In a week filled with high-profile events and significant developments, former President Donald Trump took the stand as the final witness in his New York civil fraud trial. Meanwhile, CNN hosted two town halls in Iowa, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved groundbreaking gene-based treatments for sickle cell disease. Here's a recap of the top stories from the past week.

Starting with Trump's trial, New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing the former president for $250 million, alleging fraud within his real estate empire. Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled in favor of the attorney general, finding Trump and his co-defendants liable for fraud. Trump's defense team argued that there was no intent to deceive banks or insurers, pointing to the reliance on accountants and claiming that differences in property values were insignificant. This is the second time Trump has taken the stand, as previously called by the New York attorney general's office.

Meanwhile, a separate trial is set to determine the amount that former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani will have to pay two election workers he defamed. Giuliani, as the head of Trump's legal team, was found liable for defaming Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. The trial seeks to determine the monetary damages Giuliani must pay, with Freeman and Moss seeking tens of millions of dollars in compensation.

Turning to the world of politics, CNN hosted two town halls in Iowa, ahead of the state's Republican caucuses. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took the stage on Tuesday, with CNN's Jake Tapper moderating the event at Grand View University in Des Moines. On Wednesday, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy appeared at the second town hall, moderated by CNN's Abby Phillip. These town halls provided an opportunity for the candidates to address key issues facing the state and engage with the public.

In the field of medical advancements, the FDA made a significant announcement. They approved two gene-based treatments for sickle cell disease, marking a breakthrough in the treatment of genetic conditions. This includes the first therapy to utilize the gene-editing technique CRISPR, opening new possibilities in the field of gene therapy. The approval of these treatments paves the way for a new era of targeted and personalized treatments for patients with sickle cell disease.

In entertainment news, CNN honored everyday heroes with the "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" event. Celebrating individuals who make a positive impact on the world, the event culminated in the announcement of the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year, based on public votes. This annual tribute shines a spotlight on the contributions of ordinary people who go above and beyond to bring about change in their communities.

Lastly, Taylor Swift's 34th birthday coincided with the release of "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" concert film on streaming services. Fans of the singer-songwriter were able to enjoy the film, which showcases her performances and highlights different eras of her music career.

Overall, it was a week filled with significant legal proceedings, political engagements, medical breakthroughs, and entertainment highlights. From Trump's testimonies to the approval of gene-based treatments, these events captured the attention of the public and contributed to the ongoing narrative of our society.