In Consideration: Week of March 28, 2022

News

The Federal Reserve, central banking system of the U.S., raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25% last week to combat inflation and rising consumer prices. It plans to raise the interest rate six more times in 2022, bringing the interest rate to 2.8%.

Following a strike this past autumn among workers for Kellogg’s Company, 570 workers at the plant that produces Cheez-Its won a new contract to earn a wage increase of more than 15%.

World currencies against USD value

Canada: 1.27 Can$ per USD as of Mar. 16, down 1.6% from a year ago

EU: 0.91 euros per USD, down 7.7%

South Korea: 1,236 won per USD, down 8.6%

Current U.S. Legislation

On Wednesday, March 30, the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed resolution S.Res.547 to celebrate the 201st anniversary of Greek independence, which occurred on Friday, March 25, as well as democracy in Greece and America, with unanimous consent.

Podcast of the Week

Bear Grease. Presented by MeatEater, Inc., an outdoor lifestyle company (www.themeateater.com) and hosted by Clay Newcomb. A documentary-style podcast about aspects of life in the rural Appalachian region of America. Newcomb’s curiosity leads to engaging interviews with historians, anthropologists, and the residents themselves about life and lore off the beaten path. Episodes in multiple parts, most just over an hour.

This Day in History

Monday, Mar. 28

Events: In 1979, a nuclear disaster occurred with a partial meltdown of a reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in PA, the worst in U.S. history.

Deaths

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the allied troops on D-Day in 1944 and 34th US president 1953-1961, in 1969, age 78.

Maria von Trapp, inspiration for acclaimed musical “The Sound of Music,” later adapted to film, in 1987, age 82.

Birthdays

Lady Gaga, age 36.

Thursday, Mar. 31

Events: 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson declined the Democratic nomination for a 2nd term as president in an address on Vietnam.

Birthdays

Ewan McGregor, age 51.

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, age 67.