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A man from Pennsylvania surrendered to authorities, admitting to starting the fires, as reported by the police. Earlier that evening, Governor Josh Shapiro and his family had observed Passover.
Pennsylvania authorities charged a Harrisburg-area man with attempted murder, terrorism and arson Monday after police said he confessed to breaking into and igniting fires at the governor's residence early Sunday morning.
Authorities reported that a suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Cody Balmer, was caught on surveillance footage climbing a fence to access the property around 2 a.m. on Sunday, while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside. Fortunately, no one was harmed during the incident. Officials revealed that the intruder used a hammer to break a window on the south side of the house, threw a Molotov cocktail inside, then smashed another window, crawled in, and ignited two additional fires before fleeing through a fire exit.
Cody Balmer, 38, of Pennsylvania, has been charged with attempted murder, terrorism, and arson by the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office after allegedly setting a fire at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence.
According to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, Balmer later surrendered to the police and admitted to the attack, which resulted in significant damage. He also told state troopers that he would have assaulted the governor with the hammer had they crossed paths. Footage from the event shows the intruder wearing a “Snap-On” jacket with unique shoulder patches, which investigators later discovered at Balmer's residence, along with a gasoline container, as reported by the police. During the attack, Shapiro, a Democrat, and his wife and children were located on the opposite side of the building.
“Lori and I are overwhelmed by the prayers and the messages of support that we’ve received,” Shapiro said at a news conference Sunday.
The incident took place on the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Shapiro and his family observed on Saturday night.
“No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly or proudly,” Shapiro said. He also noted that “we don’t know the person’s specific motives yet.”
Shapiro emphasized that violence is not acceptable.
“And I don’t give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other. Directed at one political party or another. Or one particular person or another. It is not OK,” he said.
Balmer is currently hospitalized due to a separate medical issue.
🔄 Update: Fire Chief Says Closed Doors Likely Saved Lives
Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline emphasized that closed interior doors played a pivotal role in containing the fire and preventing further devastation.
Speaking to reporters, Enterline said the blaze could have spread rapidly through the residence had certain doors not been shut. “It would have been a totally different fire and a totally different outcome, most likely, had that door not been closed,” he said. The closed doors, particularly near the ballroom and stairwell areas, likely slowed the fire's progression and gave first responders crucial extra minutes to protect Governor Shapiro and his family, who were inside the home at the time of the attack.
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It started with two people who simply vanished.
In early May 2021, Eugene Simpson’s sudden silence unsettled his family. At first, they told themselves it wasn’t unusual. Eugene had disappeared before — short stretches when he wouldn’t answer his phone or check in. But he always came back. Always called eventually.
This time, he didn’t.
What triggered real concern was his absence from a family barbecue on May 2nd in Great Falls, South Carolina — the kind of gathering he never missed, especially when his children were involved. The event was hosted by his cousin-in-law, Melissa Simpson. Eugene had promised to stop by, spend time with his two young kids, and catch up with family. Everyone was waiting for him. The kids asked about him all afternoon.
“He was supposed to come,” Melissa said. “He told us he would be there. And when he didn’t show up, we just… we knew. We knew something had happened.”
They called his phone. No answer. Texts went unread. As the hours passed, hope turned into dread.
That missed barbecue — ordinary, even forgettable under other circumstances — became the first undeniable sign that Eugene was gone. Not lost. Not hiding. Gone.
Around the same time, York County authorities received a request for a welfare check. The call concerned Thomas Hardin, a 35-year-old woman who hadn’t been heard from in days. Hardin lived alone in a modest apartment in York, South Carolina.
When officers finally arrived and forced their way inside, they found Thomas Hardin (a trans-identifying woman) lying dead on the floor. She had been shot multiple times. The apartment was oddly untouched — nothing stolen, no signs of forced entry, no struggle. The scene suggested a killing that was deliberate, cold, and deeply personal.
Police didn’t know it yet, but these two cases — a missing father and a murdered woman were connected. They would soon trace both back to one unlikely source: a woman named Adrienne Simpson.
Adrienne, 34 at the time, was Eugene’s estranged wife. Their relationship had been turbulent for years. They were no longer living together but still shared parental responsibilities. There was always tension between them, but never anything that pointed to what was coming.
What investigators didn’t know — at least not right away — was that Adrienne had taken up with another man, Tyler Terry. Terry was just 26 but already had a lengthy criminal history including robbery and assault.
Terry was romantically involved with Thomas Hardin in which police would later learn and the love triangle, driven by jealousy and resentment, became one of the central motives behind the violence that followed. Adrienne had reportedly grown furious over Terry’s continued relationship with Thomas. Whether it was betrayal, possessiveness, or something darker, something snapped.
The first major clue linking Adrienne to the murders came when investigators found her credit card near the scene of Hardin’s killing. That discovery set everything in motion and the chase was on to catch the killers.
By May 17, police had eyes on Adrienne and Terry driving through Chester County and a local deputy moved in to pull them over.
Instead of pulling over, Terry slammed his foot on the gas — and within seconds, gunfire erupted from inside the moving car. With one hand on the wheel and the other gripping a revolver, he fired through the windshield as he tore down the highway at more than 100 miles per hour, bullets flying while police gave chase.
What followed wasn’t just a car chase. It was a rolling gunfight across rural South Carolina. Terry, behind the wheel, allegedly fired a rifle through the windshield as he sped down Highway 9. Officers returned fire. The pursuit stretched more than 30 miles, a violent blur of screaming tires and split-second terror.
Eventually, the car crashed.
Adrienne was arrested on the spot. Terry managed to leave the vehicle and fled into the woods, barefoot, armed, and dangerous. For the next seven days, he would elude one of the largest manhunts the county had ever seen. More than 125 officers searched dense forest and swamp. Helicopters were called in as well as sniffer dogs who managed to lock in on his scent.
Residents were ordered to lock their doors and schools canceled classes. Sheriff Max Dorsey gave daily updates, describing Terry as “the most violent man I’ve ever encountered.” At one point, Terry was caught on a surveillance camera at a nearby business. He had broken in, stolen a gun and shoes, and vanished again. The fear in Chester County was palpable. Terry had become a ghost — one carrying a loaded weapon and an appetite for destruction.
With Terry still missing, investigators turned their focus to Adrienne.
At first, she kept her answers vague. But when detectives confronted her with mounting evidence, she began to open up.
Eventually Adrienne admitted that she had helped lure Eugene to his death. According to her version of events, Eugene thought he was meeting with her to talk about their children. Instead, he was ambushed and shot — his body dumped in a roadside ditch, where it would lie undiscovered for more than two weeks.
She said she drove Terry to Thomas Hardin’s apartment as well, though she insisted she didn’t know he was going to kill her. “I just drove,” she told police. “I didn’t know what he was going to do.” Investigators weren’t convinced. The emotional entanglements — the jealousy, the romantic history — were too complex to untangle with a shrug.
And then she said something that stunned detectives: she and Terry hadn’t stopped killing. They had gone on the run — and they had killed more people along the way.
Just three days before the shootout in South Carolina, Terry and Adrienne were in Missouri.
On the evening of May 15, in University City near St. Louis, 71-year-old Barbara Goodkin and her husband Stanley were driving home together. It was late, but not unusual — they had just left a small gathering. They never saw the other car pull up beside them. Shots rang out from the passenger window and Barbara was struck in the head. Stanley, sitting behind the wheel, was also hit — the bullet passed through his chest but was deflected by his cell phone. Miraculously, he survived.
Tragically, Barbara died in the hospital the next day.
Less than an hour later, Dr. Sergei Zacharev, a 58-year-old anesthesiologist, was shot and killed outside a hotel in Brentwood. He had just stepped outside for air. The randomness of the attack made it even more horrifying as nothing was taken. There was no robbery.
Zacharev left behind a son. His colleagues remembered him as lighthearted, compassionate, and deeply devoted to his patients. “Always smiling,” one nurse wrote. “Always looking out for others.”
After a forensic examination of the crime scenes, the police ballistics squad eventually matched the weapon used in both Missouri shootings to Terry.
The final victim in the spree was 25-year-old Danterrio Coats. In Memphis, Tennessee, police say Coats pulled over to help a couple who appeared to be having car trouble on the side of the road. Adrienne flagged him down. As he stepped out of his vehicle, she allegedly pulled a gun and shot him through the window. Coats collapsed in the street.
His death, like the others, was pointless — a life stolen for no reason beyond impulse.
On May 24, one week after the crash and manhunt, Tyler Terry was found curled up in the woods, dehydrated and exhausted. Police reports said he didn’t resist arrest.
In interviews with police, he confirmed much of Adrienne’s story — but added that she was far more involved than she had admitted. “She shot too,” he told them. “This wasn’t just me.”
When asked why he did it — why they did any of it — Terry reportedly smiled and said, “What would Harley Quinn be without the Joker? She’s the reason I do what I do.”
Rather than drag victims’ families through years of court proceedings, prosecutors across South Carolina, Missouri, and Tennessee reached an agreement: both Terry and Simpson would plead guilty in all jurisdictions. In exchange, they would be spared the death penalty and sentenced to life without parole.
Terry entered his pleas in July 2023 and was sentenced to multiple life terms plus 155 years. Adrienne followed in October 2024, pleading guilty to murder, assault, robbery, and weapons charges. Her sentencing was set for later that month.
At the hearings, family members of the victims addressed the court. Stanley Goodkin, whose wife was killed beside him, said Terry “should be sentenced to a burning, torturous death.” Dr. Zacharev’s brother added: “You’re going to prison for the rest of your life to die. Be proud of yourself.”
In the end, there were no big revelations, no manifesto or explanation. Just a shattered trail of grief, spread across three states and five families.
Eugene Simpson. Thomas Hardin. Barbara Goodkin. Sergei Zacharev. Danterrio Coats.
They didn’t know each other. They had nothing in common. But their names are now forever linked by two people — drawn together by chaos, bonded by cruelty, and swallowed up by their own warped idea of love.
Even now, police say they can’t be entirely sure that the killing spree stopped with those five. Investigations remain open. There are still unanswered questions.
“What they did between South Carolina and Missouri, we may never fully know,” one investigator admitted. “But we’re not done looking.”
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Nick Carter, 45, is facing serious new allegations. A woman named Laura Penly has filed a lawsuit accusing the Backstreet Boys singer of sexual assault claiming he gave her HPV, which later developed into cervical cancer.
Ms. Penly says the two met when she was around 19, and they began a casual relationship that included a few consensual encounters. But according to her, things changed dramatically during a visit to Carter’s apartment in Hollywood. What started as an evening to hang out and watch movies allegedly turned into something far more disturbing.
She claims Carter refused to wear protection, despite her asking him to, and led her to believe he was free of any STDs. Then, she says, he forced himself on her, ignoring her repeated attempts to say no.
“He told me no one would believe me anyway,” Penly alleges in the court documents.
A few months later, Laura Penly says Nick Carter reached out to apologize, and she agreed to see him again. That meeting, she claims, ended in a second assault.
Not long after, Penly says she began experiencing health issues. A doctor’s visit revealed infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV. Then came the news that changed everything: cervical cancer. Stage 2.
In the lawsuit, she describes undergoing intense medical treatments and struggling with emotional trauma, physical pain, and deep trust issues that have followed her ever since.
“This isn’t just about one incident, it’s about the ripple effects that took over her life,” said Gianna N. Elliot, Penly’s attorney at Marsh Law Firm. “Nick Carter used his fame and status to silence women for years. That stops now.”
Carter’s legal team strongly denies the claims, calling them part of an ongoing campaign to destroy his reputation. “Nick doesn’t even recall ever meeting Laura Penly, let alone having a relationship with her,” said attorneys Liane Wakayama and Dale Hayes, Jr. in a joint statement. “These claims are completely false, and we’re prepared to fight them.”
Laura Penly is seeking damages and has requested a jury trial.
She’s not the only one speaking out. Over the years, three other women Melissa Schuman, Ashley Repp, and Shannon Ruth, have come forward with their own allegations of sexual misconduct involving Carter.
All three women shared their experiences in the 2024 docuseries Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter, which delves into the allegations against Nick Carter and the broader implications within the entertainment industry.
Melissa Schuman
Melissa Schuman, a former member of the early 2000s pop group Dream, alleged in 2017 that Nick Carter raped her in 2003 when she was 18 and he was 22. She claimed the assault occurred at his Santa Monica apartment after they filmed the movie The Hollow together.
Schuman stated that Carter provided her with alcohol and a sedative before the alleged assault. Although the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to press charges in 2018 due to the statute of limitations, Schuman filed a civil lawsuit against Carter in April 2023. In response, Carter countersued her for $2.5 million, alleging defamation and interference with his business contracts.
Ashley Repp
Ashley Repp, who filed her lawsuit under the name "Ashley," accused Carter of sexually assaulting her in 2003 when she was 15 years old. She claimed that Carter misled her into believing he was unaware of her age. Carter filed a countersuit for defamation, but in August 2024, a Nevada judge ruled against him, stating that "the truth is an absolute defense," acknowledging that Carter admitted to having sexual relations with Repp when she was a minor.
Shannon Ruth
Shannon Ruth filed a lawsuit in December 2022, alleging that Carter raped her in 2001 when she was 17 years old. She claimed the assault occurred on a tour bus after a Backstreet Boys concert in Tacoma, Washington. Ruth, who has autism and cerebral palsy, stated that Carter provided her with alcohol before the alleged assault. Carter denied the allegations and filed a countersuit, accusing Ruth and Schuman of conspiring to defame him. In November 2024, the Nevada Supreme Court denied Ruth's motion to dismiss Carter's counterclaim, allowing the defamation case to proceed.
He has denied all of them and even filed defamation suits against Schuman and Ruth. A judge recently blocked his attempt to sue Repp.
Melissa Schuman’s case is expected to go to trial in California later this year, while Repp and Ruth’s cases are scheduled for 2026 in Nevada.
As this new lawsuit moves forward, it marks yet another chapter in the growing number of sexual assault allegations surrounding Nick Carter. But for Laura Penly, this case is far more personal, it’s about reclaiming her voice after years of emotional, physical, and psychological trauma.
While the music industry has long been criticized for shielding powerful figures from accountability, a cultural shift is underway. In recent years, survivors have begun coming forward in greater numbers, challenging a system that too often prioritized celebrity over truth.
Laura Penly’s story reflects not only the alleged harm she endured, but the ripple effects that followed years of medical treatments, emotional distress. She has also reported harassment from fans after testifying, underscoring the personal toll that can come with speaking out against a public figure.
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A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Jesse Lingard’s grandfather messaged the footballer saying “shame on you”, a court has heard.
Kenneth Lingard, 86, is charged with historic offences involving a girl when she was as young as five.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the woman, who cannot be identified, contacted police after watching a Channel 4 documentary where former Manchester United player Jesse Lingard discussed his grandfather’s role in shaping his career.
On Monday, the court heard that she sent three messages to the footballer, currently playing for FC Seoul in South Korea, on November 18, 2022, the day after the documentary was released. In one message, she expressed her outrage, stating: “Shame on you, Jesse Lingard. So many lies. Your grandfather, Kenneth Lingard, molested and sexually abused me, and you know it. You made that documentary for profit and to portray yourself as a mental health advocate.
As you said, I’m speaking out. No more silence.” In another message, she accused the footballer of concealing a “dark” secret about his grandfather being a “paedophile” and a “child molester.” She also labeled his late grandmother, Pamela, as an “enabler.” When she didn’t receive a response, she reached out to a friend of the footballer, who was on vacation with him, as the court was informed. In that message, she stated that the former England player had “no right to do that documentary” given that his grandfather had “molested” her for years.
She added: “F****** cheeky twat. Shame on you, Jesse Lingard.” The woman testified that prior to sending the messages, she had video-called the player. When he answered, he was lounging in the sun, and she believed he was in Dubai. She recounted to the court: “I asked him why he did it.
He didn’t respond, so I asked, ‘Why didn’t you tell me when you knew about the abuse?’ Again, he didn’t answer.” She noted that he mumbled something before ending the call. She admitted to being “furious” when she sent the messages and acknowledged that she was reacting out of anger. She remarked: “That’s not how I usually behave.” The court also heard recordings of calls she made to the police on the day the documentary was released. In a 999 call, she asked: “How do I get someone arrested for child abuse, specifically historic child abuse?” During cross-examination, Tom Price KC, who was defending, stated: “We completely deny any suggestion that any sexual abuse ever occurred,” while the complainant gave her testimony from behind a screen. Kenneth Lingard, from Northway, Warrington, observed the proceedings via video link.
He denies 17 counts of indecent assault.
The case will continue on Tuesday.
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Thirteen inmates convicted of drug trafficking in the U.S. are now back in Mexico, where they'll serve the rest of their prison time. The transfer, carried out Friday, marks another step in a long-running agreement between the two countries that quietly saves American taxpayers a hefty sum.
These prisoners, all Mexican nationals, had been locked up in federal prisons across the U.S. for distributing illegal drugs like cocaine, meth, and fentanyl. With years still left on their sentences, 75 in total, they asked to be sent home. Both governments signed off.
“Friday’s transfer of 13 federal inmates to correctional authorities in Mexico has saved the United States over $3 million by eliminating the need to pay incarceration costs for the 75 years remaining on their combined sentences.” said Matthew R. Galeotti, who leads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“The Justice Department’s International Prisoner Transfer Program, which is administered by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, enhances offender rehabilitation, reduces incarceration costs, and relieves overcrowding in federal prisons. The transfer is pursuant to the Treaty between the United States of America and the United Mexican States on the Execution of the Penal Sentences.”
The move falls under a long-standing treaty between the U.S. and Mexico that allows inmates to finish their time in their country of citizenship. It’s part of the International Prisoner Transfer Program, a little-known initiative that has been quietly operating for nearly five decades.
The idea is simple. If both countries agree and the inmate wants it, they can serve their sentence closer to home. It’s not automatic. Every case is reviewed. Every transfer has to be approved on both sides.
This latest group brings the total number of such transfers with Mexico to 184 since the program officially got underway back in the late 1970s. The last time it happened was in December, when nine inmates were returned.
For those behind bars, being closer to family and a familiar culture can make a real difference in rehabilitation. For the U.S., it’s a practical win. Fewer inmates means less strain on the system and millions in savings.
The U.S.-Mexico prisoner transfer treaty is one of several international agreements designed to promote justice reform and humane incarceration policies.
These treaties allow for cooperation on law enforcement, extradition, and the management of cross-border criminal cases. For foreign nationals serving time in U.S. prisons, the transfer program offers a chance to reintegrate into society under their own country’s correctional system.
Programs like these also highlight broader efforts to address the impact of international drug trafficking. With fentanyl and methamphetamine continuing to drive public health crises across North America, law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border are working together to dismantle distribution networks and strengthen legal frameworks.
To learn more about the Department of Justice’s International Prisoner Transfer Program and its treaty relationships with more than 85 countries, visit:
justice.gov/criminal/criminal-oia/iptu
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The US Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that the Trump administration must facilitate the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador.
In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the justices chose not to obstruct a lower court's directive aimed at "facilitating" the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, while also indicating that Judge Paula Xinis may have overstepped her jurisdiction. On Friday, Judge Xinis instructed the Trump administration to provide her with daily reports regarding the measures being taken to reinstate Mr. Ábrego García in the United States.
The government has acknowledged that Mr. Ábrego García was deported due to an "administrative error," although it also claims he is affiliated with the MS-13 gang, a point his attorney disputes. Mr. Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national, is among several alleged gang member migrants who were transported by the U.S. on military aircraft last month to El Salvador's infamous Cecot (Terrorism Confinement Centre) as part of an agreement between the two nations. In light of the Supreme Court's ruling, attorneys for the Trump administration appeared before Judge Xinis in the Maryland district court on Friday to outline their plan for Mr. Ábrego García's release.
Judge Paula Xinis delivered a scathing rebuke. “Wholly illegal from the moment it happened,” Describing the Trump administration’s wrongful deportation of a Maryland man — a U.S. resident and husband of an American citizen — to a high-security prison in El Salvador.
Several hours later, in her Maryland courtroom, Xinis addressed the government’s attorneys, expressing her desire for updates regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia's whereabouts and the government's plans to bring him back to the United States. This followed a ruling she had made a week prior, which was supported by the Supreme Court on Thursday.
“You can tell me what you can, what you can’t, and why,” she said. “But we’re going to make a record of what, if anything, the government is doing or not doing.”
Xinis was appointed to her role in 2015 by President Barack Obama and received Senate confirmation the following year with a vote of 53-34. Hailing from Mineola, New York, she graduated from Vassar College and the University of Virginia in 1991, achieving “highest distinction,” as noted in her U.S. District Court biography.
She later earned her law degree from Yale Law School in 1997 and completed a clerkship with Circuit Judge Diana Gribbon Motz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Motz praised Xinis, stating, “She was an extraordinarily able young lawyer, and I believe she’s an extraordinarily able district judge. She is thorough, writes clearly, and has excellent judgment.” Now a senior judge, Motz described Xinis as “totally forthright” and “easy to work with,” highlighting her lack of the ego often seen in high-achieving clerks.
During a time of strong opinions on various legal matters, Motz noted that Xinis was not rigid in her views. “It’s important to recognize the pressure she must have faced to conform, to be more centrist or favorable to the administration, yet she has remained true to her beliefs,” Motz remarked. “That’s what we expect from judges—not to be influenced by political perspectives. I believe she exemplifies how judges should behave, and in my experience, she has consistently acted this way.” Following her clerkship with Motz, Xinis served as a lawyer for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Maryland, as detailed in her District Court biography. In that role, she was the research and writing attorney supervisor and director of training, and she lectured on subjects including effective sentencing mitigation, changes to the U.S. sentencing guidelines, and appellate advocacy.
She then entered private practice, joining the Baltimore firm of Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, becoming a partner in 2013. She handled complex civil actions and, in time, drew the ire of police in the city that would surface in her nomination process.
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Clifford Chance has advised renewable energy firm GreenYellow on bringing in new partners for its fast-growing commercial and industrial (C&I) platform in Thailand and Vietnam. GreenYellow, which is backed by Ardian, sold a 49% stake in the platform to development finance institutions STOA and DEG.
This platform plays a central role in GreenYellow’s growth across Southeast Asia, where demand for solar energy and sustainable infrastructure is rising quickly.
The deal reflects the strong momentum behind clean energy investments in the region.
Based in France and active in 17 countries, GreenYellow focuses on decentralized solar production, energy efficiency, and battery storage. In Asia, it’s one of the top solar energy providers, helping businesses of all sizes meet their energy needs through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Melissa Ng, lead partner on the deal at Clifford Chance, said:
"This transaction represents the keen investor interest and activity in renewables in South East Asia. There has been a marked increase in investments in renewable energy across the region, as countries balance the need to bridge critical gaps needed to reach energy transition goals with securing economic growth and energy security."
Ms. Ng worked alongside senior associate Wesley Tan and associate John Wu on the corporate side of the transaction. Counsel Dayu Man and associate Nan Lan also provided guidance on competition law.
With this new investment, GreenYellow is in a stronger position to grow its presence in Asia and build out its renewable energy capacity. The platform is on track to reach 400 MWp of installed capacity within the next couple of years.
GreenYellow will continue to lead with a 51% share, while STOA and DEG hold 29.7% and 19.3% respectively.
Franck Gluck, CEO of GreenYellow Asia, shared his excitement about the partnership:
"This transaction enables GreenYellow Asia to continue its expansion in high-growth regions such as Vietnam and Thailand, in line with its long-term strategy of
promoting energy transition in both mature and emerging economies."
Marie-Laure Mazaud, CEO of STOA, added:
“This new and fourth investment in the C&I sector reaffirms STOA's commitment to distributed energy. We are very pleased to collaborate with GreenYellow and DEG and contribute to the expansion of the asset platform, providing affordable green electricity to an ever-growing number of clients. In GreenYellow, we have found not only a market leader with extensive experience and a high-quality asset portfolio but also a partner that shares our values and aligns with our purpose of financing strategic renewable energy projects, driving the decarbonation of the energy mix in emerging economies.”
Clifford Chance is a global law firm with over a century of history and a presence in 23 countries through 34 offices. A member of the prestigious Magic Circle, the firm is recognized for its deep expertise in banking, corporate law, finance, dispute resolution, and tax. It advises a broad spectrum of clients, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, governments, and not-for-profits by combining international best practices with local market insight. Known for its collaborative culture and forward-thinking approach, Clifford Chance delivers innovative, high-quality legal solutions across every major industry and sector.
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Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP has filed a securities class action lawsuit against SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN), aiming to represent investors who bought or acquired SoundHound shares between May 10, 2024, and March 3, 2025. The case seeks justice for shareholders who may have been misled or financially harmed during this period.
Investors who suffered losses have until May 27, 2025, to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the case.
To join the action, visit: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or email info@ktmc.com.
The complaint alleges that SoundHound and certain executives issued false and misleading statements and failed to disclose significant issues during the Class Period.
Specifically, the company allegedly had material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting, which impaired its ability to accurately account for corporate acquisitions. Despite public assurances, SoundHound overstated the extent to which it had addressed these internal control issues.
As a result of these weaknesses, the company's reported goodwill from its August 2024 acquisition of Amelia Holdings, Inc. was inflated and required correction. Additionally, SoundHound faced delays and increased expenses in accounting for both the Amelia Holdings and SYNQ3 acquisitions.
These issues heightened the risk that SoundHound would be unable to timely file required financial reports with the SEC. Consequently, the company’s public statements during the Class Period were materially false and misleading.
Investors who purchased SoundHound securities during the Class Period may seek to be appointed as lead plaintiff by the May 27, 2025 deadline.
The lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members to oversee the litigation. It is typically the investor with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought who is also typical and adequate of the class.
You are not required to serve as lead plaintiff to share in any potential recovery.
🔗 Click here to learn more or submit your information
SoundHound AI, Inc. is a voice artificial intelligence company based in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 2005, it provides an independent voice AI platform that powers conversational experiences across industries like automotive, hospitality, and customer service. Its solutions include voice assistants, smart ordering, and drive-thru systems, with support for 25 languages and over 250 patents. SoundHound is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker SOUN.
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a leading law firm specializing in complex litigation, with a strong focus on securities fraud, corporate governance, and shareholder rights. Based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the firm represents institutional and individual investors, whistleblowers, and consumers worldwide. Kessler Topaz is known for its commitment to holding corporations accountable and has recovered billions of dollars for its clients through high-impact class actions and other litigation strategies.
Class Action Lawsuit Announced Against Semtech by Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman
Terry Baralt: Menendez Trial Sparks Concern After Courtroom Collapse
Texas Bans Vape Ads Near Schools Amid Youth E-Cigarette Surge
“She might not make it,” family says after court hearing leaves 85-year-old aunt unresponsive.
The Menendez brothers’ courtroom fight has taken a deeply personal and heartbreaking turn.
Their aunt, Terry Baralt, is now in critical condition at a hospital in New Jersey after collapsing late last week, just hours after graphic photos of José Menendez’s body were shown in court without notice.
Terry Baralt, 85, is the sister of José Menendez and has been a vocal supporter of her nephews Erik and Lyle in their ongoing push for resentencing. According to a statement from the Menendez family, she was found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital not long after viewing the hearing remotely.
“There was no warning. No humanity. Just pain,” the family said.
“Terry may not recover from what was done to her in that courtroom.”
The family is placing full responsibility on the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, saying prosecutors made a conscious choice to show the graphic images without telling anyone ahead of time.
They believe the move not only violated Marsy’s Law, which is meant to protect the rights and emotional wellbeing of victims’ families, but also crossed a line that can’t be undone.
“We’ve already lived through the worst pain imaginable. What happened in that courtroom brought it all back and made it worse,” the family said.
They also accused DA Nathan Hochman of treating them with open disrespect, saying he’s spoken to them with "aggression and disdain" throughout the case.
Terry Baralt’s collapse came just days after she spoke publicly for the first time in support of her nephews.
In a quiet, emotional interview with ABC News’ Matt Gutman, Baralt shared her perspective as both a grieving sister and a woman who has watched her nephews spend over three decades in prison.
“It was a crazy time for those kids… What they did was wrong, but they’re sorry now. They’ve paid 35 years. Believe me, you pay.”” she said.
Her words, meant to show compassion and understanding, aired just before the hearing that may now leave her fighting for her life.
Late Sunday, the District Attorney’s Office released a statement acknowledging that the photos might have caused distress but stopped short of taking full responsibility.
“We understand the evidence was emotional... and we apologize for not warning the family beforehand,” the office said.
“These hearings are meant to show the full truth no matter how painful.”
They added that going forward, they plan to handle the case with “dignity and respect.”
The latest developments come as Erik and Lyle Menendez continue their fight for a reduced sentence, more than 35 years after the infamous 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home.
The brothers, who were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole, have maintained that they acted after years of alleged abuse at the hands of their father a claim that has resurfaced in public discourse amid recent documentaries and legal challenges.
Terry Baralt had become a key figure in their latest bid for resentencing, offering heartfelt public support and urging the court to recognize how much the brothers have changed during their decades behind bars.
The next court dates are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, where the resentencing hearing is expected to continue with additional witness testimony and further examination of the case’s original circumstances.
Global law firm Haynes Boone has represented Raxio Group, a leading pan-African data center developer and operator, in securing a landmark $100 million debt financing package from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
The funding represents IFC’s largest digital infrastructure investment in Africa to date and will support Raxio’s aggressive rollout of Tier III colocation data centers across underserved markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, Angola, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This strategic expansion aims to meet surging demand for digital services such as AI, cloud computing, and digital financial platforms across the continent.
Haynes Boone’s Project Finance team advised on the complex, multi-jurisdictional deal structure. The transaction was led by London-based Partner Conrad Purcell, with support from Associates Kayley Rousell and Shu Shu Wong, and Trainee Solicitor Zainab Al-Qaimi.
The financing package includes concessional funding from the GROW Facility, which promotes inclusive economic growth and gender equity, and the IDA Private Sector Window, which supports private investment in fragile and low-income markets.
“Raxio’s business model shows how digital infrastructure can empower businesses, governments and communities to thrive in the digital economy,” said Sarvesh Suri, IFC Regional Industry Director.
“This partnership between Raxio and IFC is set to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem and catalyze further investments and regional integration, building a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
Founded in 2018 by Roha Group, Raxio has rapidly grown into a premier provider of carrier-neutral, Tier III-certified data centers in Africa. With earlier funding from Proparco, EAAIF, and equity support from Meridiam, Raxio is on track to double its operations within three years.
“This funding from IFC is a powerful endorsement of Raxio’s vision and operational excellence. It will allow us to bring critical infrastructure to the regions that need it most and attract further investment as we continue to grow. Together with our other partners, we’re building the foundation for Africa’s digital future and setting new benchmarks for sustainability.” said Robert Skjødt, CEO of Raxio Group.
Raxio’s facilities are engineered for 24/7 uptime, integrating renewable energy and energy-efficient cooling to minimize environmental impact. New hubs in Kinshasa and Abidjan are set to power economic integration in Francophone West Africa and beyond.
Raxio Group is a leading pan-African data center operator, delivering Tier III-certified, carrier-neutral colocation facilities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Raxio supports the continent’s digital growth with scalable, sustainable infrastructure in underserved markets. Its data centers are designed for high availability and efficiency, enabling critical services like cloud computing and AI. Backed by investors including Meridiam and IFC, Raxio is rapidly expanding its presence across key African economies.
Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm with more than 700 lawyers across 19 offices in the U.S., London, Mexico City, and Shanghai. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Dallas, the firm is recognized as an American Lawyer Top 100 firm and serves clients across key sectors including energy, technology, financial services, and real estate.
Haynes Boone provides comprehensive legal counsel in over 40 practice areas, with particular strength in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, project finance, litigation, and intellectual property. The firm is known for its collaborative, client-focused approach and its ability to deliver practical, business-oriented solutions in complex legal environments.
Committed to excellence, Haynes Boone has been recognized for its workplace culture and well-being initiatives, including receiving the Gold-level Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health. The firm’s values emphasize innovation, inclusion, and long-term client partnerships.
