News by the Numbers: Aug 3–9
Stacker distills the week's news from around the world into key facts and figures. Click through to read more about some of the biggest headlines of the last week.
Ammonium nitrate blast in Beirut leaves hundreds dead, thousands homeless
More than 220 people were killed after 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded at the port in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital city. The chemicals had been stored for six years without proper safety measures, according to government officials. More than 100 people were reported missing and 300,000 people left homeless as a result of the blast.
COVID-19 testing falling in 22 states
Daily COVID-19 testing is down in 22 states even as the death toll in the U.S. rises by roughly 1,000 per day, according to an analysis completed by the Associated Press.
U.S. surpasses 5 million COVID-19 cases
The U.S. surpassed 5 million COVID-19 cases on Sunday, rising by 1 million in just 17 days. The data comes from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
Trump signs executive action on unemployment
President Trump on Saturday signed an executive action providing an additional or extra $400 per week in unemployment benefits. The executive order stipulates that for people to receive the additional benefit, however, states must agree to cover 25% of its cost.
Trump signs executive action on payroll tax
President Trump on Saturday signed an executive action on the payroll tax, deferring (not cutting) payments through Dec. 31, 2020.
Trump signs executive action on student loans
On Saturday, President Trump signed an executive action directing the Education Department to suspend loan payments and interest on federally-held loans through Dec. 31, 2020.
Trump signs executive action on evictions
On Saturday, President Trump signed an executive action which states that certain agencies may consider halting residential evictions if it is reasonably necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The action does not reinstate the previous eviction moratorium and does not set aside funding for homeowners or renters.
