World News

U.S. Seizes More Than 1 Million Barrels Of Iranian Petroleum From Tankers

4:14pm August 14, 2020

by Jackie Northam

The U.S. says it has seized more than 1 million barrels of Iranian fuel from four tankers heading to Venezuela. The move is part of the Trump administration's campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.

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Brazil's Environmentalists Worry Fire Season Will Worsen Amazon's Deforestation

4:14pm August 14, 2020

by Philip Reeves

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is on the rise. With fire season underway, the rainforest faces the threat of even more destruction. But President Jair Bolsonaro dismisses those fears as a lie.

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A mother elephant and her calf head for a nearby marsh at Kenya's Amboseli National Park on August 12.

Some Good News: An 'Elephant Baby Boom' In One Kenyan National Park

4:13pm August 14, 2020

by Gabriela Saldivia

Kenya's elephant population has more than doubled since the 1980s, and one national park is currently having a 'baby boom' thanks to a relief from drought and a drop in poaching.

M/T Bella's cargo has been seized as it was carrying petroleum from Iran to Venezuela, the U.S. Department of Justice says.

U.S. Seizes Iranian Fuel From 4 Tankers Bound For Venezuela

2:49pm August 14, 2020

by Scott Neuman

With the assistance of foreign partners, more than 1 million barrels of petroleum was seized from foreign-flagged vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, the Justice Department says.

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on Aug. 4.

After Beirut, Experts Warn Of 'Dangerous Gaps' In U.S. Oversight Of Ammonium Nitrate

1:57pm August 14, 2020

by Eric Westervelt

The experts and regulators are calling for the federal government to renew efforts to bolster safe storage, handling, use and transport rules for ammonium nitrate in the U.S.

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A man smokes in the street in Madrid on Friday after Spain's health minister announced curbs on smoking outdoors in an effort to contain a resurgence of COVID-19.

Spain Cracks Down On Outdoor Drinking, Smoking In Renewed Push Against COVID-19

1:40pm August 14, 2020

by Scott Neuman

Spanish authorities announced the new measures as they confront a new wave of COVID-19 after tamping down the disease months ago.

World News

Israel And UAE Agreement A 'Courageous Decision,' Says U.S. Ambassador

1:24pm August 14, 2020

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with David M. Friedman, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, about the new U.S.-brokered diplomatic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

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World News

Middle East Institute Fellow Bilal Saab Discusses Israel And UAE Agreement

7:23am August 14, 2020

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Bilal Saab about the groundbreaking diplomatic agreement between Israel and the UAE.

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World News

Belarus Opposition, In Exile, Appeals To U.S. Not To Recognize Contested Election

6:27am August 14, 2020

by Lucian Kim

One man who fled his country in the face of possible arrest by the nation's strongman, President Alexander Lukashenko, tells NPR the West should insist on new, democratic elections.

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News Brief: Israel And UAE Deal, Biden's Lead On Trump, USPS Funding

5:02am August 14, 2020

The UAE establishes more open diplomatic ties with Israel. A New NPR/Marist poll explores American attitudes towards the presidential candidates. And, Trump's position on funding the USPS evolves.