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Today’s Big Story

Chiquita Found Liable in Paramility Killings

A Florida court ordered Chiquita Brands International to pay $38 million to the families of eight Colombian men murdered by a paramilitary death squad.

• Chiquita was shown to have financed the terrorist organization United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) from 1997 to 2004. The legal battle stretched over 17 years and is the first time Chiquita has compensated Colombian victims. It is also said to be the first time a major U.S. corporation has been held liable for human rights abuses in another country.

• Before it disarmed in 2004 during a peace process, the AUC was behind most of the civilian deaths in Colombia's brutal, six-decade-long conflict, which left 450,000 people dead and millions displaced.

• Chiquita pleaded guilty in 2007 to funding the AUC by secretly paying them $1.7 million over seven years. Evidence showed Chiquita continued payments after the AUC was designated a terrorist organization in 2001, viewing it as the "cost of doing business in Colombia." Chiquita has argued it was extorted by the AUC and paid to protect its employees from the rebels.

• The case is considered a "bellwether trial," potentially opening the way for thousands of other victims to seek restitution from Chiquita. Chiquita plans to appeal the ruling, stating there is no legal basis for the claims. If other pending cases are not resolved through negotiation, a second bellwether trial is scheduled for July 14.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• Federal officials are investigating a strange rolling motion on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max that might have been caused by a damaged backup power-control unit. The incident happened on May 25 during a flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California. The plane landed safely with no injuries to the 175 passengers and six crew members. (More)

• A Texas judge decided that Alex Jones' personal belongings will be sold to help pay the $1.5 billion he owes to the Sandy Hook shooting victims' families. The judge still needs to decide if Jones will lose control of his Infowars media company, which might also be sold to pay the families. Jones has tried to use bankruptcy to protect his assets after saying the mass shooting was a hoax. (More)

• During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. military secretly tried to reduce China's influence in the Philippines. They created fake online accounts pretending to be Filipinos, spreading doubt about the safety of Chinese vaccines and safety equipment. Reuters found at least 300 fake accounts on social media using the hashtag #Chinaangvirus, which means "China is the virus" in Tagalog. (More)

• Facing possible elimination in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks won 122-84 against the Boston Celtics to keep the series alive after being down 3-0. Luka Doncic led with 29 points, five rebounds, and five assists. He and Kyrie Irving, who had 21 points and six assists, combined for 50 points. (More)

• The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a ban on bump stocks, the rapid-fire gun accessories used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The justices said the Trump administration went too far when it banned bump stocks, which make guns fire like machine guns. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• A dog saved his owner’s life after he crashed into a ravine in the Oregon mountains. Brandon Garrett was hurt but alive after the crash. The dog ran 4 miles through the wilderness to find Garrett's family at a campsite and get help. (More)

• Instead of leaving Olympic buildings empty after the Games, Paris is building a new, low-carbon athlete neighborhood in an area that needs more housing. After the 2024 Games, the area will have rental housing, offices, bus stations, bike paths, a park, and retail space. (More)

• Ambulances in North East England are installing iPads with the SignVideo app to help communicate with Deaf and British Sign Language (BSL) patients during emergencies. Ambulance crews can use the app anytime to connect with a video interpreter who helps understand the patient's condition. (More)

• A New York preschooler was surprised by his former teacher, who told him she would donate part of her liver to him. The surprise, with a colorful poster and a stuffed teddy bear, was recorded by the teacher's mother. (More)

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