Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN).
The lawsuit is brought on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Geron securities between February 28, 2024, and February 25, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”). It seeks to recover damages for investors under the federal securities laws.
The case is captioned Dabestani v. Geron Corporation, No. 25-cv-02507, and is related to Potvin v. Geron Corporation, No. 25-cv-02563, also pending in the same court.
Investors who suffered significant losses during the Class Period have until May 12, 2025, to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff is a court-appointed representative who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
To discuss your rights or eligibility, contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP by calling (800) 449-4900 or emailing info@rgrdlaw.com.
Geron is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cancer therapies. Its leading product, Rytelo (imetelstat), is a telomerase inhibitor designed to treat certain types of blood cancer.
According to the complaint, Geron and several of its executives misled investors by overstating the commercial potential of Rytelo and underreporting known obstacles to its success.
The company allegedly gave investors an impression of strong market demand and growth prospects, while downplaying the impact of competition, lack of awareness, and the burdensome monitoring requirements associated with the drug.
These factors, the complaint states, significantly limited Rytelo’s market penetration, particularly among first-line patients and those treated outside academic settings.
On February 26, 2025, Geron released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024, revealing that Rytelo’s growth had stagnated. In its announcement, the company cited seasonal demand issues, competition, low awareness, and the complexities of patient monitoring as key reasons for the disappointing performance.
Following this news, Geron’s stock price declined by more than 32%, resulting in steep losses for investors and prompting the filing of this class action.
Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, any investor who purchased Geron securities during the Class Period may seek appointment as lead plaintiff. While serving as lead plaintiff is not required to share in any potential recovery, it allows an investor to play an active role in the direction of the case.
If you invested in Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) during the Class Period and sustained financial losses, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit. The deadline to file a motion for lead plaintiff appointment is May 12, 2025.
To learn more or to submit your information:
Call Robbins Geller at (800) 449-4900
Email info@rgrdlaw.com
Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is a leading law firm specializing in securities class action litigation, shareholder derivative actions, and consumer protection cases. Established in 1992, the firm has earned a reputation for its expertise in handling complex legal matters on behalf of institutional investors, individuals, and consumer groups. With a team of skilled attorneys, Robbins Geller is known for its dedication to securing justice and maximizing recoveries for clients, often representing those who have suffered significant financial losses. The firm has a history of success in landmark cases, and its attorneys are recognized as leaders in the field of securities litigation. Robbins Geller operates nationwide and has offices in major U.S. cities.
What if the person you trusted most was hiding your deepest trauma?
That’s the chilling question at the heart of The Glass Dome, a gripping Scandinavian thriller that has quickly become one of Netflix’s most talked-about releases this spring.
Dark, emotionally complex, and impossible to look away from, this six-part mystery pulls you into a snow-covered town where the past refuses to stay buried.
Lejla Ness has spent years building a career as a criminologist, far from the small Swedish town where she grew up. But when her adoptive mother dies, Lejla returns home, only to stumble into a nightmare she thought she’d left behind.
Her childhood friend Louise is found dead. Louise’s young daughter, Alicia, vanishes without a trace. The case quickly takes a personal turn, dredging up Lejla’s own buried trauma: she was abducted as a child and held in a strange, windowless dome. The man who did it was never caught.
Now, as Lejla starts to piece together what happened to Alicia, she begins to see shocking parallels between the past and the present. The closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes someone she knows has been hiding far more than she ever imagined.
The Glass Dome is more than a whodunit. It’s about the kind of trauma that gets passed down in silence. About what happens when you look your past in the face—and discover it’s been staring back the whole time.
The story unfolds slowly but deliberately, building tension through eerie silences, frayed relationships, and memories that slip in and out of focus. It’s a show that demands your attention and rewards it at every turn.
At the center of the story is Léonie Vincent, whose performance as Lejla is both vulnerable and fierce. She’s joined by a powerful supporting cast, including Johan Hedenberg as Lejla’s adoptive father, Farzad Farzaneh as the missing girl’s father, and Gina-Lee Fahlén Ronander as Louise.
Everyone in this story carries some kind of damage and every actor brings that weight to the screen with quiet intensity.
Set against the stark beauty of central Sweden, the fictional town of Granås becomes a character in its own right. The snow-covered forests, quiet roads, and long winter shadows create an atmosphere of constant tension, as if something or someone is always watching.
The cinematography leans into this sense of isolation. Long takes. Tight close-ups. A palette of cold blues and washed-out grays. It’s beautiful, but never comforting.
People are already calling The Glass Dome one of the best psychological thrillers of the year. It’s not just the mystery, it’s the emotional undercurrent that hits hardest.
One reviewer wrote, “I thought it was about a missing girl. Turns out, it was about every girl who ever got left behind.”
All six episodes of The Glass Dome are now streaming on Netflix. Whether you’re watching alone with the lights out or sharing theories with friends after every twist, this is a series that’s meant to be experienced - start to finish.
The Glass Dome was created by Camilla Läckberg, one of Sweden’s best-selling crime authors, known for The Fjällbacka Murders series.
The show was filmed in the Dalarna region of central Sweden, a place known for its deep forests and traditional red cottages — adding an eerie authenticity to the setting.
The storyline echoes real Nordic crime cases involving recovered repressed memories, which have sparked debates in Sweden's legal and psychological communities.
Léonie Vincent, who plays Lejla Ness, is a French-Swedish actress making her breakout debut in this series — and has already been nominated for multiple Scandinavian acting awards.
Within 48 hours of release, The Glass Dome entered the Top 10 most-watched Netflix series globally, driven by word-of-mouth and TikTok buzz from true crime fans.
DLA Piper has advised BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility on the €175 million ($197 million) sale of their joint European multi-mobility platform, FreeNow, to Lyft, Inc., a leading North American ride-hailing company.
The all-cash deal marks Lyft’s most significant international expansion to date and is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
Despite the change in ownership, FreeNow will continue operating under its current brand and leadership, with a strong focus on growth. Headquartered in Europe, FreeNow provides a one-stop platform for urban mobility, offering taxis, private hire vehicles (PHVs), car sharing, eBikes, eScooters, and even public transport access, all within a single app.
The service is currently available in 9 countries and over 150 cities, including Germany, the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, and Italy.
Founded in 2012, Lyft is well known in the U.S. and Canada for its rideshare, bike, and scooter services. The acquisition of FreeNow marks its first major leap into the European market, expanding its addressable market to more than 300 billion annual personal vehicle trips.
The deal is expected to increase Lyft’s annualized gross bookings by approximately €1 billion, diversify revenue streams, and support the company’s long-term growth strategy.
“We’re on an ambitious path to build the best, most customer-obsessed mobility platform in the world, and entering Europe is an important step in our growth journey,” said Lyft CEO David Risher. “We found the perfect partner in FREENOW and can learn a lot from the team. FREENOW's local-first approach mirrors Lyft's values and embodies our purpose - to serve and connect.”
FreeNow CEO Thomas Zimmermann welcomed the partnership with Lyft, calling it “a powerful step forward” that will allow the company to scale its impact across Europe.
"Lyft's strong, customer-first track record aligns perfectly with our deep roots in the taxi industry, and together we will push boundaries and raise expectations for fleet owners, taxi drivers, and riders across the continent. We stand with the industry—not above it—and remain proud partners of the community.
This collaboration is about combining our strengths, learning from each other, and scaling what works best. We sincerely thank our former shareholders for their trust and enduring partnership throughout the years.”
Mr. Zimmermann also thanked BMW and Mercedes-Benz for their support over the years, as the companies shift their mobility strategies.
DLA Piper led the legal advisory for BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility, with a cross-border team spearheaded by:
Dr Christoph Dachner (Munich),
Dr Benjamin Parameswaran (Hamburg), and
Dr Tim Arndt (New York), all from the Corporate M&A practice.
Supporting teams included:
Dr Björn Enders (Tax),
Dr Burkhard Führmeyer (IP),
Semin O (Antitrust, all Frankfurt),
Jérôme Halphen (Employment, Paris),
Dr Thilo Streit (Regulatory, Cologne), and
Dr Enno Ahlenstiel (Antitrust).
Additional support came from senior associates Rainer Hartmann (Tax), Marisa Machacek (IP), and associates Lea Reifers (Hamburg), and Dr Lukas Reitebuch (Munich).
On the in-house side, Mercedes-Benz was represented by Michael Rebholz (Legal M&A), while the BMW Group team included Dr Matthias Wahl, Sascha Ostermann, Dr Torsten Dilly, Silvia Meier, and Stephan Kaufmann from their IP division.
DLA Piper is a global law firm with a strong reputation for providing legal services across a broad spectrum of industries and sectors. With offices in more than 40 countries, the firm offers comprehensive legal solutions in areas such as corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, real estate, and regulatory matters. DLA Piper serves a diverse range of clients, including multinational corporations, governments, and individuals, delivering innovative and strategic advice. The firm is known for its collaborative approach, providing tailored legal expertise to address complex, cross-border issues while maintaining a commitment to exceptional client service.
Kirkland & Ellis has once again secured the top position in the American Lawyer’s Am Law 100 rankings, reporting a record-breaking $8.8 billion in gross revenue for 2024—firmly maintaining its status as the nation’s highest-earning law firm.
The firm also led the industry in profits per equity partner (PEP), reaching $9.25 million, and ranked among the top five in revenue per lawyer (RPL), posting $2.29 million.
The 2024 Am Law 100 data reflects a year of significant financial gains for the largest U.S. law firms. Collectively, the top 100 firms increased gross revenue by 13.3%, expanded total lawyer headcount by 7.7%, and boosted RPL by 5.2%.
Despite the overall revenue growth, only a fifth of the firms matched or exceeded the 13.3% average, with the majority falling below that threshold. This suggests that while top performers thrived, gains were not evenly distributed across the industry.
The highest-grossing law firms in the 2024 rankings are:
Kirkland & Ellis – $8.8 billion (up 22% from 2023)
Latham & Watkins – $7 billion (up 23%)
DLA Piper – $4.2 billion (up nearly 11%)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom – $3.6 billion (up 12%)
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher – $3.5 billion (up 16%)
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz led the rankings in revenue per lawyer, with an RPL of $4.47 million—substantially higher than its peers. Other top performers in this metric include:
Susman Godfrey – $2.38 million
Sullivan & Cromwell – $2.33 million
Ropes & Gray – $2.33 million
Kirkland & Ellis – $2.29 million
Kirkland & Ellis outpaced all competitors in profits per equity partner, further solidifying its leadership position. The top five firms by PEP are:
Kirkland & Ellis – $9.25 million
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz – $9.03 million
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan – $8.64 million
Davis Polk & Wardwell – $7.8 million
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett – $7.66 million
Industry Outlook
Kirkland & Ellis’s dominant performance reflects a sustained focus on high-margin practice areas such as private equity, corporate transactions, and litigation. While the top tier of Big Law posted impressive numbers in 2024, underlying data shows a more modest growth trend for the majority of firms—underscoring the continued importance of strategic differentiation and operational efficiency in a competitive market.
As firms plan for 2025, the challenge will be maintaining momentum in the face of evolving client demands, economic shifts, and market volatility.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is drawing a hard line in one of the most politically charged legal battles of the year—refusing to support former President Donald Trump’s latest picks to run the federal prosecutor’s offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The move halts the confirmation of Jay Clayton, a former Wall Street regulator, and Joe Nocella, a Long Island judge—two men Trump hopes to install in offices that hold enormous power over financial, political, and public corruption cases.
But Schumer isn’t having it.
“Donald Trump has made clear he intends to use the Justice Department as a weapon,” Schumer said. “I will not be complicit in that effort.”
By withholding a traditional Senate approval document known as a blue slip, Schumer is setting up a political clash that could redefine how U.S. attorneys are chosen—and whether long-standing Senate customs still matter in today’s hyper-partisan climate.
Jay Clayton—best known as Trump’s former SEC Chair—is being nominated to lead the Southern District of New York (SDNY), the influential prosecutor’s office that covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and Wall Street. It’s widely considered one of the most powerful legal posts in the country.
Joe Nocella, a state court judge on Long Island, is Trump’s pick for the Eastern District of New York, which includes Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island.
Both men would oversee massive prosecutorial operations with the power to investigate everything from white-collar crime to organized criminal networks.
The “blue slip” is a little-known Senate tradition that gives home-state senators a say in who gets nominated to key federal positions like judges and U.S. attorneys. If a senator doesn’t return the slip, the nomination is typically stalled.
But the rule isn’t written into law—and it’s already eroded in recent years.
During Trump’s first term, Senate Republicans did away with the blue slip requirement for appellate judges. Now, Schumer’s refusal to approve Clayton and Nocella raises a critical question: will Republicans eliminate the blue slip for U.S. attorney positions too?
Doing so would centralize even more power in the executive branch—giving the White House far more control over who prosecutes federal crimes in each state.
This isn’t just about two nominees. It’s part of a broader political fight over the future of the Justice Department.
Democrats have been alarmed by Trump’s recent choices for top legal roles, particularly Ed Martin, who has been nominated to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. Martin previously defended participants in the January 6 Capitol riot and has a long history of far-right advocacy.
Senator Adam Schiff has already pledged to delay Martin’s confirmation, calling into question his fitness for the role.
Schumer’s opposition to Clayton and Nocella fits into the same narrative—an attempt to stop what many Democrats view as a calculated effort to place political loyalists in key legal positions.
It’s possible. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley previously indicated he wanted to preserve the blue slip process for U.S. attorneys. But Schumer’s move may push GOP leadership to reconsider.
If Republicans choose to eliminate the blue slip rule for these roles, it could usher in a new era of federal appointments—with little to no input from local lawmakers.
That shift could be especially significant in states with split Senate delegations or high-profile legal jurisdictions like New York, California, and D.C.
At the moment, Trump’s nominees remain in limbo. Whether they move forward depends on what the Senate decides to do next—and whether it’s willing to blow up yet another political norm in the process.
For Schumer, the stakes are clear.
“This isn’t about politics,” he said. “It’s about preserving the rule of law.”
Why is Chuck Schumer blocking Trump’s nominees for U.S. attorney?
Schumer says the nominees could be used by Trump to target political enemies. He is refusing to return the blue slips required for Senate confirmation.
What is a blue slip in the Senate?
A blue slip is a form used by the Senate Judiciary Committee that lets home-state senators approve or block federal judicial and prosecutor nominees. It’s a tradition, not a law.
Who is Jay Clayton?
Clayton is a former SEC chairman nominated by Trump to run the Southern District of New York. He has close ties to Wall Street and served during Trump’s first term.
Can Republicans eliminate the blue slip rule?
Yes. The GOP already removed the requirement for appellate judges. They may now do the same for U.S. attorney positions to fast-track confirmations.
Why are the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York important?
They’re two of the most powerful federal prosecutor offices in the country, handling major cases involving financial crimes, organized crime, terrorism, and public corruption.
Stay informed with more stories from the legal and political front lines:
🔫 Chinese Triad Boss Shot Dead in Rome
A mafia-style execution rocks the Italian capital. What’s behind the high-profile hit?
Read more →
🍔 Burger King Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy
Financial turmoil hits one of America’s biggest fast-food chains. Here's what led to the collapse.
Read more →
⚖️ Trump Administration Faces New Court Battle Over Payment Systems
A fresh legal dispute could shape federal power over private financial platforms.
Read more →
🚗 Tesla Loses Defamation Case in Court
Elon Musk’s electric empire takes a legal hit. What the ruling means for free speech and reputational risk.
Read more →
🛢️ Exxon Faces Trespass Lawsuit Over Refinery Pollution
Texas landowners take on Big Oil in a growing fight over environmental damage.
Read more →
🔥 Man Charged in Fire at Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion
A stunning arson case with political implications. Who’s behind the blaze?
Read more →
🧑⚖️ Judge Paula Xinis Blocks Trump-Era Deportation in Key Ruling
How one federal judge stood up to wrongful detention—and the Supreme Court backed her.
Read more →
Class action proceedings have begun against Google in the UK over claims the US tech giant exploited its powerful position in the general search and search advertising sectors to inflate ad costs and crush competition.
A complaint was submitted today (16 April) to the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) by Or Brook Class Representative Limited, a London-based firm led by competition law scholar Dr. Or Brook. This action represents the interests of numerous UK businesses that utilized Google’s search advertising services from January 2011 to April 2025.
Dr Brook said in a statement: “Today, UK businesses and organisations, big or small, have almost no choice but to use Google Ads to advertise their products and services. Regulators around the world have described Google as a monopoly and securing a spot on Google’s top pages is essential for visibility.”
She added: “This class action is about holding Google accountable for its unlawful practices and seeking compensation on behalf of UK advertisers who have been overcharged.”
Damien Geradin, founding partner of Geradin Partners – one of the law firms acting for the claimant – commented: “This is the first claim of its kind in the UK that seeks redress for the harm caused specifically to businesses who have been forced to pay inflated prices for advertising space on Google pages. We are fully committed to holding Google accountable and securing fair compensation for affected organisations and businesses.”
According to the claim, Google paid billions to secure its spot as the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser, effectively shutting out competition and maintaining its monopoly. By doing so, the tech giant allegedly forced advertisers to pay inflated, “supra-competitive” prices to appear on its search results — prices that wouldn’t exist in a fair, open market.
With a 90% share of the global search engine market and over 200,000 UK businesses using Google’s ad services, the financial impact is massive. The lawsuit seeks up to £5 billion in damages, representing the alleged overcharges paid by UK advertisers over the last decade.
This is an opt-out class action, meaning any UK-based business that bought Google search ads since 2011 is automatically included in the claim — unless they choose to remove themselves.
So, what does this mean for UK businesses that advertised with Google? If your company paid for Google Search ads anytime between January 2011 and April 2025, you could be entitled to a share of the £5 billion in potential damages. Because this is an opt-out class action, there’s no need to sign up or fill out forms right now — eligible businesses are automatically included unless they actively choose to opt out.
If the case succeeds, compensation will be distributed based on how much each advertiser spent during the relevant period. In other words, if your business used Google Ads, you might receive a payout without having to do anything at all. For now, the best step is simply to stay informed as the case progresses through the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
🔍 Google Seeks to Overturn App Store Verdict in US Appeals Court
A look at Google’s ongoing appeal against a major antitrust ruling involving its control over app distribution and payments.
Read more →
🤖 Chegg Files Lawsuit Against Google: AI Overviews Threaten Educational Content
Chegg takes legal action against Google, claiming its AI-powered search summaries are undermining original educational material.
Read more →
☁️ Freshfields Guides Google in $32 Billion Wiz Acquisition
Inside Google’s massive cybersecurity acquisition as it bolsters cloud protection with leading platform Wiz.
Read more →
✨ Priyanka Chopra: Autocomplete Interview
A lighter read – explore how AI search intersects with celebrity culture in this candid conversation with Priyanka Chopra.
Read more →
The once-empty skies above Earth are now packed with satellites, rocket stages, and startup dreams. But while space technology has advanced rapidly, the rules guiding it are still catching up. That’s changing fast.
In 2025, governments and agencies are rolling out new laws, tightening licensing frameworks, and launching sustainability initiatives. Legal experts, policy leaders, and academics are calling it a pivotal moment. Here’s a look at what’s happening and what the professionals are saying.
In the United States, commercial space companies have called for an overhaul of the launch approval process. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing its Part 450 rules, which many say have become an obstacle rather than a gateway.
"We’re seeing a huge increase in launch frequency and the current framework isn’t keeping up." said Laura Montgomery, space law attorney and former FAA counsel, speaking to Akin Gump’s 2025 space law briefing.
The U.S. House Science Committee has now requested an independent review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), aiming to modernize the system to meet the fast-changing demands of commercial spaceflight.
The United Kingdom isn’t just aiming to be a space launch hub—it wants to be a global regulator. George Freeman, former UK Science Minister, has called for Britain to lead efforts to establish international standards for responsible space operations.
“This is a huge opportunity for the UK. We should seize it.” said Mr. Freeman in an April 2025 interview with The Guardian.
Backed by Lloyd’s of London, Freeman is pushing the Earth Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI), which offers companies faster licenses, lower insurance premiums, and access to ESG finance if they commit to debris-free operations and sustainable practices in orbit.
In Brussels, the European Union is building a new satellite system IRIS², designed to secure data and create a sovereign alternative to foreign constellations like Starlink. Alongside that, the EU is drafting its first full-scale space law, expected to introduce wide-ranging rules on orbital safety, data privacy, and critical infrastructure.
"We’re building Europe’s sovereign infrastructure in space." said Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, speaking in late 2024.
Legal scholars say this could be one of the most comprehensive space laws ever passed in Europe, with global implications for satellite operators and telecom firms.
The growing complexity of orbital activity is also raising questions about ownership, access, and international law. Legal experts argue that whoever sets the rules now will define the future of space for decades.
"Outer space, which includes the moon, asteroids and other celestial bodies, is considered beyond the national jurisdiction of any one state, but the rules made here on Earth will determine the future of space for our planet," said Professor Colleen Graffy, international law expert at Pepperdine University.
This perspective echoes a growing concern among legal scholars: as space turns into a stage for economic expansion and geopolitical tension, the laws we shape today must be fair, enforceable, and open to all.
One of the clearest calls for inclusion in global space rulemaking has come from Professor Timiebi Aganaba, a legal scholar at Arizona State University who has worked with both NASA and the UN.
"This is an area of rulemaking where they're just setting up the rules for the future, so you need to have a perspective now. If the system gets built without you, if you come in later, people will start quoting laws to you." said Timiebi Aganaba in a recent interview with .
The warning is clear: space law isn’t just about rockets, it’s about who gets to shape the future. And if you're not at the table now, you may be left behind.
The environmental cost of orbital activity is also in the spotlight. The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a "Zero Debris Charter" and is in talks with major players, including SpaceX to get on board.
"We want to bring in the major players," said Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, during a press briefing in late 2024.
More than 100 organizations have already signed on, and the initiative is seen as the beginning of a global shift toward orbital cleanup and debris-free design.
Suspect in Custody After 4 Injured at Wilmer Hutchins High School
Justice for Sara Millerey: Colombia Case Sparks Global Outcry
A Chinese Triad kingpin and his wife were executed in a brutal, mob-style ambush on the streets of Rome.
Zhang Dayong, 53 — feared in the underworld as "Asheng" — was found riddled with bullets beside his wife, Gong Xiaoqing, 38, outside their apartment in the gritty eastern Roman district of Pigneto, police confirmed.

Authorities say Dayong was an associate of Naizhong Zhang (pictured), a Chinese-Italian crime figure currently standing trial in Florence.
The couple were biking home when gunmen on a motorcycle confronted them, according to local news sources. They reportedly fired at least six shots, striking the back of their heads, as additional reports indicate. Authorities revealed that Dayong was employed by Naizhong Zhang, a Chinese-Italian crime leader currently facing trial in Florence for allegedly orchestrating illegal activities throughout Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. Prosecutors fighting against organized crime disclosed that Zhang had established a near-monopoly on goods distribution across a large part of Europe by using intimidation and violence against Chinese business owners.
Prosecutors say Dayong ran the dark heart of Rome’s Chinese underworld — overseeing illegal gambling dens, brutal loan-sharking rings, and violent enforcement crews.
He was a key target in the 2018 “China Truck” crackdown — a sweeping anti-mafia sting by Florence investigators that exposed a vast Chinese trafficking network operating out of Prato, near Florence.
A senior police source suggested the double hit could be tied to the deadly “Coat Hanger Wars” — a vicious turf war that’s been spiraling out of control in recent years.
The conflict, rooted in Prato, has pitted rival Triad factions against each other in a bloody battle for control of Italy’s booming fashion logistics racket.
The couple's assassination is believed to signal a deeper power struggle among Chinese crime syndicates.
Such operations have expanded beyond Prato, seeping into other European hubs like Madrid and Paris.
In recent years, Prato has seen a sharp increase in violent incidents linked to Chinese organized crime, including arson, armed assaults, and attempted murders. Police believe these events are not isolated, but part of an intensifying struggle between criminal groups seeking to dominate the region’s lucrative counterfeit and textile shipping networks.
Italian law enforcement has been tracking Chinese organized crime groups operating beyond Prato, noting expansion into other major European cities such as Madrid and Paris. These networks are thought to be highly coordinated, using legitimate business fronts to conceal activities that range from labor exploitation to drug trafficking.
While investigations into the Rome murders are ongoing, authorities say the level of planning suggests coordination at a high level. Surveillance footage from the area is being reviewed, and local witnesses have been questioned. No arrests have been made so far.

Pigneto is considered a 'working-class' neighborhood of Rome
At the same time, Italy’s domestic crime landscape is facing its own internal fractures. In Calabria, the discovery of Antonio Strangio’s burned body inside a torched vehicle in San Luca has reignited tensions within the ‘Ndrangheta, the powerful mafia syndicate based in the region. Strangio, 42, had been missing for over a week before remains found in the SUV were identified through dental records and personal effects.
Antonio was the son of Guiseppe Strangio, a former leader of a faction known as the Barbarians. Guiseppe has served time for murder and was implicated in a series of high-profile kidnappings in the 1970s and 1980s, including the abduction of Cesare Casella, who was held for two years until his family reportedly paid a massive ransom.
Police sources believe Antonio’s death could signal a new phase of instability within the ‘Ndrangheta. Investigators are considering whether his killing is part of a power realignment among the group’s more than 40 interrelated clans.
As authorities across Europe attempt to map out these overlapping criminal networks, the murder of Zhang Dayong and Gong Xiaoqing stands out not only for its precision but for what it may indicate — that international crime syndicates, once operating discreetly within national borders, are becoming more visible, more violent, and more interconnected.
Latest: Khloé Kardashian’s Violent Confrontation With Lamar Odom
The reality star caught Lamar mid-affair — and what happened next left their relationship shattered. Read the full explosive account here.
🔹 ‘Sister Wives’ Coyote Pass Sale Sparks Family Rift
The Browns sold Coyote Pass — but the deal is raising questions about trust, family dynamics, and who really walked away on top.
🔹 Jim Bob Duggar’s Secret Walmart Land Deal Raises Eyebrows
The former 19 Kids and Counting star quietly flipped land near a Walmart — now questions are swirling about the legality of the deal.
🔹 Drake Faces Court Over Kendrick Diss Track — Trial Could Set New Industry Standard
What began as a rap battle might now become a precedent-setting courtroom drama over artistic rights and lyrical intent.
🔹 Karmelo Anthony’s Family Accused of “Blood Money” Spending After Teen’s Tragic Death
After receiving $430K in settlement funds, the family invested in home security — but critics say the money came at too high a cost.
Disturbing bodycam footage reveals inside Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's hoarder home, with one of their beloved dogs discovered just feet from the actor's wife's lifeless remains.
Video shows officers pacing through rooms of the multi-million-dollar residence, with many of the couple's personal possessions strewn about.
Hackman's spouse, Betsy Arakawa, tragically passed away from a rare rodent-borne illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, just a week before the Hollywood icon himself died. In the footage, their German shepherd can be seen sorrowfully gazing at her body just a short distance away. An investigator is heard commenting, "Poor guy, he's sad." Additionally, the sink area is cluttered with various toiletries and medication bottles.
Latest: Khloé Kardashian’s Violent Confrontation With Lamar Odom
The reality star caught Lamar mid-affair — and what happened next left their relationship shattered. Read the full explosive account here.
🔹 ‘Sister Wives’ Coyote Pass Sale Sparks Family Rift
The Browns sold Coyote Pass — but the deal is raising questions about trust, family dynamics, and who really walked away on top.
🔹 Jim Bob Duggar’s Secret Walmart Land Deal Raises Eyebrows
The former 19 Kids and Counting star quietly flipped land near a Walmart — now questions are swirling about the legality of the deal.
🔹 Drake Faces Court Over Kendrick Diss Track — Trial Could Set New Industry Standard
What began as a rap battle might now become a precedent-setting courtroom drama over artistic rights and lyrical intent.
🔹 Karmelo Anthony’s Family Accused of “Blood Money” Spending After Teen’s Tragic Death
After receiving $430K in settlement funds, the family invested in home security — but critics say the money came at too high a cost.
On the latest episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Khloé Kardashian opened up with striking honesty about one of the most painful and chaotic moments from her past — the night she discovered her then-husband, Lamar Odom, cheating on her in a Downtown Los Angeles motel.
During the deeply personal conversation, the 40-year-old reality star and entrepreneur looked back on the confrontation with raw emotion, recalling how she "went ballistic" after tracking Odom down and catching him with another woman. The incident, she revealed, left her physically injured, with her knuckles bloodied from the outburst.
“We were married. He was doing his thing, and he went down to some motel in Downtown L.A. and was with a girl,” Kardashian shared, reflecting on the moment that unfolded when she was in her mid-20s — “around 26,” she estimated.
Although the pair officially split in 2013 and finalized their divorce in 2016, their seven-year marriage had been marked by struggles, including Odom’s public battle with addiction and repeated infidelity.
Khloé explained that on that particular night, she had managed to track Lamar down, locating the exact room he was staying in. When she arrived, she peered through the window and saw something that confirmed her worst fears.
“I saw in the window that him and this girl were... they were either naked or she was in lingerie, something like that,” she said.
Instead of walking away, she decided to confront them directly. “I knocked on the door. They answered it for some reason, and I just started going ballistic,” she admitted, the memory still sharp in her mind.
The aftermath was no less surreal. The very next day, Khloé had to attend a cowboy-themed birthday party for her niece Penelope — the daughter of her sister Kourtney Kardashian Barker, who is now 12 years old. Despite what had just happened, Khloé somehow pulled herself together and showed up for the celebration.
“My knuckles were all bloody and gross, and I just had bandanas wrapped around [them],” she said, half-joking that she was “on theme” for the party. “I acted as if nothing ever happened. And I don’t think I ever said a thing,” she added, revealing the inner strength — and silence — she carried in that moment.
Kardashian also recalled how stunned Lamar was that she found him at all. “He could not understand how I knew where he was,” she said. “And I was like, ‘I don’t give a s---. I’m not telling anybody anything. And why are you in a motel in Downtown L.A. at 3 in the morning?’”
Later in the interview, the Khloé in Wonderland host was asked just how far she and her sisters were willing to go when it came to getting the truth about a man. Her response was as candid as ever.
“Oh, I’ve had trackers on people’s cars before,” she admitted, acknowledging that the drive to know the truth can sometimes become overwhelming.
She pushed back on the idea that women are “crazy” for taking such steps, insisting that the behavior often stems from being driven to desperation by lies and betrayal. “Do not act like you did not put me in this position and you did not make me be this psychopath,” she said.
She described that phase of her life as both “an obsession and an addiction,” explaining, “The best thing is when you're free of that. I pray I never am back there again.”
Back in 2016, Khloé spoke to Howard Stern about Lamar’s infidelity, admitting how blindsided she felt by the extent of his cheating. “Love is blind … Lamar was so great at making me feel like I was the only one and I’m this princess. I never speculated cheating … so I didn’t know about cheating … until before the DUI [in 2013],” she said.
“It is humiliating on any level,” she continued, “but I found out he was cheating on me the majority of our marriage. I just didn’t know.”
Lamar himself later expressed his regret about how he treated Khloé. Speaking to PEOPLE in 2019, he said, “I wish I could have been more of a man. It still bothers me to this day. But regret is something we have to learn to live with.”
Most recently, the former couple came face-to-face during the Season 6 premiere of The Kardashians. The reunion took place at the home of Khloé’s longtime best friend Malika Haqq — and it marked the first time she and Lamar had seen each other in nine years.
Reflecting on the reunion during the season finale, Khloé confided in her younger sisters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and shared just how hurtful it feels when her exes try to sweep the past under the rug.
“I get offended, whether it be Tristan [Thompson] or Lamar, where these people do these outrageous things and then they see me again and act as if nothing happened,” she said. “Or they’re like, ‘Oh, I wish I could put my tongue down your throat.’”
She didn’t hold back as she vented her frustration: “What does it say on my forehead? ‘F------ doormat?’ It probably does to these people, because I have been, in so many different ways. But then that gets taken advantage of.”
“All you guys — f--- every single person around me,” she said. “Everyone loves to say how great I am after, but why don’t you think that before? But it’s really insulting to me.”
🔹 ‘Sister Wives’ Coyote Pass Sale Sparks Family Rift
The Browns sold Coyote Pass — but the deal is raising questions about trust, family dynamics, and who really walked away on top.
🔹 Jim Bob Duggar’s Secret Walmart Land Deal Raises Eyebrows
The former 19 Kids and Counting star quietly flipped land near a Walmart — now questions are swirling about the legality of the deal.
🔹 Drake Faces Court Over Kendrick Diss Track — Trial Could Set New Industry Standard
What began as a rap battle might now become a precedent-setting courtroom drama over artistic rights and lyrical intent.
🔹 Karmelo Anthony’s Family Accused of “Blood Money” Spending After Teen’s Tragic Death
After receiving $430K in settlement funds, the family invested in home security — but critics say the money came at too high a cost.