Double amputee crush victim suing Uber for negligence

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An Uber passenger who had to have both his legs amputated following an incident which caused severe "crushing" is suing the ride-hailing firm for negligence. Brendan Brock,23, of California, was on a trip in an Uber vehicle when it ran out of gas in the middle of a freeway. Brock then exited the vehicle to help his Uber driver, a Mr Gregory Raymond Lopez, push the vehicle out of the way of approaching traffic. Brock was then struck by another vehicle causing such severe damage, he had to have both his legs amputated. The lawsuit that has been filed names Uber, Lopez and the driver of the other vehicle as the defendants, the New York Postreported. The court filing accuses Lopez of being unfit to operate his Uber vehicle and putting Brock "in a position to be hit by a car". Brock is seeking unspecified damages, but it's been suggested that he is hoping to get between £20 million and £45 million. Brock now has to receive daily care from his parents. Uber have yet to comment on the lawsuit but has said in the past that it's drivers are considered independent contractors and said it's insurance policy is not responsible for any damages beyond the sum of $1 million.

April 12, 2018 at 11:12AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Magical Mykonos break: 4nts from £269pp incl. flights, 4* hotel w/ infinity pool & breakfast

We've all seen the Instagram photos of the white buildings next to the turquoise infinity pools of Mykonos, well here is the opportunity to experience it for yourself. Jet off to the stunning Greek island this October and stay for 4 nights in the 4* Pietra E Mare Holiday details: Travel duration: 4 nights Example… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Welcome to Miami: Flights from £295rtn - incl. luggage & meals

Our Flights Finder offers deals that are as scorching as the sunshine on South Beach. Today we're looking at topping up our tan, thanks to these bargain fares to Miami - party central USA! Flights are with British Airways/American Airlines/Iberia, so your meals and checked luggage are included. The cheapest flights are in June, September… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Magaluf June getaway from £280pp - 4nts 4* party hotel, breakfast & flights

Calling all party pirates, we have come across this super cool holiday in Majorca for anyone looking for a lively holiday this year. You will be located near the beach in the heart of Magaluf with breakfast included each morning - a must to get rid of that hangover and start the day off right.… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Experience Morocco's magic with return flights from £40

The north African country of Morocco has it all beaches, dessert and mountains. Discover this mystical destination in 2018 with these super cheap flights to a number of exciting cities including Rabat, Fes and Marrakech. So what are you waiting for? These fares wont hang around for long! Flight Details Direct flights with Ryanair Departures… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber's chief admits the company failed to support drivers and favoured investment in growth of the business globally

Uber's chief executive has admitted that the ride-sharing company failed to support its drivers, favouring instead to invest in growing the business globally.

"We focused too much on growth but not enough on drivers," he said during a press conference. 

The app, which refers to the drivers it relies on to offer its service as "partners", has been criticised for treating them unfairly and refusing to offer basic employment rights. 

But Dara Khosrowshahi today said he hoped a brand new app for drivers would prove the San Francisco giant was committed to meeting their needs "at every moment of their journey". 

This includes improved ways for drivers to see how much money they are making through trips and how close they are to the goal they have set, as well as an improved profile section. 

Dara Khosrowshahi pictured during his time as Expedia chief executive before taking over from Travis Kalanick, who founded Uber.

The announcement followed a crushing defeat for Uber's in the European Courts of Justice, which on Tuesday morning upheld France's ban of the app, claiming that it was a criminal offence for the company to operate there. 

The decision will likely have ramifications across the EU for the under-fire ride-hailing company and set a precedent across the bloc as the EU’s top court said member states could use criminal law to “prohibit and punish” illegal transport activities without telling the European Commission first.

Uber France argued that it should be classified as an “information society service” rather than a taxi company, which judges rejected.

The brand new Uber app for drivers Credit: Uber

Such services qualify for EU protection designed to boost innovation, which require national governments to notify the commission before taking action against tech companies. The law was written before Brussels’ attitude towards US tech giants hardened over data protection and concerns over how little tax the companies pay.

The French government banned the UberPop service because it broke a 2014 law prohibiting taxi platforms from using unlicensed drivers carrying fewer than 10 passengers. Uber’s lawyers argued the failure to notify the commission should cancel the French ban and appealed the decision.

French judges referred the mater to the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice, which said Uber did not qualify as an information society service.

In December 2017, EU judges said that Uber was a transport company and not an information platform in a similar case involving Uber Spain.

A Uber spokeswoman said: "This case is about whether a French law from 2014 should have been pre-notified to the European Commission and related to peer-to-peer services, which we stopped in 2015. As our new CEO has said, it is appropriate to regulate services such as Uber and so we will continue the dialogue with cities across Europe.”

"HMRC has been waiting to see which way the ECJ went on this test case to determine whether it should also consider Uber as a VAT supplier of transport services. The likely VAT liability for Uber in the UK could be over £40 million in back taxes, and a 20% VAT rise in rides going forward. Action by HMRC is now highly likely," said Richard Asquith, global indirect tax expert at Avalara. 

Damien Geradin, a partner at Brussels law firm Euclid Law, said the decision was a missed opportunity. "The pre-notification procedure aims to protect players active in the digital sector against discriminatory or disproportionate rules," he said.

Tuesday’s ruling is the latest setback for the controversial US company, which is appealing Transport for London’s decision to strip it of its operating licence.

The capital’s transport authority plans to introduce regulations limiting the hours ride-hailing app employees can drive.

Uber has been controversial in other EU countries, such as Belgium, where the UberPop service is banned but protests against the firm continue. The company now only works with professional drivers in a majority of EU countries. 

In March, the company reached a settlement with the family of a woman killed by an Uber Technologies self-driving vehicle in Arizona.

Despite the controversies, the service remains popular. 

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT

The decline and fall of the Taxi trade trade continues. 

The following figures are for week ending 08-04-18

Private hire driver licences

113,596 down 49

117 are new

Private hire vehicle licences

87,702 down 219 

332 are new

Taxi driver licences 

23,800 

down 26 

0 are new

Taxi vehicle licences 

20,974 

down 52

9 are new.

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Escape the UK winter in Malta: 7nts from £177pp incl. 4* hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, soak up some off-season sun in Malta with these early bird rates: 7 nights from £177pp including the 4* Santana Hotel, breakfast & flights. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the beach, with an indoor pool, sauna and rooftop bar to enjoy on-site. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber’s Khosrowshahi: Moving Forward Together with Cities

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Ride hailing app Uber have always claimed to have changed the way cities move using innovation and technology. Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said today that many of same goals are shared by the 600 cities they serve, and that the controversial firm remain committed to addressing the same challenges which include:reducing individual car ownership, expanding transportation access and helping governments plan future transportation investments.Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO went on to say:

“Since I started as CEO I’ve signaled very clearly that I am committed to being true partners to cities for the long term. This partnership will take many forms over time. As a start, today we’re excited to share a series of product updates that give riders more ways to get around without needing a car, and new ways we’re collaborating with cities.”

Mr Khosrowshahi went on to explain each area in more detail

Beyond RidesharingHaving a greater variety of transportation modes at your fingertips helps make it increasingly easy to live without a car. That’s why we want to provide alternatives to personal car ownership by bringing together multiple modes of transportation right in our app. As part of this new direction for Uber, we’re announcing three updates:Uber Bike by JUMP Expansion: Starting today, we’re expanding Uber Bike by JUMP to Washington, DC. First piloted in San Francisco earlier this year, Uber users in DC can now find and book a JUMP pedal-assist electric bike directly from the Uber app. We’re particularly excited about JUMP Bikes because they can provide a convenient and environmentally friendly ride that’s often faster, especially in dense cities where space is limited and roads can be congested.Uber Rent Powered by Getaround: Later this month in San Francisco, we’re launching Uber Rent powered by Getaround. Cars are shared by people throughout the city and equipped with Getaround’s technology for instant access. With cars available instantly for rent in the Uber app, fewer people will need to store them in garages for those sporadic grocery store runs, daytime adventures, or weekend getaways.Partnership with Masabi: We’ve inked a partnership with Masabi, the global leader in public transit mobile ticketing, to let Uber customers book and use transit tickets in our app. For many people, getting around their city is already a multimodal affair, and this partnership will let riders seamlessly combine public transit with other transportation options like ridesharing, no matter where they need to go.Data SharingWhile having multiple transit options in one app can be powerful for our customers, we know that alone is not enough to improve the cities we operate in. We recognize we also need to give value back to the public agencies that govern these cities by using our technology and insights. That’s why we’re excited to share two new updates:SharedStreets Pilot: Successful collaboration with cities depends on open, non-proprietary data standards and replicable models for sharing insights. To this end we’re working with the DC Departments of Transportation and For Hire Vehicles and SharedStreets to create new methods for public-private collaboration and data sharing that respect the need for rider and driver privacy as well as the competitive landscape of the industry. We’re starting with a pilot in DC to share data on curb usage across all modes of transportation. Better understanding curb utilization can help cities around the world prepare for a future where more and more of us are accessing transportation through a combination of shared modes, rather than relying on our own vehicles. We’re looking forward to building on what we learn from working with DC to support data partnerships in other cities using SharedStreets data standards.Movement Expansion: Uber Movement will be available to 12 new cities across five continents: Amsterdam, Bangalore, Brisbane, Cairo, Hyderabad, Melbourne, Mumbai, Nairobi, New Delhi, Perth, Pittsburgh, and Toronto. Introduced last year, Movement is a website that offers anonymized and aggregated Uber data to show travel conditions across different times, days or months, and how travel times are impacted by things like big events and road closures in a city. Movement can help urban planners, local leaders, and civic communities make informed decisions for our cities.As we think about where we want our cities to be in the future, we know we can do more, and we will. Technology and data alone are not solutions for urban problems—but when done right, and in partnership with others, they have the potential to contribute to a better world for all. We’re excited to move forward with cities.

April 11, 2018 at 10:31PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Vegas from £433pp: 7nt stay - incl. flights & hotel w/circus, theme park & casino

Get a week in Vegas this winter for under £450 per person, thanks to some eagle-eyed sleuthing by our deal-hunting pirates on our holidays finder. We've spotted the 7-night steal for Circus Circus Hotel Casino & Theme Park, including direct flights, with cheap dates available on a number of Monday departures in December. Holiday details:… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

July in Mexico: 7nt all inclusive break from £703pp - incl. 4* resort, flights, bags & transfers

It's time to get summer sorted pirates! What could be better than an all inclusive break to the beautiful beaches of Mexico? Our Package Finder is offering 7 nights at the 4* Riu Vallarta Hotel, along with direct flights, luggage, transfers and ATOL protection. We're eyeing up a July departure - right in the height… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Fuerteventura family holiday in August from £396pp - 7nts 4* villa with private pool & flights

Pirates, we know it can be hard to find a holiday departing in the school Summer holidays at a reasonable price so get a load of this holiday in Fuerteventura departing in August. The holiday is based on a family of 4 but there are also great prices for families of 5 or 3, you… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lodge or yurt glamping in Yorkshire Dales from £21pp/pn - incl. breakfast (sleeps 5-7 ppl)

Ahoy mateys! Escape to the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales with your closest friends or family for an intimate glamping affair at the award-winning and luxurious Swinton Bivouac site, which comprises a selection of rustic tree lodges (sleeping 7) and yurts (sleeping 5), along with a bunk barn, café and wood-fired hot tub, all set around an… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Early bird Athens: 7nts from £241pp incl. 4* beach hotel & flights

Pirates, book in advance and get a fab price for a week in Athens from £241pp including the 4* Palmyra Beach Hotel & flights. The hotel is only a 2-minute walk from the beach, and that warm Aegean weather is perfect for a winter escape from the dreariness of the UK before spring kicks in.… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber Can Only Operate Until April 15 In Philippines : While In London, TfL Jump Through Hoops To Aid Relicense.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board says Uber should resolve its issues with the Philippine Competition Commission before closing down – 'the sooner, the better

HEARING. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board holds a special hearing on the renewal of Uber's accreditation on April 11, 2018. Photo by Aika Rey/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – By April 16, patrons of ride-hailing services will be left with only Grab as their choice.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered Uber to close down before April 16, in a hearing on the company's accreditation as a transport network company (TNC) on Wednesday, April 11.

Uber's TNC accreditation expired in August 2017.

"The sooner as possible that you are able to resolve your concerns with PCC (Philippine Competition Commission), the better. Therefore, in the interest of all TNVS (transport network vehicle services) and the riding public, we are giving you until April 15 to exist as a TNC," LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said.

"Upon April 16, you cease and desist to exist as a TNC," she added.

The ruling came despite the PCC order for Uber and Grab to continue operating separately beyond April 8, the date when Uber was supposed to have closed and transitioned its operations to Grab. The PCC gave the order as it launched a review of the Uber-Grab deal.

When the PCC ordered Uber to continue running beyond April 8, Grab said it would shoulder the cost of the extension but only until April 15.

Uber and Grab face a P50,000 to P2-million penalty per violation for failure or refusal to comply with the PCC's order. But both companies will be given a chance to explain their side.

The LTFRB earlier said it would rather that Uber close down by April 8, citing the lack of manpower on the company's backend to handle customer services.

Many patrons of Uber slammed the deal with Grab, arguing that the latter has "monopolized" the ride-hailing market.

The LTFRB has yet to approve 4 new ride-hailing apps. 

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See the Terracotta Army: Direct flights to China from £364rtn - incl. luggage

Head off the beaten track on your next trip and discover China! Our Flights Finder is offering direct flights to Xi'an, home of the Terracotta Army (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Flights are direct from London with Tianjin Airlines, so your checked luggage is included. We've seen decent availability for these fares in May and… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Harry Potter studio tour & Jury's Inn stay - incl. breakfast from £92pp (1 Child stays FREE)

Alohomora, dear pirates! We've unlocked this great Harry Potter break over at Voyage Privé giving you 1 night at the stylish 3* Jury's Inn in Watford with breakfast included, one Warner Bros Studio Tour per person per stay with 1 child (up to 12 years old) staying for FREE ! From your hotel the studios… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Feel fancy in Frankfurt: 2nts from £87pp incl. flights & 4* B&B hotel w/ sauna *solo from £152

Looking for inspiration for your next European city-break? Well, if you're after somewhere a bit different why not try Frankfurt? This German city has loads to offer from great shopping to historic sites. We have paired some uber cheap flights with a 4* hotel with breakfast to create a neat mini-break package for you Pirates.… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last minute flights to Majorca from £19 return

Pirates, fancy a last minute getaway to Majorca? Well with these cheap flights you could do just that for under £20 return. Add a cheap accommodation to the mix and you have yourself a bargain break. The flights are from Newcastle but if this is no good you can also fly from East Midlands, Leeds,… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Abu Dhabi All Inclusive beach holiday 5nts from £589pp - incl. top resort, flights & more

Arrr mateys! Next up we are sending you to Abu Dhabi for a luxurious stay at the fantastic 5* InterContinental beach resort one of the best hotels in the city. The hotel boasts a large selection of bars and restaurants, infinity pool and spa plus a private marina and direct beach access. This holiday… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Return flights to magical Carcassonne from £19 from 4 UK airports: April & May dates

Return flights to the magical French city of Carcassonne have dropped, with prices now starting from just £19 return for the months of April and May from selected UK cities. This is a great, cheap, opportunity to see the city many have likened to King's Landing in Game of Thrones. Flight Details Direct flights with… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT