The Week by the Numbers: December 1-7, 2013
By Matt Phifer
7.7 Percent – November Unemployment Rate, the lowest since December 2008
The Labor Department revealed the November unemployment rate to be 7.7 percent, down from 7.9 percent in October. It is also the lowest unemployment rate in four years. The economy added 146,000 jobs over the course of the month.
56 – More Countries now have access to iTunes
On Tuesday Apple made iTunes available in 56 more countries including Russia, Turkey, India and South Africa. The additions nearly doubles iTunes’ geographic footprint at 119 countries. More than 20 million songs will be available for users, including international stars and artists that will be of interest in individual countries. Pricing will vary by country.
82 mph – Speed of the Metro-North Train that derailed in the Bronx
Initial black box data from the Metro-North Train that derailed on December 1 show that the train was entering a 30-mph curve at 82 mph. Four people were killed and over 60 were injured when the train jumped the tracks in the Bronx. Engineer William Rockefeller later told investigators he was “in a daze” before the incident. Initial toxicology reports came back negative.
95 – Former South African President Nelson Mandela died at age 95
Former South African President and anti-Apartheid leader Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95 in Johannesburg on Thursday. Mourners gathered outside of Mandela’s home to create a makeshift memorial as leaders from around the world sent condolences to Mandela’s family and the people of South Africa. Mandela leaves a legacy of peace and forgiveness as well as a united South Africa, a concept that at one time was not considered possible.
5 Billion – Records of Cell Phone Locations Collected by the NSA
The Washington Post reported that the NSA is collecting nearly 5 billion records a day on the locations of cell phones worldwide. The information was discovered in the materials provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. According to the Post, the records feed a vast database of at least hundreds of millions of devices.
The Week by the Numbers: September 29-October 5, 2013
By Matt Phifer
1 – Apple was ranked the #1 Most Valuable Brand in the World
Interbrand, a brand consultancy firm, which has been releasing its Best Global Brands report since 2000, named Apple the most valuable brand in the world. The previous leader, Coca-Cola, dropped to third on the list. It is the first time in the list’s history that Coca-Cola has not been ranked first. The report estimates Apple’s brand value at $98.3 billion and Coca-Cola’s at $79.2 billion.
800,000 – Federal Employees furloughed because of the Government Shutdown
About 800,000 federal workers were furloughed starting on October 1 as the federal government was partially shutdown. Republican and Democratic members of Congress could not agree on a spending bill as Congressional Republicans attempted to defund the Affordable Care Act.
$1 Million – Dropped out of an Airplane over Bolivia
Bolivian anti-drug police recovered a bag thrown from an airplane containing $1 million in cash, all U.S. currency. The money was thrown out of a plane by suspected members of a drug trafficking gang. The money was possibly going to be used to build a cocaine production center or set up a fake commercial enterprise in Bolivia.