Family netted $38m transporting stolen catalytic converters as part of 'network of thieves'

Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction Is Overturned

Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction , Is Overturned. New York's Court of Appeals overturned the movie mogul's 2020 rape conviction by a vote of 4-3 on April 25. According to the appeals court, trial judge James Burke "prejudiced Weinstein with 'egregious' improper rulings," AP reports. . For example, he let women bring forth allegations against Weinstein that he wasn't charged with. The action was an "abuse of judicial discretion," the appeals court said. . Without question, this is appalling, shameful, repulsive conduct that could only diminish defendant’s character before the jury, New York's Court of Appeals, via AP. Although this conviction has been overturned, the 72-year-old will remain in prison due to a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles. His lawyers have chosen to appeal that conviction as well. . Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from prison, issued a statement about the development. Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from prison, issued a statement about the development. A jury was told in California that he was convicted in another state for rape ... turns out he shouldn’t have been convicted and it wasn’t a fair conviction… , Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP. It interfered with his presumption of innocence in a significant way in California, Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP. On April 25, prosecutors said that "the legal issues identified by the New York Court of Appeal are not present in the Los Angeles County Case.". The Manhattan district attorney's office said they will "do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault."

Google Fires More Staffers Following Protests Over $1.2 Billion Israel Deal

Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal. Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal. 'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least 20 more workers following protests over the company supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war. 'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least 20 more workers following protests over the company supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war. A group representing the fired workers said the total number of staff terminated for protesting is now over 50. . Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around 'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. . Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around 'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. . The $1.2 billion contract includes cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. . The $1.2 billion contract includes cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. . Last week, workers held sit-in protests at Google's offices in both New York and Sunnyvale, California. The protests were organized by the group No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers were fired following the initial sit-in. . According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired "over 20" more workers, “including non-participating bystanders during last week’s protests.”. Google’s aims are clear: the corporation is attempting to quash dissent, silence its workers, and reassert its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'. In its attempts to do so, Google has decided to unceremoniously, and without due process, upend the livelihoods of over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'. In its attempts to do so, Google has decided to unceremoniously, and without due process, upend the livelihoods of over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'. Google has disputed the group's claims, stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment was terminated was personally and definitively involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”

How Did '4/20' Become a Holiday for Weed?

How Did '4/20' Become a Holiday for Weed?. One common theory is that it stems from a California criminal code for those who distribute the drug. According to CNN, California's 420 code is actually for obstructing entry on public land. The state's medical marijuana program was created from a bill with the number 420. Oaksterdam Cannabis Museum's Chris Conrad says "4/20" started as a code in Marin County, California, at San Rafael High School. In the 1970s, a group called "The Waldos" would get together at 4:20 PM to smoke pot. The time of the day was convenient as it was right after school ended with no parental supervision just yet. "4/20" became a code word that allowed them to notify each other in front of unsuspecting parents. From there, the phrase likely spread across the country

Massive fireball lights up night sky of New Jersey, marks a week of bizarre phenomena | Oneindia

Early in the morning on Wednesday, April 10, the night sky over New Jersey was unexpectedly illuminated by a massive fireball streaking across it. This remarkable event marks the third extraordinary natural phenomenon observed in the United States this week, following a rare earthquake and a total solar eclipse. Reports suggest that the sudden blaze of light may have been caused by a meteor hurtling towards the earth, possibly landing somewhere within New Jersey's Garden State or its surrounding areas. #NewJerseyFireball #BizarrePhenomena #NightSkySpectacle #MeteorMadness #AstrologyWonders #EpicFireball #CelestialDisplay #WeekOfWonder #MeteorMystery #SkyLitUp ~PR.152~ED.194~

4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits US East Coast

4.8-Magnitude Earthquake , Hits US East Coast. NBC reports that the East Coast of the United States was struck by an earthquake on April 5 which was felt from Maryland to Maine. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck just before 10:30 a.m. local time and was measured at a 4.8-magnitude. . There were no initial reports of any major damage. According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the quake could be felt across the state. . My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day, Kathy Hochul, New York Governor, via NBC. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state's emergency operations center had been activated. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state's emergency operations center had been activated. As a result of the quake, the Port Authority Transit Corp. suspended service between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. . Crews will inspect the integrity of the line out of an abundance of caution. Once inspection is complete, service will resume. No timeframe. Updates to follow, Port Authority Transit Corp. statement, via X. Meanwhile, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said service would not be impacted by the quake, and teams would be inspecting train lines for damage. NBC reports that earthquakes are a rare occurrence in the Northeast, however in February of 2023, Buffalo, New York, was struck by a 3.8-magnitude quake

DOJ Sues Apple for Monopolizing Smartphone Market

DOJ Sues Apple , for Monopolizing Smartphone Market. The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general filed suit against Apple on March 21 in New Jersey, 'The Hill' reports. . The complaint alleges that the tech company constructed a "dominant iPhone platform and ecosystem," . and "rather than respond to competitive threats by offering lower smartphone prices to consumers or better monetization for developers,". Apple enforced a "series of shapeshifting rules and restrictions" in the App Store. It has deployed this playbook across many technologies, products, and services, including super apps, text messaging, smartwatches, and digital wallets, among many others, Via complaint. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Apple accountable and ensure it cannot deploy the same, unlawful playbook in other vital markets, Via complaint. In its defense, Apple claimed that the lawsuit "threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets.". If successful, [this lawsuit] would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple—where hardware, software, and services intersect, Apple, via statement. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology. , Apple, via statement. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it, Apple, via statement