Tucker Carlson, one of Fox News' most popular and controversial hosts, has broken his silence following his abrupt departure from the American cable news network. Carlson did not directly address news of his reported firing in a two-minute cryptic video he posted on Twitter but offered sweeping complaints about the state of American discourse. Observers speculate if Carlson's departure was linked to Fox News publicly acknowledging it lied about the 2020 election and part of the $787.5m settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. Fox News has not publicly commented on why it cut ties with Carlson.

Carlson's departure marks another significant loss for Fox, which has been reeling from both legal and ratings setbacks in recent months. Fox's reputation has taken a hit over the past year, culminating in last week's settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. Despite this, the network continues to push disinformation to its audience and do irreparable harm to the country's political system.

After being accused of inciting protesters in the chamber and telling lawmakers they would have blood on their hands if they supported a measure to restrict gender-affirming care for minors, Montana House Republicans voted to censure Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state's first transgender state legislator. The censure prohibits Zephyr from participating physically on the House floor, but she will remain in her position and able to vote and attend sessions remotely. Republican lawmakers had previously considered expelling Zephyr but ultimately voted 68-32 to censure her along party lines. Zephyr spoke ahead of the censure vote, defending her comments and criticizing the Legislature for "systematically attacking" the LGBTQ community. She also claimed that she was speaking in their defense, stating that the legislation, if passed, could result in the deaths of transgender youth. "When the speaker asks me to apologize on behalf of decorum, what he's really asking me to do is be silent when my community is facing bills that get us killed. He's asking me to be complicit in this Legislature's eradication of our community, and I refuse to do so," she stated.

On Wednesday, House Republicans passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, a bill to lift the debt ceiling and cut spending. The move not only delivered Speaker Kevin McCarthy a victory, but also put pressure on President Joe Biden to open negotiations. The measure passed 217 to 215, with only four Republicans voting against it. President Biden has pledged to veto the bill, and Democrats have stated that Republicans should increase the debt limit without conditions. Furthermore, Democrats claim that discussions about government spending should happen during the regular budget process. Nevertheless, if the bill had failed to pass, then House Republicans would have lost all leverage on the debt limit. The Senate would probably have come up with its own proposal and jammed the House. President Biden says that he is willing to meet with McCarthy, but not to talk about the extension of the debt limit. A default on the debt could occur as early as June if no congressional action is taken.

During South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to the White House, President Joe Biden renewed America's commitment to protecting South Korea in the face of ongoing nuclear threats from North Korea. The emphasis of this renewed commitment is on "extended deterrence," which means that the United States will use its nuclear arsenal if necessary to respond to a North Korean nuclear attack on the South. This emphasis highlights the failure of previous efforts to disarm North Korea and serves to calm concerns in South Korea that they may need their own independent arsenal as protection. The North's rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities is a source of perpetual concern for both countries. The "Washington Declaration," a set of new steps to strengthen US-South Korean cooperation on military training, is expected to be announced during the visit. It includes new commitments to bolster extended deterrence and the regular deployment of strategic assets, including potentially a US nuclear ballistic submarine visit to South Korea.

Walt Disney Co has sued Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, accusing the politician and his oversight board of attempting to control Disney World's theme parks. The entertainment firm has stated that the state of Florida has violated its First Amendment rights to free speech by attempting to "weaponize government power against Disney." The battle began when the company criticised a state law banning classroom discussion of gender identity in schools. Incensed by the criticism, DeSantis’s focal point turned to Disney by targeting the theme park suppliers.

Sueing the governor and the board and seeking to bar the board’s invalidation of an agreement struck between Disney and the prior board, the lawsuit claims that DeSantis’ retribution "now threatens Disney's business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights."

The scuffle between Disney and DeSantis has put the theme park supplier at the center of a conflagrating debate for Americans' free speech rights in the United States. It has also tested the relations between the state government and the long-established entertainment provider. The firm is one of the state's leading employers, responsible for roughly 75,000 jobs in the region.

E. Jean Carroll, a former magazine columnist, testified on Wednesday in the Manhattan federal court against former President Donald Trump for battery and defamation. Carroll took the stand for her civil lawsuit accusing Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the spring of 1996. She claimed that Trump lied, shattered her reputation and that she wants her life back. Trump has repeatedly denied her allegations. Carroll testified in a blunt and emotional manner, stating that "my whole reason for being alive in that moment was to get out of that room." The lawsuit alleges that Trump sexually assaulted and raped Carroll in a luxury department store. The trial began on Tuesday and it is not clear when the defense attorneys will begin cross-examining Carroll. During the testimony, Carroll cried while recalling the moment Trump allegedly inserted his penis into her. Carroll and Trump had met years before the incident, and she testified that she had a favorable impression of him at the time.

Former Vice President Mike Pence may be compelled to testify before a grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's role in the Jan. 6 riot, due to a federal appeals court's decision to reject Trump's attempt to block his testimony. Pence is considered a crucial witness as Trump pressured him to reject electoral college votes for Joe Biden at the joint session of Congress that day. He was also in a meeting with Republican lawmakers in December 2021 where objections to Biden's win were discussed. The sealed ruling by the US appeals court for the DC circuit brings an end to Trump's effort to stop Pence from divulging information to federal prosecutors. The former vice president's testimony may be a turning point in the investigation, as he is the only one who can speak firsthand about his conversations with the former president and his close advisors. Pence is also considering running for president in 2024 and has repeatedly condemned Trump for endangering his family and people at the Capitol building on Jan. 6.

Tucker Carlson has broken his silence in a two-minute video posted online after being abruptly fired from Fox News earlier this week. In the video, Carlson criticized the state of television news, saying that debates that occur on air are "unbelievably stupid" and "completely irrelevant." He stated that "in five years, we won't even remember that we had them." Carlson concluded the video with a vague message, "Where can you still find Americans saying true things? There aren't many places left, but there are some. And that's enough. As long as you can hear the words, there is hope." He signed off with "See you soon." Carlson did not address his departure from Fox News or his future plans. The reason for his sudden firing from the network is unclear, but some speculate that it may be related to Fox's recent $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.

House Republicans are using the ongoing debt ceiling standoff to pursue their longstanding goal of requiring more low-income Americans to work in exchange for government benefits, such as food stamps and Medicaid, which they see as a means to reduce government spending while giving a boost to the labor force. However, this controversial policy is causing some apprehension, with hardliners wanting stricter requirements and moderate members being concerned about potential blowback. Under the package, childless, able-bodied adults ages 18 to 55 could get food stamps for only three months out of every three years if they do not meet work requirements, which put almost a million between the ages of 50 and 55 at risk of losing their food assistance unless they work sufficient hours and maintain employment records, receive an exemption, or live in an area where the mandate is waived. Although the House plans to pass the legislation this week, which is not expected to pass the Democratic-led Senate nor gain White House approval, it could serve as a starting point for negotiations regarding addressing the debt ceiling. However, critics of this mandate worry that work requirements would shrink vital safety net programs, leaving millions struggling to meet basic needs.

Former Vice President Mike Pence may be called to testify before a federal grand jury investigating the role that former President Donald Trump and his allies played the day of the Jan. 6th Capitol insurrection. Trump's legal team filed an emergency motion to block the subpoena, but a federal appeals court rejected the motion. Pence can now appear before the grand jury, but it is not yet clear when that will be. The investigation has been ongoing for several months, focusing on the events that preceded the Capitol riot and Trump and his allies' attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Pence's testimony would be a significant development in the investigation and potentially provide crucial firsthand accounts. Despite Trump's potential to continue appealing to the Supreme Court, Pence has stated that he will comply with the subpoena. With reports suggesting Pence is considering a 2024 presidential bid, his testimony could also have political implications.

On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit in federal court against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, alleging the governor improperly sought to punish the company for its opposition to his controversial "Don't Say Gay" education legislation. Disney claims that the governor unlawfully revoked the company's special tax status, effectively threatening its economic future in the region and violating its constitutional rights.

Earlier the same day, the Florida Senate voted 27-13 to approve a bill that would void development agreements involving Disney, passed hours after the company's lawsuit was filed. The proposed legislation, which now heads to the House, will override agreements that Disney reached with outgoing board members of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District. The company effectively controlled the District, which gave them unprecedented powers over issues such as land use, fire protection, and sewer services that are typically handled by local governments.

The lawsuit alleges that DeSantis and other state officials improperly sought to retaliate against Disney in violation of the First Amendment. While these cases are notoriously difficult to prove, legal experts suggest that Disney may have a strong case, partly due to DeSantis' explicit statements regarding punishing the company for its political views.

Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, a former member of the Fugees, has been convicted of 10 charges, including corruption, lobbying, witness tampering, and lying to banks. Prosecutors argued that Michel had received over $100 million in funding from Malaysian financier Jho Low, which was used to attempt to influence American politics, both during the Obama and Trump administrations. This included lobbying to halt an investigation into Low, who was connected to the 1MDB scandal, and also for China. Michel's lawyer, however, claimed that he "just wanted to make money" and had acted on poor legal advice. During the trial, actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions both provided testimony. Michel, who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, faces many years in prison. His lawyer plans to appeal the verdict. Low is now an international fugitive and is also the focus of other 1MDB-related investigations.

Fox News' recent firing of Tucker Carlson has exposed a business model flaw that the network is now vulnerable to. According to Media Matters for America, Fox News has long relied on its viewers demanding increasingly toxic and irresponsible content, much of which advertisers are unwilling to support. Carlson's show played a significant role in mainstreaming extremist conspiracy theories and personalities, which ultimately contributed to his immense popularity on the network. The show's promotion of extremist narratives, combined with Carlson's "gift" for keeping viewers hooked, meant that Tucker Carlson Tonight boasted record viewership during his tenure.

However, the lack of advertiser demand ultimately led to the talk show losing many blue-chip advertisers who did not want to associate themselves with the program's controversial content. Direct-response advertisers filled this void while commercials were sold at a lower price point, providing no real financial windfall to the network. Carlson's exit from Fox News not only damages the network's hegemony over conservative media but also speaks to the larger issues facing the company's business model.

After speaking out against a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, Montana's only transgender lawmaker Rep. Zooey Zephyr has been barred from the chamber floor and gallery for the remainder of the legislative session. Despite the ban, Zephyr will still be able to vote by Zoom. On Monday, Zephyr raised her microphone toward supporters in the Statehouse gallery above as they chanted "Let her speak!".

The move to bar Zephyr went along party lines, with 68 Republicans in favor and 32 Democrats opposed. Republicans had also considered expulsion of Zephyr. Zephyr said she rose in defense of her community and of democracy itself, and said: “When my community is facing bills that get us killed, he's (the speaker) asking me to be complicit in this Legislature's eradication of our community," she added, delivering her speech in a calm, yet assertive tone.

Critics have called the Republican lawmakers' attempts to silence Zephyr as a way to eradicate the transgender community in Montana. On Wednesday, the Montana House of Representatives will vote on "disciplinary measures" against Zephyr that could mean censuring her or expelling her entirely. Montana residents have rallied around Zephyr, demanding she be allowed to speak.

On the second day of her civil trial against former President Donald Trump, writer E. Jean Carroll testified that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s in the dressing room of a department store. She described a lighthearted encounter they had at Bergdorf Goodman that quickly turned into a brutal assault. Carroll said she tried to fight off Trump by stamping on his foot, but he overpowered her. The incident left her traumatized for decades, she said, and she did not report it at the time because she feared losing her job as a TV show host under the supervision of Roger Ailes, a friend of Trump's. Carroll is suing Trump for battery and defamation, after he publicly denied her claims in 2019. Trump has called her allegations a “hoax and a lie,” and denied knowing her. Carroll’s case is one of several legal actions against Trump.

The US and South Korea are set to announce measures on Wednesday aimed at strengthening their alliance and deterring North Korea. A ballistic missile submarine will be deployed to the Western Pacific by the US for the first time since the 1980s, to be followed by other hardware. A consultative group will also be created by the nations to discuss how to deter North Korea from using its nuclear weapons. Washington has made it clear that it will not redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea. As the “Washington Declaration” highlights US commitments to defending South Korea, Seoul will reaffirm its pledge to be bound by the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Both nations are seeking stronger joint planning, consultation and intelligence sharing to deter North Korea. The two leaders also renewed their commitment to keep diplomatic avenues open to North Korea despite rising tensions on the peninsula. The US president, Joe Biden, further warned that any North Korean nuclear attack against the US or its allies would result in the end of the outgoing regime.

Montana's only transgender lawmaker, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, was barred from speaking on the chamber floor by Montana House Republicans after she spoke out against a proposed bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors. While Zephyr was only prohibited from speaking and appeared to be able to participate and vote remotely, she raised her microphone towards supporters in the gallery who were chanting “Let her speak!” at the moment she was censored. The Montana Republican Party voted along party lines, with 68 Republicans in favor, barring her from any chamber floor activity and considering to expel her from the legislative session. The Republicans have attempted to defend their action by claiming a breach of decorum in Zephyr's statement, which they say may have incited violence. However, Democrats have stated that Zephyr did not break the rules and accused Republicans of silencing her. This is not the only instance where a minority lawmaker has been silenced by the opposing majority party in recent weeks, casting light on potential undemocratic practices.

What started as a spree of large landscaping rocks being thrown at cars in Westminster, Colorado took a deadly turn last week when Alexa Bartell, 20, was killed by a rock that was thrown through her windshield. The incident occurred just outside Denver on April 19th when Bartell was driving north on Indiana Street. She was the last car to be hit by a large rock, and one of several that were pelted that evening. The spree started just after 10 pm that night. Yesterday, three men, all 18, were arrested in connection to the incident: Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, and Zachary Kwak. All three men are suspected of throwing rocks, but it is not yet clear who was driving or who threw the fatal rock. The suspects are facing charges of first-degree murder by extreme indifference. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office coordinated with the Westminster Police, Arvada Police and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to identify and arrest the suspects. It remains to be seen if there will be additional charges, but investigators thanked the public and media for their help in making the arrests.

New reports are suggesting that Tucker Carlson's private text messages, which were revealed as part of the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit against Fox News, played a role in the leading prime-time host's ouster from the cable news giant. The Wall Street Journal reports that Carlson's explicit comments about Fox leadership and worry over reporters fact-checking former President Trump's false claims about voter fraud angered Fox's massive audience - comments that were known to senior Fox management. In one of the redacted messages, Carlson reportedly referred to a senior female Fox News executive as the c-word. He was also seen badmouthing former President Trump and his allies, and told colleagues that his remarks about Trump were "said during a momentary spasm of anger, while his dislike of this executive was deep and enduring." Fox News agreed to pay Dominion $787.5 million to settle the case just before opening arguments were set to begin. Carlson has not commented publicly on his departure from Fox as of Wednesday morning.

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart might miss Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sprained left ankle. The Knicks’ trade deadline acquisition was instrumental in the victory against the Cavaliers in Game 1, putting in 17 points and 10 rebounds, including a clutch three-pointer in the closing minutes. Though he was limping with the injured ankle, Hart scored the crucial 3-pointer with just 1:49 seconds remaining on the clock. The Knicks had listed him as doubtful for Game 2 before the play-offs match. Hart had participated only in one part of Monday's practice session and received treatment instead. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau stated that Hart said he felt fine in the game and that it was more about seeing how he feels the next day since he rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter. R.J. Barrett and Quentin Grimes might have to fill the void if Hart misses the game as the Knicks attempt to carry forward their momentum and secure the series win.

The New York Knicks are hoping that All-Star forward Julius Randle can join their lineup for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Randle sprained his left ankle against the Miami Heat on March 29 and has missed the Knicks' final five games of the regular season. The 28-year-old forward has been a key figure for the Knicks this season, averaging 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. If Randle can't start, this will place more pressure on Jalen Brunson, who has been playing through pain for much of the second half of the season. The Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell, who has been playing exceptionally, averaging more than 40 points in four straight games before being put on the bench for his team's final two tilts. However, since the NBA odds for Mitchell's total points prop has adjusted to 30.5, up from a high of 28.5 in his final regular-season tilt, bettors might be sacrificing a little juice. Mitchell has cleared 3.5 three-pointers in most of his previous games, making him a great bet to get at least four threes in this game. Overall, the Cavaliers are favored to win the series against the Knicks, but Randle's return could help increase the Knicks' chances to win Game 1.

Jalen Brunson's mysterious 3-point celebration stole the spotlight after the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 102-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The guard refused to reveal what the celebration meant, leaving NBA Twitter more curious. Jeff Van Gundy was confused by the celly, and reporter Lisa Salters asked Brunson postgame what it meant. "Don't worry about it," Brunson replied. Brunson led the team in scoring and assists, falling one point shy of surpassing the 30-point mark. The Knicks are now one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals after taking a 3-1 series lead over Cleveland. Brunson has scored at least 20 points in all four games this series, posting 20 or more points with five or more assists in three straight outings. The Knicks will head to Cleveland for game 5 on Wednesday, and Donovan Mitchell will look to bounce back from a poor outing, scoring just 11 points.

The cost of insuring against US default has surged to the highest level in over a decade, as investors grow increasingly concerned about the upcoming negotiations to raise the nation's debt ceiling. The US government must agree to lift the $31.4tn borrowing limit, or risk defaulting on Treasury securities. Spreads on five-year credit default swaps have widened to 50 basis points, more than double the level in January, and the cost of insuring debt against default for one year stood at over 100 basis points, well above 2011 levels, when the first credit downgrade of the US government occurred due to a similar standoff. Treasury bill yields have also hit fresh highs on fears the deadline to raise the borrowing limit may come sooner than expected. Mid-August is the Treasury’s estimate for when they will run out of funds. However, JPMorgan warned that the debt ceiling could become an issue as early as May, so the deadline may come sooner than people think.

Japanese shipping and logistics company, NYK Group, has partnered with Orca AI, an automated situational awareness platform developer, to enhance the safety of its fleet. The NYK Group will be installing the Orca AI platform across its fleet, which consists of bulk carriers, tankers, and containerships. The platform is an automated lookout that recognises dangerous targets and other vessels that may be overlooked by the human eye, by automating the task of target detection in low visibility in congested waters. The platform provides real-time detection, tracking, and estimation of range through 18 cameras with panoramic views. The partnership began in August 2020, when NYK installed a trial version of the platform on one of its ships. Since then, the NYK Group and Orca AI have completed a successful autonomous voyage trial in congested waters in Japan. The NYK trial, known as the MEGURI2040 Project, was carried out on Suzaku, a 749 gross tonne autonomous containership fitted with Orca AI's artificial intelligence and deep-learning technology. The vessel achieved 40 hours of navigation with complete autonomy for about 98% of the voyage, carrying out 107 collision avoidance manoeuvres and avoiding up to 500 ships using Orca's safety navigation system.

Institutional investors hold a staggering 65% stake in the company, making them a powerful group with significant influence over Roku's stock price movements. Recently, they saw their holdings' value drop by 11%, adding to a one-year loss of 37%, which may prompt them to sell off their shares, putting individual investors at risk of losing their investment. Despite owning a considerable stake in Roku, institutions' validation does not necessarily guarantee positive returns, as they can get it wrong at times. Past earnings trajectories and other factors should be considered before relying on their supposed validation. Moreover, since hedge funds own a meager percentage of Roku shares, the board is likely to pay attention to institutional investors' preferences, with Wealth Effects LLC being among the top 11 shareholders that control 50% of the company. Still, they cut their stake in Roku by nearly three-quarters during the fourth quarter, which raises concerns about the company's future growth trajectory. On the other hand, Roku's recent impressive Q4 2020 earnings result, exceeding analyst's expectations, makes it an attractive investment for those willing to endure the uncertainties of the stock market.