Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate On Covid-19 Origin  —  Report says researchers went to hospital in November 2019, shortly before confirmed outbreak; Adds to calls for probe of whether virus escaped lab  —  WASHINGTON—Three researchers from China's Wuhan Institute …

Diversion of Ryanair Flight to Belarus and Arrest of Journalist  —  The United States strongly condemns the forced diversion of a flight between two EU member states and the subsequent removal and arrest of journalist Raman Pratasevich in Minsk.  We demand his immediate release.

It's the Media's ‘Mean-Too’ Moment.  Stop Yelling and Go to Human Resources.  —  In public radio, there is either an epidemic of bullying or an epidemic of whining, depending on whom you ask.  —  For 20 years, the WNYC radio show “On The Media” has been the sort of place where the hosts …

Dismissed in 2012, this diagnosis of GOP ills has now become undeniable  —  (CNN)The essay described congressional extremists, their rejection of truth, a party turning into authoritarians or “an apocalyptic cult.”  It bore a striking headline:  —  “Let's just say it: The Republicans are the problem.”

Conservatives tee off on Biden for pushing to bolster IRS  —  Republicans are divided on whether Biden should try to collect $700 billion from tax cheaters for his families plan.  —  The Internal Revenue Service headquarters building appeared to be mostly empty April 27, 2020 in the Federal Triangle section of Washington, DC.

Rand Paul says he won't get a Covid vaccine  —  Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday he is not getting vaccinated because he already had Covid-19.  —  Speaking with a conservative radio host on WABC radio, Paul, an Ophthalmologist, said he won't change his mind unless he sees evidence that people …

A Year After George Floyd: Pressure to Add Police Amid Rising Crime  —  Los Angeles, like other cities across the nation, is facing a rise in gun violence.  And the police budget is growing.  —  LOS ANGELES — Helen Jones grew up in Watts in a time of gang wars and a crack epidemic …

BLM activist Sasha Johnson in critical condition after gunshot to the head  —  Shooting in Southwark, London came after numerous death threats, says her Taking the Initiative party  —  The Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound …

Whitmer apologizes after photo shows her at bar violating her own order  —  Lansing — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an apology Sunday after a photo emerged showing her at a restaurant with 12 other people gathered around tables pushed together in violation of her health department's current epidemic order.

'Who's out protecting us?':  Spate of anti-Jewish attacks in the U.S. draws calls for more forceful response  —  A series of attacks on Jews in the United States in recent days, linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, has increased pressure on law enforcement officials …

TikTokers wished a 97-year-old Auschwitz survivor a ‘happy Holocaust’ as some ‘Free Palestine’ supporters target Jewish social media users with antisemitic abuse  — There has been a sharp rise in the number of antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

How Joe Biden Can Win a Nobel Peace Prize  —  Leon Trotsky once supposedly observed, “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”  To President Biden I'd say today, “You may not be interested in Middle East peacemaking, but Middle East peacemaking is interested in you.”

Lawmakers worry the toxic atmosphere on Capitol Hill will follow them home, raising safety concerns  —  As House members head out of Washington for three weeks, anger at each other is turning into fear of what could await them back home.  —  Tensions among lawmakers have been running high since …

Nellie Gorbea announces run for RI governor  —  You have been added to Nesi's Notes Newsletter  —  Nesi's Notes  —  PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea announced Sunday night she is running for Rhode Island governor in 2022, kicking off what's expected …

Senators reach bipartisan agreement on $300 billion for highways, roads and bridges  — The legislation, released by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, would increase funding by 34% to a baseline of about $300 billion over five years.  — House Republicans last week introduced …

Blast at Iranian drone factory days after Israel's Hamas accusation  —  Iran has provided no information about cause of explosion in Isfahan that injured at least nine workers  —  A factory that makes Iranian drones has suffered a major explosion days after Israel had claimed that Iran was providing drones to Hamas in Gaza.