Hiroshima bombing turns 75, jobless claims, Tennessee primaries: 5 things to know Thursday
75 years ago, the US ushered in the nuclear weapons era
At 8:15 a.m. local time on Aug. 6, 1945, an American B-29 aircraft named Enola Gay dropped a 9,700-pound uranium bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" over Hiroshima, Japan, in the closing days of World War II. About 70,000 people were killed instantly. By 1950, the death toll reached an estimated 200,000 as survivors succumbed to burns, radiation sickness and cancer. Three days after Hiroshima was bombed, a second atomic bomb was unleashed over Nagasaki, with 40,000 people killed and 140,000 dead within five years. Three-quarters of a century later, tensions and uncertainties over nuclear weapons are among the most serious problems facing the U.S. Meanwhile, the stories of atomic bomb survivors have shaped the way we think about the consequences of using nuclear weapons.
Unforgettable images: This is what it looked like after the Hiroshima bombing
Opinion: I grew up near the plutonium source for the Nagasaki bomb. Let's end the nuclear nightmare.
Photo gallery: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima
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Did 1.4M more workers file jobless claims?
As states pull back on reopenings amid the coronavirus pandemic, economists will be watching closely when the Labor Department releases its latest jobless claims figures Thursday. A broad measure of layoffs likely continued to hover just below 1.5 million last week, economists say, highlighting a labor market recovery that has lost steam as many states pause or reverse reopenings amid COVID-19 spikes. Economists estimate that Americans filed 1.42 million initial applications for unemployment benefits – a rough measure of layoffs – during the week ending Aug. 1. Such a tally would push total initial claims past a mind-blowing 55 million since pandemic-induced business shutdowns and layoffs began in mid-March.
Crisis upends young adults' finances: Millennials, Gen Zers say pandemic has derailed their financial independence
Employment issues: Worried about another slump, many firms hire temporary workers instead of permanent staffers
How much do you need? $100,000 is not enough for retirement, a sum many seniors can't reach
French president visits Lebanon following Beirut blast
French President Emmanuel Macron will fly to Beirut Thursday to meet the country’s political figures, after an explosion Tuesday displaced thousands and killed at least 135 in the Lebanese capital. The search is currently on for survivors after the blast, which was powerful enough to be felt more than 150 miles away, and register as a 3.3 magnitude earthquake. In the aftermath, Lebanon’s government declared a two-week state of emergency, effectively giving the military full powers during this time, and announced it was launching an investigation into ammonium nitrate stored at the port where the blast originated.
Watch: These 7 videos show the massive explosion across Beirut
Looking back: Reporter reflects on Beirut explosion, burying a dog who made 'dystopia more bearable'
Contributing and helping: How to aid the victims in Lebanon
Sending love: Salma Hayek, Ariana Grande and more stars speak out on Beirut
Tennessee holds primary election, early voting turnout up 75%
Voters in Tennessee will have their final chance to cast a ballot in this year's state and federal primaries Thursday. More than 578,000 people cast early votes in person or by absentee ballot, a substantial increase from August primaries in recent presidential election years. This year's early voting turnout more than doubled that in 2012, and was up more than 75% compared to 2016. The opening of polls also means election officials can begin tabulating the absentee ballots cast in the primary, an undertaking the Secretary of State's office has warned could delay results much longer than usual Thursday night.
Ruling announced: Fear of COVID-19 will not be reason to vote absentee in November, Tennessee Supreme Court rules
Takeaways from Tuesday's primaries: Cori Bush upsets Rep. William Lacy Clay; Tlaib wins
Get ready: Register to vote or check your status here
NFL players face a dilemma: Stay and play, or opt out of the season
NFL players must decide whether to opt out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns by Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. The NFL owners and the NFL Players Association agreed to the terms Monday night. Originally, the NFLPA and owners agreed to set the opt out deadline for seven days after the finalization of the modified Collective Bargaining Agreement. But with final details of the economic aspects of the deal still unresolved, and as more than 40 players have opted out already, NFL owners wanted to solidify the deadline. The owners ultimately got their way, but it is expected that provisions will be made for players to opt out after the deadline in the event that they or a family member encounter extenuating circumstances related to the coronavirus.
NFL opt-out tracker: Full list of players sitting out 2020 season amid coronavirus concerns
Column from Jarrett Bell: Diversity is critical for NFL in devising COVID-19 strategies
False positive: Kelly Stafford describes 'nightmare' COVID-19 scare involving husband QB Matthew, rips NFL
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hiroshima bombing turns 75, jobless claims: 5 things to know Thursday
