Sean "Diddy" Combs pleaded not guilty to new allegations in court, including lengthened timeline of sex trafficking and racketeering, added victims, and forcing employees into sexual encounters. Diddy appeared with grayer hair, wearing a tan jumpsuit, supported by family. Trial scheduled for May 5, with prosecution claiming evidence not shared by defense. Diddy remains in jail pending trial, facing potential life sentence if found guilty of running criminal enterprise. Full Article

Maryland judge Jennifer Schiffer sentenced Adnan Syed to time served for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in 1999, with five years of supervised probation, under a new state law for crimes committed as a minor. Syed, now 43, maintains his innocence and has a job at Georgetown University. The victim's family expressed gratitude for the court's decision, which reinstated Syed's conviction after it was vacated and highlighted the importance of victims' rights in criminal justice...

High school students in Oklahoma would be asked to identify “discrepancies” in the 2020 election as part of U.S. history classes, following new social studies standards approved by the Oklahoma Board of Education. The proposed standards have drawn criticism for aligning with President Trump’s false claims about the election results. State Superintendent Ryan Walters, a Trump ally, defended the changes as promoting critical thinking skills and not taking a specific stance on the election outcome....

Alan K. Simpson, a former Republican senator from Wyoming, died at 93 after struggling to recover from a broken hip and complications from frostbite. Known for his folksy demeanor and controversial remarks, Simpson championed immigration reforms and conservative Supreme Court candidates, while clashing with women's groups, environmentalists, and the press. He had a tumultuous youth, but redeemed himself through a successful political career and bipartisan efforts on issues like immigration and abortion rights. Full Article

Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense accuses CNN of altering and destroying a video showing the rapper physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Combs claims that CNN's footage was "substantially altered" by covering the time stamp, changing the video sequence, and speeding up the video. Despite Combs' denial of the allegations, he faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and coercion, with his trial scheduled to begin on May 5, as authorities allege he ran a criminal...

Truong Nguyen, a Braintree man, pleaded guilty to passport fraud and aggravated identity theft for stealing the identity of a deceased teenager to obtain certifications and a job with the Melrose Fire Department. Nguyen used the teen's identity to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license, Social Security card, EMT certifications, and attended the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He also applied for a U.S. passport using the stolen identity. Nguyen, who was ordered to be deported in 1995...