On Tuesday, a Manhattan jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and then defaming her when she brought the allegations to light, but stopped short of finding him liable for rape. The jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million in damages, marking a significant win for the former advice columnist. Carroll's case began as a long shot, given that the statute of limitations for civil cases alleging sexual assault had expired. However, she sued him for defamation after he said Carroll lied about being assaulted, and then the New York Adult Survivors Act was signed. This gave adult sexual assault survivors a one-year window to file lawsuits, regardless of how old the allegations were. Carroll's attorneys filed their lawsuit against Trump alleging civil rape 30 minutes after the act took effect. Carroll was not a perfect witness, and both sides faced difficulties when it came to bringing forward evidence and witnesses, given the time that had passed. Nevertheless, the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll in a civil trial.

President Biden has reiterated his position that Congress should pass a bill lifting the debt ceiling without negotiations or conditions. However, Democrats are breaking ranks to pressure the president to cut a deal, and some voters are supporting the idea of negotiating over the debt limit. Regardless, former senior adviser to President Obama, Daniel Pfeiffer, argues that refusing to negotiate on the debt ceiling is the best strategy, especially with a far-right bloc of Republican representatives limiting Speaker Kevin McCarthy's maneuverability. Biden must find a way to extend discussions around the debt ceiling and fiscal issues to avoid a calamitous debt default that could come as early as June 1, 2023. Pfeiffer argues that McCarthy is not a negotiating partner who can be trusted to deliver. With their threats to plunge the country into default for the first time in its history, Republicans can be seen as a threat to the nation's economy and its stability as a global financial power. Thus, severe limits exist on the terms of any discussion about the debt ceiling. Despite the risks associated with his strategy, Biden must stick to his position.

Embattled Republican Congressional Representative George Santos, who has been under fire for his falsehoods about his background and campaign finance filings, is expected to appear in Federal court in Brooklyn this week on charges yet to be specified. The charges were filed in the Eastern district of New York, but remain under seal. The news has led to intense public pressure for him to resign. Santos has been publicly hounded for weeks for fabricating past personal, educational, professional, and athletic experiences. Serious questions have also been raised about his finances, despite a recently asserted quick wealth accumulation. Last month, both the Nassau County prosecutor and New York's Attorney General had indicated that they were pursuing possible violations of the law, but it remains unclear at this point what the federal charges might be as they are kept under wraps. Despite his recent ordeal, Santos showed no signs of resigning and had announced plans to run for re-election.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested by paramilitary forces in Islamabad on Tuesday on charges made by the country's anti-corruption agency. The former cricket legend and populist firebrand was submitting biometric data for a court appearance when he was apprehended. Khan had been leading a popular campaign against the current government, accusing it of colluding with the military to oust him. He was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote last year and has faced multiple legal cases against him. Khan claims that the charges against him are political. The arrest will intensify the showdown between Khan and the current government, led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Speculation about Tucker Carlson’s potential run in 2024 continues to swirl after his unceremonious departure from Fox News, where he had the highest-rated show on the network and earned upwards of $20 million per year. Political analysts suggest his deep ideological commitments, populist views, and far-right values make Carlson the embodiment of the Republican Party in 2023. "Maybe-Trumpers", who are looking for a conservative candidate with conviction, may likely support Carlson over Trump, as he has an independent streak but still resonates with core conservative values. Carlson also has credibility that even Trump may lack, as he has been pushing his far-right angles at Fox for 14 years. However, with Carlson’s controversial statements and some extreme views, achieving a successful presidential bid may be difficult. Carlson’s return to social media on Twitter, after his ouster from Fox, also provides a platform for him to launch a new version of his television show and to connect with his base. Whether or not Carlson will run is still up for debate, but one thing is certain: the potential for a Carlson presidency cannot be dismissed.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat of California, has returned to the Senate after being absent for nearly three months due to health issues. Her prolonged absence, caused by the shingles virus, worried Democrats who feared her absence would hinder their ability to confirm President Biden's Cabinet and judicial nominees. Feinstein's absence was also keenly felt in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Democrats needed at least one Republican vote to advance Biden's judicial nominations. Her absence meant the Democrats were short of that one crucial vote. Despite concerns about her health and ability to serve, Feinstein defended her absence and said that there was "no slowdown" of judicial confirmations and that she plans to finish her term. Her return to the chamber will restore a Democratic majority to the Judiciary Committee, where Democrats were becoming increasingly concerned about their limited ability to move forward with judicial nominations. However, her return also reignites debates about her suitability to serve and her ability to fulfill her duties.

In a historic win for journalist E. Jean Carroll, a Manhattan jury found former President Donald Trump liable for defamation and sexual abuse, while not finding him liable for her alleged rape. Carroll was able to make allegations of sexual assault thanks to an unusual law created last year, which allowed victims of sexual offenses to file civil suits even if the statute of limitations had expired. However, not all alleged victims will be able to count on such laws, but they could find justice in the other half of Carroll's allegations: defamation. Her defamation case rested on Trump's denial of her allegations. The former president's response was seen as an attempt to discredit her, a tactic often used against victims by influential individuals. The ruling reveals how truth is a complete defense to a claim of defamation, and could create political shockwaves for Trump, who has previously been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. Indeed, the American public has come to view sexual assault as a form of abusing power that can disqualify a perpetrator from holding public office, pointing to how this ruling may encourage other victims to come forward and seek justice.

As Russia celebrates Victory Day, its annual event commemorating the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945, concerns remain that the ongoing conflict with Ukraine could escalate. Although the parade was a smaller affair this year due to the war, Russian President Vladimir Putin still addressed the crowds in Red Square, claiming that "a real war" was being fought against Russia and that it must fight for its future. However, Russia's military aggression towards Ukraine has not been met with the same level of fear as in the past, with Putin's attempts to portray the conflict as a necessity and a response to a threat from Ukraine and the West being baseless. Meanwhile, Ukraine is reportedly preparing an expected counteroffensive against Russia, who has recently launched attacks on Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Odesa, and Kherson, and canceled Victory Day parades in some locations. The situation in Ukraine remains a concern, with fears that the conflict could intensify and lead to further military aggression from Russia.

Rep. George Santos, who represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, has been charged with at least one federal crime by the U.S. Department of Justice. The charge or charges are sealed and it is not yet clear what crime or crimes Santos, age 34, has been accused of. Sources indicate that the charges were brought after several months of investigations into financial crimes both on his personal and campaign finances including the use of campaign funds for personal purposes. In January, a nonprofit legal center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) accusing Santos of using campaign funds for personal expenses and several other campaign finance violations. Santos has admitted to embellishing information about his professional and personal background leading up to the 2022 election. He faces investigations from the House Ethics Committee, Nassau County DA's Office, and the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. Santos was officially charged on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 and will be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn on May 10th. Santos' attorney declined to comment, and politicians from both parties have called for his resignation.

President Joe Biden and congressional leaders, including top Republicans, are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the debt ceiling, as the US faces the possibility of defaulting on its national debt if Congress does not raise the borrowing limit by June 1. If the US does default, it could undermine America's national credit rating, its financial markets, and the world's capital markets, resulting in short-term chaos. While the president is unwilling to negotiate over the debt ceiling itself, he is open to discussing spending cuts that Republicans are advocating for as part of the budget process. Nonetheless, Republicans continue to insist on linking these cuts with the debt ceiling increase, prompting an impasse between the two parties. Some have suggested that Biden could potentially use the 14th Amendment to bypass the debt ceiling, but the president has so far refused to take such a route and has stressed that it is Congress' constitutional obligation to resolve the debt ceiling crisis. As the deadline approaches, the stakes are high, and the consequences of a potential default could be severe for the US and the global economy.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has announced that he will start a new show on Twitter after negotiations for an amicable separation with Fox News reportedly broke down. Carlson's comments, made in a three-minute monologue posted directly to Twitter, may also violate the terms of his contract with Fox News, which prevent him from hosting a show on another network. The Fox Corporation had no comment about Carlson's announcement. Carlson did not provide any details about his new show's content or when it is set to begin. The move comes after Carlson was taken off the air by Fox News last week. Carlson started his monologue with a critique of the news industry, accusing it of being incapable of telling the truth. Carlson's announcement highlights the uncertainty surrounding his departure from Fox News and whether he will be able to return to a prominent role in conservative media.

The Senate Democrats on the judiciary committee have requested Harlan Crow, the billionaire GOP donor, provide more information about all gifts and payments exceeding $415 given to any justice of the Supreme Court or family member. Furthermore, they request an itemized list of real estate transactions as well as trips. This comes after ProPublica reported Crow invited Justice Clarence Thomas on luxury vacations, paying for them, and that he provided Ginni Thomas, his wife, a consultancy job which was paid by the Judicial Education Project using a UPS store in Georgetown as the address. The request for more information also covers the gift of private school tuition paid for by Crow for Thomas' grandnephew, Mark Martin, of whom Thomas had legal custody and was raising as his son. It's said that Thomas knew these gifts needed to be reported because he disclosed a tuition payment gifted from a separate donor to Martin in 2002.

The letters from Judiciary Democrats were also sent to the holding companies that own Crow's private jet, private yacht, and Topridge Camp. Wyden, who is examining whether the gifts could have triggered violations of US tax law, sent a series of questions to Crow last month inquiring about trips over the years that the megadonor paid for on his private plane and super yacht that Thomas chose not to list on his financial disclosure forms. A spokesperson for Crow commented that "Senator Wyden's request is burdensome and harassing and we are preparing a response to demonstrate why it is an overreach."

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's arrest on Tuesday has sparked violent protests across the country, with thousands taking to the streets in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar to show support for the former leader. Khan faces multiple corruption charges and is expected to appear in front of a judge today. While Khan's supporters and riot police gathered outside police headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday, police said his hearing will take place there rather than in court to keep him away from the public. The arrest follows nearly a year of tension in the country. Khan's pre-recorded statement released on YouTube by his political party after his arrest claims that he was "detained on incorrect charges" and urged supporters to come out and "struggle for their rights." Khan's refusal to act as a pawn for the US may have been a factor in his downfall, according to commentators. The situation in the country is escalating by the hour, with the possibility of a tumultuous showdown between the military and Khan's supporters.

After the Celtics tied up their second-round series against the Sixers with a dominating 128-103 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night, head coach Joe Mazzulla made an apparently sarcastic comment during his press conference by asking the media if anyone wanted to ask about the adjustments they made from Game 1 to Game 2. This was an “idiotic” move and not a “mic drop moment” as Mazzulla suggested, according to a recent WEEI podcast. Analysts criticized him, saying that he’s adding to the emotional rollercoaster of the team and showing immaturity. On Thursday, Mazzulla made a comment on a hot mic that went viral, where he said he was the worst coach ever. However, he cleared up the comment before Game 3, saying he forgot to recognize Celtics guard Marcus Smart for winning the NBA Hustle Award during a press conference the day before. This award is based on a player's advanced hustle statistics, and Smart won it for the second consecutive year and the third time overall.

James Harden, NBA star and player for the Philadelphia 76ers, has invited shooting survivor John Hao to attend Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Hao was one of the victims of the mass shooting incident at Michigan State University in February of this year. Previously paralyzed from the waist down, Hao has made a remarkable recovery and can now attend the game to watch his favorite player in action. Harden had promised Hao that he would invite him to a game as soon as he was able to attend. The star player had previously sent Hao a pair of game-worn shoes, among other memorabilia, and offered words of encouragement via Facetime. With the series tied at 1-1, Game 3 proves crucial for the 76ers who seek a win against the Celtics.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum joined an elite group of active players in Game 1 of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, tying Paul George for having 6 career postseason games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, according to NBA.com. George has endorsed Tatum for the MVP race with admiration for his game, and referring to Tatum as “incredible.” At only 25, Tatum has already become one of the best players in the NBA, and he still has room to grow. As the playoffs continue, Tatum is poised to climb even further up the impressive playoff list. In Game 1 against the 76ers, the Celtics collapsed over the final few minutes, losing to the Sixers 102-104, and Tatum found himself the victim of a non-basketball act by Philadelphia’s PJ Tucker. A wild swing by Tucker caught Tatum below the belt, but to the Celtics’ dismay, the officiating crew failed to call a foul. Nevertheless, the Celtics will look to bounce back and Tatum will continue to prove his worth as one of the most elite players in the association.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-102 in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals, with Al Horford playing a key role in the win. Philadelphia got as close as two points in the third quarter but failed to capitalize due to their poor execution offensively. Sixers' coach Doc Rivers believes that the Celtics trusted more in the past than his team did, leading to his team losing the game. James Harden had an off-night with only one made shot much to their detriment. Harden and Tyrese Maxey's return improved the Sixers' offense and helped them become the best offense in the league. Now with Joel Embiid returning, Harden may have to adapt to a lesser role and depend more on open shots and dive cuts instead of the coach's isolation plays. He had a lot of success attacking Al Horford in Game 1, which Philadelphia should continue to do so. Moreover, Boston may be one of the more aggressive teams when sending help at Embiid, which means the ball may come out of his hands faster, opening opportunities for Harden. Will the Sixers bounce back and win Game 4?

Despite removing his mask in the second quarter of Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown resumed wearing it for the rest of the series due to ongoing concerns about his facial fracture. Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell revealed that Brown expressed unease about taking hits on his face and possibly needing surgery if it happens again. Brown's relationship with the team and its fanbase has been complicated by trade rumors in the past, and with former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka taking over the Houston Rockets, rumors of a potential trade have resurfaced. However, one general manager believes that the real question is not whether Brown and Jason Tatum can play together but whether they want to play together. In any case, Brown's thoughts are solely on the current NBA playoffs, where he and the Celtics will face off against the Miami Heat in the first round.

Philadelphia 76ers fans have been enjoying a unique promotion this NBA season: free chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A. The deal, called "Bricken for Chicken," is triggered when an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws in the second half of a game. If this happens, fans at the Wells Fargo Center receive five chicken nuggets, and if it occurs again, eight more nuggets are added to their haul. If three sets of two missed free throws occur, each fan in attendance is awarded twelve nuggets. So far this season, the deal has been activated at ten games, which has resulted in over 600,000 free nuggets being given away across the greater Philadelphia area. Senior Vice President Owen Morin said that the promotion's success is "just a phenomenal number" and has exceeded expectations, adding that the goal now is to distribute over one million nuggets by the end of the season. The offer is not limited to game-goers only. Anyone within the Philadelphia region can also unlock the deal by opening the Chick-fil-A app on their device and claiming the offer by 10:30 a.m. the next business day.

Last week, Twitter caused a stir by removing the coveted blue check marks from legacy verified users and urging them to subscribe to Twitter Blue to regain them. However, after receiving backlash from celebrities and public figures, Twitter quietly returned verification to accounts with over 1 million followers. Musk's bet of increasing subscriptions through “the de-verification” backfired horribly with only around 300,000 Twitter Blue subscriptions sold in the first month. The subscription service's features, including editing tweets and identity verification, failed to enhance users' experience.

Moreover, a three-word "hack" has surfaced, allowing users to give themselves the blue tick for free by writing “former blue check" in their bio. While the trick failed to work for users who have never been verified, it was confirmed on accounts that were previously verified. Reports suggest the blue tick appears whenever a user edits their bio, making one wonder if altering bios is turning on a brief error.

Twitter's longstanding verification system has now become a polarizing symbol of Elon Musk's leadership for some of the platform's most prominent users. While some welcome its removal, others believe the subscription features are worth purchasing. Regardless, questioning the value and purpose of Twitter verification continues, causing trouble for the platform's future.

Philadelphia 76ers’ forward P.J. Tucker achieved a unique record in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Tucker played for nearly 37 minutes but, surprisingly, didn't score any points or shoot a free throw. This performance is, in fact, the most minutes played by a player in an NBA playoff match without shooting a field goal or free throw. The previous record was held by Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs back in 2006. The 76ers, however, won the game against the Boston Celtics with a score of 117-98. Despite not scoring, Tucker played an important supporting role in the game, with the 76ers being victorious with a comfortable margin. This is not, however, an unusual occurrence for Tucker, who has put up 0’s in over a quarter of all games the 76ers have played this season. Although he is a starting player, the 76ers are 17-6 in games where Tucker does not score. This remarkable feat in Game 1 of the playoffs, therefore, is not entirely unexpected.

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 season, after a scattering start to his career. He underwent foot surgery and then had to be benched again due to a knee injury. But doubts about his ability to fully recover from these injuries were laid to rest as he led the NBA in scoring for a second straight year. This is also a boost to what the Sixers called The Process, which was initiated in the 2010s and was seen as a way to lose numerous games so that they could land young prospects like Embiid. The move was met with criticism and the term 'tanking' was coined afterwards. In the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, the 76ers was undefeated. Embiid is the fifth 76er ever to win the NBA MVP, following in the footsteps of legends Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and Allen Iverson.

Despite some doubts at the end of the season, Trae Young has proven his abilities to lead his team to victory in a high-pressure game. While the Hawks ultimately lost the series against the Celtics, Young was the standout player in at least two, if not three, of the games. Although his season was marked by struggles to build synergy with newly-acquired player Dejounte Murray, these concerns have been put to rest after Young showed his tenacity in the final four games of the series. While there may still be some chatter in the media regarding a potential trade, true basketball fans know that trading Young would be a delusional move. Admittedly, there are still some flaws in the Hawks' gameplay, such as their point-of-attack defense that allowed the Celtics to score so easily. However, the talent that Young possesses when he is at his best is undeniable, and it's clear that when surrounded by the right pieces, he has the potential to lead his team all the way to a championship. With the official announcement of the end of the season, Young is already looking ahead to next year, eager to continue growing and improving his game.

As the NBA playoffs continue to deliver standout performances, fans are left wondering if these postseason games count towards the season's Most Valuable Player award. The answer is no, as the NBA MVP award is presented annually to the player who made the biggest impact on their team's success throughout the regular season. This highly respected individual award is decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA in the US and Canada, with each expert selecting their top five candidates. The player with the highest point total is awarded the MVP, an award in which each first-place vote is worth 10 points. Since 2010, fans have been given the opportunity to cast their ballot and have a say in the MVP with online voting. While standout performances continue to make headlines in the postseason, only the regular season is considered for the MVP award. On Tuesday, the NBA is expected to name the season's MVP among finalists Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Boston Celtics' star Jayson Tatum finished fourth in the NBA MVP race, but it doesn't mean he has lost hope in winning the title in the future. The 26-year-old guard has been in the league for six years and has already broken many records including becoming the first Celtics player ever to average 30-plus points a game. Tatum's scoring averages have gone up each year he has been in the NBA. Though Tatum commented that he had at least 15 years left in him, he shortly backtracked and said he had at least 10 years left for sure. Tatum, who made the All-NBA first team last year, might earn this honor again as he continues to produce stellar performances. Although Tatum no longer seems to be in the running for the MVP title this year, his focus is on the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

Furthermore, Tatum drew inspiration from his fatherhood journey alongside his son Deuce Tatum, who is now five years old. Despite Tatum's initial struggle to balance his responsibilities as a father and a rookie in the NBA, he now enjoys a unique chemistry with his son on and off the court.