Covid Lab Leak Nearly Confirmed

The case is nearly closed on the origin of Covid-19.

According to the former U.S. Director of National Intelligence, all the evidence points to one place: a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

John Ratcliffe is set to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, and his prepared testimony is firmly in favor of the lab leak theory:

“My informed assessment, as a person with as much or more access than anyone to our government’s intelligence during the initial year of the virus outbreak and pandemic onset, has been and continues to be that a lab leak is the only explanation credibly supported by our intelligence, by science, and by common sense.”

Ratcliffe also notes that mainstream media sources, social media fact-checkers, and scientists labeled the lab leak theory a conspiracy because of their biases—instead of following the evidence to a rational conclusion.

Jalen Hurts Signs Largest Contract in NFL History

The Philadelphia Eagles value quarterback Jalen Hurts’ services at $51 million per year.

That makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history. It’s a five-year deal worth $255 million in total, and it’s the latest reset of the ever-rising quarterback market. The deal also includes a no-trade clause—a first for the organization.

Hurts put up MVP-caliber numbers last year and led his team all the way to the Super Bowl, where they came up just short against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Trump Evaluating Female VP Candidates

Former President Trump is looking ahead to the general election and sifting through his options for Vice President.

Thus far, he seems to be limiting the field of candidates to women—likely a part of the campaign’s strategy to shore up the former President’s appeal to suburban women. Kari Lake has been mentioned as a strong choice, although her Presidential aspirations may be an issue.

Nikki Haley’s experience as a governor and UN ambassador—along with a track record of support for Trump—has her on the shortlist as well.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Kristi Noem, and Marjorie Taylor Greene are also in the mix.

➤ Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) returned to the Capitol Building yesterday wearing his trademark sweatshirt. The Senator has been hospitalized for clinical depression for over a month. (More)

➤ The White House is promising to veto H.R. 734: a bill aimed at keeping biological men out of women’s sports. A WH statement pointed out that transgender kids, “as young as elementary schoolers” would be denied playing sports with the competition they identify with. (More)

➤ George Santos says he’s running for reelection in 2024, but can we believe him? The freshman Representative from New York lied about much of his resume, but he says he’s “not shy” about getting the job done in ‘24. (More)

➤ Ron DeSantis isn’t backing down to Disney World. He’s responding to the theme park’s attempts to outmaneuver him with a new tactic: the threat of building a prison right next to the park. (More)

➤ On the 10th anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, runners toed the line for the 2023 edition. Kenyan Evans Chebet pulled away in the last mile for first place. (More)

➤ Quarterback Brock Purdy was a revelation for the 49ers last year, but his playoff injury may knock him out for the entire upcoming season. (More)

➤ Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro broke his hand in Game 1 versus the Bucks. He’s expected to miss the remainder of the playoffs. (More)

Market Report   4/18/23

➤ Sega is buying Ravio—owners of the classic smartphone game Angry Birds—for $775 million (More)

➤ Goldman Sachs says that two-thirds of U.S. jobs are at some level of risk from AI. (More)

➤ One in four brides wear dresses from David’s Bridal at their wedding, but the company is cutting 10,000 jobs and declaring bankruptcy. (More)

➤ An AI-generated song that features scary-accurate renditions of Drake and The Weeknd may be the work of a startup company looking to generate buzz. (More)

➤ Apple is planning on releasing a slew of new devices at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. A 15-inch MacBook Air is one of the expected highlights. (More)

➤ A German photographer is refusing a prize for his entry in the Sony world photography awards. The winning image was created with AI. (More)

➤ Revered Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has recreated Monet’s Water Lillies using nothing but Legos. (More)

Today’s Trivia

Where was the finish line for the original marathon?