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NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train used his shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become engulfed in the blaze, a prosecutor said Tuesday. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, made his first court appearance and was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court. He appeared briefly before a judge and wore a white jumpsuit over a weathered black hooded sweatshirt. He did not speak. He will remain jailed ahead of his next court date on Friday. The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Police said Tuesday that identification of the victim was still “pending at this time.” Authorities say Zapeta approached the woman, who was sitting motionless in the train car and may have been sleeping, and used a lighter to set her clothing on fire. Zapeta then used his shirt to fan the flames, leading to her becoming engulfed in the fire, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said on Tuesday. Zapeta then sat at a bench on the subway platform and watched, according to police. Rottenberg added that under interrogation Zapeta said he didn’t know what happened, noting that he consumes alcohol. But he alleged that Zapeta identified himself to interrogators in images related to the attack. Video posted to social media appeared to show the woman standing inside the train ablaze as some people look on from the platform, and at least one officer walks by. NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta said Sunday that several officers had responded to the fire and one stayed to keep the crime scene “the way it’s supposed to be" while the others went to get fire extinguishers and transit workers. They were eventually able to douse the fire, but “unfortunately, it was too late,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said — the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Zapeta was taken into custody Sunday afternoon while riding a train on the same subway line after police got a tip from some teenagers who recognized him from images circulated by the police. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support. The shelter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal immigration officials said Zapeta had been previously deported in 2018 but at some point reentered the U.S. illegally. In a statement, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack a “gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman” that would be “met with the most serious consequences.” The crime — and the graphic video of it that ricocheted across social media — deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system in a city where many residents take the subway multiple times each day. Overall, according to authorities, crime is down in the transit system this year when compared to last year — major felonies declined 6% between January and November of this year and in 2023, data compiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority show. But murders are up, with nine killings this year through November compared to five in the same period last year. Earlier this month, a Manhattan jury acquitted Daniel Penny in the death of an agitated subway rider that the former Marine placed in a chokehold last year. The case became a flashpoint in ongoing debates over safety, homelessness and mental illness on the system. Policing the subway is also difficult, given the vast network of trains constantly moving between the system’s 472 stations, with each stop containing multiple entry points and, in many stations, multiple floors and platforms. On Sunday, police at the station where the woman burned to death were patrolling a different area and responded after seeing and smelling smoke, authorities said.
In an exclusive talk with News9Live, Chitranshu Mahant, Co-founder of Primebook, has shared some crucial insights about company's next laptop. Read on. In 2023, as soon as Primebook entered the laptop market, it made a bold statement of strategy to target only students by providing affordable, user-friendly laptops. And guess what? It has almost been delivered. As a result, the first generation of Primebook has settled in an ideal segment which was so far neglected of an inexpensive computer with basic performance suitable for work with Word, Excel and other educational applications. Co-founder Chitranshu Mahant exclusively told News9Live, “For any brand like us, the main challenge is not just affordability—it’s the price-to-performance ratio, which is very important.” By opting for MediaTek and Qualcomm chipsets instead of traditional options like Intel, Primebook optimized costs while ensuring a smooth user experience. And now, the company is ready to take the next leap with Primebook Gen 2.0. What’s Coming With Primebook Gen 2.0? The second generation of Primebook is tipped to get double the performance of its predecessor while sticking to the same budget-friendly price range. “We are coming up with generation two of Primebook at a similar price point—Rs 14K to Rs 15K—and it will be two times the performance than it is today,” says Chitranshu. This isn’t just about raw power; the laptop will offer upgraded RAM options (6GB and 8GB) and increased storage capacity, going up to 256GB. Another crucial update to expect from Primebook Gen 2 is the display and size. For those who want more variety, Primebook is tipped to introduce new models: – A sleek 14-inch metallic version for a premium feel under Rs 15,000 – A flagship detachable two-in-one laptop priced around Rs 19,990, inspired by the Microsoft Surface Pro. AI Features In Budget Laptop Apart from this, the highlight of Primebook Gen 2.0 is undoubtedly its AI-powered assistant. “Embedded AI assistant, which will know two things about you to help you with your daily tasks on the laptop. One is contextual awareness,” Chitranshu told News9Live. The AI assistant will understand who you are—whether a student, entrepreneur, or journalist—and adapt its support to your needs. “And second that AI will understand is on-screen awareness – what is happening on the screen, and then directly, the assistant will be able to support you through your navigation. So, for example, if you’re watching an image, you can ask AI, you know, what is this? What am I watching? Just draw a box on anything,” he added. A Hybrid OS Experience Primebook isn’t just sticking to Android anymore. At the same time, the Gen 2.0 is also embarking on a hybrid mode of Windows coupled with Android applications. “With Primebook, you can download Android applications but you also have access to more traditional software like Photoshop or Tally on a complete Windows environment,” Chitranshu shares. There will also be a Windows Cloud PC offering on subscription as an option. Whether you need it for a few hours or an extended period, you only pay for what you use—making advanced functionality affordable without high-end hardware. When Will It Launch? Primebook Gen 2.0 is expected to hit the market in April 2025. “In March, we will start with the initial process and then in April, we will bring the laptops to the market. That’s the target,” Chiranshu mentioned. “Our focus is to provide great service and build strong relationships with our customers,” says Chitranshu. However, it will be interesting to see how Primebook Gen 2 will stand out in front of competitors like JioBook, Chromebooks, and tablets. Chitranshu claimed “We call ourselves the Maruti of the computer industry,” while focusing on the value for money. Click for more latest Tech news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Divya is a Senior Sub-Editor with about 3 years of experience in journalism and content writing. Before joining News9live, she had contributed to Times Now and Hindustan Times, where she focused on tech reporting and reviewing gadgets. When she's not working, you can find her indulging in Netflix, expressing her creativity through painting, and dancing.
Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich has the latest on the planned executive orders on 'The Story.' President-elect Trump pledged this week to undo former President Obama’s 2015 decision to change the name of North America’s tallest peak to its Koyukon Athabascan name "Denali," meaning "High One" or "Great One." Speaking to conservatives at a Phoenix conference, Trump made the pledge and noted President William McKinley was also a Republican who believed in tariffs. He first promised to undo Obama's action in August 2015 and called it an "insult to Ohio," where McKinley was born and raised. During his Phoenix remarks, he also pledged to undo Democrats’ rebranding of southern military bases named for Confederates – like Fort Liberty in Fayetteville, North Carolina, which was formerly named after Gen. Braxton Bragg. The 20,320-foot mountain was first dubbed Mount McKinley in 1896 by gold prospector William Dickey, after learning the Ohioan had won the GOP presidential nomination – and as a swipe at silver prospectors he met who preferred Democrat William Jennings Bryan and his plan for a silver standard for the dollar. ALASKA OUTRAGED AT BIDEN'S FEDERAL OIL LEASE SALE SETUP AS ‘FITTING FINALE’ TO FOSSIL FUEL-AVERSE PRESIDENCY Ohio's William McKinley (1843-1901) was the 25th president of the United States, serving from March 4, 1897, until his assassination in September 1901. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Six months into his second term, McKinley was visiting Buffalo, New York, when anarchist laborer Leon Czolgosz assassinated him in a gladhanding line. Czolgosz believed the root of economic inequality stood with the government and was reportedly inspired by the 1900 assassination of Italian King Umberto I. However, many Alaskans have appeared to prefer the historic name Denali: GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski told KTUU that Trump’s plan to bring back "Mt. McKinley" is an "awful idea." "We already went through this with President Trump back and at the very, very beginning of his first term," she said Monday. Murkowski said both she and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, – who originally hails from McKinley’s Ohio – support the name Denali. "[Denali] is a name that has been around for thousands of years... North America’s tallest mountain – shouldn’t it have a name like ‘The Great One’?" Murkowski added. MURKOWSKI SAYS SHE'S NOT ‘ATTACHED’ TO GOP LABEL Denali, near Talkeetna, Alaska (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File) In 2015, Sullivan told the Anchorage Daily News that "Denali belongs to Alaska and its citizens" and that the naming rights are held by Alaskan Natives. In a statement to KTUU this week, Sullivan said many Alaskans prefer the "name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabascan people gave" the peak. Meanwhile, then-Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, spent decades in Congress preventing any name change from McKinley to Denali – as the namesake president hailed from his Canton district. Regula, who died in 2017, lambasted Obama over the name change, saying he "thinks he is a dictator." Appearing to cite his own work presenting procedural roadblocks and language added to Interior-related bills, Regula said Obama could not change such a law "by a flick of his pen." "You want to change the Ohio River?" he quipped. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a news conference. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) However, some Ohio officials have also been deferential to the will of Alaskans. Current Lt. Gov. Jon Husted told the Dayton Daily News in 2015 that if Denali is what Alaskans want, then he in turn understood, as he wouldn’t want Alaskans dictating Ohio name changes. "So, I guess we shouldn't tell people in Alaska should do in their own state. But I'm a big fan of Canton and McKinley and I'm glad that he's getting talked about some more," he said at the time. Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. Charles covers media , politics and culture for Fox News Digital. Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
Netherlands claimed a hard-fought 1-0 lead over Germany in the Davis Cup semifinals on Friday as Botic van de Zandschulp beat Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-7 (12/14), 6-3 in the first singles rubber. The Dutch have never reached the competition's final since first participating 104 years ago but knocked out Rafael Nadal's Spain in the last eight on Tuesday. Jan-Lennard Struff sought three-time winners Germany's hopes alive in the second singles match against Tallon Griekspoor. Van de Zandschulp claimed his scrappy victory with his 10th match point in two hours 44 minutes. "It could have been easier but I did it the hard way," said the Dutchman. "At some point, I didn't know what to do any more on the match points." Neither player blinked in a first set with few thrills, until the Dutchman, ranked 80th, nosed ahead for a 5-4 lead which he served out, clinching when Altmaier went wide. Van de Zandschulp, the final player to beat retiring superstar Nadal when the Netherlands knocked out Spain, broke in the fifth game of the second set and consolidated for a 4-2 lead, taking full control of the match. The Dutchman forced four break points in the next game, but the world number 88 managed to escape with three aces to avoid a double break. Moving into a higher gear the German was able to get back on serve at 4-4, converting his third break point at the end of the match's longest rally when Van de Zandschulp failed at the net. The Dutch player brought up five match points in the tie-break but could not hold his nerve and Altmaier took his fourth set point with a smash to force a third set. Van de Zandschulp broke in the second game, but Altmaier immediately responded. The Dutchman produced another break of serve to open up a 5-3 lead and, after wasting four more match points, wrapped up the win with his 10th as Altmaier could not return a powerful serve. "I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is a little bit easier," added Van de Zandschulp.Israel's attorney general has ordered police to investigate allegations Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife harassed political opponents and witnesses in her husband's corruption trial. or signup to continue reading The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a terse message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on a recent report by the Uvda investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. The program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Sara Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Sara Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. But in a video released earlier on Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu listed what he said were the many kind and charitable acts by his wife and blasted the Uvda report as "lies". "My opponents on the left and in the media found a new-old target. They mercilessly attack my wife, Sara," he said. He called the program "false propaganda, nasty propaganda that brings up lies from the darkness". It was the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus — highlighted by the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. Netanyahu denies the charges and says he is the victim of a "witch hunt" by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media. The report obtained correspondence between Sara Netanyahu and Hanni Bleiweiss, a former aide to the prime minister who died of cancer last year. The messages indicated that Sara Netanyahu encouraged police to crack down violently on anti-government protesters and ordered Bleiweiss to organise protests against her husband's critics. She also told Bleiweiss to get activists in Netanyahu's Likud party to publish attacks on Klein. Klein is an aide to billionaire Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and has testified in the corruption case about her role in delivering tens of thousands of dollars worth of champagne, cigars and gifts to Netanyahu for her boss. According to the report, Sara Netanyahu mistreated Bleiweiss, prompting her to share the messages with a reporter shortly before her death. Sara Netanyahu has been accused of abusive behaviour toward her personal staff before. This, together with accusations of excessive spending and using public money for her own extravagant personal tastes, has earned her an image as being out of touch with everyday Israelis. In 2019, she was fined for misusing state funds. 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Alexander Isak scored a hat-trick as Ne wcastle United steamrollered Ipswich Town at Portman Road to rack up their third dominant victory in the space of seven days. Eddie Howe’s side, who beat Leicester City 4-0 on December 14 and Brentford 3-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, went ahead via Isak’s first of the afternoon with just 26 seconds on the clock. Advertisement Jacob Murphy ’s purple patch continued as he scored Newcastle ’s second while also producing a sublime backheeled assist for Isak as he completed his treble. Chris Waugh breaks down the main talking points from a thumping Newcastle triumph. A rapid start, a slow VAR check and a gift-wrapped goal Ipswich kicked off, yet the ball ended up in the home side’s net inside just 26 seconds. Newcastle took at throw-in from their left-back position, Fabian Schar lofted a ball forward to play Jacob Murphy in down the right, he crossed, Sam Morsy only half-cleared, and Isak lashed a finish into the ground and beyond Arijanet Muric . The on-field decision was offside, called by Natalie Aspinall, the assistant referee, with Murphy adjudged to have gone early when he had actually perfectly timed his run, and Cameron Burgess had marginally played him onside. So marginal, in fact, that the VAR official John Brooks took around three minutes to award the opener. Why that took so long, however, is unclear. #IPSNEW – 1’ VAR OVERTURN Isak’s goal was disallowed for offside on-field. The VAR checked and established that Murphy was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded. pic.twitter.com/pS9luT4pUj — Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) December 21, 2024 If the Portman Road faithful were left angered by the officials for the first goal — chanting “F*** VAR” in response, despite technology bringing about the correct decision — they were left exasperated by their own players for Newcastle’s third, which settled the game in first-half added time. Muric received a backpass from Dara O’Shea and extremely naively played a soft ball forward to a Jens Cajuste . The backtracking Ipswich midfielder did not realise that Bruno Guimaraes had pursued him as part of Newcastle’s aggressive man-to-man marking approach and the Brazilian flicked the ball to Isak. The Sweden international accepted the early gift-wrapped Christmas present, coolly sitting Muric down and slotting into the net. It all just looked far too simple. Say hello to another Jacob Murphy hot streak There is a uniqueness to Jacob Murphy which is difficult to adequately encapsulate. He is ridiculously inconsistent, usually within the same match, and has never truly established himself as Newcastle’s right-sided forward. Yet the 29-year-old is an extremely valued member of Howe’s squad. The head coach trusts him to diligently carry out defensive instructions and to rain crosses into the box. Those deliveries are sometimes exquisite, sometimes wayward, yet they increase Newcastle’s prospects of scoring. Advertisement Having ignored the possibility of potentially being offside to lay on the opener, Murphy once again showed that, when he gets it right, few Newcastle players can strike a ball as sweetly. Receiving possession from Anthony Gordon on the right-hand side of the box, he unleashed an unstoppable shot, which was beyond Muric before he could see it, rattling in via the underside of the bar. His assist for Isak’s hat-trick goal was beyond sublime. Facing the right-hand touchline, inside the area, he backheeled the ball, taking out three Ipswich defenders. That represented Murphy’s sixth goal contribution in the last three top-flight games — and that does not even include his involvement in the first against Ipswich. The winger is becoming renowned for these rich streaks. In April 2023, he scored three and assisted one across five Premier League games, including playing a key role during a 6-1 demolition of Tottenham . Then, during the last five top-flight matches of last season, Murphy laid on four goals and scored one himself. Newcastle’s priority is a right-sided winger in January but, if Murphy can prolong this sort of form, then perhaps the club can afford to wait a little longer to strengthen a position they have wanted to reinforce since the takeover was completed more than three years ago. Are the real Newcastle back? This has been a massive, potentially season-defining week for Newcastle — and they have navigated it expertly. Really, it could not have gone any better. After a goal-shy period, Newcastle h ave plundered 11 inside three games, kept two clean sheets, secured three wins, advanced into the Carabao Cup semi-finals and risen from 12th to seventh in the Premier League, just two points behind fifth-placed Aston V illa. Suddenly, every area of the team is functioning well again. The defence looks solid, with Lewis Hall continuing to improve at a frightening rate . Sandro Tonali’s intelligence on and off the ball as a nominal No 6 has transformed the complexion of the midfield , with the Italian dovetailing and interchanging brilliantly with Guimaraes. Advertisement Then, up top, it has taken him 85 appearances, but finally Isak also has a treble for Newcastle. That takes his tally to 46 for the club, 23 of which have come in the top flight in 2024. Only Alan Shearer (27 in 2002) and Andy Cole (24 in 1994) have ever scored more Premier League goals in a calendar year for Newcastle. The frightening reality is that Isak should have completed his hat-trick far sooner and missed an easy one-on-one. Yet across his last nine league appearances, Isak has scored nine goals and laid on a further three. Perhaps it is premature to hail a return of the Newcastle of the previous two seasons, given they put together a three-match winning run before the November international break and then crashed again after it. However, confidence has been restored and it will be a far happier Christmas on Tyneside than it looked like it would be merely a week ago. Positive momentum is definitely building. What did Eddie Howe say? We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference. What next for Newcastle United? Thursday, December 26: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, 3pm GMT, 10am ET Recommended reading (Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The hitman who killed a young U.S. Navy officer in Newport News 17 years ago was among the 37 death row inmates whose sentences were commuted by President Biden on Monday. David Anthony Runyon was found guilty in 2009 in the murder-for-hire slaying of Cory Allen Voss outside a Langley Federal Credit Union on Jefferson Avenue in the Oyster Point section of Newport News. Voss, 30, was a well-liked officer aboard the USS Elrod , a frigate based at the Norfolk Naval Station. The father of two was shot and killed in April 2007 in what was designed to look like a robbery gone bad. It turned out the plot was organized by Voss’ wife, Catherina “Cat” Voss, and her boyfriend, Michael Draven. Their goal: Collect $500,000 in insurance proceeds and live happily ever after. Prosecutors said Cat Voss sent her husband to the ATM off Jefferson Avenue, where Runyon — a former U.S. Army soldier — was waiting. He entered Voss’ pickup, forced him to drive around nearby before shooting him five times at close range. The trial, held for several weeks in U.S. District Court in Norfolk in the summer of 2009, was the last federal death penalty trial in Hampton Roads. The jury’s foreman later told the Daily Press that a handwritten note scrawled on a map that police found in Runyon’s pickup truck was a “devastating” piece of evidence against him. The map, found in the truck’s center console, had several notations about Cory Voss. It also had notes referencing the location of the Langley Federal Credit Union and a description of the gray pickup Voss would be driving. “That was one of the things that pushed it over — and the fact that he couldn’t explain it,” foreman Jeff Fink told the Daily Press in late 2009. Recorded phone calls, intercepted text messages and other evidence also played a role. The 12-member jury sentenced Runyon to death , and he’s been on death row in Terre Haute, Indiana, ever since. The Morgantown, West Virginia, native was 36 years old at the time of the killing and is now 53. But on Monday, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 inmates on federal death row inmate, giving them life sentences without the possibility of parole. “Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden wrote in a statement. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender” and his roles in the Senate and as president, “I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted,” Biden added. Aside from Runyon, Biden also commuted the sentences of five other death row inmates in federal murder cases from Virginia. That includes two from Richmond, and one each from Alexandria, Lee County and Mount Vernon. Biden said he would leave on death row those inmates whose cases arose from terrorism and “hate-induced mass murder.” Still on death row are the man who carried out the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, the killer of nine at a historically Black church in South Carolina in 2015, and a man who killed 11 at a Pittsburgh Synagogue in 2018. Incoming President Donald Trump had promised to increase the pace of federal executions in his administration, with Trump sharply criticized the commutations in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” Trump wrote. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” In an interview Tuesday, Voss’ sister, Kristen Smith, 44, of Monroe, Michigan, said the jury’s death sentence against Runyon should have stayed in place. “My take on it is, if someone is going to purposely take another life, they forfeit the right to their own,” Smith said. “If you take yourself out of the laws of civilization and don’t act like a civilized person, then you take yourself out outside of that.” “My brother didn’t die because of an accident,” Smith said, saying Runyon “did this purposely for personal gain.” Voss’ mother, Barbara Wilson, 72, also of Michigan, said she learned about Biden’s commutations on the radio Monday, then got a call from Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa McKeel, one of the federal prosecutors on the Newport News case. Wilson said she’s normally “philosophically opposed to the death penalty” because of the chance of executing an innocent person. But she was in favor of the death penalty in her son’s case. That’s not only because Cory “was an eye for an eye kind of guy” and would have supported it, she said, but also because of the overwhelming evidence that Runyon killed her son. “In this case it’s very much warranted,” Wilson said. Still, though she would “prefer he be on death row, I’m kind of OK with life in prison without parole.” Runyon’s lead 2009 trial attorney, Lawrence H. Woodward Jr. of Virginia Beach, declined to comment on the commutation Monday. Runyon’s current attorneys, Kathryn Ali with Ali & Lockwood LLP in Washington and Elizabeth J. Peiffer and Robert Edward Lee Jr. with the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center in Charlottesville, could not be immediately reached Tuesday. Litigation over the Runyon case has been active over the past several years, with the inmate’s attorneys having pressed hard for a new sentencing hearing. Among other things, they contended that one of Runyon’s lawyers at the 2009 trial, the late Steve Hudgins, failed to adequately explore evidence that Runyon was suffering from brain damage when he killed Voss in 2007 If jurors knew about that brain damage — possibly caused by child abuse and being later hit head-on by a drunk driver while serving in the Army — they might have spared Runyon’s life, his lawyers contended. In December 2020, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the claim had merit . They told the original Norfolk trial judge to conduct an evidentiary hearing to further explore the issue. Senior U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith did just that, finally holding a 15-day evidentiary hearing on the issue in November 2023, with Runyon’s attorneys pitted against the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Seven months later, in June 2024, Smith handed down 100-page ruling saying a new sentencing is unwarranted. “The court will not set aside the jury’s unanimous verdict by imposing an impossibly high standard for the performance of death penalty trial counsel some fifteen years after-the-fact,” Smith wrote. The trial attorney’s performance, she wrote, was “eminently reasonable at the time” and as such didn’t violate Runyon’s right to effective counsel. Smith’s ruling meant the 2009 jury’s death sentence would stand. But with Biden’s commutations Monday, that ruling is now moot. Runyon now gets several life sentences without the possibility of parole, which is what his lawyers have been pushing for more than a decade. Runyon now has identical sentences as both Catherina Voss and Draven. Voss, 49, is locked up at a federal prison in Alabama, while Draven, 44, is at a federal prison in California. 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For Michael Vick, the 757 is home Williamsburg regional sports complex gets new name Williamsburg regional sports complex gets new name Seven Poquoson football players take Class 2 all-state honors Seven Poquoson football players take Class 2 all-state honors Live: Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State’s coach Live: Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State’s coach Virginia Beach Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident; recovered alive Virginia Beach Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident; recovered alive Public records: Hampton EDA buys Kelly’s Tavern building, restaurants and retailers sign leases Public records: Hampton EDA buys Kelly’s Tavern building, restaurants and retailers sign leases Trending Nationally U.S.-imposed tariffs on Canada would be ‘devastating’ for Massachusetts economy, Gov. Healey says NYPD arrests man suspected of lighting homeless woman on fire in Brooklyn subway car, killing her Surgery for boy after drones fell from sky during Florida holiday show Chicago girl helps make scientific discovery of molecule with cancer-fighting properties in goose poop California No. 1 for crazy, pretentious residents, poll says
Cowboys and Commanders ride losing streaks into the NFC East rivals' 1st meeting this seasonPuerto Vallarta is gearing up for an unforgettable evening this Friday, December 20th, with the premiere of the Christmas show The Greatest Gift. This event promises to be a magical experience full of fantasy, joy, and holiday spirit, perfect for locals, tourists, and travelers looking to immerse themselves in the enchantment of this special season. The one-time performance will take place at 6:00 PM at the prestigious CERKA CCNN theater, a venue renowned for its high-quality artistic productions. The Greatest Gift is a celebration of Christmas that combines talent, creativity, and a message of unity and hope for the whole family. This special show has been carefully prepared to ensure an evening of fun and festivity. With a talented cast and an impressive production, The Greatest Gift promises to transport attendees to a world of dreams, colors, and melodies that evoke the true spirit of Christmas. Organizers have emphasized that this event is the perfect opportunity to create unforgettable moments with loved ones. From the youngest to the eldest, everyone will find something to enjoy in this artistic proposal that celebrates love, friendship, and the importance of giving and receiving from the heart. For those interested in securing their spot for this magical night, tickets are now available and can be easily purchased through the theater's official website. Due to high demand, it is recommended to book in advance to ensure you don't miss this unique experience. Art, creativity, and performance spaces play a crucial role in Christmas festivities, not only as forms of entertainment but also as tools to reinforce the unity, tradition, and magic of this season. Art in its various forms—music, dance, theater, and visual arts—becomes a vehicle for conveying the values and spirit of Christmas. Theatrical productions, Christmas concerts, and themed exhibitions evoke emotions and inspire reflection on themes like love, hope, and generosity, which are central to these celebrations. Creativity allows for the renewal of Christmas traditions, making them appealing to new generations without losing their essence. From innovative performances that blend technology with traditional storytelling to unique decorations and themed markets, creativity ensures that the festivities continue to evolve while maintaining their significance. Performance spaces, whether theaters, public squares, or open areas, are the soul of the celebrations. These venues not only serve as gathering points but also transport audiences to magical worlds through lights, decorations, and stage productions that recreate winter landscapes, nativity scenes, and classic tales. Participation in artistic and creative activities during Christmas strengthens the sense of community. Local groups, students, and professional artists collaborate to create events and performances that bring people together, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and collective celebration. Art and creativity make Christmas celebrations memorable. An emotional concert, an inspiring theatrical play, or a fantasy-filled show has the power to create lasting memories, connecting people to the magic of the season. Art, creativity, and performance spaces are fundamental pillars of Christmas festivities, enriching the experience, fostering unity, and revitalizing traditions. These expressions not only allow us to celebrate but also connect with the essence of Christmas and share unforgettable moments with our loved ones. The Greatest Gift promises not only to be a visually stunning show but also an experience that will touch the hearts of all who attend. The Christmas themes presented in the play aim to inspire reflection and gratitude, reminding us of the true essence of the season: sharing and enjoying together. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this night, which is sure to become an unforgettable memory. Whether you are a resident of Puerto Vallarta or a visitor looking for something special, The Greatest Gift is the perfect plan to celebrate Christmas in style. Invite your whole family and come enjoy this wonderful performance, which promises to be the Christmas event of the year. The magic and charm of The Greatest Gift await you this Friday, December 20th, at 6:00 PM at the CERKA CCNN theater. See you there!
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has also resigned as vice-president of the animal welfare organisation, with both of them expressing their “sadness” over leaving the roles. It comes after an Animal Rising investigation made claims of cruelty at “RSPCA Assured” slaughterhouses in England and Scotland, with the campaign group sharing footage of alleged mistreatment. RSPCA Assured is a scheme whereby approved farms must comply with the organisation’s “stringent higher welfare standards”, according to its website. Mr Packham shared the news of his resignation on social media, saying: “It is with enormous sadness that I have resigned from my role as president of the RSPCA. “I would like to register my respect and admiration for all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty.” Ms Lucas said she and Mr Packham failed to get the charity’s leadership to act. She posted on X, formerly Twitter: “With huge sadness I’m resigning as VP of the RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. “But their Assured Schemes risk misleading the public & legitimising cruelty. “I tried with @ChrisGPackham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed.” In June, the RSPCA commissioned an independent review of 200 farms on its assurance scheme which concluded the scheme was “operating effectively” to assure animal welfare on member farms. Following Animal Rising’s release of footage last week, the charity said it was “appalled” by what was shown, adding that it launched an immediate investigation and suspended three slaughterhouses from the scheme. In the wake of Mr Packham and Ms Lucas’ resignations, an RSPCA spokesperson said it is “simply not true” that the organisation has failed to take urgent action. They said: “We agree with Chris and Caroline on so many issues and have achieved so much together for animals, but we differ on how best to address the incredibly complex and difficult issue of farmed animal welfare. “We have discussed our work to drive up farmed animal welfare standards openly at length with them on many occasions and it is simply not true that we have not taken urgent action. “We took allegations of poor welfare incredibly seriously, launching an independent review of 200 farms which concluded that it was ‘operating effectively’ to improve animal welfare. “We are taking strong steps to improve oversight of welfare, implementing the recommendations in full including significantly increasing unannounced visits, and exploring technology such as body-worn cameras and CCTV, supported by £2 million of investment.” The charity insisted that while 94% of people continue to choose to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy, it is the “right thing to do” to work with farmers to improve the lives of animals. “RSPCA Assured visit all farms on the scheme every year, but last year just 3% of farms were assessed for animal welfare by state bodies,” the spokesperson continued. “No-one else is doing this work. We are the only organisation setting and regularly monitoring animal welfare standards on farms. “We have pioneered change through RSPCA Assured, which has led to improvements throughout the industry including CCTV in slaughterhouses, banning barren battery cages for hens and sow stalls for pigs, giving salmon more space to swim and developing slower growing chicken breeds who have better quality of life.”
Mid-inclination orbit provides more SAR-imaging opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe for ICEYE customers. HELSINKI, Finland , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations for Earth Observation and persistent monitoring, announced today that it has launched two new satellites to its constellation of SAR satellites. Both satellites expand the availability of ICEYE's latest imaging technology to deliver additional 25 cm imaging capacity. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched as part of the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA . Both satellites have established communication, and early routine operations are underway. With today's launch, ICEYE has successfully launched 40 satellites into orbit since 2018, with nine satellites launched in 2024 alone. The new SAR satellites were launched into mid-inclination orbits; compared to a polar orbit, these mid-inclination orbits provide more than twice the collection opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe. ICEYE customers have many areas of interest in these middle latitudes (+/- 45 degrees), and these customers will benefit from increased persistence over these regions. Customers with imaging interests outside these middle latitudes will continue to benefit from the frequent revisit enabled by ICEYE's dozens of satellites in polar orbits. ICEYE's unique mix of mid-inclination and polar orbits provides its customers with deep revisit capabilities for targets all around the globe. The new satellites will serve ICEYE's commercial missions as part of the world's largest SAR satellite constellation owned and operated by ICEYE. Rafal Modrzewski , CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE said: "This launch marks another significant milestone in ICEYE's ability to provide our customers with a rich diversity of collection opportunities. We bolster our industry-leading SAR constellation and expand our customers' collection opportunities in the areas most important to them." Today's launch is another step forward in ICEYE's steady drumbeat of innovative breakthroughs in Earth Observation. This year alone, ICEYE has, for example, introduced Dwell Precise, a new 25 cm imaging mode that offers its customers the highest-fidelity 25cm imaging capability, and adds advanced capability to ICEYE's line of Dwell products; launched an API that allows customers to directly task its SAR satellite constellation; and launched ICEYE Ocean Vision to provide actionable intelligence for maritime domain awareness. About ICEYE ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable high-quality data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland , Poland , Spain , the UK, Australia , Japan , UAE, Greece , and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. Media contact: press@iceye.com Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iceye-expands-its-earth-observation-capabilities-with-launch-of-two-sar-satellites-for-mid-inclination-orbit-on-the-bandwagon-2-mission-with-spacex-302337878.html