The pandemic isn't over yet; Ukrainians arrive in Mexico; the U.S. could be heading towards a recession

Plus, Britney Griner's detainment in Russia is a pay equity issue. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up Matt Dunham/AP Here's what we're following today: Despite global COVID-19 deaths falling to the lowest levels since March 2020, the World Health Organization and the Biden administration say the pandemic is still a public health emergency. WHO says [more still needs to be done]( to mitigate the virus, and some countries are still seeing spikes. ➡️ The public transit mask mandate in the U.S. was set to expire next Monday, but the Biden administration [extended it another 15 days]( to May 3 due to the increasing spread of an omicron subvariant. Police have arrested Frank R. James, the man suspected of shooting 10 people in the Brooklyn subway. James called in a tip to the police, giving his own location. He has been charged in federal court on [one count of violating a law prohibiting terrorist]( and other violent attacks against mass transit systems. Vice President Harris announced several new measures the administration is taking to address crippling medical debt. While the measures work to [ease the debt Americans already have]( it does less to prevent patients from being saddled with astronomical bills in the first place. Thousands of Ukrainians have arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border to ask for temporary admission to the United States on humanitarian grounds. Despite quick volunteer mobilization to create shelters for the refugees, [their efforts have been overwhelmed]( by the sheer number of new arrivals. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Forecasters believe that the U.S. is headed for another recession, despite the economy being strong on many measures. 🎧 [Listen to why economists are nervous]( or [read the story here.]( It all started with one store in Buffalo. Union organizing is spreading swiftly among Starbucks stores nationwide, and Howard Schultz's return as CEO has not slowed the movement down. 🎧 [Listen to why workers want a seat at the table]( or [read the story here.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP - When comedian Ali Wong announced she was divorcing her husband, some news outlets used a photo of the comedian and actor Randall Park, prompting ridicule from the [#wrongasian movement.]( - Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman and will be [sentenced to counseling]( rather than jail time. - NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has confirmed the largest icy comet nucleus ever seen by scientists. It's 80 miles in diameter, which is [larger than Rhode Island.]( - The head of the WNBA players union says Britney Griner's detainment in Russia is a pay equity issue. Griner was in Russia in the first place because players need to "[supplement our incomes]( and "maintain our game," she said. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]