Karl-Anthony Towns led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a convincing 120-95 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in game on Friday, securing the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Timberwolves will face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday in Denver.

Minnesota will be hoping to pull off an upset against the Nuggets, who finished the regular season with a 52-30 record and are looking to make a deep playoff run. The Timberwolves will be relying on the trio of Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards to continue their impressive performances and lead the team to a series victory.

Both Gobert and Towns had been dealing with injuries before Friday's game, but were upgraded to available and started for the Timberwolves. Minnesota will also be inserting Nickeil Alexander-Walker into the starting lineup to defend his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder.

Meanwhile, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray continues to be hampered by a nagging right thumb sprain, but is otherwise healthy and ready for the playoffs. The Bucks will also have Khris Middleton available for their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat after he participated in a full practice on Thursday.

As the NBA regular season comes to a close, the Toronto Raptors are gearing up for the play-in tournament. They secured the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, which means they need to win two games to make it to the official playoff bracket. The play-in tournament includes the teams that finished between the seventh and tenth positions in each conference. In the first game of the tournament, the seventh-seeded team hosts the eighth-seeded team, and the winner advances to the playoffs as the seventh seed. The loser hosts the winner of the ninth and tenth seed matchup. The winner of this game advances to the playoffs as the eighth seed, facing the top-ranked team in the conference. The Raptors are set to play against the Chicago Bulls in their first game, which will take place in Toronto and broadcasted on ESPN at 6:00/6:30 p.m. CT on April 12. The winner will advance to play either the Hawks or Heat to decide who gets the eighth seed on April 14. If they can make it into the playoffs, the Raptors will likely face the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite the Miami Heat's recent struggles, forward Jimmy Butler has made his first appearance in the NBA.com MVP Ladder, coming in at No. 10. Butler was previously seen as a darkhorse candidate, but the team's drop in form has hindered his chances. This year has been inconsistent for Butler, but it’s worth noting he’s in good company in the MVP race, alongside the likes of Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Domantas Sabonis. Butler has publicly prioritized winning games over individual accolades. He finished with 35 points and 12 assists in Miami's win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, adding some impressive moves to his arsenal. Butler attempted a no-look jump shot in the midrange, following in the footsteps of Steph Curry’s signature move. Despite the successful shot, Butler insists that it is still Curry's move, and he won't try it from three-point range.

After a win against the Sacramento Kings and an Oklahoma City Thunder loss against the Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks are tied with the Thunder for the 10th best record in the Western Conference. With two games left in the regular season, the Mavericks need one of two scenarios to happen: win both games and hope for the Thunder to lose one of their last two games, or win one of their last two games and see the Thunder lose their last two games.

If the Mavericks make the play-in as a 10th place finisher in the West, they will face the Minnesota Timberwolves. If they win, they will play the loser of the 7-seed vs. 8-seed game. If they win that game, they will advance to the playoffs as an 8-seed and play a seven-game series against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. The NBA started using the current form of the play-in tournament in 2021, and 10th place teams are 0-4 in those games.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have defied expectations this season, making the NBA playoffs for the first time in two years. The team was projected to be the worst in the Western Conference, with some experts calling them a 20-win team. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had other plans. The All-Star has been sensational, averaging 31 points, four rebounds, and five assists per game, while also delivering an excellent defense. The 24-year-old has silenced critics who questioned his ability to lead the franchise to glory. His leadership played a crucial role in securing the team's spot in the play-in tournament, where they will face the Minnesota Timberwolves for a place in the NBA playoffs. If Gilgeous-Alexander can continue his impressive play, he could help the Thunder go further than any other team projected to be at the bottom of their conference. It remains to be seen whether the Thunder can make a deep playoff run, but one thing is for sure: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the potential to be one of the league's best players, and he is making a name for himself as one of the most exciting prospects in the NBA.

Doug and Gina Maragas began their journey of winemaking in Oregon in 1999. Back then, when Central Oregon was an underdeveloped wine region, it offered much more affordable real estate than more popular wine-producing locations like Sonoma and Napa counties in California. They purchased grapes from well-established vineyards in Washington, Oregon, and California. In 2006, they planted 50 grape varieties and clones to determine which would work best on their property. By 2009, they started bottling their own wines using their own facility and winning awards in the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition with a white vintage of chardonnay, pinot gris, and sauvignon blanc. They have now planted vineyards near Warm Springs for zinfandel, merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. Maragas Winery follows organic and sustainable farming methods and uses farm dogs to control predators and chickens to control insects. It produces about 2,000 cases of bottled wines each year. Doug Maragas believes that the soil's balance is their responsibility as winemakers, and the volcanic soils, abundance of sun and dry summers, and good water drainage in their vineyards in Central Oregon allow their vines to thrive.

Coinbase has completed the distribution of Flare (FLR) token airdrop to eligible XRP users. Over 601 million FLR tokens have been distributed to Coinbase users based on their XRP balance, which includes Coinbase Exchange and Coinbase Pro accounts, on December 12, 2020. A simple calculation made by Neil Hartner, a senior staff software engineer at Ripple, reveals that over 4 billion XRP were held on Coinbase platforms at the time of the snapshot. At the time, it amounted to 8.8% of total circulating XRP, indicating that the impact of Coinbase delisting XRP in January 2021 was significant. Currently, XRP trading remains suspended on Coinbase until the SEC lawsuit against Ripple gains further regulatory clarity. Flare Network, which has a close relationship with XRP, has been demanding XRP’s relisting on Coinbase, as it listed the FLR token. Coinbase will support FLR on the Flare Network, and users will make deposits to their wallets via the network. Trading for FLR will begin once the exchange confirms viable liquidity.

Following a remarkable performance against the Raptors on Wednesday, where he scored 39 points and led the Bulls to victory, Zach LaVine now faces a new challenge against former Bull Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. LaVine's explosive second half helped the Bulls overcome a 19-point deficit and clinch a spot in the play-in game against the Heat on Friday. However, beating Butler and the Heat in a win-or-go-home situation will require LaVine to step up once again. Although he had his first real signature moment in a Bulls uniform, LaVine needs to build consistency in his performances to establish himself as an elite player in the Eastern Conference. Butler, on the other hand, has a bevy of legacy moments and accolades, including six All-Star appearances, four All-NBA third-team honors, and five All-Defensive second-team honors, and is looking to add a championship ring to his resume. LaVine and the Bulls have a 3-0 record against the Heat in the regular season, but Friday's showdown will be a new test for the young guard. Can LaVine's heroics continue against Butler and the Heat to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and earn a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks? The stakes are high, and the NBA world will be watching.

Coachella 2023 returns this year with an international flare from top to bottom of the lineup, featuring Bad Bunny from Puerto Rico, South Korean pop group Blackpink, and America's own Frank Ocean as its headliners. Icelandic star Bjork, Spain's Rosalia, Nigeria's Burna Boy, British-Indian singer Jai Paul, Calvin Harris, Kaytranada, Porter Robinson, Yaeji, and veterans like Chemical Brothers, Underworld, and Sasha & John Digweed are among the many other artists that make up the rest of the lineup. This annual event brings together some of the biggest names in the music and art industry, as well as thousands of fans and music lovers worldwide. It will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert from Friday, April 14th until Sunday, April 16th, 2023. For those unable to attend in person, the festival is also live-streamed on YouTube, allowing viewers from around the world to enjoy the performances from wherever they are.

The Chicago Cubs take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series, with the first game being a pitching matchup between Justin Steele of the Cubs and Noah Syndergaard of the Dodgers. Syndergaard, who was once a star pitcher for the New York Mets, has been in a decline since the 2019 season when he led the NL in earned runs allowed. Since then, he has undergone Tommy John surgery, missed the entire 2020 season, and has seen a sharp drop in velocity. His fastball now averages just 93.0 mph compared to his peak of 99.6 mph. This makes Syndergaard hittable as he lacks the speed that once made him dominant. The Cubs' Cody Bellinger will also be facing his former team, the Dodgers, for the first time since winning the NL MVP award in 2019. In the previous game, Ian Happ of the Cubs had four hits against the Dodgers. The Cubs have a 7-5 record while the Dodgers are 7-7.

California's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival for the year 2023 kicks off on Friday, 14th of April, and will run through to Sunday the 16th. This year it will see some of the world's top artists perform. Blackpink of South Korea and Puerto Rican reggaeton titan Bad Bunny are among the headlining acts of the festival. Known for its diversity in music acts, this marks a historical moment as the festival will not feature a white headliner for the first time. Blackpink debuted at Coachella in 2019, and Bad Bunny, the world's most-streamed artist, will be the first Spanish-language and first Latin American act to headline the festival. Another headline act is Frank Ocean who was initially booked to headline the 2020 edition, which was postponed and ultimately canceled due to the pandemic. He is regarded as one of the most influential R&B artists to date.

The schedule will see music genres clashing on each day, making for a tough decision for festival enthusiasts. Other high-profile performers such as Rosalía, Boygenius, Gorillaz, Charli XCX, and Kali Uchis are set to perform, making the event enticing to both contemporary and classic music lovers. As the premier event for the summer concert ritual, Coachella 2023 promises to be an excellent weekend of music and arts, with memorable performances at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.

As the highly anticipated music and arts festival approaches, fans are already speculating on who might headline the festival in the future. One artist who could potentially take the main stage is Justin Bieber. With a music career spanning almost two decades and hits ranging from "Baby" to "Peaches," Bieber has the ability to appeal to a wide demographic and put on an arresting show. He has been nominated for numerous Grammy awards and has experimented with various genres, making him a versatile headliner. Coachella has always been known for bringing some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and Bieber could easily fit that mold. Additionally, headlining Coachella could be an excellent way for Bieber to wrap up his Justice World Tour, which was cut short due to health concerns. While nothing is confirmed, fans will undoubtedly be awaiting future Coachella lineups to see if Bieber takes the stage as the festival headliner.

The recent arrest of 21-year-old Jack Teixeira for leaking highly sensitive Pentagon documents online has once again raised the question of why young people compromise national security. Teixeira seems to have leaked the documents just to show off and impress his online gaming friends. However, there seems to be a common thread between his case and other young people who have committed a similar offense, including Reality Winner, Chelsea Manning, and Edward Snowden – narcissism. All of them caused damage to their country because of a desire to assert themselves as important people. The damage caused by Teixeira's alleged actions looks to be immense, with the leaked documents being reposted online by another user known as "Lucca" in a Discord chatroom for weeks. Lucca had anonymity and stature on Discord, which allowed the documents to remain on the platform without any repercussions. While Lucca would post the documents for attention, users believed they were fake since they never believed anyone would be brazen enough to post classified US military secrets on Discord. Discord has since cooperated with US law enforcement on the investigation and stated that its terms of service prohibit using the platform for illegal or criminal purposes.

Several potential contenders for the Republican presidential nomination are making appearances at the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting in Indianapolis over the weekend, with the issue of gun control under scrutiny following recent mass shootings. Among the expected attendees are former Vice President Mike Pence and former President Donald Trump, who have been seen as divided following the Capitol riot of 2021. Other participants include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, and candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Those taking part are to speak at a “leadership forum,” with some, including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, making video appearances. Gen Z and millennial voters, who have expressed skepticism about Republican gun policies, are seen as another key bloc for the party, although some party leaders have called for more influence for younger Republicans. Meanwhile, Republicans attending the convention have emphasized their support for gun rights over proposed restrictions.

The Supreme Court has temporarily preserved access to the abortion pill mifepristone after Justice Samuel Alito put a lower court decision on hold. The lower court ruling in the dispute over the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the drug would have limited when the drug could be taken and how it could be dispensed. Alito's hold will remain in place until Wednesday, April 19th, and he has given anti-abortion medical associations and physicians who brought the challenge to the FDA's approval of the drug until Tuesday, April 18th to respond. The Biden administration and the manufacturer of the drug filed a request for the Supreme Court to intervene and block the federal district judge's halting of the FDA's approval of the drug. The Supreme Court's decision to intervene temporarily preserves the status quo as appeals continue in the case.

Former US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has announced that he will not be running for the presidency as the Republican candidate in 2024. After giving it much consideration, Pompeo stated that neither the time nor the situation was right for him and his family to run for the President of the United States. Pompeo had started public events, after he published a memoir last year, which had propelled him towards a potential presidential bid. Pompeo was widely expected to attempt a run for the Presidency, but his statement brings an end to speculation over his future political career. The 59-year-old, who had been exploring a presidential bid, largely disappeared from public view in recent times, as he mostly shied away from visits to early primary states where other candidates and potential rivals have been staking out ground. Pompeo's focus was on foreign policy, a lane that Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, who also served under Donald Trump, had already positioned herself in for the primaries. Haley has already launched her campaign for the upcoming election.

Former president Donald Trump disclosed his post-presidency finances on Friday in a personal financial disclosure form filed with the Federal Election Commission. The disclosure sheds some light on Trump's ventures since he left the White House, including several new business interests. Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of his social media platform, Truth Social, was valued somewhere between $5 million and $25 million, with Trump owning approximately 90% of the company. However, he reportedly made less than $201 from it. In addition, he made between $100,000 and $1 million for a series of digital trading cards, which he released in December 2022. These trading cards portrayed Trump in cartoon-like images, including as a cowboy, an astronaut, and a superhero. Trump also reported he made more than $5 million in speaking fees. Unfortunately, the disclosure only provides limited information due to its broad ranges of estimated income, which makes it challenging to give a clearer idea of how his businesses are faring since he left office. In conclusion, though it appears Trump is not making much from Truth Social, his empire earned at least $282 million since he left office, and his holdings are valued at a minimum of $1.2 billion.

The $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News is set to begin on Monday. Dominion claims that Fox News falsely reported that its voting machines played a role in causing Donald Trump to lose the 2020 presidential election. The judge has already ruled that these on-air statements were false, and the main matter left for the jury is to determine if Fox acted with "actual malice." Proving actual malice is difficult and requires showing that Fox knew it was reporting false information or was entertaining serious doubts about the truth of the reporting. While evidence against Fox has been disclosed, proving actual malice is often insurmountable for plaintiffs. The case demonstrates why overturning nearly six decades of First Amendment precedent, by eroding the legal protection against actual malice, would not benefit anyone other than those who seek to stifle reporting and criticism with the threat of litigation. It is unknown whether Fox News will prevail in this lawsuit, but it can be said that the trial will begin the true No Spin Zone, where deception is strictly prohibited.

New court documents reveal that Daniel Perry, a recently convicted murderer of a Black Lives Matter protester, had sent racist messages containing memes and defended the killing of protesters and Muslims in private messages over the years. Perry is making headlines in the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott stating his desire to pardon him. Perry’s lawyers have sent a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, saying they are prepared to explain the "tortured nature" and "political machinations" of the case for trial. Perry now faces life in prison following his conviction in the shooting of protester Garrett Foster in 2020 at a Black Lives Matter march in downtown Austin. Perry’s case has been the center of a heated legal and political debate between those calling for him to be pardoned and those supporting the justice system. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has started its investigation but has not provided a timeline for providing the investigation to the board members. A spokesman for District Attorney Jose Garza has disagreed with the assertions made by Perry's lawyers in their letter to the board.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated from a public event in Wakayama after what appeared to be a smoke bomb was thrown in his direction. Officials acted quickly, and Kishida was unharmed and later stated that he would continue with his planned schedule for the rest of the day. Video footage showed police officers piling on the person believed to have thrown the bomb. The individual was arrested at the scene. The public has been left shocked by the incident, which comes just nine months after Kishida's predecessor, Shinzo Abe, was shot to death while giving a campaign speech in the western city of Nara.

Leaked U.S. documents suggest Middle Eastern countries, including U.S. partners Egypt and UAE, are leaning towards Russia amid concerns over America's commitment to the region and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The documents allege Egypt considered sending tens of thousands of rockets to Russia and that the Emiratis are now Moscow's new best friends, as Israel is seemingly unwilling to assist Ukraine meaningfully. While U.S. officials continue to deny abandoning the Middle East, the documents point towards a growing trend where many Middle Eastern countries now question what it means to be aligned with America, while supplementing ties with alternative nations. This trepidation towards the U.S. comes amidst increasing worry for the region's role in the growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing.

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The US Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the Texas medication abortion drug dispute which concerns the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to regulate a drug used in the majority of abortions in states which allow the procedure. The case seeks to overturn a broad ruling by US District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk which blocks the FDA's approval of the drug, as well as changes made during subsequent years to make it more accessible. The case is the most significant abortion-related dispute to reach the Supreme Court since it overturned Roe v. Wade last year. The FDA-approved medication, Mifepristone, would no longer have access to market, restricting many women’s access to medication-based abortions. The clock is ticking for the Supreme Court to decide on whether to intervene as the lower court's amended ruling is due to come in effect at midnight (CT). The court has been asked to freeze the lower court opinion or agree to hear arguments before the summer recess.

President Joe Biden spent four days in Ireland, seeking to connect with his Irish roots. He found connections with local traditions and people, which he valued over American traditions. Biden visited several important sites, such as the Parliament, the Knock Shrine, and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. At the Knock Shrine, Biden looked at the original stonework from the apparition gable, which is said to be the site of a Marian apparition. Biden conveyed his condolences and appreciation to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice for the care they provided to cancer patients in the hospice. Biden also wondered about the reason for his ancestors' emigration (the Great Famine), expressing nostalgia and a desire to reconnect with his Irish identity. In addition, Biden expressed admiration for Ireland's progressiveness and commitment to democracy, which he sees as a model against the tide of populism. Though Biden's trip was nostalgic and reminded him of his Irish heritage, he ultimately recognized that the Ireland of today has a unique identity that is separate from the Irish American identity that many Americans associate with the country.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that he will not be seeking the Republican nomination for President in 2024. Speaking on Fox News, he stated that "this isn't our moment" for him and his wife, Susan, and that he had no intention of running. Pompeo, who had been touring early primary states, had previously made moves towards running for President but has since confirmed that this will no longer happen. Pompeo, who served in the Trump administration as director of the CIA and then as Secretary of State, also obliquely criticized Donald Trump, refusing to endorse him and stating that "Americans are thirsting for people making arguments, not just tweets." Pompeo had previously been a vocal critic of Trump before serving in his administration. Despite stating that he would not run, Pompeo did not rule out returning to politics in the future, stating that "there remain many more opportunities for which the timing might be more fitting as presidential leadership becomes even more necessary."

Former President Donald Trump's latest financial disclosure form shows he made between $100,001 and $1 million last year from selling NFTs. NFTs are unique digital assets with their ownership recorded on a blockchain. Trump teased the rollout of his NFT collection in December, which included a series of "trading cards" featuring cartoon drawings of him in various heroic postures and outfits. He used the name and likeness under a paid licensing agreement through CIC Digital LLC, with whom it was revealed he made over $5 million in speaking fees. The disclosure was incomplete, with only broad ranges of income provided, making it challenging to determine the actual financial state of some of Trump's most prominent businesses. After Trump's ban from social media platforms, he launched Truth Social in 2022. He estimated the value of the platform to be between $5 million and $25 million but reported an income of under $201 from it. His finances and business ventures are of public interest, given Trump's renewed engagement in politics and his potential candidacy for presidency in 2024.