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Well being employees from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China, share an emotional embrace with their friends from a hospital in Jilin province on the Tianhe Airport. Colleagues who labored on the entrance traces collectively bid farewell as Wuhan lifted its coronavirus lockdown in April. Picture: Amy Cheng/NPR
This previous yr was like no different. The world suffered deeply from the novel coronavirus and lots of endured tough sacrifices. However different information by no means stopped in 2020.
Tensions escalated with Iran after the U.S. killed a high Iranian normal. Britain made an arduous exit from the European Union. China enacted robust new authority over Hong Kong. The racial justice motion in america set off solidarity protests in lots of different international locations. And that was simply within the first half of the yr.
All of the whereas, NPR’s far-flung journalists and contributing reporters labored tougher than ever to cowl the globe, as pandemic journey and physical-distancing guidelines compelled them to adapt.
Listed below are among the Worldwide Desk’s hottest digital tales of 2020, based mostly on web page views and time readers spent with items.
Pandemic dominated
Why Germany’s Coronavirus Death Rate Is Far Lower Than In Other Countries
In March, Germany’s feat of preserving its COVID-19-related loss of life charge far decrease than many countries turned one of many Worldwide Desk’s most-read tales of the yr. — Rob Schmitz
As China’s Wuhan Ends Its Long Quarantine, Residents Feel A Mix Of Joy And Fear
The tip of Wuhan’s 76-day lockdown in April was a milestone in China’s efforts to comprise the coronavirus. — Emily Feng
‘Every Single Individual Must Stay Home’: Italy’s Coronavirus Surge Strains Hospitals
Italy has common well being care. However Italian hospitals and medical employees turned overwhelmed, prompting anguished debate. — Sylvia Poggioli
Praised For Curbing COVID-19, New Zealand’s Leader Eases Country’s Strict Lockdown
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern utilized her trademark empathy in rallying her nation to not simply flatten the coronavirus curve, however crush it. — Julie McCarthy
A Funny ‘Talking’ Dog Gives Tips On Living Right During The Coronavirus Crisis
Pluto and her human, Nancie Wight, churned out viral movies with life-style ideas from their house in Montreal. — Deborah Amos
‘Living Through A Nightmare’: Brazil’s Manaus Digs A Mass Grave As Deaths Mount
Residents and officers struggled to deal with a tragedy in Manaus, a metropolis in the course of the Amazon rainforest that noticed coronavirus circumstances skyrocket. — Philip Reeves
‘We Feel Safe’: Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks
American vacationers aren’t welcome in most international locations world wide due to the excessive variety of U.S. coronavirus circumstances. However not less than one nation is preserving its borders open: Mexico. And lots of Individuals, eager to flee the chilly or lockdowns, are flocking to its gorgeous seashores. — Carrie Kahn
Ireland Finds U.S. Tourists During Pandemic May Be Trouble. But So Is Their Absence
There is a notion that Individuals are proof against sporting masks and are refusing to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Nonetheless, one resort employee says, “We’re lacking the Individuals drastically.” — Teri Schultz
Coronavirus Spreads In Iran, Piling More Problems On The Sanctions-Hit Country
The nation has been reeling from strain reimposed by the Trump administration. This yr, it scrambled to deal with the virus that has killed many Iranians. — Peter Kenyon
For intensive protection of the pandemic, you may go to The Coronavirus Crisis and NPR’s Goats and Soda and Shots blogs.
In different information
‘I Have Lost Everything’: Ethiopian Refugees Flee For Their Lives
In November, the Ethiopian authorities launched an offensive towards a rebellious regional authorities. The following battle has killed tons of, and nearly 50,000 Ethiopians fled to Sudan. — Eyder Peralta
As China Imposes New Hong Kong Law, U.S. And Allies Take Steps To Retaliate
Makes an attempt to dissuade China’s Communist Occasion from asserting extra authority over Hong Kong did not work. Now that China is imposing a brand new nationwide safety regulation on the territory, world powers wish to punish Beijing. — John Ruwitch
‘I Was Asked If I Stole My Car’: Black Diplomats Describe Harassment At U.S. Borders
Former U.S. diplomat Tianna Spears says she was pulled apart 20-plus instances crossing from Mexico into the U.S. “One time, I used to be advised not to have a look at the officer within the eyes after I spoke to him,” she says. — Jackie Northam
The Long, Perilous Route Thousands Of Indians Have Risked For A Shot At Life In U.S.
The journey from India can zigzag to Russia, the Mideast, the Caribbean and Central America. “I notice America’s laborious hit by the coronavirus. However I am decided to get there,” says an Indian man deported from Mexico. — Lauren Frayer
‘He Will Be A Happier Elephant’: Vet Describes What It Was Like To Rescue Kaavan
Dr. Amir Khalil, a veterinarian with 4 Paws Worldwide, mentioned the “world’s loneliest elephant” was settling into his new house in Cambodia. Khalil sang Sinatra’s “My Approach” to assist calm Kaavan. — Ashley Westerman
Brexit Day: What To Know When The U.K. Leaves The EU
Britain is ending its greater than 40-year membership within the European Union. This is how Brexit was anticipated to play out. — Frank Langfitt
Iraqi Family Identifies Their Son As ISIS Teen At Center Of Navy War Crimes Trial
The identify of the younger ISIS fighter was not revealed in U.S. court docket proceedings, and the information are sealed. NPR recognized the fighter with the assistance of Iraqi officers and {the teenager}’s household. — Jane Arraf
‘We Had To Take Action’: States In Mexico Move To Ban Junk Food Sales To Minors
“The injury of this sort of food regimen is much more seen due to the pandemic,” says a Oaxaca legislator who spearheaded a regulation towards the sale of junk meals and soda to minors. The concept is spreading. — James Fredrick
Putin And Biden Signal Chilly Relations To Come
Because the president-elect vows to get robust on Moscow, analysts say Russia’s chief desires to indicate he’ll take the struggle to Washington — and his congratulations delay was simply the most recent signal. — Lucian Kim
Facing Eviction, Residents Of Denmark’s ‘Ghettos’ Are Suing The Government
A sweeping plan to rid the nation of immigrant-heavy areas formally designated as “ghettos” was challenged by residents, as Denmark additionally started to grapple with broader questions on racism. — Sidsel Overgaard
Where Are The Thousands Of Nazi-Looted Musical Instruments?
Researchers are nonetheless digging into the query and sharing their findings a long time after the Nazis sacked the properties of Jews throughout World Conflict II. — Eleanor Beardsley
Beirut Explosion Looks Like An Accident — And A Sign Of The Country’s Collapse
The blast in August got here towards a backdrop of ongoing, unaddressed authorities dysfunction. A few of the nation’s continual issues might assist clarify how 2,750 tons of explosives have been uncared for on the port. — Larry Kaplow, Ruth Sherlock and Nada Homsi
‘God … Let Us Survive’: Remembering Korean War’s Chosin Battle And Evacuation
Seventy years on, conflict individuals are drawing starkly differing conclusions from the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The decisive battle’s lasting legacy remains to be seen on the Korean Peninsula. — Anthony Kuhn
The Women ‘Fighting For Freedom’ In Belarus
“We’ll proceed to struggle and converse and lift our voices,” says Belarusian athlete Yelena Leuchanka. “The face of what’s occurring in Belarus is basically the face of ladies,” says an ex-U.S. diplomat. — Michele Kelemen
‘Our Houses Are Not Safe’: Residents Fear Taliban In Afghanistan’s Capital
The Taliban have waged assaults throughout the nation, prompting a name to cut back the violence from Gen. Mark Milley. In Kabul, the general public worries concerning the Taliban’s return. — Diaa Hadid
‘A Journey That We Have To Join Together’: 2 Dutch Women Confront Slavery’s Legacy
Maartje Duin and Peggy Bouva are inspecting painful points within the Netherlands’ colonial previous. “We needed to indicate folks that you may speak about this overtly, even when it is uncomfortable,” says Bouva. — Joanna Kakissis
Venezuela’s Maduro Holds Firmly To Power — And Squeezes The Opposition
Nicolás Maduro has remained in management regardless of worldwide strain and makes an attempt to take away him, whereas opposition leaders weaken. — John Otis
Cambodia’s Prized Kampot Pepper, Nearly Wiped Out By Khmer Rouge, Makes A Comeback
“It is like a wine,” says a grower. “You’ll be able to style it like a wine, after which you may maintain the style in your mouth for a really very long time.” White peppercorns can price as much as $100 per ounce. — Michael Sullivan
Why Labeling Antonio Banderas A ‘Person Of Color’ Triggers Such A Backlash
When media known as him one of many few actors of shade nominated for an Oscar, many Spaniards mocked the time period or acquired offended. — Lucía Benavides
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