World News

News Brief: Beirut Explosion, Missouri Primary Upset, Overseas COVID-19 Relief Checks

5:50am August 05, 2020

Thousands in Beirut are reeling from a massive explosion. A longtime incumbent loses in Missouri's Democratic Primary. And, some U.S COVID-19 relief checks were sent to non-American workers overseas.

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Firefighters extinguish flames at nearby damaged buildings following a large explosion at the Port of Beirut in Lebanon on Tuesday.

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Enormous Explosion Rocks Beirut, Killing Dozens And Wounding Thousands

7:49pm August 04, 2020

by Bill Chappell

The dramatic blast was caught on numerous videos by people who had been filming a fire that was burning at an industrial port in Lebanon's capital.

A man walks through debris near the scene of the enormous explosion in Lebanon on Tuesday. At least 70 people were killed, and at least 2,700 people were hurt. The blast shattered windows and damaged buildings across a wide swath of Beirut.

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Photos: Explosion Leaves Beirut In Shatters

7:43pm August 04, 2020

by Emily Bogle

The blast has killed dozens and hurt thousands in Lebanon's capital. Images show firefighters dousing flames in the port, people walking through debris and ambulances lined up to help the injured.

Rafael Nadal had hoped to win his 20th Grand Slam at this year's U.S. Open, which would have tied him for most men's wins in that category.

Rafael Nadal Opts Out Of U.S. Open, Citing Coronavirus Concerns

6:19pm August 04, 2020

by Alana Wise

The tennis star had hoped to win his 20th Grand Slam at this year's meet, which would have tied him for most men's wins in that category.

World News

A Massive Explosion Rocks Lebanon's Capital, Beirut

5:09pm August 04, 2020

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with journalist Nada Homsi about a massive explosion Tuesday in Lebanon's capital.

World News

Nearly 250-Year-Old Shoe Company Sees A Spike In Popularity Amid The Pandemic

4:18pm August 04, 2020

As people turn to "comfort fashion" during the pandemic, the Birkenstock shoe company, founded in 1774, is seeing its sandals spike in popularity.

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Parisian Businesses Say Lack Of Tourists Can Feel Frustrating

4:18pm August 04, 2020

by Rebecca Rosman

Every August Parisians leave and the tourists head to the French capital. But this year, the tourism industry is hurting, even as some Parisians enjoy a rare chance to explore their city.

Felix Zeltner lives with his wife, Christina Horsten, and their daughter, Emma, in Long Island City, N.Y. Visiting his native Germany this summer, he was struck by the differences in how the coronavirus has been handled.

'It's A Disaster': German Expats Love U.S. But Not Its Handling Of Coronavirus

1:28pm August 04, 2020

by Sally Herships

Germany has flattened its curve, and unemployment has barely budged. Some Germans living in the U.S. are mystified by how politicized the pandemic has become here.

Thousands of couples have been separated by pandemic-related travel restrictions. Lots of them are unmarried.

Can Love Conquer Travel Bans? Couples Divided By Pandemic Are Rallying To Reunite

1:16pm August 04, 2020

by Joanna Kakissis

Couples discuss how travel restrictions have kept them oceans apart for months. While they lobby governments to allow them to see each other, some have had to delay weddings or even miss a childbirth.

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Coronavirus Cases Across Asia Are Again On The Rise

10:16am August 04, 2020

Parts of Asia that seemed to have COVID-19 under control have witnessed fresh outbreaks. China, Japan and Vietnam, which had few or no cases in the past month or so, are seeing a resurgence.

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