May 26, 2017

Trump issues fewer visas to Muslim-majority countries

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

New State Department data revealed the U.S. is issuing fewer non-immigrant visas to Muslim-majority countries, per Politico's Nahal Toosi and Ted Hesson.

The data showed that among 50 Muslim-majority countries, the number of non-immigrant visas granted in April decreased by 20% compared to the average monthly number in 2016. And for Arab countries, the number of non-immigrant visas declined by 30%.

The Trump effect: There was a 55% decrease in the number of visas granted among the six countries targeted by Trump's travel ban (Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen).

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At least 50 killed, 3,000 injured after massive explosion rocks Beirut

Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

A major explosion has slammed central Beirut, Lebanon, damaging buildings as far as several miles away and injuring scores of people.

Driving the news: The cause of the explosion is unknown. Lebanon's health minister said in televised remarks that more than 50 people have been killed and over 3,000 injured.

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The debate over COVID-19 liability protections

Stimulus talks continue to move slowly, with Democrats and Republicans unable to agree on whether or not to include coronavirus-related liability protections for businesses, health facilities and schools.

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 18,364,694 — Total deaths: 695,848 — Total recoveries — 10,965,634 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 4,742,277 — Total deaths: 156,133 — Total recoveries: 1,513,446 — Total tests: 57,543,852 — Map.
  3. States: New York City health commissioner resigns in protest of De Blasio's coronavirus response — New York ER doctor on pandemic advice: "We know what works"
  4. Public health: 59% of Americans support nationwide 2-week stay-at-home order in NPR poll — Atrium Health CEO says "virtual hospital" has treated 13,000 COVID patients.
  5. Politics: Republicans push to expand small business loan program — Trump tells "Axios on HBO" that pandemic is "under control," despite surges in infections.
  6. Sports: Indy 500 to be held without fans — Rafael Nadal opts out of U.S. Open.
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