in costly and time-consuming mistakes. For example, a satellite company may choose a foreign antenna array based on its cost and ground-station compatibility, unaware that the operating frequency would entail “a lengthy and expensive regulatory burden,” Reichelt said.

Furthermore, federal acquisition regulations governing current contracts may prohibit the use of foreign-sourced components.

“This kind of setback happens all the time when you have no idea what regulations apply to you,” Reichelt stated.
Legal Advice

Traditionally, space corporations used attorneys to identify which restrictions related to their operations. Many new space enterprises cannot afford “the sophisticated legal advice required to navigate this many agencies,” Reichelt stated.

“This leaves companies vulnerable to missteps that can cost time and money.” Mistakes in regulatory compliance can potentially jeopardize the firm’s or mission’s viability, she said.

It is “entirely unreasonable for a company with no cash flow to spend tens of thousands of dollars on lawyers before they even have paid employees,” Reichelt stated.

“If we want the space industry to prosper, and the United States’ technological sector to continue leading innovation globally, we must lower legal and regulatory hurdles across the board.

The Space Law Calculator is intended to assist entrepreneurs in determining what kind of licenses and permissions they will require, how long the approval process will typically take, and what costs they will incur to assure regulatory compliance.

“A small business looking to launch its first satellite, for example, would see, among other things, that it may need to plan at least two years in advance to ensure required licenses are obtained prior to launch,” according to the announcement.

Aegis attorneys want to update the Space Regulatory Calculator when regulations change.

Attorneys from Aegis Space Law in Washington contributed to the formation of the nonprofit Association of Commercial Space Professionals. Additionally, Aegis attorneys teach at the Association’s Space Regulatory Bootcamp.

By Debra Werner

Debra Werner is a correspondent for SpaceNews based in San Francisco. Debra earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. She… More by Debra Werner

Geoff Thomas

Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

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Jennifer Lopez Cancels Summer Tour: ‘I Am Completely Heartsick And Devastated’

Published

6 months ago

2024-06-01

Kiara Grace

NEW YORK — The Associated Press was informed by Live Nation executives that Jennifer Lopez has canceled her 2024 North American tour.

They said, “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family, and close friends.”

Jennifer Lopez | NBC News Image

Jennifer Lopez Cancels Summer Tour: ‘I Am Completely Heartsick And Devastated’

In support of her first solo album in ten years, “This Is Me… Now,” and its accompanying film, she was scheduled to embark on her first tour in five years.

The tour was supposed to begin in Orlando, Florida on June 26 and end in Houston on August 31.

Jennifer Lopez | AP News Image

Jennifer Lopez Cancels Summer Tour: ‘I Am Completely Heartsick And Devastated’

Those who bought tickets through Ticketmaster will receive an immediate refund, according to a statement from Live Nation.

On her OntheJLo website and newsletter, Lopez addressed the fans with the following statement: “I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down.” Please understand that if I didn’t think this was absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t have done it.

“I swear I’ll make it up to you and we’ll all be together again,” she said. You all have my undying love until the next occasion.

Jennifer Lopez | Billboard Image

Jennifer Lopez Cancels Summer Tour: ‘I Am Completely Heartsick And Devastated’

Her successful album “This Is Me… Then” was released twenty years ago, and this year, she released “This Is Me… Now.” According to Lopez, the new record is a “miracle” and “a second chance,” as she told the AP. And I wish I could freeze this instant in time the same way that album did.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace

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