Friday, February 25th

United States

Boeing is awarded 30 billion USD contract by government.

Significance: A decades-long drama on who would claim the contract from the Air Force had ended with the Chicago-based company on top. The other company, the European EADS, had actually proved better adapted for American needs. The most likely reason the contract went over to an American company was a mix of protectionism, patriotism, and corruption, though none can be verified. This will add up to 48 thousand jobs. Though Boeing has the inferior plane, their maintenance costs are much lower and can save taxpayers an enormous sum (apparently 36 billion) over the course of the entire lifecycle of the planes.

Providence sees almost two thousand teachers with pink slips.

Significance: Providence, Rhode Island that is, is facing a large budget shortfall. Education is the leading cause of financial instability, nationally speaking. By issuing pink slips, it allows the board in Providence to have more flexibility in hiring many of these teachers back, in order to save money. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. Teachers in Wisconsin should be more grateful for their position as opposed to their eastern colleagues.

International

Tensions in Libya cause global affects.

Significance: Though the entire Arab world is practically aflame, Libya sticks out. Each individual conflict in the Middle East can have an impact on global fuel prices, but so far Libya has had the greatest. The situation in Libya has had and can have such a great impact that several European countries as well as the United States have been drawing up military plans in case actions need to be taken. Thousands have been killed. Gadhafi has increased wages and food stamps throughout his land to appease the crowds, while unleashing his Libyan Gestapo on the rest.

Former Pakistani President Musharraf has a warrant for his arrest.

Significance: The former US ally, who is currently in exile in London, is now unable to return to Pakistan. The warrant, dealing with the death of his political opponent Benazir Bhutto, has been quite secretive. Most likely, it is charging Musharraf with providing inadequate security to Bhutto, while also possibly dealing with his direct involvement in her death. Either way, this highlights the dangers of Pakistani politics, especially since Musharraf wants to return to the presidency.

Thought of the Day: “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death” –Albert Einstein