Friday, February 4th

United States


Biggest Blizzard in decades hits one-third of country.


Significance: Stretching over 2 thousand miles, the storm left dozens dead from exposure and other related deaths. Thousands are still without power in negative degree weather. 100 million people were affected in total. There was a mix of heavy winds, hail, thunder and lightning. Around 2 ft. of snow was the average depth.

Unemployment drops to 9%.

Significance: Despite the drop, and despite 36 thousand new jobs added this past month, it is still not a wonderful indicator for the economy. The harsh snowstorms all month long are possible reasons for the decrease in unemployment as construction slows down. 36 thousand new jobs is also not as relatively much as it seems; Canada had approximately 70 thousand new jobs this past month.

International

Egypt becomes more polarized as no end in sight.

Significance: Tensions continue to turn violent throughout Egypt as crowds are battling one another with rocks and fists. Though multiple deaths and hundreds hurt, it is not yet a full out civil war. The rioters resemble football hooligans. Journalists have become targets. Protests in solidarity have been banned in Gaza under Hamas and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

Cambodia and Thailand exchange artillery fire leaving two dead.

Significance: The ancestors of the Khmer Rouge are finding themselves once more in a serious dilemma. Two years ago, the World Heritage listing allowed for a Thai temple to be listed as Cambodian. This has since resulted in the “Yellow Movement” in Thailand and fervor on both sides.

Thought of the Day: Dear Mubarak and protestors; please do not destroy the Pyramids. We will not rebuild them. –The Jews