Merrit Kennedy
Merrit Kennedy is a reporter for NPR's News Desk. She covers a broad range of issues, from the latest developments out of the Middle East to science research news.
Kennedy joined NPR in Washington, D.C., in December 2015, after seven years living and working in Egypt. She started her journalism career at the beginning of the Egyptian uprising in 2011 and chronicled the ousting of two presidents, eight rounds of elections, and numerous major outbreaks of violence for NPR and other news outlets. She has also worked as a reporter and television producer in Cairo for The Associated Press, covering Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan.
She grew up in Los Angeles, the Middle East, and places in between, and holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Stanford University and a master's degree in international human rights law from The American University in Cairo.
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Travis McMichael; his father, Greg; and their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan all faced nine criminal counts in Georgia state court, including felony murder, aggravated assault and false imprisonment. -
Kara Eaker is the athlete who tested positive, her mother and her gym in Missouri confirmed on Monday. The women's team is continuing to prepare for the Games, according to USA Gymnastics. -
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies. But the World Bank projects its economies could pull back as much as 5.1% this year, driven by the coronavirus pandemic. -
The number of coronavirus cases in New York is doubling every four days — a marked decrease from early on in the outbreak, when it was doubling every 2 1/2 days. -
After three inconclusive elections, Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz are reportedly close to a deal to rotate as prime minister, with Netanyahu taking the first turn. -
The team remembers him as "one of the truly magical dribblers and shooters in basketball history." Neal played 22 seasons for the Globetrotters. -
It's not clear how long the measures, which affect foreigners holding valid visas and residence permits, will remain in place. Exemptions will be made for diplomats and plane crews. -
The Dept. of Homeland Security has pushed back the enforcement deadline for REAL ID from Oct. 1, 2020 to Oct. 1, 2021 in light of the coronavirus pandemic. -
It is a major victory for the Native American tribes and environmental groups fighting against the project. The judge has not decided whether oil can still flow in the meantime. -
The U.N. human rights chief says authorities should look for ways to release people in detention who are especially vulnerable to the disease, such as those who are elderly or who have health issues.
