THE BIG STORY

Joe Biden denies sexually assaulting Tara Reade

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee directly addressed the sexual assault allegation against him for the first time this morning, saying the claims made by accuser Tara Reade “aren’t true” and “never happened.”

In a televised interview on MSNBC, Biden also called on the National Archives to release any records it holds of a formal complaint that Reade says she filed against him in 1993, the year of the alleged assault, saying he has no knowledge of any such complaint and neither do his staffers. “She has a right to say whatever she wants to say,” Biden said of Reade at another point in the interview. “But I have a right to say look at the facts. Check it out.”

In a series of interviews with BuzzFeed News this month, Reade spoke about how frustrating it has been to see Biden give multiple interviews in the weeks following her accusation, but never get asked about it. She also said she has turned down a number of invitations to appear on Fox News evening shows to discuss her claims. “I'm not interested in my story being politically hijacked,” she said.

Reade, who says she is a Democrat who supported Elizabeth Warren and then Bernie Sanders during the presidential primary, also described feeling betrayed by the prominent Democrats who have said they believe Biden’s denials of her allegations. “They just discounted me. They marginalized me. They said they didn't believe me,” she said. “I cried for a while because they're important in my life. They've been figures that I looked up to.”

Tara Reade this month (Max Whittaker / the New York Times)

STAYING ON TOP OF THIS

Will the summer save us?

Respiratory illnesses like the flu and the common cold tend to get worse in the winter months and less severe in the summer, and there is some evidence that the coronavirus suffers in hotter, sunnier, and more humid environments. So will the upcoming summer bring relief to the US? Zahra Hirji spoke with scientists and researchers about what to expect.

“I’m hopeful weather and climate variables reduce transmission of this pathogen,” said Jesse Bell, a scientist at the University of Nebraska who has been studying the question. But he added, “I wouldn’t stake any money on it.”

A recent MIT study also suggested a link to weather. About 90% of coronavirus transmission recorded around the world up until March 22 happened in places where the temperature was between 37 and 62 degrees Fahrenheit, it found. Fingers crossed.

Peter Parks / Getty Images

SNAPSHOTS

Some professional photographers are switching their Instagram accounts to private after a court ruling. A judge ruled media companies could embed their Instagram posts in their articles without paying to use their work.

House Democrats are working on legislation that would reveal more information on Jamal Khashoggi’s killing. The details would help the public “have an informed debate about our relationship with Saudi Arabia,” a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said.

You’ve probably seen photos going around of crowded beaches or walkways despite social distancing measures. Here’s how those photos can be misleading.

As if we didn’t have enough darkness in the world during the coronavirus crisis: now there are puppy scammers.

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PINK, PURPLE AND BLUE

Does someone own the bisexual pride flag?

A group called BiNet USA raised eyebrows this week when it began tweeting claims that it owns the rights to the bisexual pride flag, which has become a common sight at Pride events around the world.

David Mcnew / Getty Images

The group warned retailers and website owners that using the flag on merchandise or websites without its permission is not OK — even though the flag was first created by an activist in 1998 and has been widely used ever since. Simple designs like a tricolor flag pattern are generally not eligible for copyright protection in the US.

All hell broke loose on bisexual Twitter as BiNet began making its claims, and the group seems to be taking a step back — it has since deleted its account and did not respond to requests for comment. It’s leader, Faith Cheltenham, posted on Facebook that it’s just trying to prevent people profiting from a community symbol. “If you’re selling stuff, are you giving back to community and how?” she asked. “Where do we see it?”

LET CARROT BE CARROT

The internet has a new cat

Who among us isn’t making multiple trips to the fridge these days, just to see if anything interesting is going on there? When I do it, nobody cares. But when Carrot, a cat based with his humans Rachel Zardus and Andrew Taylor in Maryland, does it, he becomes a viral internet sensation.

This is Carrot, by the way.

Courtesy of Rachel Zardus and Andrew Taylor

He’s developed a habit lately of waiting until someone opens the fridge and then sticking his hand through the space between the fridge and the door, clawing at whatever is inside. It has led to this image, which burned bright across the internet in recent days.

Courtesy of Rachel Zardus and Andrew Taylor

The good news is, the sign is mostly a joke — they’ve never actually closed the door on his arm. "If he’s awake, we pretty much know where he is," said Zardus. But the even better news is, Carrot has an Instagram.

Meow,
Tom