Rescuing Survivors In Beirut; Big — Not Early — Birds Get The Worm; The Go-Go’s Perfect Pop-Punk

Plus, a new ‘Star Trek’ spinoff for adults. by Korva Coleman, Jill Hudson and Suzette Lohmeyer First Up [An aerial view of Beirut's port one day after a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital. Tuesday's blast flattened much of the port and damaged buildings across the city.]( Bilal Hussein/AP Here's what we're following today. Beirut is reeling and Lebanon is grieving after Tuesday’s powerful explosion that tore through the capital's port area. Officials in Lebanon say the death toll is up to 137 and the number of injured now tops 5,000. Rescue teams continue to search for [possible survivors of the blast]( which occurred in a warehouse that had stored ammonium nitrate for years. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut Thursday morning to offer his government's assistance. White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Wednesday he and his family have needed continued security as a result of his high-profile statements about the coronavirus pandemic. Fauci didn't reveal any more details about the [threats and harassment]( but added, "I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that people who object to things that are pure public health principles are so set against it, and don't like what you and I say, namely in the word of science, that they actually threaten you." Twitter and Facebook both removed a video shared by President Trump that the companies say broke their rules against spreading coronavirus misinformation. Twitter temporarily blocked Trump’s election campaign account Wednesday morning until it removed a post with [a Fox News interview video]( in which the president urged schools to reopen, falsely claiming children are "almost immune from this disease." Facebook removed a post with the same clip. Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says if he’s elected, he wouldn’t object to the Justice Department opening a criminal case against the former president. Speaking in an interview, Biden underscored that such a prosecution [would not be directed by him](. A Louisiana man will continue to spend his life in prison for stealing a pair of hedge clippers, after the state's Supreme Court denied his request to review a lower court's sentence. Chief Justice Bernette Johnson, the sole dissenter in the court's decision, likened the ruling to [“pig laws” followed after Reconstruction]( when African Americans found guilty of theft and petty crimes were given harsh sentences. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Listens Michelle Kondrich for NPR Most teachers are concerned about in-person school, with 77% saying they are worried about risking their own health, and 78% not confident they will have the protective gear and cleaning supplies they need, a new NPR/Ipsos poll found. Two-thirds of the teachers polled favor remote teaching. [Click here to listen]( or [read the story](. Contrary to what you may have heard about the early bird getting the worm, in the case of pigeons, it is heavier birds that get all the perks. Scientists have found that attaching small weights to pigeons causes them to shoot up in the social hierarchy giving them priority access to better food and mates. [Here's the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before You Go [The Go-Go's backstage in Rockford, Ill.]( Paul Natkin/Courtesy of SHOWTIME - The Go-Go's proved that pop and punk could mingle to land at the top of the charts. Their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat, is universally regarded as [an '80s pop and new wave classic](. "You can take the girl out of punk, but you can't take punk out of the girl," says Charlotte Caffey, lead guitarist. - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Wednesday that he is authorizing the city to shut off water and power service to properties hosting large house parties, which he said have "essentially become [nightclubs in the hills]( - Helen Jones Woods, who played trombone with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, a history-making all-female big band that toured widely during World War II, died of COVID-19 on July 25 in Sarasota, Fla. [She was 96](. - CBS All Access is premiering a new Star Trek spinoff — and it’s [an animated spoof for adults](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow [The New Normal]( on Instagram! What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [dailynewsletter@npr.org](mailto:dailynewsletter@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](