A lot of things changed in January — but not consumers' inflation forecasts. Zach Bethune, associate professor of economics, is quoted.
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Feb. 11 - 10 things to know with detail
COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread: The global number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surpassed 108 million, with over 2.3 million deaths. Vaccination efforts are underway in many countries, but concerns remain about new variants of the virus.
GameStop stock frenzy: Retail investors on Reddit's WallStreetBets forum caused a surge in the stock price of GameStop, a struggling video game retailer. This led to a battle between small investors and hedge funds, resulting in significant market volatility.
Winter storms hit the United States: Severe winter weather, including snowstorms and freezing temperatures, has caused power outages and disrupted travel across several states. Texas has been particularly hard hit, with millions without electricity amid record-breaking cold.
Myanmar military coup: The military in Myanmar seized power in a coup, detaining civilian leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi. The move has sparked widespread protests and international condemnation.
Impeachment trial of Donald Trump: The Senate impeachment trial of former President Trump for incitement of insurrection during the Capitol riot is set to begin on February 9. It is unclear if there will be enough votes to convict him.
NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars: NASA successfully landed its Perseverance rover on Mars, beginning a mission to search for signs of past life on the red planet. The rover will collect samples for eventual return to Earth.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos steps down as CEO: Jeff Bezos announced he will step down as CEO of Amazon in the third quarter of 2021, to be replaced by Andy Jassy. Bezos will transition to the role of executive chairman.
Bitcoin reaches new highs: The price of Bitcoin surged to a record high of over $48,000, driven by increased institutional interest and mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies.
Super Bowl LV: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, with Tom Brady winning his seventh Super Bowl ring. The game was played amid COVID-19 restrictions, with limited attendance.
Climate change initiatives: The Biden administration has taken steps to address climate change, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and announcing plans to transition to clean energy. The focus on environmental issues is expected to shape policy decisions in the coming years.