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Tesla Settles Lawsuit Out of Court with Family of Walter Huang Killed in Model X Accident

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Tesla, the company led by Elon Musk, has reached an out-of-court settlement with the family of a man who tragically lost his life in an accident while driving a Model X.

In 2018, Walter Huang, a 38-year-old Apple engineer, was driving a Tesla Model X, believing it was a self-driving and fully autonomous vehicle. Under this belief, he relinquished control of the vehicle and engaged in a video game. The vehicle then veered off course and collided with a sidewalk at 70 mph, killing Huang. The accident led to numerous questions and intense scrutiny regarding the safety and functionality of semi-autonomous driving technology. The tragic accident occurred near San Francisco.

Out-of-Court Settlement Reached by Tesla For 2019 Model X Fatal Crash

Tesla settled the lawsuit just before the commencement of the court case. Musk had earlier contended that Tesla would not succumb to any unjust lawsuit, even if it lost the case. However, in this instance, Tesla stated that it had agreed to a settlement to avoid the lengthy process of litigation. Initially, Tesla contended that the occupant of the Model X had misused the system by playing video games at the time of the accident. Tesla also added that the occupant was not holding the steering wheel and had ignored repeated warning messages to return to the car controls.

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The family of Walter Huang, who died in the accident, filed the lawsuit in 2019, accusing Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, of negligence and causing wrongful death. The lawsuit also accused Tesla of exaggerating the capabilities of the Model X’s self-driving technology. This led to a false sense of security and made drivers less vigilant and even careless while driving.

In this case, Walter Huang had activated Tesla’s Autopilot feature and was playing a video game on his iPhone while his car was traveling at a very high speed. This is one of numerous instances where Tesla’s autonomous vehicles were involved in accidents and even fatalities.

Such incidents have raised questions about Musk’s claims regarding the capabilities of autonomous technology. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has investigated numerous crashes involving Tesla’s automated driving systems. Incidentally, Tesla won a case in 2019 regarding misperceptions about its Autopilot feature.

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Despite its claims, Tesla has yet to develop a fully automated vehicle, and its Autopilot system is merely an add-on that assists drivers in matching speed to traffic and remaining in a lane. However, it requires a fully attentive driver at the wheel.

Also Read: Elon Musk: AI Chatbot ‘Grok 2’ Enters Training to Exceed Expectations

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Manoj Nair: With a decade of news writing across various media platforms, Manoj is a seasoned professional. His dual role as an English teacher underscores his command over communication. He adeptly covers Politics, Technology, Crypto, and more, reflecting a broad and insightful perspective that engages and informs diverse audiences.

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WATCH VIDEO: YouTuber Freddy Mckinney Rescued Texas Family From Tornado, GoFundMe Campaign Launched As Home Destroyed 

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YouTuber Freddy Mckinney Rescued Texas Family, GoFundMe Campaign Launched As Home Destroyed 

A Texas family whose house was devastated on Thursday by a tornado is currently requesting for support. In the wake of this, a GoFundMe page has been launched.

According to Times Now, the Texas Tornado hitting Oklahoma and Iowa on Thursday has killed at least 5 individuals, including a baby. 

The family has been identified as Kasey and Wes Lambert, and their children, Allie and Lane, are currently seeking donations. 

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Their GoFundMe campaign’s caption reads,

“Hi, my name is Bradye McQueen, and I am helping coordinate the recovery for my cousin and her family. Wes & Kasey Lambert, and their kids Lane and Allie. They will need funds to help with the transition and rebuilding their lives and cover ER bills.”

Who is Freddy McKinney in Limelight?

The bravery of a storm chaser Freddy McKinney is everywhere on the internet. He is being appreciated for his heroics when he helped a family in need following a tornado that destroyed the latter’s Texas home. 

On May 2, Thursday, in Hodges, Freddy McKinney was live-streaming and chasing a tornado.  

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There, right before his eyes, he witnessed a large pile of water obliterating a house. This incident occurred on County Road 458. 

The entire incident was captured on McKinney’s live YouTube page. It featured the YouTuber approaching the damage. The tornado was at a safe distance away. 

When McKinney stopped in the middle, he saw a bunch of people running up the street. He witnessed a woman carrying a baby in her arms. 

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He shouted, “Get in!” as the members of the family were approaching his vehicle. Then he asked a woman to enter his vehicle. 

Subsequently, her son and husband followed shortly. 

Freddy McKinney drove the entire family to a nearby healthcare center. 

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What Happened Next?

A relative of the family, Bradye Lynn McQueen, shared hospital photos on Friday by extending gratitude to McKinney for his bravery, reported People.

She stated,

“Thank you, Freddy, for taking care of my cousin & her family. We are all so grateful you were out there. As an update for everyone, they are very banged up, but they have all been discharged & are spending the night at grandparents’.”

The YouTuber replied,

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“I’ve never met a more courageous family in my life. Kasey and Wes, you guys are absolutely rock stars. I’m so glad you guys are doing better. Thank you for sharing this update, Bradye.”

Notably, until now, the GoFundMe campaign has raised $85,669 USD out of a target of achieving a goal of $100,000.

Also Read: Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Dudum Says Wants to Hire Student Protesters Backlash Underway

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Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Dudum Says Wants to Hire Student Protesters Backlash Underway

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Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Dudum Says Wants Hire Student Protesters Backlash Underway

Andrew Dudum, CEO and founder of Telemedicine Company Hims & Hers is facing flak on the social media after his reported statement that he wants to hire students and protestors who are taking part in the protest in support of Palestinians in Universities across the US.

A number of tech sector founders has also condemned his statements.

Dudum had posted on X,

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“If you’re currently protesting against the genocide of the Palestinian people and for your university’s divestment from Israel, keep going. It’s working. There are plenty of companies and CEOs eager to hire you, regardless of university discipline.”

He also posted a link to a page showing open positions at Hims & Hers.

X users have expressed their disapproval and have even called for a boycott Hims & Hers, and others said they are selling their stock in the company.

Cofounder of Palantir Technologies as well as the managing partner of early stage venture capital firm 8VC Joe Lonsdale responded on X and said

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“Real moral courage doesn’t involve joining a mindless mob, chanting anti   U.S. and other woke pablum, following instructions not to debate or discuss your positions at all yet being indignantly righteous, while large numbers in the mob chant for violence and block Jewish students.”

While Hims & Hers spokesperson said Dudum were not available for comments, old posts by Dudum have been unearthed which puts in context his actions. Days before the horrific attack by Hamas’ terrorist against Israel on October 7, Dudum had posted –

 “In pursuit for peace: Our leaders need to embrace nuance.”

Dudum further explained that he is a Palestinian American and had roots in and family in the West Bank and Gaza and said Hims & Hers’ values are based on a respect for human dignity and life.

Dudum wrote

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“It is upon those values that I believe all leaders and CEOs should use their platform today to call for an immediate cease   fire. To actively recognize Israel’s right to defense and also recognize the means and manner in which they are responding violates international law. I ask us to find nuance, and share our voice today to help save innocent lives.”

Deadly protests have hit U.S. college campuses through last month and protest encampments have sprung across more than 40 colleges nationwide.

Police crackdown is on and there have been more than 1,900 arrests or detainments following a wave of activism at universities across the country.

Hims & Hers is a Telemedicine Company that links consumers with licensed healthcare professionals, enabling access to high-quality care for conditions related to sexual health, mental health, and more. It also offers its own range of products and is in a partnership with Los Angeles-based Hustle & Co. on media relations.

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Also Read: Brazil Dam Collapse Amid Heavy Rainfall and Flood; Watch Video Here

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Florida Becomes The First State In The US To Ban Lab-Grown Meat Ban

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Florida Becomes The First State In The US To Ban Lab-Grown Meat Ban

Florida has become the first State in the US to ban laboratory grown meat. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Wednesday which bans the sale of any form of lab grown meat. The bill is clearly a move to appease the state’s cattle industry.

In a statement the state’s commissioner of agriculture said it was protecting the interests of the state’s farmers as well as the integrity of American agriculture. The lab grown meat ban is also one of the many other pet causes of DeSantis.

DeSantis said just after the bill was signed,

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“Today, Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals,”

In a press release it was said that Florida was negating the World Economic Forum’s goal of forcing the world to eat lab-grown meat and insects.

However it must be remembered that lab grown meat is still not available for the consumers. Lab grown meat is harvested from animal cells and the FDA has given approval to two entities Upside Food and Good Meat to make the lab grown meat. The two companies also do not have any outlets to sell this meat. Till date only two high end restaurants China Chilcano, Chef José Andrés’ high-end Peruvian restaurant in Washington, DC, and Bar Crenn, a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco have served lab grown meat to the consumers. However both these restaurants have stopped featuring the lab grown meat on their menu.

The lab grown meat industry has not even started competing with the farmers but it seems the ban is a way to preempt any such possibility. A section of the population believes that the move is a consequence of a conspiracy theory which stated that the “globalists” are forcing people to eat bugs and live in pods. This theory is also known as the “Great Reset,” which was first coined in 2020 after a World Economic Forum initiative that urged governments to use the pandemic to promote sustainable development. The Right Wing experts connected it with a 2016 World Economic Forum blog post which talked about the possible use of bug protein and a 2013 book about insect farming published by the United Nations.

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Lab Grown or cultivated meats are harvested in bioreactors using cells from animals. Startups are working on chicken, fish and beef meat. The promoters of lab grown meat contend that the process will in the long run significantly lower the greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing meat. The process of making lab grown meat involves extracting living cells from an animal and feeding it with nutrients such as proteins, sugars and fats. The final product is much akin to traditionally produced meat in taste as well as composition.

For example the Los Angeles startup Meat uses the plasma of cows to grow meat for ground beef. It takes about three years to raise a cow to 300 kilograms of meat. However 2000 kg of meat can be produced in a year from a single cow’s plasma and there is no need to slaughter the animal also.

However lab grown meat is extremely energy intensive and the startups have not been able to scale up the production and bring the price down.

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The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, an association which represents the traditional meat producers have vehemently opposed cultivated meat citing safety concerns and have been lobbying to prevent the lab grown meat to be referred as beef.

Good Meat, a lab grown Meat Company which is the first in the world to sell lab-grown meat, wrote on X it was “disappointed” by the new Florida law.

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