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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NPR's team in Tokyo put together our favorite moments of the Games, where participants showed their athleticism, sportsmanship, and what motivated them to compete. -
The U.S. players had a 1-0 loss against Canada in the semifinal. They'll take bronze if they win their next game. The U.S. lost its star goalie to an injury in the first half. -
This competition was initially defined by who wasn't competing. U.S. star Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time and the heavy favorite to win, pulled out to take care of her mental health. -
It's a bold look that has been compared to the masked Batman villain Bane — even by the Japanese organizers of the Tokyo Games. The mask is voluminous and is a nod to the host country, Japan. -
Dutch rower Finn Florijn had already raced and was scheduled to compete again on Saturday when his positive test came back. "Now it's over in an instant," he said. -
In a corner of the convention center where journalists from around the world are working, volunteers diligently fold origami paper into beautiful and elaborate designs. -
Against great odds, the world's top athletes are about to take the spotlight. Here are some key things to keep an eye out for during the first half of the Summer Olympic Games. -
"If I had grandchildren, I would certainly recommend they get vaccinated," President Biden's chief medical adviser said. COVID-19 vaccines for younger children are being tested in clinical trials now. -
The president, who is being treated for COVID-19, has been downplaying the severity of the disease. He said falsely that, compared with the flu, COVID-19 is "in most populations far less lethal." -
In the past week, multiple Japanese organizers and International Olympic Committee officials have said that the Tokyo Games will proceed regardless of the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
