World News: An explosion with the force of an earthquake

USA TODAY: An explosion with the force of an earthquake

Tuesday, August 4

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020.

An explosion with the force of an earthquake

A massive explosion rocks Lebanon's capital. Isaias' wrath leaves 4 dead. It's Tuesday's news.

A massive explosion killed dozens in Beirut. Leaked bodycam footage shows George Floyd's final moments. And Isaias spawned more than a dozen deadly tornadoes.

It's Ashley with the news to know.

But first, it's a bird! It's a dinosaur! Nope, it's just a lizard. Researchers thought they discovered the world's smallest dinosaur, a bird-like creature smaller than a hummingbird. Turns out they were wrong.

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Huge blast kills dozens, wounds thousands in Lebanon's capital

A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday with the force of an earthquake followed by a shock wave that devastated much of the city. As of 5 p.m. EDT, at least 50 people were confirmed killed and more than 2,700 wounded, according to Health Minister Hassan Hamad. The explosion, which appeared to be centered around Beirut's port, caused widespread destruction and shattered windows miles away. Though the cause of the blast was yet to be officially determined, an official said it might have been caused by highly explosive material stored at the port. "It was a real horror show. I haven't seen anything like that since the days of the (civil) war," said Marwan Ramadan, who was knocked off his feet by the explosion. Beirut Gov. Marwan Abboud called it a "national catastrophe," and the prime minister declared a day of mourning.

•	Even before explosion, Lebanon teetered toward ruin.
•	Photos: An explosion in Beirut creates a mushroom cloud over Lebanon's capital.

Thousands were wounded in an explosion in Beirut on Aug. 4.

ANWAR AMRO, AFP via Getty Images

At least two killed by Isaias-spawned tornadoes

At least 20 tornadoes were reported along the East Coast on Monday and Tuesday as Hurricane (now Tropical Storm) Isaias roared through, adding another layer of worrisome weather inflicted on nervous residents. At least four people have died because of the storm. A tornado killed two people and injured several others at a mobile home park in Bertie County, North Carolina. Other tornadoes were reported in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center said. Tornadoes like the ones that hit during Isaias aren't uncommon during tropical cyclones. Almost all hurricanes and tropical storms that make landfall in the USA spawn at least one tornado.

A Philadelphia police officer rushes to help a stranded motorist during Tropical Storm Isaias on Aug. 4. The storm spawned tornadoes and dumped rain during an inland march up the U.S. East Coast after making landfall as a hurricane along the North Carolina coast.

Matt Slocum, AP

What everyone's talking about

•	It's Yosemite, President Trump, Yoh-sem-it-ee.
•	Happy birthday, Barack Obama! Michelle Obama celebrated the former president's 59th with a sweet message.
•	Another happy birthday is in order for Meghan Markle! The Duchess of Sussex turned 39 today.
•	Walt Disney World's Splash Mountain hit rough when a log flume ride sank.
•	Ryan Reynolds says he and Blake Lively are "unreservedly sorry" for their plantation wedding because of its connection to slavery.

Remdesivir supplies are 'dangerously limited'

Attorneys general from more than 30 states asked the federal government to increase the supply and cut costs of remdesivir, the antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19 patients. Remdesivir supplies are "dangerously limited," and the price will "impede access to treatment," the attorneys general wrote. Gilead charges $3,120 for a five-day course for patients with private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

Other COVID-19 developments:

•	Outbreak is "under control": President Donald Trump defended his administration's "incredible" effort to beat back the outbreak, despite rising deaths. "They are dying, that's true," Trump said in an interview with Axios. "It is what it is. But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can."
•	We're in for a "rocky" ride: A California epidemiologist who was part of a team that helped eradicate smallpox predicts the world will be fighting the coronavirus for the next three to four years and the pandemic's toll will linger for decades. But he added it's "not all doom and gloom."

Doctor holding syringe marked remdesivir

Getty Images

Leaked bodycam footage shows George Floyd's arrest

Newly published body camera footage shows the initial moments of George Floyd's arrest and the final moments of his life. The Daily Mail published partial footage from the body cameras of two Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd's arrest. Floyd, a Black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes in May. The "leaked" videos show about 10 minutes from one bodycam and about 18 minutes from another. In the footage, bystanders tell officers Floyd is not responsive and urge them to check his pulse.

Real quick

•	A new poll shows Mitch McConnell with a large lead over Democratic Senate rival Amy McGrath.
•	"Hot objects" from a vehicle tailpipe caused the 26,850-acre Apple Fire in California.
•	Sorry, boomers and Gen X. Millennials, Gen Z and younger generations make up a majority of the U.S. population.
•	Ford CEO Jim Hackett is retiring from the company.
•	The Lakers' LeBron James considered joining nationwide protests for racial changes.

Is this the end of Ellen DeGeneres' show?

Ever since claims that employees experienced a toxic work environment on the show and her subsequent apology, questions have swirled about the future of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Will she quit? If she leaves, who might replace her? (As #ReplaceEllen trended on Twitter Monday, fans suggested Harry Styles and Michelle Obama as potential hosts.) But it seems unlikely that the host of the No. 3 talk show in syndication would step away from her $50 million a year perch.

•	"I am sorry": Ellen DeGeneres apologized to her talk show staff after complaints of mistreatment.

Ellen DeGeneres' producers respond to claims that the show is a "toxic environment."

GETTY

A break from the news

•	👚 The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here. Check out these 100+ amazing deals.
•	📚 Oprah picked Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" for her book club.
•	💵 $100,000 is not enough for retirement, experts say, a sum many seniors can't reach.

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