swerte99.log in
NEW YORK (AP) — A man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames made an initial court appearance Tuesday and will remain in custody. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, 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. The woman quickly became engulfed in flames, while the suspect then sat at a bench on the subway platform and watched, according to police. 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. During Zapeta's court hearing on Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said Zapeta at one point fanned the flames on the woman using his shirt. He said a 911 call from a subway rider helped identify Zapeta. Rottenberg added that under interrogation Zapeta claimed 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. 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.
Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateMusic fans should be easy to shop for this holiday season, right? Wrong! What do you pick up for the friend who knew about that rapper months before the rest of the world? What about the audiophile, whose listening habits are particular and immovable? Your sister loves Taylor Swift, but surely she already owns everything the pop star has ever released, right? Here's a gift guide for the audio lover in your life — from a can't-miss box set for the Elvis Costello obsessive to a set of wine glasses that will be music to everyone's ears. Play it by ... wine Major Scale Musical Wine Glasses Chances are, you've seen someone play water glasses before — rubbing the rim of a glass with a finger can produce musical notes, which change depending on how full the glass is. Uncommon Goods has taken the idea a step further: What if, instead of water glasses, you used wine? And what if there was a way to determine which notes could be produced, by marking each glass like a measuring cup? Well, that's exactly what they did. Compose a symphony of one with these wine glasses. $68 People are also reading... Clear the way Herschel Classic Crossbody Clear bag A recent trend in venue security is the clear-bag policy. The goal is to streamline bag checks upon entry, making the process safer and faster. If you're looking for a great gift for a loved one who plans their life around stadium and arena shows, look no further. The clear bag is an alternative to shoving everything in your pockets and clutching your smartphone to your palm. Herschel has a few reasonably priced bags that are practical, stylish and will meet most venue guidelines. $35 Elvis Costello has entered the building “King Of America & Other Realms” by Elvis Costello A new six-disc Elvis Costello box set, " King Of America & Other Realms ," has what you'd expect from a revisit to Costello's 1986 "King of America" album — a remastered version of the original, demos of most songs, a live concert from the era, even some newly recorded takes. The "Other Realms" is what sets it apart. Building on the original album's roots-based theme, half of the set explores other Costello recording adventures in the United States — many from the 2000s — with alternate versions and previously unreleased tracks. Inventive and full of buried treasures, the box is an enriching look back — and a great gift. $139.98 Learn Korean! "Learn! Korean with BTS" There's no better gift to give or receive than one that expands horizons. In " Learn! Korean with BTS ," K-pop fans can discover a new language through their love of BTS and members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. The book package teaches Korean consonants and vowels, using the names and songs of BTS. A workbook is supplemented by video and other media. What could be better — or more rewarding — for the K-pop fan? $44.49 Loud and proud Bose QuietComfort Headphones A decent pair of headphones is step one on the journey to true bliss for the audiophile. However, carrying around a studio set may not always be in the cards. But a noise-canceling pair? That's necessary. Bose's QuietComfort Headphones are a solid investment, all high-fidelity audio perfect for a long plane ride or a daily commute in equal measure. $229 For the Swifties Gold-plated chain link bracelet, featuring the logo for Taylor Swift's album, "The Tortured Poets Department" Everyone knows someone who loves Taylor Swift. But what do you give the superfan who already owns all her albums in every colorway? Unisex jewelry, maybe? In honor of this year's release of "The Tortured Poets Department," get them the official gold-plated, stainless-steel, chain-link bracelet featuring the "TTPD" logo on the pop star's website . It comes in two sizes: a small/medium option, 7.5 inches long, and a large/extra-large option, 8.5 inches long. $40 For the soul "High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul" by Marcus J. Moore Music books are always a good idea. For the hip-hop expert, a new text from the critic Marcus J. Moore, " High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul ," is a necessary cultural history of the hip-hop trio of Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, Dave "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur and Vincent "Maseo" Mason, who changed music forever. The book covers their ascent, and the ways in which the group defied expectations and defined a new Black alternative music, as well as the legal troubles they faced. $27.89. Get up and go Varieties of Green Day's coffee brand Punk Bunny Coffee, from left, Dookie Roast, American Idiot Roast and Fancy Sauce Roast. Pop-punk band Green Day's coffee brand, Punk Bunny Coffee , is ideal for fans of their palm-muted power chords and political anthems — and for those who prefer their morning brew to be organic, fair trade and delicious. This holiday season, they're offering a few limited-edition roasts, including some themed after their best-known albums, like "Dookie" and "American Idiot." If coffee isn't preferable, no worries! They've got a limited-edition hot cocoa, too. $13.99-$17.99 Take a trip to West Germany "Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock" by Christoph Dallach Let's be honest: True music lovers enjoy all different genres and styles. Those with the deepest knowledge are insatiable; they want to learn as much as they can about a variety of different subcultures and niches. For those real ones, the best gift this holiday season is the first ever oral history of Krautrock, Christoph Dallach's " Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock ," featuring German bands like Can, Neu!, Amon Düül, Popul Vuh, Tangerine Dream, Faust, Cluster and, of course, Kraftwerk. $29.80 2024 holiday mailing tips: Deadlines, packaging advice and more things to know Small, luxury foods are great as stocking stuffers or other gifts. Ideas for under $50 Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
AES Corp. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitorsBy Wendy Fry | CalMatters If you’ve hunted for apartments recently and felt like all the rents were equally high, you’re not crazy: Many landlords now use a single company’s software — which uses an algorithm based on proprietary lease information — to help set rent prices. Federal prosecutors say the practice amounts to “an unlawful information-sharing scheme” and some legislators throughout California are moving to curb it. San Diego’s city council president is the latest to do so, proposing to prevent local apartment owners from using the pricing software, which he maintains is driving up housing costs. Also see: California rent hikes: Where are the biggest increases in November? San Diego’s proposed ordinance, now being drafted by the city attorney, comes after San Francisco supervisors in July enacted a similar, first-in-the-nation ban on “the sale or use of algorithmic devices to set rents or manage occupancy levels” for residences. San Jose is considering a similar approach. And California and seven other states have also joined the federal prosecutors’ antitrust suit , which targets the leading rental pricing platform, Texas-based RealPage. The complaint alleges that “RealPage is an algorithmic intermediary that collects, combines, and exploits landlords’ competitively sensitive information. And in so doing, it enriches itself and compliant landlords at the expense of renters who pay inflated prices...” But state legislators this year failed to advance legislation by Bakersfield Democratic Sen. Melissa Hurtado that would have banned the use of any pricing algorithms based on nonpublic data provided by competing companies. She said she plans to bring the bill back during the next legislative session because of what she described as ongoing harms from such algorithms. “We’ve got to make sure the economy is fair and ... that every individual who wants a shot at creating a business has a shot without being destroyed along the way, and that we’re also protecting consumers because it is hurting the pocketbooks of everybody in one way or another,” said Hurtado. RealPage has been a greater impetus for all of the actions. The company counts as its customer landlords with thousands of apartment units across California. Some officials accuse the company of thwarting competition that would otherwise drive rents down, exacerbating the state’s housing shortage and driving up rents in the process. “Every day, millions of Californians worry about keeping a roof over their heads and RealPage has directly made it more difficult to do so,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a written statement. A RealPage spokesperson, Jennifer Bowcock, told CalMatters that a lack of housing supply, not the company’s technology, is the real problem — and that its technology benefits residents, property managers, and others associated with the rental market. The spokesperson later wrote that a “misplaced focus on nonpublic information is a distraction... that will only make San Francisco and San Diego’s historical problems worse.” As for the federal lawsuit, the company called the claims in it “devoid of merit” and said it plans to “vigorously defend ourselves against these accusations.” “We are disappointed that, after multiple years of education and cooperation on the antitrust matters concerning RealPage, the (Justice Department) has chosen this moment to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to scapegoat pro-competitive technology that has been used responsibly for years,” the company’s statement read in part. “RealPage’s revenue management software is purposely built to be legally compliant, and we have a long history of working constructively with the (department) to show that.” The company’s challenges will only grow if pricing software becomes another instance in which California lawmakers lead the nation. Following San Francisco’s ban, the Philadelphia City Council passed a ban on algorithmic rental price-fixing with a veto-proof vote last month. New Jersey has been considering its own ban. Is it price fixing — or coaching landlords? According to federal prosecutors, RealPage controls 80% of the market for commercial revenue management software. Its product is called YieldStar, and its successor is AI Revenue Management, which uses much of the same codebase as YieldStar, but has more precise forecasting. RealPage told CalMatters it serves only 10% of the rental markets in both San Francisco and San Diego, across its three revenue management software products. Here’s how it works: In order to use YieldStar and AIRM, landlords have historically provided RealPage with their own private data from their rental applications, rent prices, executed new leases, renewal offers and acceptances, and estimates of future occupancy, although a recent change allows landlords to choose to share only public data. This information from all participating landlords in an area is then pooled and run through mathematical forecasting to generate pricing recommendations for the landlords and for their competitors. The San Diego council president, Sean Elo-Rivera, explained it like this: “In the simplest terms, what this platform is doing is providing what we think of as that dark, smoky room for big companies to get together and set prices,” he said. “The technology is being used as a way of keeping an arm’s length from one big company to the other. But that’s an illusion.” In the company’s own words, from company documents included in the lawsuit, RealPage “ensures that (landlords) are driving every possible opportunity to increase price even in the most downward trending or unexpected conditions.” The company also said in the documents that it “helps curb (landlords’) instincts to respond to down-market conditions by either dramatically lowering price or by holding price.” Providing rent guidance isn’t the only service RealPage has offered landlords. In 2020, a Markup and New York Times investigation found that RealPage, alongside other companies, used faulty computer algorithms to do automated background checks on tenants. As a result, tenants were associated with criminal charges they never faced, and denied homes. Impact on tenants Thirty-one-year-old Navy veteran Alan Pickens and his wife move nearly every year “because the rent goes up, it gets unaffordable, so we look for a new place to stay,” he said. The northeastern San Diego apartment complex where they just relocated has two-bedroom apartments advertised for between $2,995 and $3,215. They live in an area of San Diego where the U.S. Justice Department says information-sharing agreements between landlords and RealPage have harmed or are likely to harm renters. The department in August filed its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, alleging the company, through its legacy YieldStar software, engaged in an “ unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing ”. The complaint names specific areas where rents are artificially high. Beyond the part of San Diego where Pickens lives, those areas include South Orange County, Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, and Murrieta and northeastern San Diego. In the second quarter of 2020, the average rent in San Diego County was $1,926, reflecting a 26% increase over three years, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune . Rents have since risen even more in the city of San Diego, to $2,336 per month as of November 2024 – up 21% from 2020, according to RentCafe and the Tribune. That’s 50% higher than the national average rent. The attorneys general of eight states, including California, joined the Justice Department’s antitrust suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The California Justice Department contends RealPage artificially inflated prices to keep them above a certain minimum level, said department spokesperson Elissa Perez. This was particularly harmful given the high cost of housing in the state, she added. “The illegally maintained profits that result from these price alignment schemes come out of the pockets of the people that can least afford it.” Renters make up a larger share of households in California than in the rest of the country — 44% here compared to 35% nationwide. The Golden State also has a higher percentage of renters than any state other than New York, according to the latest U.S. Census data . San Diego has the fourth-highest percentage of renters of any major city in the nation . The recent ranks of California legislators, however, have included few renters: As of 2019, CalMatters could find only one state lawmaker who did not own a home — and found that more than a quarter of legislators at the time were landlords. Studies show that low-income residents are more heavily impacted by rising rents. Nationally between 2000 and 2017, Americans without a college degree spent a higher percentage of their income on rent. That percentage ballooned from 30% to 42%. For college graduates, that percentage increased from 26% to 34%. “In my estimation, the only winners in this situation are the richest companies who are either using this technology or creating this technology,” said Elo-Rivera. “There couldn’t be a more clear example of the rich getting richer while the rest of us are struggling to get by.” The state has invested in RealPage Private equity giant Thoma Bravo acquired RealPage in January 2021 through two funds that have hundreds of millions of dollars in investments from California public pension funds, including the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the Regents of the University of California and the Los Angeles police and fire pension funds, according to Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “They’re invested in things that are directly hurting their pensioners,” said K Agbebiyi, a senior housing campaign coordinator with the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit private equity watchdog that produced a report about corporate landlords ‘ impact on rental hikes in San Diego. RealPage argues that landlords are free to reject the price recommendations generated by its software. But the US Justice Department alleges that trying to do so requires a series of steps, including a conversation with a RealPage pricing adviser. The advisers try to “stop property managers from acting on emotions,” according to the department’s lawsuit. Related Articles Housing | California rent hikes: Where are the biggest increases in November? Housing | 20%-plus of US spends entire paychecks on rent, poll says Housing | Why US sued to stop landlords colluding on rents Housing | Rent inflation won’t cool until 2026, Cleveland Fed says Housing | California has 18 of 20 costliest US cities to rent a house Read this story in Spanish If a property manager disagrees with the price the algorithm suggests and wants to decrease rent rather than increase it, a pricing advisor will “escalate the dispute to the manager’s superior,” prosecutors allege in the suit. In San Diego, the Pickenses, who are expecting their first child, have given up their gym memberships and downsized their cars to remain in the area. They’ve considered moving to Denver. “All the extras pretty much have to go,” said Pickens. “I mean, we love San Diego, but it’s getting hard to live here.” “My wife is an attorney and I served in the Navy for 10 years and now work at Qualcomm,” he said. “Why are we struggling? Why are we struggling?”Tom Brady Blames Trevor Lawrence for Hit That Left Him With a ConcussionHarleen Deol's impressive coming-of-age hundred powered India’s batting effort that saw them equalling their highest-ever ODI total. Harleen Deol underscored her growing maturity with an impressive maiden hundred, the foundation of India’s 115-run win over the West Indies in the second Women’s ODI in Vadodara on Tuesday. The victory also propelled India to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Deol (115, 103b, 16x4) powered India's record-equalling 358 for five and she received ample support from Pratika Rawal (76, 86b, 10x4, 1x6), Smriti Mandhana (53, 47b, 7x4, 2x6) and Jemimah Rodrigues (52, 36b, 6x4, 1x6). The task of chasing 359 was always going to be out of Windies’ reach, and they were bowled out for 243 despite skipper Hayley Matthews making a flowing hundred (106, 109b, 13x4). The writing on the wall was clear once the Indian bowlers reduced Windies to 69 for four inside the first 20 overs. But Matthews added 112 runs for the fifth wicket with Shemaine Campbelle (38) to delay the inevitable. Matthews, who reached her seventh ODI hundred in 99 balls, stood out for the power and precision until she fell to off-spinner Rawal. The Indian bowlers also deserve a good chunk of credit for sticking to good lines on a slightly spongy wicket. They attacked the stumps regularly and leg-spinner Priya Mishra was splendid while mixing up leg-breaks and googles without any visible change in action. Apart from Priya (3/49), pacer Titas Sadhu (2/42) and seasoned spinner Deepti Sharma (2/40) were the pick of Indian bowlers. Earlier, Deol's impressive coming-of-age hundred powered India’s batting effort that saw them equalling their highest-ever ODI total, which was also the highest total any team has made against the Caribbeans. The Indian management will be mighty pleased by Deol's hundred as she marked her growth as an all-field player from a predominantly off-side batter during this knock. Not precisely a power-hitter, the right-hander has added more nuances to her batting through the ability to find angles and gaps. It was evident when she peppered Deandra Dottin for three fours through fine leg, point and behind point to move into the 90s. Her 100 came along with a nicely-timed boundary off pacer Shamilia Connell in 98 balls. But for an imposing total, India should also thank Mandhana and Rawal for adding 110 runs off the opening wicket in just 16.3 overs, their second successive 100-run partnership in ODIs. They looked hardly in any trouble until some lethargic running between the wicket resulted in Mandhana's run out. Rawal, who raised her maiden ODI fifty in 58 balls, looked well settled for a hundred in only her second 50-over game, but the right-hander failed to negotiate Zaida James’ delivery with a bit of extra bounce, scooping it to Qiana Joseph at short mid-wicket. She added 62 runs for the second wicket with Deol. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur could not produce a big one, getting bowled in her attempt to slog sweep Afy Fletcher’s full-length delivery. West Indies might have hoped for some respite after Kaur's dismissal, but Rodrigues joined Deol to add a further 116 runs in a little over 12 overs for the fourth wicket as India constructed a big total. Rodrigues, who reached fifty off just 34 balls, was at her innovative best as she clobbered Connell for four boundaries in an over as India motored in the backend of the innings. Deol fell to Qiana soon but that had little impact on the proceedings. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.
Landlords are using AI to raise rents; California cities are leading the pushback'I don't know where I am going': Video shows moment police herd Gypsy and Traveller youngsters onto train
On a rare two-game skid, No. 24 Arizona faces Davidson
MYSTERY gifts left on your doorstep might not be a happy Christmas surprise - because some last-minute packages could scam you out of thousands of dollars. Brushing scams use unexpected Amazon parcels to trick recipients into scanning malicious QR codes to find out who sent the gift. The packages, often appearing to be sent by Amazon or another popular retailer, can contain seemingly lavish gifts like jewelry or technology. However, because no return address is indicated anywhere on the package, shoppers are led to scan a QR code that promises to reveal who sent the gift. The QR codes can lead consumers to a site that leads them to enter personal information. In some cases, the QR codes could automatically install malware that immediately surrenders all personal information on your phone - including credit card information, which could mean money being drained from your bank accounts. READ MORE ON SCAMS Confused recipients who opt out of scanning the dangerous QR code typically call Amazon or the retailer who sent the gift - only to be told to keep the package, even if they didn't order it. While you can hold on to the gift inside the package, officials warn not to fall for the QR code trick. "A scammer’s QR code could take you to a spoofed site that looks real but isn’t," the Federal Trade Commission advised last year. "And if you log in to the spoofed site, the scammers could steal any information you enter. Or the QR code could install malware that steals your information before you realize it." Most read in The US Sun The FTC encourages recipients to inspect URLs and to never open QR codes from unexpected gifts - especially if it urges you to act immediately. If you think the message could be legitimate, contact the company via phone number or website. Amazon says on their site that the company takes action against third-party sellers that send scam packages. "Amazon investigates reports of 'brushing' and takes action on bad actors that violate our policies, including suspending or removing selling privileges, withholding payments, and working with law enforcement," Amazon said. "Customers don't need to return the item." Jennifer Leach, associate director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer and Business Education, told USA Today that third-party sellers can enact brushing scams to try to boost their reviews on Amazon. As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important you know how to spot a scam: Be skeptical of online deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media. Scammers will often use tactics to make you panicked so you make quick decisions - be cautious if you are told to take immediate action and verify who has contacted you. Chase Bank warns customers to "never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first." Never send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone as this is likely a romance scam. Unless you 100% know who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device. Never accept help from strangers at an ATM and always be vigilant when making withdrawals. Do not send money or click any links indicating that you have won a prize. Source: Chase.com "Dishonest businesses and scammers are sending all sorts of unordered junk in the mail - and then writing good reviews for their business in your name," Leach warned. "That’s bad for honest businesses, which don’t cheat to get reviews, but it could be bad for you, too," she said. "Getting this stuff in the mail could mean a scammer has created an account in your name, taken over your account on the shopping site, or even created new accounts in other names, but tied to your address." If you receive a package you didn't order or weren't expecting, Amazon encourages recipients to check with friends and family to make sure it's not a surprise. Read More on The US Sun Then, you can contact customer service to confirm it's not a gift for you. You can report unwanted packages through a form on Amazon's site .NoneEditor’s note: This story is part of Oklahoma Voice’s “Whatever Happened To ...” end-of-year series that provides updates to some stories that captured the interest of Oklahomans in 2023 and 2024. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals denied a third and final request to remove a judge from the major embezzlement case against the co-founders of Epic Charter School, potentially ending a dispute that has sidetracked the proceedings for months. The appeals court decided Friday that it wouldn’t consider the request from defense attorney Joe White to disqualify Oklahoma County District Judge Susan Stallings because it wasn’t filed in the appropriate timeframe. White, representing Epic co-founder Ben Harris, filed on Nov. 8 an uncommon third attempt to kick the judge off the case, accusing Stallings of unfairly favoring the prosecution. His disqualification requests had been denied twice in district court before he took the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Attorney General’s Office on Dec. 13 said the case has become “unusually protracted” and urged the appeals court to dismiss White’s request. There is no opportunity for further appeal beyond this stage, the attorney general’s spokesperson, Phil Bacharach, told Oklahoma Voice. “We look forward to proceeding with the prosecution,” Bacharach said after the appeals court decision Friday. White did not return a request for comment. Most judge recusals are resolved in private. Few of these disputes reach a public hearing, let alone a second appeal. The Court of Criminal Appeals hasn’t ruled on a judge disqualification in the past three years at least, records of the Court’s decisions show. White accused Stallings of being an “advocate for the prosecution” and contends her work history is disqualifying. Stallings worked in the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office while then-DA David Prater was investigating the Epic case. The Epic co-founders, Harris and David Chaney, were charged in 2022 with designing a scheme to enrich themselves with millions of taxpayer dollars intended for the public virtual charter school. Harris and Chaney deny any wrongdoing and contend their business practices were legal. Stallings, the former head of the DA’s Domestic Violence Unit, said she was unaware of the Epic investigation until four years after she left the DA’s office to become a judge. White said Stallings should have disclosed her work history sooner and accused her of being partial to her former colleague, Jimmy Harmon, who is now the attorney general’s lead prosecutor on the case. White told the judge that her demeanor left him with the feeling that he is “fighting two fights” while in her courtroom. He also contended Stallings should not preside over court proceedings in which her former boss, Prater, might testify as a witness. Stallings has said she would treat the former district attorney “like that of any other witness that comes into this court.” On Aug. 15, Stallings denied White’s request that she step down from the case. White then appealed to the county’s chief judge at the time, District Judge Richard Ogden, who declined to remove her. Ogden said in an Aug. 30 hearing that he saw nothing that shows Stallings is unable to be impartial. When White took the matter to the criminal appeals court, the AG’s office responded on Stallings’ behalf, contending the third disqualification request has no merit and was filed too late to be considered. “These trivial grievances simply do not support (White’s) claim of judicial partiality, and they certainly do not mandate judicial disqualification,” the AG’s response states. Two significant questions went unanswered in the case while the disqualification matter was pending. First is whether prosecutors have established enough probable cause to take the Epic co-founders to trial. A preliminary hearing to review evidence and determine probable cause has been on hold since March. Second is whether Chaney’s attorney, Gary Wood, will be removed. The prosecution’s star witness, former Epic chief financial officer Josh Brock, has said Wood used to be his lawyer, too, and can’t cross-examine a former client. Brock filed a motion in May to have Wood and his law firm, Riggs Abney, kicked off the case. Resolution of the judge dispute was the first step toward broaching the remaining uncertainties in the court battle. The case against Brock, though, has progressed further than Harris and Chaney’s. Brock, who faces many of the same charges of financial crimes as Harris and Chaney, waived his preliminary hearing, was formally arraigned in April and entered a plea of not guilty. Despite his initial not-guilty plea, Brock said he accepted a bargain with the prosecution that would guarantee him no prison time in exchange for his testimony against Harris and Chaney. Brock would later plead guilty and be a convicted felon under the agreement, he said. The former CFO testified during the first week of Harris and Chaney’s preliminary hearing that he falsified invoices at Epic to justify the amount of money the school paid to the co-founders’ company, Epic Youth Services. He said some of these invoices charged the school for services the company never provided. Brock said he and the co-founders followed a mantra of “minimize expenses, maximize profit” as they leveraged Epic to expand their business. That included relying on school employees to do work their company was being paid to do, he said. He also agreed with prosecutors that he, Harris and Chaney took advantage of money that was not theirs to spend freely from the Learning Fund, a multi-million-dollar bank account intended to help Epic students pay for their online classes, technology and extracurricular activities. The school paid into the account so the Learning Fund could dedicate $800 to $1,000 per student for learning or extracurricular needs. Brock and the co-founders used the Learning Fund to make personal purchases, give political donations and fill their company’s operating account when it ran low, investigators and state auditors reported. Harris and Chaney contend the Learning Fund could not be embezzled because it was an account that their private company owned. The co-founders and Brock haven’t been affiliated with Epic since May 2021, when the school’s governing board cut all ties with them.
The list of sacrifices that Alesya Marokhovskaya has made to keep reporting on Russia from exile runs long: her home, her country, family, friends, culture, safety. This month alone, Russian authorities searched the home of the journalist’s parents in the eastern port town of Magadan and opened a criminal case against Marokhovskaya for violating Russia’s foreign agent law. When she spoke with VOA in Prague this fall, Marokhovskaya searched for words to explain why the sacrifices are worth it. Eventually, she settled on the Russian people. “They’re poisoning Russians,” she said, explaining how she views Kremlin propaganda. “Information in our world is one of the most important things, and I am completely against manipulating people’s minds.” As editor-in-chief of the exiled Russian investigative outlet IStories, breaking through propaganda to bring ordinary Russians the truth is Marokhovskaya’s core focus. But in doing so, Marokhovskaya and her team face legal threats and surveillance, even while based in Prague. Marokhovskaya had not planned to leave Russia, even when Moscow declared the journalist a so-called foreign agent in 2021. Instead, the reporter followed the strict rules that accompany the designation. For months, she labeled all of her social media posts — even ones that were photos of her dog — as the work of a so-called foreign agent, and she submitted financial reports to the Justice Ministry. “It was really humiliating,” Marokhovskaya said. But she followed the rules because she wanted to keep reporting from inside Russia. “For me, it was important to stay in Russia as long as I could. Because I was thinking there is no way to be a Russian journalist not inside Russia,” Marokhovskaya said. But when Russia invaded Ukraine, Marokhovskaya said it became clear that Moscow would ramp up its persecution of independent journalists. Soon after, she and many of her colleagues at IStories fled for the Czech capital of Prague. At the time, Marokhovskaya worried the relationship between IStories and its primary audience inside Russia wouldn’t survive the distance. “It was our fear to become media for immigrants. We want to be media for Russians [inside Russia] in the first place,” Marokhovskaya said. But IStories survived. “I still have this fear, but now I see we can work in such circumstances.” Marokhovskaya has worked for IStories, or “Important Stories,” since it was founded in 2020. In September, at the age of 29, she became the outlet’s editor-in-chief. She took over the role from IStories founder Roman Anin, who is now the publisher. A former Novaya Gazeta reporter, Anin says he never expected something as extreme as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but he predicted reporters would eventually have to leave because of Moscow’s rising repression. “It was obvious that at some point, they will come after us as well,” Anin said. To Anin, a focus on collaborative journalism is one of the things that makes IStories distinct. The outlet also prioritizes publishing investigations and exclusive stories instead of daily news that other outlets are covering. “The main job of reporters is actually to find the truth, not to republish it,” Anin said. Russia has labeled IStories as a foreign agent and an undesirable organization. The latter exposes its staffers, sources and donors to potential fines, criminal charges and jail time. That harassment shows how impactful IStories’ work has been, according to Karol Luczka, who covers Eastern Europe at the International Press Institute in Vienna. “Investigative journalism definitely is the kind of journalism which angers political decision-makers the most,” he said. As the outlet’s new top editor, Marokhovskaya is tasked with leading what has become one of the most prominent exiled investigative Russian news outlets at a time when the stakes are especially high, she said. With the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war looming, Kremlin-backed harassment against exiled journalists posing a daily threat, and Russia’s future remaining uncertain, Marokhovskaya says their work is all the more important. Among her priorities is figuring out how to maintain the connection between IStories and its audience inside Russia — and, ideally, how to grow that audience. “When you are living in Russia, you are surrounded by propaganda,” she said. “Lots of people in Russia, they need the truth.” IStories doesn’t have much of a problem reaching people inside Russia who already oppose President Vladimir Putin and his war. Marokhovskaya wants to turn her focus to those who aren’t necessarily pro- or anti-Putin but lie somewhere in the ambivalent middle. “These people are of interest to us. It’s [a] potential audience,” Marokhovskaya said. Part of that strategy is talking to people in a way that doesn’t isolate them, says Artem, the head of the IStories video department. “We don’t say to them that you’re idiots, that you’re war criminals,” Artem said. “We just present real life in Russia as it is. We’re talking to real people. We’re talking about their problems. We’re always trying to find something that’s interesting to just ordinary people.” A former journalist with Russian state-run media, Artem requested to be identified by only his first name for security reasons. Video is a primary focus at IStories. The site publishes on YouTube, where IStories has nearly 720,000 subscribers, and where most of its videos attract around 1 million views. In August, Russian authorities appeared to begin throttling YouTube loading speeds in an apparent attempt to limit access. Artem admitted he’s concerned about how that will affect IStories. The YouTube channel and videos have made an impact. A 2022 documentary that featured a Russian soldier confessing to killing a Ukrainian civilian has more than 2.5 million views. It also became the center of a lawsuit in Russia. The documentary’s lead reporter — Ekaterina Fomina, who now works at TV Rain — and IStories founder Anin are accused of spreading what the Kremlin views as false information about the Russian military. The pair are being tried in absentia and reject the charges. That lawsuit underscores the Moscow-backed threats facing exiled Russian journalists in a process known as transnational repression. Legal harassment — or “lawfare” — is common. Surveillance, hacking and even suspected poisonings have also been documented. Over the course of several months last year, threatening messages were directed at Marokhovskaya and her colleague that suggested they were being surveilled. “I’m physically in danger here. I put my family in potential danger,” Marokhovskaya said. “It’s a big sacrifice.” Russia’s Prague embassy and foreign ministry did not reply to VOA’s requests for comment. With threats high, many of the outlet’s staffers work anonymously. “It’s a pity, but it’s part of our work now,” Artem said. “We’re fighting with criminals in the Kremlin, and they don’t follow rules. They just do what they want, and we’ll do the same,” he added. The personal cost of that work is high. But, said Anin, “It’s so important in these historical moments to preserve the truth about what was really going on in the country, to preserve the truth about the crimes of Putin’s regime.” And for Marokhovskaya, it’s comforting to know that she’s doing the right thing for her country. “It’s really simple to me,” she said. “I’m a patriot for my country, and the Russian government — they’re not.”
With bitcoin ticking closer to $100,000, here's a refresher on cryptocurrency
Israeli air attacks across the Gaza Strip killed at least 38 Palestinians on Wednesday, most of them in a strike on a house in Beit Lahiya on the northern edge of the enclave, medics said. The Beit Lahiya strike killed at least 22 people, including women and children, health officials said. Relatives listed the names of those killed on social media. More than 30 people were living in the multi-storey building before it was struck, and several family members remained missing as rescue operations continued through the morning, the Palestinian WAFA news agency said. The Israeli military told Reuters it had carried out a strike targeting Hamas militants near the Kamal Adwan Hospital, which is located between Beit Lahiya and Jabalia, towns on the northern fringe of Gaza under Israeli bombardments for two months. In nearby Beit Hanoun, also part of the area under attack, medics said an Israeli airstrike killed and wounded several people without giving an exact death toll. Rescue workers said several people remain trapped under rubble. The death...
Asia Pacific’s low-carbon hydrogen tenders to test readiness for clean fuel trades