Judge dismisses Hunter Biden’s gun case amid opposition from prosecutors
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has closed the gun case against Hunter Biden a week before his scheduled sentencing. The dismissal comes after a sweeping pardon granted by his father, President Joe Biden.
Following the decision Sunday, Dec. 1, Hunter Biden’s legal team submitted a motion to dismiss all charges with prejudice citing the “Full and Unconditional Pardon.”
Federal prosecutors argued against dropping the three felonies Hunter Biden was convicted of this summer in Delaware. Hunter Biden faced up to 25 years in prison for lying about being a drug user on a federal form when buying a gun in 2018.
In a filing by the prosecution, it stated a “pardon does not blot out guilt or expunge a judgement of conviction.” Prosecutors noted historic rulings that removed the court record but did not dismiss the charges. Court documents revealed their arguments that it shouldn’t be cleared “as if it never occurred.”
A plea deal fell through last year when Hunter Biden came to an agreement with prosecutors to avoid prison time. Noreika questioned parts of it, causing it to not go through.
President Biden’s pardon defends his son against any offenses committed over the past 11 years.
The Justice Department’s Special Counsel has also voiced opposition against dismissing Hunter Biden’s tax fraud charges. Hunter Biden plead guilty in September, but the pardon covers it.
Both Democrats and Republicans have spoken against the pardon, as it violates the president’s original vows. President Biden initially said he wouldn’t pardon his son and instead abide by the jury’s decision.
Hunter Biden is the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime.
Vietnam real estate tycoon faces death penalty in $12.5B fraud case
A Vietnamese court has upheld the death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan in one of the largest fraud cases in the country’s history. Lan, chairwoman of the Van Thinh Phat Group, was convicted of embezzling $12.5 billion through fraudulent schemes, disrupting Vietnam’s banking sector and raising concerns about financial oversight.
Lan was found guilty of using her control of Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) to issue more than 2,500 fraudulent loans through shell companies between 2012 and 2022. The embezzled amount represents nearly 3% of Vietnam’s gross domestic product in 2022.
A court in Ho Chi Minh City rejected Lan’s appeal, stating that her sentence could be reduced to life in prison if she repaid at least $9 billion of the losses. Her lawyers claim that some assets have been returned, but disputes over property valuations have delayed further restitution.
Lan’s crimes extended beyond SCB. Authorities accused her of fraudulent bond schemes worth $1.2 billion involving 36,000 investors, siphoning $18 billion, and illegally transferring $4.5 billion internationally.
Van Thinh Phat Group, which Lan founded in 1992 during Vietnam’s transition to a market-oriented economy, became one of the country’s largest real estate firms. It developed luxury residential complexes, hotels and commercial properties, while her alleged control of SCB provided access to resources that funded fraudulent schemes benefiting her companies.
This case has significantly disrupted Vietnam’s banking sector, undermining public confidence and raising questions about financial oversight. Analysts view it as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting high-profile figures in business and government.
Vietnam has intensified its efforts to combat corruption, with the death penalty being a possible sentence for crimes such as fraud and drug trafficking. Lan retains the option to seek a presidential pardon, which could result in a reduced sentence. The case remains a focal point in Vietnam’s efforts to address white-collar crime and restore trust in its financial systems.
Lan’s family members and associates, including her husband and niece, were also implicated in the scandal, with several receiving prison sentences. The case has drawn attention to the extent of corruption in Vietnam’s banking and real estate sectors, raising concerns among investors and citizens alike.
President-elect Trump, Hunter Biden react to President Biden’s pardon
Saying it is clear that his son was treated differently and singled out by the justice system, President Joe Biden has pardoned his son of his felony conviction. And winter weather moved in on the first weekend in December, bringing feet of lake-effect snow to parts of the Northeast. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.
President-elect Trump, Hunter Biden react to President Biden’s pardon
Reaction is coming in after President Joe Biden’s decision late Sunday night, Dec. 1, to pardon his son Hunter. With his time in office ending in a matter of weeks, the president reversed previous statements he made when he said he would not use his power to keep his son from facing prison time due to felony convictions.
Hunter Biden faced sentencing later this month related to two separate criminal cases. In September, he pleaded guilty to nine tax charges, and last June, a jury found him guilty of lying on a gun purchase form.
Hunter faced up to 17 years in prison for the tax charges and 25 years in the gun case.
The president said he decided to issue the pardon because he believes his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and that the prosecution of Hunter’s arrests led to a “miscarriage of justice.”
President Biden said the charges in his son’s cases came to be after several of his “political opponents in Congress instigated them” to attack the president and oppose his election.
The president’s move is a reversal from last month when White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said there would be no pardon and over the summer when President Biden said the same at another press briefing and during an interview with ABC News.
Hunter Biden issued his own statement Sunday saying in part he has admitted and taken responsibility for mistakes he made during his addiction. He added, “I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
President-elect Donald Trump also issued a statement on his Truth Social platform asking if President Biden’s pardon also includes those arrested in connection to the Jan. 6 riots. Trump used Biden’s own words – saying this is “a miscarriage of justice.”
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 2, 2024
President Biden’s pardon covers any potential federal crimes Hunter committed from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec.1, 2024 — including his time on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma. Hunter Biden faced criticism for his foreign business transactions and lofty salary despite having a lack of energy experience.
This official grant of clemency cannot be rescinded by President-elect Trump.
Canada’s prime minister to up border security after meeting with Trump
Canadian officials are stepping up security at the country’s border with the United States after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump in Florida for dinner on Friday, Nov. 29. That’s according to a top Canadian government official who was there for the talks.
Trump announced Monday, Nov. 25, he would levy 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico if they did not stop undocumented people and drugs from crossing their respective borders into the U.S.
Thanks for dinner last night, President Trump. I look forward to the work we can do together, again. pic.twitter.com/lAWFMTtQt7
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. said Trudeau was successful in getting the president-elect to understand that lumping the flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S. from Canada, with those from Mexico is unfair. Still, Trudeau has promised to increase northern border security in a “visible and muscular way.”
After their meeting, Trump posted on social media that it was “productive” and Trudeau had “made a commitment to work with us.”
Millions face winter weather warning as lake-effect snow blankets northeast
Cold temperatures are sweeping across a large part of the U.S., combined with record-warm temperatures in the Great Lakes, equaling lake-effect snow — and lots of it.
Some parts of the Northeast have already received a few feet of snow, and it’s not expected to stop until Wednesday, Dec. 4, with up to two more feet of snow expected to blanket the area through Tuesday, Dec. 3.
More than two feet of snow was on the ground when the Buffalo Bills put out the call on Sunday, Dec. 1, for fans to volunteer to shovel snow ahead of their game against the San Francisco 49ers. Lots of fans turned out for $20 an hour, warm refreshments and a ticket to the game.
There is a state of emergency in effect Monday morning in parts of New York state. Meanwhile, millions of people are under winter weather warnings from the East Coast to Ohio.
The cold is expected to last well into this week with nearly 70% of the continental U.S. set to feel temperatures below freezing. Some cities, like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Cincinnati, will experience below-average temperatures for the entire week.
Big Ten fines Ohio State, Michigan $100,000 each for post-game brawl
A college football rivalry game over the weekend ended with both teams fined $100,000 each. The Big Ten issued the fines Sunday against Michigan and Ohio State due to a post-game brawl between players, that saw police officers using pepper spray to break up the fighting.
It began after players from Michigan planted their flag in mid-field at Ohio Stadium, known as the “Horseshoe,” following the Wolverines’ 13-10 upset victory over the No. 2 Buckeyes. After five minutes, the melee ended with some players and coaches bloodied.
The Big Ten said both teams violated the league’s sportsmanship policy, but it does not plan to suspend any player for the incident.
Black Friday sees record $10.8 billion in online sales
Cyber Monday is here, but it looks like shoppers couldn’t wait. Black Friday saw record spending in the U.S. this year, with many shoppers chose to forgo the mall crowds and instead opting to buy online.
Shoppers spent a record $10.8 billion online Friday, according to Adobe Analytics. That’s over 10% — or $1 billion — more than they did last year. It’s also more than double what consumers spent in 2017.
Adobe said online shoppers shelled out roughly $1.3 million per minute between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday.
Friday’s in-store shopper traffic was down more than 8% compared to 2023, according to Sensormatic Solutions, which tracks retail store foot traffic.
‘Moana 2’ breaks Thanksgiving box office record with $221M
It seems getting full on turkey and stuffing were not the only plan for Americans over the holiday weekend. Many also went to the movies to see the latest from Disney.
“Moana 2” broke a Thanksgiving box office record. The animated sequel took in $221 million over the five-day holiday period from Wednesday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 1.
This topped “Frozen 2’s” Thanksgiving earnings of $125 million in 2019. “Moana 2” also overtook last year’s “The Super Mario Brothers” movie to have the biggest five-day debut in history.
Combined with blockbusters “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” the three films brought in $420 million, making it the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend ever at the box office.
Pair of tax preparers charged with stealing $65M worth of COVID-19 funds
A pair of tax preparers have been indicted on more than 50 charges for allegedly stealing $65 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Federal prosecutors in Tennessee say that Mississippi natives Renata Walton and Nicole Jones face charges including wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.
Walton is charged separately with turning in false paycheck protection and disaster loan applications to the Small Business Administration, which carries with it an obstruction of justice charge.
Both women pleaded not guilty on Monday, Nov. 25, and are out of jail on $100,000 bonds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Memphis said on Wednesday, Nov. 27, that the women used fake numbers sent to the Internal Revenue Service for personal and business loans from 2020 until 2024. Prosecutors allege that the women knowingly applied for COVID-19-related tax credits that their clients were not eligible for.
Federal prosecutors noted that clients received six-figure tax refunds while Walton and Jones would charge them hefty fees, adding that the pair would then launder the money through local banks.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not reveal how much money the clients paid the tax preparers but said that Walton and Jones filed fraudulent claims seeking tens of thousands of dollars.
If convicted, prosecutors said the women potentially face decades behind bars. They noted that only Walton faces an obstruction of justice charge, which they revealed could put her behind bars 20 years alone.
US Treasury’s AI tools recover $1 billion in fraudulent payments
The U.S. Treasury Department has ramped up efforts to combat fraudulent payments by deploying artificial intelligence to detect suspicious transactions. This new approach has led to the prevention and recovery of over $4 billion in fraudulent payments during fiscal year 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.
The Treasury’s Office of Payment Integrity reported that $1 billion of the recovered funds were directly attributed to the AI-based system implemented at the start of the 2023 fiscal year. Last year, the department recovered just over $652 million, showcasing a six-fold improvement in fraud detection efficiency.
Officials cited an increase in fraudulent activity since the pandemic as the main reason for adopting AI tools, which have been instrumental in identifying and stopping high-risk transactions.
In addition to detecting fraud, the AI system also enhanced payment scheduling processes, resulting in an additional recovery of $180 million. Treasury officials emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting taxpayer money and preventing improper payments. Officials also noted that, while AI is used to combat fraud, it is often leveraged by fraudsters as well, leading to an ongoing battle to stay ahead of sophisticated schemes.
In partnership with law enforcement, the Treasury’s efforts have led to multiple arrests and active investigations. The department plans to continue expanding its use of AI tools to safeguard taxpayer funds, particularly as online payment fraud is projected to exceed $362 billion by 2028.
Trump promises to end ‘double taxation’ on Americans abroad
Former President Donald Trump pledged to eliminate filing U.S. taxes for Americans living abroad as part of his 2024 campaign tax reform platform. The proposal aims to end what is often referred to as “double taxation” for expatriates, a move that could simplify tax obligations for over 4 million U.S. citizens overseas.
Currently, Americans living abroad must file income, estate and gift tax returns with the IRS, even if they pay taxes in another country. While some expatriates benefit from credits and exclusions, many still face complex and sometimes costly tax filings.
Getty Images
Trump’s proposal, which would require congressional approval, has sparked debate, with critics arguing it could encourage tax avoidance by wealthier individuals relocating to low-tax countries.
Supporters believe it would reduce unnecessary paperwork and make life easier for ordinary Americans living overseas. A notable aspect of the current system is while it adds a lot of paperwork, it doesn’t necessarily add any additional financial burden. Expats currently get U.S. tax credits for taxes that they pay to foreign governments, and any income over $126,000 is exempt.
This promise is part of a broader series of tax cuts Trump is proposing, which also includes eliminating taxes on tipped wages, overtime, and Social Security benefits. Experts estimate the combined tax cuts could cost over $10 trillion over the next decade.
IRS recovers $1.3B in unpaid taxes from high-income Americans
The IRS has recovered $1.3 billion in unpaid taxes from high-income Americans since late 2023, according to the Treasury Department. The IRS targeted approximately 1,600 individuals who made over $1 million the previous year, and nearly 80% made payments on overdue tax debts.
In 2019, Yellen said the top 1% of wealthy Americans owed more than one-fifth of all unpaid taxes, shifting the tax burden to ordinary citizens.
Yellen emphasized that to fix the problem, the Treasury had redirected IRS funding to combat tax evasion among the wealthy.
The initiative focuses on taxpayers with over $1 million in income and more than $250,000 in recognized tax debt.
A separate initiative targeting wealthy non-filers collected an additional $172 million from 21,000 high-income taxpayers who had not filed returns since 2017.
As the presidential election approaches, tax policy has emerged as a contentious issue.
Donald Trump’s campaign promises to drastically reduce federal agency spending if elected, specifically targeting IRS resources, while Kamala Harris has said she supports increasing IRS staffing.
Father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder
The father of the 14-year-old suspect in the shooting at a Georgia high school has been arrested and charged in connection to the deadly incident. And in a surprise move, Hunter Biden has pleaded guilty in his federal tax case. What’s next for the president’s son. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder
The 14-year-old arrested in connection to the Georgia school shooting is expected to appear in court Friday, Sept. 6. Colt Gray has been charged with murder as an adult.
He’s now not the only one charged in connection to the shooting. His father has been arrested by authorities and charged with second-degree murder.
Colin Gray, 54, is facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, eight counts of cruelty to children, and two counts of second-degree murder.
Authorities said the charges stem from Colin Gray “knowingly allowing his son” to have a gun. According to investigators, he bought the AR-style gun used in the shooting as a gift for his son.
This comes as we’re getting a clearer picture of what happened inside the school as shots first rang out. An eyewitness says 53-year-old math teacher Christina Irimie died after jumping in front of a student to protect them from gunfire.
We’ve also learned more about an incident report from last year involving the suspect regarding anonymous posts threatening a school shooting. Those threats were made on the social media platform Discord under a username referring to the 2012 Sandy Hook gunman, according to the police file.
Colt and Colin Gray were interviewed at the time. Colin Gray told investigators there were guns in their home, but his son did not have access to them. Colin Gray denied making the threats and authorities say there was no probable cause at the time for an arrest.
Hunter Biden pleads guilty in federal tax case
In a surprise move, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges Thursday, Sept. 5. It was not part of any plea deal and sets up the possibility the president’s son could spend decades in prison.
The plea was a move to avoid a second criminal trial this year. He was after already found guilty in a federal gun case, which he’s set to be sentenced for in November.
The plea is related to charges alleging Hunter schemed to avoid paying more than a million dollars in income taxes. His attorneys acknowledged the evidence is “overwhelming” and offered a guilty plea — while keeping options open for an appeal.
“Hunter decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation,” defense attorney Abbe Lowell said. “Hunter put his family first today, and it was a brave and loving thing for him to do.”
It’s considered an unorthodox and unexpected move in the federal court system. Guilty pleas often come with plenty of warning and after negotiations with prosecutors.
Last year when Hunter Biden was on the cusp of reaching a plea agreement that many critics called “a sweetheart deal” that would have spared him from any prison time. That deal was tossed out over concerns the president’s son was getting preferential treatment.
US announces new controls on chip-related exports to China
As China makes advances in the global chip industry, the U.S. is rolling out new export controls on certain crucial technologies like quantum computing and semiconductor goods.
The Commerce Department cited “national security and foreign policy reasons” for issuing the new rules over worldwide exports. It does, however, make exemptions for countries that adopt similar rules, like Japan and the Netherlands.
In the past, federal investigators have also subpoenaed cell phones belonging to the New York police commissioner and another one of the mayor’s close advisers, Tim Pearson, but it’s also not clear if that was related to the recent searches.
Federal probe targets airlines’ frequent flyer programs
Today, @SecretaryPete opened a probe into some of the big airline points programs. The inquiry seeks to better understand: – Rewards devaluation tactics – Hidden pricing and junk fees – Risks of reductions in competition and choice https://t.co/FQWTbY1Pjc
The Department of Transportation has ordered the CEOs of American, Delta, Southwest, and United airlines to answer detailed questions and provide records on their policies for how passengers can accrue and spend their miles. The probe is focused on how consumers could be affected by the devaluation of earned rewards, extra fees, hidden or dynamic pricing, and reduced competition and choice.
First NFL game of the season ends in dramatic fashion
We’ve heard of winning “by a nose” in horseracing. But last night, in the first NFL game of the season, it came down to winning “by a toe.”
With the seconds ticking down in the fourth quarter, it appeared Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson successfully threw a touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, giving Baltimore a chance to win the game.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer wants an ‘Alford plea.’ What does it mean?
Hunter Biden’s criminal tax case took an unexpected turn on Thursday, Sept. 5. Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told a federal judge, right before jury selection, his defendant wished to change his plea to an “Alford plea.”
An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict them. If the judge were to accept the plea, Biden would be convicted of the crimes he is charged with in the case.
Lowell said to the judge that there is “no agreement” with prosecutors but one is not required under an Alford plea.
However, prosecutors were reportedly surprised, arguing that they would accept nothing less than a guilty plea.
“This is the first time we’ve heard of this,” prosecutors added.
Biden previously pleaded not guilty to three felony counts and six misdemeanors connected to at least $1.4 million in unpaid federal taxes from 2016-2019. Prosecutors alleged that Biden purposely avoided paying taxes by rigging his company’s own payroll system.
Although Biden eventually paid all his back-taxes and penalties with the help of a third-party, the judge would not allow the defense to use that evidence at trial.
Thursday’s court appearance comes months after Biden was convicted on felony charges connected to the purchase of a firearm in 2018 while he was allegedly addicted to drugs. His sentencing for that conviction is set for Nov. 13.
President Joe Biden has yet to comment on the new developments in the case.
Prosecutors say Romanian businessman hired Hunter Biden to ‘influence’ US policy
With a month to go until Hunter Biden’s federal tax trial, prosecutors are making new allegations the president’s son accepted payments from a Romanian businessman to influence U.S. policy. And new details are emerging about the terror plot that resulted in the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Austria. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
Prosecutors say Romanian businessman hired Hunter Biden to ‘influence’ U.S. policy
New details are coming out of Hunter Biden’s federal tax case. While the trial doesn’t begin until September, there’s a new court filing from the special counsel laying out a new allegation the prosecution plans to bring up.
Federal prosecutors allege the president’s son was compensated by a Romanian businessman who was trying to influence U.S. policy and end a local investigation of him in Romania.
According to the Wednesday, Aug. 7 filing, the special counsel intends to go after Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings even more, including his association with Burisma — a Ukrainian natural gas company — and an energy company in China.
The prosecution said it evidence will show he “performed almost no work in exchange for millions of dollars” from these entities and will speak to Hunter Biden’s “state of mind” and “intent” during the years in question.
Hunter Biden’s team had requested certain evidence be omitted from trial, questioning its relevance to the federal tax charges, which include failing to pay taxes, failing to file, and filing a fraudulent form.
He’s charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors in the tax case. The president’s youngest son is accused of failing to pay more than a million dollars in taxes between 2016 and 2019. Prosecutors allege he used the funds to live lavishly, including spending millions on drugs, escorts and luxury cars. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty in the case.
This is separate from Hunter Biden’s federal gun case where he was convicted in June of lying about his illegal drug use while filling out a form to purchase a gun. He has not been sentenced yet in that case.
Biden ‘not confident’ in peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses election
We’re getting a preview of President Joe Biden’s one-on-one interview with CBS News. While the full interview will air on Sunday, Aug. 11, there’s a clip that is getting a lot of attention Thursday morning, Aug. 8.
CBS News reporter Robert Costa asked the president if he’s confident there will be a peaceful transfer of power in January.
“If Trump loses, I’m not confident at all,” Biden said. “He means what he says, he means it, all the stuff about if we lose there will be a bloodbath.”
He added, “You can’t love your country only when you win.”
Trump’s “bloodbath” comments came during a rally in March. The former president has said he was referring to a “bloodbath” in the economy and auto industry if he loses the 2024 election.
Three months later, Trump was asked during the presidential debate on June 27 whether he would accept the 2024 election results. He said as long as it’s a “fair and legal” election, he’ll accept whatever the results are come November.
Taylor Swift shows in Austria canceled over foiled terror plot
Three of Taylor Swift’s concerts set for Vienna, Austria have been canceled after authorities say they foiled a terror attack planned for that leg of her Eras Tour. Austrian police said they’ve arrested two suspects who they say are ISIS sympathizers and became “radicalized by the internet.”
Police chemical substances and technical devices were found at the home of a 19-year-old suspect and are being evaluated. Authorities also said they’ve made “further detentions” but didn’t give any more details.
The concert’s promoter said all tickets for the canceled shows will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.
Family of French explorer killed in Titan catastrophe files $50M lawsuit
The family of French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet who died when the Titan submersible imploded during a deep dive to the wreckage of the Titanic is suing for more than $50 million. They said the crew of five people on board experienced “terror and mental anguish” before the disaster and accuse OceanGate, the sub’s operator, of gross negligence.
After the June 2023 incident when the vessel imploded due to catastrophic pressure loss, it was revealed that industry experts had raised serious safety concerns about the project years earlier.
The lawsuit also alleges OceanGate failed to disclose the Titan’s flaws and purposely concealed any issues from French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet. It also saysNargeolet — who had taken part in 37 dives to the Titanic wreckage, more than anyone else in the world — would not have taken the voyage if he’d known about the Titan’s issues.
The implosion killed four other people, including OceanGate’s CEO. This is the first lawsuit to be filed in connection with the disaster.
Intel shareholders sue after stock plunges over job and dividend cuts
Intel’s shareholders are suing a chip maker. Intel said the company hid problems with its manufacturing business ahead of announced layoffs and poor earnings.
The lawsuit accuses Intel, its CEO, and CFO of making false and misleading statements that “artificially inflated” the company’s stock price prior to announcing a loss of more than a billion dollars between April and June of 2024.
American Quincy Hall comes from behind to win men’s 400-meter final
Team USA won more medals on day 12 of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The team picked up three more gold medals.
Team USA now tops the charts with 27 gold medals and 94 medals overall.
On Wednesday, the U.S. won wrestling, women’s cycling, and in track and field — even though it looked like sprinter Quincy Hall was out of the running with just seconds to go in the race.
Hall pulled off an amazing comeback with just a quarter of the 400-meter final to go. He fell into fourth place as the runners rounded the last bend but then picked up the pace and passed his competition to cross the finish line first.
