ABC World News Season 11 Episode 134 Fri, May 15, 2020

On Friday, May 15, 2020, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir aired its 134th episode of season 11. The 30-minute news broadcast covered a range of domestic and international stories, as well as updates on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The episode started with a report on the coronavirus outbreak, with anchor David Muir stating that the global death toll had surpassed 307,000 and that more than 4.4 million people had been infected. The program's medical correspondent, Dr. Jen Ashton, discussed how the virus was impacting people in their 20s and 30s, as well as the potential long-term effects of the illness.

Next, the show shifted to a segment on the political fallout from the pandemic. Correspondent Mary Bruce reported that several Republican-led states were beginning to relax social distancing guidelines, despite warnings from health experts about the risks. Meanwhile, Democrats were pushing for more federal aid to help struggling Americans. The program also aired a report on the growing tensions between the U.S. and China, as the two countries traded accusations and threats over the origins of the virus.

One of the major stories of the day was the U.S. House of Representatives passing a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill. Senior national correspondent Terry Moran explained the key provisions of the bill, including aid to states and local governments, expanded unemployment benefits, and another round of stimulus checks for Americans. However, Moran also noted that the bill was likely to face opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate.

The episode then turned to international news, with a report on North Korea's latest missile test. Chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz noted that this was the country's first missile test in more than a year and came as tensions were already high between North Korea and the U.S. Raddatz also discussed how the global pandemic was affecting diplomatic relations around the world.

The show also included a segment on the devastating cyclone that had hit India and Bangladesh earlier in the week. Correspondent James Longman spoke with survivors in both countries, showing the damage and destruction caused by the storm. Longman also explained how the cyclone was exacerbating the difficulties facing these countries during the pandemic.

In lighter news, the program aired a story on how some people were finding creative ways to celebrate events like birthdays and graduations while still practicing social distancing. Correspondent Eva Pilgrim interviewed families who had decorated their cars and houses for drive-by celebrations, as well as virtual graduation ceremonies being held online.

The episode wrapped up with a segment on sports, as Major League Baseball started exploring plans to start its season amid the pandemic. Correspondent Steve Osunsami reported that the league was considering a number of options, including playing games without fans and using a centralized location for all teams. However, Osunsami also noted that these plans faced significant hurdles and were far from guaranteed.

Overall, the May 15, 2020 episode of ABC World News Tonight with David Muir provided a comprehensive look at the major news stories of the day, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its political and economic fallout. The program also covered international events and human interest stories, as well as lighter fare like sports and creative celebrations during these challenging times.