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Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul, is set to face a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges starting Tuesday, following the overturning of his previous conviction. The New York Court of Appeals ruled that the handling of witness testimonies during his initial trial was unlawful, marking a setback for survivors who have been pivotal in the "MeToo" movement. Weinstein, 73, is accused of assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013, with both women expected to testify again. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, suggested that public sentiment has shifted since the original trial, which featured protests against Weinstein. He maintains that all encounters were consensual. Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year sentence for separate charges in California and has faced accusations from over 80 women, highlighting the ongoing challenges survivors face in seeking justice. 
Published: Apr 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inTwo men, a father and son, tragically lost their lives in northern Italy while en route to assist with rescue efforts amid a severe spring storm that has wreaked havoc across the Alps. The storm, which dumped over a metre of snow in some areas, has resulted in three fatalities in Italy, including a 92-year-old man found in his flooded home. The intense rainfall, which turned to snow at higher altitudes, caused widespread disruption, shutting down roads, halting train services, and leaving thousands without power in Italy, France, and Switzerland. Avalanche risks have surged to maximum levels, prompting authorities to advise residents in affected regions, including Tignes and Sion, to remain indoors. With heavy snowfall occurring in a short time, concerns are mounting about potential flooding as temperatures rise. Local residents describe the situation as unprecedented, with many struggling to navigate the treacherous conditions.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA Japanese record company is facing significant backlash after announcing the release of a CD featuring the late singer Aki Yashiro, which will include two nude photographs of her taken privately. The governor of Kumamoto, where Yashiro was born, condemned the decision as "unforgivable," likening it to revenge porn due to the lack of consent. Yashiro, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 73, was a celebrated figure in Japan, known as the queen of enka music. A representative for Yashiro's website has labeled the release "extremely unpleasant and absolutely unacceptable," stating that legal action was taken to halt it, but no response was received from the record company. Social media users have rallied against the release, using the hashtag "Protect the dignity of Aki Yashiro," and an online petition has garnered over 7,000 signatures calling for its cancellation.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRussia launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least two fatalities and over 70 injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes, which occurred just days before Easter, provoked condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described the assault as a "mockery" of the Ukrainian people. Amid escalating violence, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington may abandon efforts to broker a ceasefire if progress is not made soon. President Donald Trump has been attempting to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv but has struggled to secure significant concessions from Russia. Meanwhile, a forthcoming visit by Ukraine's Prime Minister to Washington aims to finalize a minerals deal that would grant the U.S. extensive access to Ukrainian resources. Tensions also rose as Zelensky accused U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff of adopting a pro-Russian stance in peace negotiations.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA recent study in _Environmental Science and Technology Letters_ highlights significant air quality improvements following the switch from diesel to electric trains on the Caltrain commuter rail line in the San Francisco Bay Area. The research revealed an 89% reduction in riders' exposure to black carbon, a known carcinogen, and a notable decrease in ambient black carbon levels around the San Francisco station. Joshua Apte, a professor at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study, emphasized that this rapid transition over six weeks effectively matched the air quality benefits typically achieved over three decades of regulatory efforts. Caltrain, the busiest commuter rail system in the western US, completed the electrification project—costing $2.44 billion—by retiring its diesel locomotives and introducing 23 new electric trains. The study's findings suggest that such electrification could significantly reduce cancer risks for both riders and conductors, reinforcing the case for similar upgrades across the US rail systems.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA 30-day moratorium on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, has officially expired, according to the Kremlin. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that there have been no further directives from Putin following the expiration. The truce was established after a conversation between Putin and former US President Donald Trump, but both nations accused each other of violating the agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia's commitment to the moratorium, asserting that strikes on Ukrainian energy targets continued despite Putin's assurances. The moratorium represented one of the few concessions Trump secured in his efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for three years. Prior to the moratorium, Putin had dismissed a joint proposal for an unconditional ceasefire from the US and Ukraine.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA former prison officer at HMP Frankland has raised alarming concerns about staff safety following a brutal attack by Hashem Abedi, brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, who reportedly assaulted officers with boiling urine and hot oil. This incident, which left one officer with third-degree burns and two others needing emergency surgery, has sparked fears among staff at the high-security facility. The anonymous ex-officer, who resigned after enduring multiple assaults during his four years in the prison system, emphasized that such violence is preventable if the government prioritizes staff safety. He described HMP Frankland as one of the safest prisons, questioning the effectiveness of security measures when severe attacks can occur. Abedi, previously separated from other inmates to prevent radicalization, has a history of violence, with the officer warning that he poses a significant threat to staff and could eventually kill someone if unchecked.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA psytrance festival in the UK, the Goa Cream Festival, has been cancelled due to local protests, with residents describing the music as "a form of torture." Scheduled to take place at Yewtree Farm near Thornbury from September 12 to 14, the event faced opposition from South Gloucestershire Council after complaints about last year's "non-stop heavy bass music," which resulted in 11 formal grievances. Environmental health officer Florence Fisher noted that the council received inadequate evidence regarding sound levels. Despite efforts from organiser Piers Ciappara, who proposed hiring a sound engineer and adjusting speaker placements to address noise concerns, the council ultimately deemed the venue unsuitable for such events. Ciappara later announced the cancellation on social media, appealing for alternative venues while highlighting that the festival supports local charities and typically attracts an older audience.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump described the recent mass shooting at Florida State University (FSU) as "terrible," yet reiterated his unwavering support for gun rights and the Second Amendment. The incident, which occurred near the campus student union, resulted in two fatalities and six injuries, with 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner identified as the shooter. Ikner, who was shot by police and is currently hospitalized in stable condition, reportedly used a handgun owned by his mother, a deputy sheriff. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, emphasized that "the gun doesn't do the shooting, the people do," and stated he does not intend to pursue changes to gun legislation in light of the tragedy. Classes and events at FSU have been canceled through Friday as security measures are heightened and investigations continue. Ikner, a political science major, had previously made controversial comments about protests against Trump, which the university's student newspaper later retracted.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 2 pmeznews.inChina's foreign ministry has labeled accusations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "groundless," following his claims that China is supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite its close economic ties with Russia, China has consistently portrayed itself as neutral and denied any involvement in the war. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that China has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict and reiterated the country's commitment to promoting peace and a ceasefire. Lin also pointed out that Ukraine has acknowledged that many components of Russian weapons originate from the United States and other Western countries, rejecting what he termed "political manipulation" of the situation.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 2 pmeznews.inMarseille's Aix Marseille University is preparing to welcome its first researchers fleeing US budget cuts, a consequence of policies enacted by former President Donald Trump. The university's "Safe Place for Science" initiative, launched in March, has attracted significant interest, receiving 298 applications, with 242 found eligible for approximately 20 available positions. Among the applicants, 135 are US citizens and 45 hold dual citizenship. University president Eric Berton advocates for the establishment of a "refugee scientist" status, a proposal recently introduced in the French parliament by former president Francois Hollande. The university has previously assisted 25 scientists from conflict zones such as Ukraine and Afghanistan. Each selected researcher will receive between 600,000 and 800,000 euros ($680,000-$910,000) over three years to support their work, with interviews scheduled for next week prior to the arrival of the first scientists in June.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 3 pm
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