Laurel Wamsley

People shop in downtown Brooklyn in May in New York City. The poverty rate dropped in 2020, according to the Census Bureau’s supplemental poverty measure. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images People shop in downtown Brooklyn in May in New York City. The poverty rate dropped in 2020, according to the Census Bureau’s supplemental poverty measure. Spencer Platt/Getty Images The poverty rate in the United States fell last year, even amid impact of the global pandemic, due to government aid, including stimulus payments and unemployment insurance. That’s according to the Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure, released today. […]

An ocean expedition exploring more than a mile under the surface of the Atlantic captured a startingly silly sight this week: a sponge that looked very much like SpongeBob Squarepants. And right next to it, a pink sea star – a doppelganger for Patrick, SpongeBob’s dim-witted best friend. NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer captured video of a notable sponge and sea star this week. In real life, the two aren’t such good friends. Christopher Mah was one of the scientists watching a live feed from a submersible launched off the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer. He’s a research associate at the National Museum of […]

Pedestrians and cyclists head down Commercial Street in Provincetown, Mass., in May 2020. A study of a new outbreak in Provincetown found that three-quarters of those infected with the virus were fully vaccinated. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Maddie Meyer/Getty Images Pedestrians and cyclists head down Commercial Street in Provincetown, Mass., in May 2020. A study of a new outbreak in Provincetown found that three-quarters of those infected with the virus were fully vaccinated. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images When revising its mask guidance this week to urge even vaccinated people to wear masks indoors in much of the country, the […]

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that city workers will be required to be vaccinated or get tested weekly for COVID-19. De Blasio is seen here in Brooklyn on Sunday at a rally in support of Haiti. Michael Appleton/ New York City Mayoral Photography Office hide caption toggle caption Michael Appleton/ New York City Mayoral Photography Office New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that city workers will be required to be vaccinated or get tested weekly for COVID-19. De Blasio is seen here in Brooklyn on Sunday at a rally in support of Haiti. Michael […]

In a famous moment from the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos raise their gloved fists after Smith received the gold medal and Carlos the bronze for the 200-meter run. AP hide caption toggle caption AP In a famous moment from the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos raise their gloved fists after Smith received the gold medal and Carlos the bronze for the 200-meter run. AP Protests by athletes have become common and more widely embraced in the last few years, and the Olympics […]

People watch on a television screen as the New Shepard Blue Origin rocket sits on the launch pad before Jeff Bezos along with his brother Mark Bezos, 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, and 82-year-old Wally Funk prepare to launch on Tuesday in Van Horn, Texas. Mr. Bezos and the crew are riding in the first human spaceflight for the company. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images People watch on a television screen as the New Shepard Blue Origin rocket sits on the launch pad before Jeff Bezos along with his brother Mark Bezos, 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, and 82-year-old Wally […]

Richard Branson, seen here in 2019, will head to space on his company Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22 mission. Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images Richard Branson, seen here in 2019, will head to space on his company Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22 mission. Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images Richard Branson, the British billionaire, plans to blast into space on Sunday from New Mexico aboard a rocket made by his company Virgin Galactic. Nine days later, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is scheduled to rocket into space from West Texas in a capsule made by his […]

People relax at the Georgetown Waterfront Park on Monday in Washington, D.C. While pandemic restrictions have been lifted for much of the country, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is hospitalizing thousands of people in the U.S. who have so far not gotten a vaccine. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images People relax at the Georgetown Waterfront Park on Monday in Washington, D.C. While pandemic restrictions have been lifted for much of the country, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is hospitalizing thousands of people in the U.S. who have so far not gotten a vaccine. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images […]

In March, Haitians in Port-au-Prince protested a draft constitutional referendum pushed by President Jovenel Moïse. Valerie Baeriswyl/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Valerie Baeriswyl/AFP via Getty Images In March, Haitians in Port-au-Prince protested a draft constitutional referendum pushed by President Jovenel Moïse. Valerie Baeriswyl/AFP via Getty Images The assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse at his home threatens to exacerbate Haiti’s already rampant problems. “Everything that could go wrong seems to be going wrong,” says Robert Fatton, an expert on Haitian politics at the University of Virginia, and a native of Haiti himself. The Western portion of the island […]

Nikole Hannah-Jones, seen here in 2016, will join the faculty of Howard University after a protracted battle with trustees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over granting her tenure with her appointment. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption toggle caption Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Nikole Hannah-Jones, seen here in 2016, will join the faculty of Howard University after a protracted battle with trustees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over granting her tenure with her appointment. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Less than a week after trustees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill belatedly voted to grant tenure to […]

Dana Zzyym, seen here at right in 2015, has been suing the State Department, seeking more gender options for passports. The State Department announced Wednesday it will add an option besides male or female. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption toggle caption David Zalubowski/AP Dana Zzyym, seen here at right in 2015, has been suing the State Department, seeking more gender options for passports. The State Department announced Wednesday it will add an option besides male or female. David Zalubowski/AP Starting immediately, an applicant for a U.S. passport can simply check “M” or “F” as their gender – without needing to provide medical […]

Moderna says recently completed studies have found its vaccine to have a neutralizing effect against all COVID-19 variants tested, including the Delta variant. Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images Moderna says recently completed studies have found its vaccine to have a neutralizing effect against all COVID-19 variants tested, including the Delta variant. Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images Studies have found that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is effective against several variants of concern, including the Delta variant, the biotech company announced on Tuesday. Moderna says recently completed studies have found the vaccine to have a […]

People embrace at a makeshift memorial outside St. Joseph Catholic Church in Surfside, Fla., on Monday, near the site of the condo building that partially collapsed last Thursday. Gerald Herbert/AP hide caption toggle caption Gerald Herbert/AP People embrace at a makeshift memorial outside St. Joseph Catholic Church in Surfside, Fla., on Monday, near the site of the condo building that partially collapsed last Thursday. Gerald Herbert/AP Before a large portion of Champlain South Towers came smashing down, the building’s condo board sent a letter to residents noting significant deterioration and explaining the need for a $15,000,000 special assessment to be paid […]

Rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building in the town of Surfside, Fla. Some 150 people are still unaccounted for after the building partially collapsed last Thursday. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption toggle caption Lynne Sladky/AP Rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building in the town of Surfside, Fla. Some 150 people are still unaccounted for after the building partially collapsed last Thursday. Lynne Sladky/AP Researchers from a government agency that investigated the collapse of World Trade Center buildings on 9/11 are already on-site at Surfside, […]

Gianna Floyd, the 7-year-old daughter of George Floyd, appears in a video played Friday during victim impact statements in the sentencing of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. Court TV via AP/Pool hide caption toggle caption Court TV via AP/Pool Gianna Floyd, the 7-year-old daughter of George Floyd, appears in a video played Friday during victim impact statements in the sentencing of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. Court TV via AP/Pool Wearing a gray headband with a bow on it, George Floyd’s daughter Gianna told the court that she missed her father. In a two-minute prerecorded […]

Hennepin County, Minn., Judge Peter Cahill presides over the sentencing of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on Friday. He sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd’s murder. Court TV via AP/Pool hide caption toggle caption Court TV via AP/Pool Hennepin County, Minn., Judge Peter Cahill presides over the sentencing of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on Friday. He sentenced Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd’s murder. Court TV via AP/Pool A Minnesota judge sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to 22 1/2 years in prison Friday for the murder of […]

The family of George Floyd and their attorneys said Friday that the sentencing of Derek Chauvin offers closure, accountability — and a step toward healing for both the family and the nation. They also demanded political action for lasting change. “For once, a police officer who wrongly took the life of a Black man was held to account. While this shouldn’t be exceptional, tragically it is. Day after day, year after year, police kill Black people without consequence. But today, with Chauvin’s sentence, we take a significant step forward – something that was unimaginable a very short time ago,” said the […]

Search and rescue workers search for survivors among the Champlain Towers South Condo rubble in Surfside, Fla. The building partially collapsed Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and another 159 missing. Miami Dade Fire Rescue/AP hide caption toggle caption Miami Dade Fire Rescue/AP Search and rescue workers search for survivors among the Champlain Towers South Condo rubble in Surfside, Fla. The building partially collapsed Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and another 159 missing. Miami Dade Fire Rescue/AP President Biden says his “heart goes out” to the families anxiously waiting for updates as rescuers search for survivors in the […]

An aerial view shows search and rescue personnel working on site after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, north of Miami Beach, on Thursday. Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images An aerial view shows search and rescue personnel working on site after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, north of Miami Beach, on Thursday. Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images At about 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning, residents of the South Florida town of Surfside awoke to a terrible sound: an entire wing of a condo building […]

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava speaks during a press conference after a building partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., on Thursday. Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava speaks during a press conference after a building partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., on Thursday. Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images There are now 159 people unaccounted for in the partial building collapse in Surfside, Fla., Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Friday — a rise from 99 people a day earlier. Three more deceased people were […]

Former interpreters for U.S. and NATO forces gather during a demonstration in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 30, on the eve of the beginning of Washington’s troop withdrawal. Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images Former interpreters for U.S. and NATO forces gather during a demonstration in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 30, on the eve of the beginning of Washington’s troop withdrawal. Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images The United States will relocate thousands of Afghan citizens who worked for the American government before U.S. troops exit the country in the next few months. […]

Britney Spears arrives at a movie premiere in Hollywood in 2019. Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images Britney Spears arrives at a movie premiere in Hollywood in 2019. Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images The case of Britney Spears has turned a harsh spotlight on conservatorship, the legal arrangement under which her father controls her finances and her life. In a passionate plea Wednesday to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, Spears requested an end to the long-running conservatorship, saying she is exploited, can’t sleep, is depressed and cries every day. “All I want […]

New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard celebrates completing a lift at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Hubbard has been named to New Zealand’s team at the Tokyo Olympics, making her the first openly transgender competitor at the Olympics. Dan Mullan/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Dan Mullan/Getty Images New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard celebrates completing a lift at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Hubbard has been named to New Zealand’s team at the Tokyo Olympics, making her the first openly transgender competitor at the Olympics. Dan Mullan/Getty Images New Zealand has named Laurel Hubbard to its women’s weightlifting roster for […]

Australian softball players, the first foreign team to arrive for the Tokyo Olympic Games, wave from their bus after arriving at Narita International Airport on June 1. Eugene Hoshiko/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Eugene Hoshiko/AFP via Getty Images Australian softball players, the first foreign team to arrive for the Tokyo Olympic Games, wave from their bus after arriving at Narita International Airport on June 1. Eugene Hoshiko/AFP via Getty Images It appears that the Olympics are really going to happen, starting July 23 in Tokyo. But there are big challenges to staging the Games as the pandemic continues […]

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced he’ll be on board a spaceflight next month, in a capsule attached to a rocket made by his space exploration company Blue Origin. Bezos is seen here in 2019. Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced he’ll be on board a spaceflight next month, in a capsule attached to a rocket made by his space exploration company Blue Origin. Bezos is seen here in 2019. Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images Jeff Bezos has already selected a hobby for his post-CEO […]

The art installation Equilateral Network by Lisa Marie Thalhammer now graces the lawn of the National Building museum in Washington, D.C. Lisa Marie Thalhammer hide caption toggle caption Lisa Marie Thalhammer The art installation Equilateral Network by Lisa Marie Thalhammer now graces the lawn of the National Building museum in Washington, D.C. Lisa Marie Thalhammer The wide lawn of the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., has taken on a riot of rainbow hues in a geometric mural designed by artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer. The installation, titled Equilateral Network, was designed to create spaces for social distancing with its triangular grid. […]

Magawa is shown here working to detect land mines, a job the animal has done for five years. APOPO hide caption toggle caption APOPO Magawa is shown here working to detect land mines, a job the animal has done for five years. APOPO A heroic rat named Magawa has been working for five years in Cambodia, sniffing out dozens of land mines. He is believed to have saved lives. Now, the animal is about to embark on a well-deserved retirement. “Although still in good health, he has reached a retirement age and is clearly starting to slow down,” the nonprofit APOPO […]

Thousands of pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s work emails from January to June 2020 have been released via Freedom of Information Act requests by news organizations. Fauci is seen here before he testifies in front of a Senate committee last June. Kevin Dietsch/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Kevin Dietsch/AFP via Getty Images Thousands of pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s work emails from January to June 2020 have been released via Freedom of Information Act requests by news organizations. Fauci is seen here before he testifies in front of a Senate committee last June. Kevin Dietsch/AFP via Getty Images […]

Amazon’s Echo Show devices are among those that will automatically be added to its shared Wi-Fi network scheme, called Amazon Sidewalk. Amazon hide caption toggle caption Amazon Amazon’s Echo Show devices are among those that will automatically be added to its shared Wi-Fi network scheme, called Amazon Sidewalk. Amazon Amazon is building a Wi-Fi network – using your Wi-Fi. It’s called Amazon Sidewalk, and the company touts it as a way to help its devices work better, by extending the range of low-bandwidth devices to help them stay online. It does that by pooling neighbors’ Wi-Fi to help connectivity for devices […]

Smoke billows from the Singapore-registered container ship X-Press Pearl on Wednesday. The ship carries more than 80 containers of dangerous goods, including 25 tons of nitric acid. Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images Smoke billows from the Singapore-registered container ship X-Press Pearl on Wednesday. The ship carries more than 80 containers of dangerous goods, including 25 tons of nitric acid. Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images A cargo ship carrying chemicals and plastic pellets has been burning off the coast of Sri Lanka for nearly two weeks. Now, efforts to tow […]

“Pronouns are basically how we identify ourselves apart from our name. It’s how someone refers to you in conversation,” says Mary Emily O’Hara, a communications officer at GLAAD. “And when you’re speaking to people, it’s a really simple way to affirm their identity.” Kaz Fantone for NPR hide caption toggle caption Kaz Fantone for NPR “Pronouns are basically how we identify ourselves apart from our name. It’s how someone refers to you in conversation,” says Mary Emily O’Hara, a communications officer at GLAAD. “And when you’re speaking to people, it’s a really simple way to affirm their identity.” Kaz Fantone for […]

Japan’s Naomi Osaka eyes the ball as she serves during the first round of the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Sunday. Martin Bureau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Martin Bureau/AFP via Getty Images Japan’s Naomi Osaka eyes the ball as she serves during the first round of the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Sunday. Martin Bureau/AFP via Getty Images Many of the world’s top athletes have rallied around tennis star Naomi Osaka and her decision to pull out of the French Open — decrying a culture that doesn’t always give athletes the support they need […]

District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, seen here in 2019, announced Tuesday that Washington is suing Amazon for alleged antitrust violations. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, seen here in 2019, announced Tuesday that Washington is suing Amazon for alleged antitrust violations. Alex Wong/Getty Images Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine is suing Amazon, accusing the online retail giant of unfairly inflating prices and stifling competition. The lawsuit, filed in D.C. Superior Court on Tuesday, alleges violations of the city’s Antitrust Act. In a call with reporters, Racine said […]

Protesters hold images of Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus opposition activist Roman Protasevich and Protasevich’s partner Sofia Sapega during a demonstration of Belarusians living in Poland and Poles supporting them in front of European Commission office in Warsaw on Monday. Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images Protesters hold images of Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus opposition activist Roman Protasevich and Protasevich’s partner Sofia Sapega during a demonstration of Belarusians living in Poland and Poles supporting them in front of European Commission office in Warsaw on Monday. Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images The European […]

An Amazon fulfillment center in North Las Vegas, Nev., is seen here in March. Construction of an Amazon facility in Windsor, Conn., has been halted after a seventh noose was found by workers at the site on Wednesday. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Ethan Miller/Getty Images An Amazon fulfillment center in North Las Vegas, Nev., is seen here in March. Construction of an Amazon facility in Windsor, Conn., has been halted after a seventh noose was found by workers at the site on Wednesday. Ethan Miller/Getty Images Amazon has closed a massive construction site for a new warehouse in […]

A woman from the Mayan community of Tecoh wades through the water in a flood caused by Tropical Storm Cristobal in the town of Tecoh, near Merida in Yucatan State, Mexico, in June 2020. Luis Perez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Luis Perez/AFP via Getty Images A woman from the Mayan community of Tecoh wades through the water in a flood caused by Tropical Storm Cristobal in the town of Tecoh, near Merida in Yucatan State, Mexico, in June 2020. Luis Perez/AFP via Getty Images We’re likely to see an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic this year, according […]

A girl and her father wear facemasks while they push their bikes last summer in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles. There aren’t yet coronavirus vaccines approved in the U.S. for kids under 12 — which means they should keep masking, according to the CDC. Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images A girl and her father wear facemasks while they push their bikes last summer in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles. There aren’t yet coronavirus vaccines approved in the U.S. for kids under 12 — which means they should keep masking, according to the CDC. Apu […]

President Biden arrives with Vice President Harris to discuss the CDC’s new mask guidance in the Rose Garden of the White House on Thursday. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images President Biden arrives with Vice President Harris to discuss the CDC’s new mask guidance in the Rose Garden of the White House on Thursday. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that fully vaccinated adults can safely resume activities indoors or outdoors without masks or distancing, in gatherings large or small. The announcement marks a major milestone […]

A woman walks past posters explaining mask requirements at Grand Central Terminal train station in New York City on Wednesday. Rules requiring masks on transit are unchanged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated mask guidance for fully vaccinated people. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images A woman walks past posters explaining mask requirements at Grand Central Terminal train station in New York City on Wednesday. Rules requiring masks on transit are unchanged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated mask guidance for fully vaccinated people. Angela Weiss/AFP via […]

Menthol cigarettes and other tobacco products at a store in San Francisco in 2018. U.S. health regulators announced a new effort Thursday to ban menthol cigarettes. Jeff Chiu/AP hide caption toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Menthol cigarettes and other tobacco products at a store in San Francisco in 2018. U.S. health regulators announced a new effort Thursday to ban menthol cigarettes. Jeff Chiu/AP The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is moving to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, based on the evidence of the addictiveness and harm of the products. “Banning menthol — the last allowable flavor — in cigarettes […]

Students and demonstrators march on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio last week to protest the killing of Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, by a Columbus police officer. Jeff Dean/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jeff Dean/AFP via Getty Images Students and demonstrators march on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio last week to protest the killing of Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, by a Columbus police officer. Jeff Dean/AFP via Getty Images Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has asked the U.S. Department of Justice for a formal review of racial bias in the city’s police […]

Clayton County, Ga., Sheriff Victor Hill is accused of violating the civil rights of detainees by ordering that they be unnecessarily strapped into a restraint chair and left there for hours, according to a federal indictment. Hill is seen here in 2005. Gene Blythe/AP hide caption toggle caption Gene Blythe/AP Clayton County, Ga., Sheriff Victor Hill is accused of violating the civil rights of detainees by ordering that they be unnecessarily strapped into a restraint chair and left there for hours, according to a federal indictment. Hill is seen here in 2005. Gene Blythe/AP A Georgia sheriff has been indicted on […]

Apple released new privacy controls in its latest software update. The changes are roiling the online advertising industry. Apple hide caption toggle caption Apple Apple released new privacy controls in its latest software update. The changes are roiling the online advertising industry. Apple Editor’s note: Apple and Facebook are among NPR’s financial supporters. Starting Monday, iPhone and iPad users will have a simple but powerful new way to control how their data is used. With Apple’s latest software update, iOS 14.5, iPhone and iPad users will now encounter pop-ups in the apps they use, asking whether the user wants to allow […]

Bottles of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine await transfer into syringes for administering last month in Los Angeles before its pause. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images Bottles of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine await transfer into syringes for administering last month in Los Angeles before its pause. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images For the last 10 days the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been in limbo as U.S. health authorities declared a recommended “pause” on administering the shot. Now the Centers for Disease Control […]

Intensive Care Unit nurse Subramanya Kirugulige prepares a bed for an arriving COVID-19 patient at Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago in December. A large study has found that people with severe initial cases of COVID-19 tend to be at greater risk of more health problems later on. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Intensive Care Unit nurse Subramanya Kirugulige prepares a bed for an arriving COVID-19 patient at Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago in December. A large study has found that people with severe initial cases of COVID-19 tend to be at greater risk of more health […]

The Emergent BioSolutions Bayview Campus plant in Baltimore has stopped producing vaccine material following an FDA inspection that found numerous problems. The plant was slated to become part of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine production process. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images The Emergent BioSolutions Bayview Campus plant in Baltimore has stopped producing vaccine material following an FDA inspection that found numerous problems. The plant was slated to become part of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine production process. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Peeling paint. Cracked buckets. Employees dragging unsealed bags of medical waste. Procedures ignored. Inadequately […]

Bottles of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine await transfer into syringes for administering in March in Los Angeles. The CDC had called on Tuesday for a pause in administering the vaccine. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images Bottles of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine await transfer into syringes for administering in March in Los Angeles. The CDC had called on Tuesday for a pause in administering the vaccine. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images An expert advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and […]

Minneapolis Park Police Officer Peter Chang testifies Tuesday in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin is charged in the death of George Floyd. Court TV/Pool via AP hide caption toggle caption Court TV/Pool via AP Minneapolis Park Police Officer Peter Chang testifies Tuesday in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin is charged in the death of George Floyd. Court TV/Pool via AP The defense called on Officer Peter Chang of the Minneapolis Park Police to testify in the trial of Derek Chauvin, who is on trial on murder and manslaughter charges in the […]

Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Tuesday that Officer Rusten Sheskey”was found to have been acting within policy and will not be subjected to discipline,” following a review of the August 2020 incident in which Sheskey shot Jacob Blake. Wisconsin Department of Justice via AP hide caption toggle caption Wisconsin Department of Justice via AP Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said Tuesday that Officer Rusten Sheskey”was found to have been acting within policy and will not be subjected to discipline,” following a review of the August 2020 incident in which Sheskey shot Jacob Blake. Wisconsin Department of Justice via AP Kenosha, […]

Shawanda Hill testified on Tuesday in the trial of Derek Chauvin. She said that as a police officer stood with a gun drawn outside the car she was in with George Floyd on May 25, 2020, Floyd grabbed the steering wheel and started saying, “Please please don’t kill me, please please don’t shoot me.” Court TV via AP hide caption toggle caption Court TV via AP Shawanda Hill testified on Tuesday in the trial of Derek Chauvin. She said that as a police officer stood with a gun drawn outside the car she was in with George Floyd on May 25, […]

MPR News YouTube The defense of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is expected to start presenting its case on Tuesday over the killing of George Floyd. Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds on Memorial Day last year. Medical experts called by the prosecution have stated that low oxygen levels, caused by the restraint, were the primary cause of his death. Chauvin’s defense lawyer, however, has focused his questioning on whether Floyd’s heart condition and drugs in his system also played a role. On Monday, George Floyd’s younger brother took the stand to offer […]

Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s younger brother, testified on Monday in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Screengrab by NPR/MPR News/YouTube hide caption toggle caption Screengrab by NPR/MPR News/YouTube Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s younger brother, testified on Monday in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Screengrab by NPR/MPR News/YouTube Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s younger brother, took the witness stand on Monday to testify in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Philonise Floyd, 39, lives in Houston, Texas, where he is married with two children. Testifying for the prosecution, he reflected on a childhood […]

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill discusses motions before the court Monday. He denied the defense request to question jurors again after a fatal police shooting Sunday and immediately sequester them in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Court TV/Pool via AP hide caption toggle caption Court TV/Pool via AP Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill discusses motions before the court Monday. He denied the defense request to question jurors again after a fatal police shooting Sunday and immediately sequester them in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Court TV/Pool via AP After a fatal police shooting […]

MPR News via YouTube The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on murder charges is entering its third week of testimony. The prosecution is nearing the end of its case, and Chauvin’s defense is expected to begin presenting its case this week. Prosecutors have been focusing on medical experts as they try to prove that Chauvin’s actions killed George Floyd. Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds on Memorial Day last year. Last week, the Hennepin County medical examiner testified that he deemed Floyd’s death to be a homicide. And Floyd had serious […]

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, seen last week at FEMA mass vaccination site in Boston, said Thursday that the CDC is taking steps to address the impact of racism on public health. Erin Clark/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Erin Clark/Getty Images CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, seen last week at FEMA mass vaccination site in Boston, said Thursday that the CDC is taking steps to address the impact of racism on public health. Erin Clark/Getty Images Racism is a scourge in American society. It’s also a serious public health threat, according to the director of the Centers for Disease Control […]

New York State’s Excelsior Pass is an app that people can use to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. NY Governor’s Press Office via AP hide caption toggle caption NY Governor’s Press Office via AP New York State’s Excelsior Pass is an app that people can use to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. NY Governor’s Press Office via AP Vaccine “passports” are making headlines and eliciting emergency measures by governors in a handful of states. So what are these credentials, exactly, and what are they used for? What is a vaccine passport? It’s a […]

Amtrak has proposed a plan for new and enhanced rail connections across the United States. Amtrak hide caption toggle caption Amtrak Amtrak has proposed a plan for new and enhanced rail connections across the United States. Amtrak When President Biden unveiled his major new infrastructure plan last week, the proposal included much more than fixing crumbling bridges. And for those who wish America had a more robust passenger train network, it gave them something new: hope. Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure package has two provisions involving passenger rail: $85 billion to modernize public transit (commuter rail, buses, stations, etc.) and $80 billion […]

Minneapolis police officer Nicole Mackenzie testifies Tuesday in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin. Court TV/Pool via AP hide caption toggle caption Court TV/Pool via AP Minneapolis police officer Nicole Mackenzie testifies Tuesday in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin. Court TV/Pool via AP Officer Nicole Mackenzie, the medical support coordinator with the Minneapolis Police Department, was the third witness called on Tuesday afternoon in the trial of Derek Chauvin. Chauvin is facing charges of murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death last May. Mackenzie, who trains officers in medical support, was asked by defense attorney Eric Nelson about […]

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon last week. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Pentagon spokesman John Kirby speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon last week. Andrew Harnik/AP The Pentagon announced new policies on Wednesday that undo the Trump-era rules that effectively banned transgender people from serving in the military. The Department of Defense’s new regulations “allow transgender people who meet military standards to enlist and serve openly in their self-identified gender, and they will be able to get medically necessary transition-related care authorized by law,” according to department officials who […]

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seen here in January, said on Monday that he will issue emergency rules to prevent businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seen here in January, said on Monday that he will issue emergency rules to prevent businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Joe Raedle/Getty Images As more Americans get vaccinated, the desire to get back out into the world and enjoy activities again is strong. The idea of “vaccine passports” is increasingly discussed as a way for those who are vaccinated or negative […]

New Zealand’s Parliament has approved a bill providing paid leave after a miscarriage or stillbirth. “The bill will give women and their partners time to come to terms with their loss without having to tap into sick leave,” said member of Parliament Ginny Andersen, seen here last year. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images New Zealand’s Parliament has approved a bill providing paid leave after a miscarriage or stillbirth. “The bill will give women and their partners time to come to terms with their loss without having to tap into sick leave,” said member of Parliament Ginny […]

Dr. Rachel Levine testifies last month at the Senate confirmation hearing for her nomination as assistant secretary for health. Levine previously was Pennsylvania’s secretary of health. Caroline Brehman/Pool/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Caroline Brehman/Pool/Getty Images Dr. Rachel Levine testifies last month at the Senate confirmation hearing for her nomination as assistant secretary for health. Levine previously was Pennsylvania’s secretary of health. Caroline Brehman/Pool/Getty Images The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Dr. Rachel Levine as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services. The vote is a history-making one: Levine is the first openly transgender federal official […]

A Census Bureau survey found that the number of households that said they were homeschooling doubled last year. Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images A Census Bureau survey found that the number of households that said they were homeschooling doubled last year. Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images In a year when so much about schooling has changed, add this to the list: A significant increase in the number of households where students were homeschooled. That’s according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, an online survey that asks questions about […]

Rutgers guard Geo Baker, seen here last month, is one of the college basketball players leading a protest against the NCAA’s rules preventing players from profiting from their own name, image and likeness. Charlie Neibergall/AP hide caption toggle caption Charlie Neibergall/AP Rutgers guard Geo Baker, seen here last month, is one of the college basketball players leading a protest against the NCAA’s rules preventing players from profiting from their own name, image and likeness. Charlie Neibergall/AP As the NCAA men’s basketball tournament tips off in Indiana, some of the players want to remind everyone of the control that the NCAA exerts […]

Tourists arrive at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, last summer. The EU’s executive arm has proposed a certificate to ease travel across its member states. Jaime Reina/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jaime Reina/AFP via Getty Images Tourists arrive at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, last summer. The EU’s executive arm has proposed a certificate to ease travel across its member states. Jaime Reina/AFP via Getty Images As Europe struggles to get enough vaccine and to contain a third wave of the coronavirus, the European Commission has created a plan for a digital certificate to facilitate travel across its 27 member […]

Tanzanian President John Magufuli (center) arrives to give a speech at a stadium in Dodoma, Tanzania, in August. Magufuli’s death was announced Wednesday. He was 61. Ericky Boniphace/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Ericky Boniphace/AFP via Getty Images Tanzanian President John Magufuli (center) arrives to give a speech at a stadium in Dodoma, Tanzania, in August. Magufuli’s death was announced Wednesday. He was 61. Ericky Boniphace/AFP via Getty Images Tanzanian President John Magufuli has died at age 61. The news was announced Wednesday on state television by Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who said the cause of death was […]

A student gives her coronavirus swab to Helenann Civian, the principal of South Boston Catholic Academy in Boston in January. The White House announced $10 billion to expand testing in K-12 schools. Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe via Getty Images A student gives her coronavirus swab to Helenann Civian, the principal of South Boston Catholic Academy in Boston in January. The White House announced $10 billion to expand testing in K-12 schools. Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe via Getty Images The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will spend $10 billion to expand testing for […]

Giani Clarke, 18, a senior at Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pa., takes a test in her AP statistics class earlier this month. The desks are doubled as a way to provide more social distancing. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle vi/MediaNews Group via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle vi/MediaNews Group via Getty Images Giani Clarke, 18, a senior at Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pa., takes a test in her AP statistics class earlier this month. The desks are doubled as a way to provide more social distancing. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle vi/MediaNews Group via Getty Images As […]

“I am still a Baptist, but I can no longer identify with Southern Baptists,” said Beth Moore, a prominent evangelical teacher and author, last week. Moore is seen here in 2018. Emily McFarlan Miller/AP hide caption toggle caption Emily McFarlan Miller/AP “I am still a Baptist, but I can no longer identify with Southern Baptists,” said Beth Moore, a prominent evangelical teacher and author, last week. Moore is seen here in 2018. Emily McFarlan Miller/AP Donald Trump may be out of the White House, but he continues to cause fractures within some conservative communities. One of those is the Southern Baptist […]

Companies will need to be careful how heavy-handed they are in ordering workers back to their cubicles. “The good news is you could get everybody back in the office,” says HR consultant David Lewis. “The bad news is … not everybody is going to come back.” Thomas Barwick/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Companies will need to be careful how heavy-handed they are in ordering workers back to their cubicles. “The good news is you could get everybody back in the office,” says HR consultant David Lewis. “The bad news is … not everybody is going to come […]

Sexual harassment allegations made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo by two former aides will be examined by independent investigators hired by the New York state attorney general’s office. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Sexual harassment allegations made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo by two former aides will be examined by independent investigators hired by the New York state attorney general’s office. Spencer Platt/Getty Images New York’s attorney general is proceeding with an investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor’s office authorized the probe, clearing the way for the hiring of an […]

Journalists line the front gate of FC Barcelona offices on Monday during a police operation inside. Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images Journalists line the front gate of FC Barcelona offices on Monday during a police operation inside. Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images Catalan police raided the FC Barcelona stadium on Monday, and there are reports that the club’s former president and three others have been arrested. The police said several searches and seizures were carried out by its financial crimes unit, but did not give additional details. Local media reported those arrested […]

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, seen here in July, denies allegations that he sexually harassed former adviser Lindsey Boylan. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jeenah Moon/Getty Images New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, seen here in July, denies allegations that he sexually harassed former adviser Lindsey Boylan. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images A former adviser to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has shared details of alleged sexual harassment by the governor, including an unwanted kiss and touching. A spokeswoman for Cuomo denied the allegations. In a post on Medium published Wednesday, Lindsey Boylan describes troubling behavior from the time she first met […]

Patrice Howard writes on white flags before planting them to remember her recently deceased father and close friends in November at “IN AMERICA How Could This Happen…,” a public art installation in Washington, D.C. Led by artist Suzanne Firstenberg, volunteers planted white flags in a field to symbolize each life lost to COVID-19 in the U.S. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images Patrice Howard writes on white flags before planting them to remember her recently deceased father and close friends in November at “IN AMERICA How Could This Happen…,” a public art installation […]

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington last month. Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington last month. Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in office three weeks. He arrives at a challenging time: the U.S. must figure out how to deal with China, Russia and Iran, the coronavirus pandemic rages on, and the State Department must rise from […]

On the day of the official change to decimalized currency on Feb. 15, 1971, Lord Fiske, chairman of the Decimal Currency Board, makes a purchase at a Woolworths store in London. George W. Hales/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption George W. Hales/Getty Images On the day of the official change to decimalized currency on Feb. 15, 1971, Lord Fiske, chairman of the Decimal Currency Board, makes a purchase at a Woolworths store in London. George W. Hales/Getty Images Fifty years ago Monday, the U.K. and Ireland put an end to a system of currency that had been used for hundreds of […]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, seen here in last March, have announced they are expecting a second child. Chris Jackson/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, seen here in last March, have announced they are expecting a second child. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they are expecting their second child. “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child,” a spokesperson for the couple told Reuters on Sunday. The couple did not […]

The FBI says it has identified five people arrested on Thursday as being part of a Proud Boys group that participated in the Capitol Riot. Department of Justice hide caption toggle caption Department of Justice The FBI says it has identified five people arrested on Thursday as being part of a Proud Boys group that participated in the Capitol Riot. Department of Justice Five people that prosecutors say are linked to the Proud Boys extremist group were arrested on Thursday, and now face charges for their alleged role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol last month. William Chrestman, Christopher Kuehne, […]

China’s broadcasting regulator said Thursday that the BBC had “undermined China’s national interests and ethnic solidarity” and was banning the British broadcaster’s world service. The BBC headquarters in London are seen here in 2016. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Dan Kitwood/Getty Images China’s broadcasting regulator said Thursday that the BBC had “undermined China’s national interests and ethnic solidarity” and was banning the British broadcaster’s world service. The BBC headquarters in London are seen here in 2016. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Updated at 1:32 p.m. ET China’s broadcasting regulator has banned the BBC World Service from airing there, according to a […]

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says it believes it is the first department to implement Biden’s executive order to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says it believes it is the first department to implement Biden’s executive order to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Thursday it will begin enforcing the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination […]

Former head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi gives a press conference after a meeting with the Italian president, at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on Wednesday. Alessandra Tarantino/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alessandra Tarantino/AFP via Getty Images Former head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi gives a press conference after a meeting with the Italian president, at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on Wednesday. Alessandra Tarantino/AFP via Getty Images Amid turmoil from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, and political infighting, the man known for leading Europe’s economy from crisis has been tapped to assemble a […]

Members of the Proud Boys march toward Freedom Plaza during a protest in December 2020 in Washington, D.C. The Proud Boys has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Members of the Proud Boys march toward Freedom Plaza during a protest in December 2020 in Washington, D.C. The Proud Boys has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images The number of active hate groups in the U.S. has declined, according an annual count by the Southern Poverty Law […]

The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of a continued threat from domestic violent extremists “with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition.” Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of a continued threat from domestic violent extremists “with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition.” Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin on Wednesday warning of a continued threat from domestic violent extremists. The bulletin […]

YouTube The White House COVID-19 Response Team is holding its first press briefing of the Biden administration on Wednesday. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the president’s chief medical adviser, is among those participating in the briefing. He will be joined by Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Chair; Andy Slavitt, Senior Advisor to the White House COVID-19 Response Team; Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator. The White House says it will be just the first of […]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel puts on her face mask after a news conference in Berlin last week. Germany has introduced new requirements for medical-grade masks to be worn on public transit and in shops. Michael Kappeler/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Michael Kappeler/AFP via Getty Images German Chancellor Angela Merkel puts on her face mask after a news conference in Berlin last week. Germany has introduced new requirements for medical-grade masks to be worn on public transit and in shops. Michael Kappeler/AFP via Getty Images A number of European countries have announced new mask recommendations and requirements, pushing aside […]

Pro-Trump protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. On social media sites both fringe and mainstream, right-wing extremists made plans for violence on January 6. Jon Cherry/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jon Cherry/Getty Images Pro-Trump protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. On social media sites both fringe and mainstream, right-wing extremists made plans for violence on January 6. Jon Cherry/Getty Images The mob violence that descended on the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday was the culmination of weeks of incendiary rhetoric and increasingly feverish planning – much of which took place openly on websites […]

Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, during a protest last month in Washington, D.C. Tarrio has been charged with destruction of property and possession of high-capacity firearm magazines. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, during a protest last month in Washington, D.C. Tarrio has been charged with destruction of property and possession of high-capacity firearm magazines. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images The leader of the right-wing group Proud Boys was released from police custody on Tuesday and ordered by a judge to leave Washington, D.C. — and stay away. Henry “Enrique” […]

Singapore’s TraceTogether program has been a factor in the country’s success in managing the coronavirus. But officials now acknowledge that its contact-tracing data can be requested by police in criminal investigations. Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images Singapore’s TraceTogether program has been a factor in the country’s success in managing the coronavirus. But officials now acknowledge that its contact-tracing data can be requested by police in criminal investigations. Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images Privacy concerns have been raised after ministers in Singapore’s government acknowledged that data collected by its widely used COVID-19 contact-tracing […]

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, as Italy went back into lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, as Italy went back into lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images To a world upended by the coronavirus, Pope Francis offered a timeless message during a Christmas Eve Mass that was itself shaped by the ongoing pandemic. The Mass […]

A California National Guard medic prepares to check the vital signs of an incoming patient before triage tents outside St. Mary Medical Center last week in Apple Valley amid a surge in COVID-19 patients in Southern California. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images A California National Guard medic prepares to check the vital signs of an incoming patient before triage tents outside St. Mary Medical Center last week in Apple Valley amid a surge in COVID-19 patients in Southern California. Mario Tama/Getty Images The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California has surpassed two million, according […]

This combination made from file photos shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians dead. AP hide caption toggle caption AP This combination made from file photos shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the […]

The Vatican said Monday that it is “morally acceptable” to use COVID-19 vaccines, even if they used “cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.” Pope Francis, who approved the statement, is seen here in January. Andrew Medichini/AP hide caption toggle caption Andrew Medichini/AP The Vatican said Monday that it is “morally acceptable” to use COVID-19 vaccines, even if they used “cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.” Pope Francis, who approved the statement, is seen here in January. Andrew Medichini/AP The Vatican says that it’s “morally acceptable” to receive a vaccination for the […]

A snowplow clears a path beside cars stranded Friday on the snow-covered Kan-etsu Expressway in the city of Minamiuonuma in Japan’s Niigata prefecture. STR/Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption STR/Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images A snowplow clears a path beside cars stranded Friday on the snow-covered Kan-etsu Expressway in the city of Minamiuonuma in Japan’s Niigata prefecture. STR/Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images It started with a large vehicle that got stuck in the deepening snow. That minor incident grew into a monster snow-covered traffic jam as more than 1,000 cars became stranded on a highway that runs between […]

Medical residents and fellows protest the university’s vaccine allocation process outside Stanford Hospital on Friday morning in Palo Alto, Calif. Ben Solomon hide caption toggle caption Ben Solomon Medical residents and fellows protest the university’s vaccine allocation process outside Stanford Hospital on Friday morning in Palo Alto, Calif. Ben Solomon Stanford Medicine apologized on Friday for its vaccine distribution plan – a plan that came under fire for leaving out nearly all of its medical residents and fellows, many whom regularly treat COVID-19 patients. The residents waged a protest on Friday morning, holding signs and demanding answers from Stanford’s leadership about […]

The Department of Justice announced that a Texas man convicted last year of fraud and money laundering was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Rodney Mesquias owned a company that falsely told people they would die within six months in order to sell them hospice care. Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images The Department of Justice announced that a Texas man convicted last year of fraud and money laundering was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Rodney Mesquias owned a company that falsely told people they would die within six months in order […]

Tyson Foods has fired seven managers at its plant in Waterloo, Iowa, who were allegedly involved in a betting pool guessing how many workers there would get COVID-19. Charlie Neibergall/AP hide caption toggle caption Charlie Neibergall/AP Tyson Foods has fired seven managers at its plant in Waterloo, Iowa, who were allegedly involved in a betting pool guessing how many workers there would get COVID-19. Charlie Neibergall/AP Tyson Foods has fired seven managers at an Iowa pork plant after investigating allegations they bet on how many workers there would get sick from the coronavirus. The company, one of the country’s largest meat […]

MacKenzie Scott, seen here in 2018, has given more than $4 billion to charitable organizations in the last four months. Her gifts target organizations that fulfill basic needs for those struggling economically during the pandemic, as well as those that work to fix systemic inequities. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption toggle caption Evan Agostini/Invision/AP MacKenzie Scott, seen here in 2018, has given more than $4 billion to charitable organizations in the last four months. Her gifts target organizations that fulfill basic needs for those struggling economically during the pandemic, as well as those that work to fix systemic inequities. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP MacKenzie […]

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (center) at a Paris council meeting in July after winning reelection. Thibault Camus/AP hide caption toggle caption Thibault Camus/AP Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (center) at a Paris council meeting in July after winning reelection. Thibault Camus/AP The city of Paris has been fined 90,000 euros for an unusual infraction: It appointed too many women to senior positions in the government. In 2018, 11 women and five men became senior officials. That meant 69% of the appointments were women — in violation of a rule that dictated at least 40% of government positions should go to people of […]

People watch the Blue Cut wildfire in Lytle Creek, Calif., in 2016. Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images People watch the Blue Cut wildfire in Lytle Creek, Calif., in 2016. Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images “Warning lights—for our societies and the planet —are flashing red.” That’s according to a new report from the United Nations Development Programme. The report notes that COVID-19 has thrived “in the cracks in societies, exploiting and exacerbating myriad inequalities in human development.” While the pandemic has dominated much of the world’s attention in 2020, the report notes that […]

The U.K. announced new rules for blood donation that are defined by individual behaviors, rather than sexuality and gender. Piyanat Booncharoen / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm hide caption toggle caption Piyanat Booncharoen / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm The U.K. announced new rules for blood donation that are defined by individual behaviors, rather than sexuality and gender. Piyanat Booncharoen / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm Britain has announced changes that will allow more gay and bixsexual men to donate blood – a major victory for campaigners who had sought changes to the rules they said treated all gay and bi men as posing an increased risk of infection. Previously, […]