Happy Friday, Panthers! Welcome upcoming class of 2027 seniors and class of 2030 college freshmen. Before you enter the last week of school and cram for final exams, take a look at this week’s KICs. This week we have the return of Hantavirus-infected passengers, the inflation of gas prices, an injured pedestrian after being hit, and President Trump and Xi Jinping sharing moments of respect.
World – Hantavirus-infected passengers return, one quarantined in Nebraska
While aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, American passengers have tested positive for hantavirus. So far, there have been three deaths and only a handful of sick people.
Of all the passengers on the ship, only one has officially been tested positive and does not show symptoms. However, the passenger has still been flown to the University of Nebraska’s biocontainment unit to avoid infecting others. The rest of the passengers will go to the national quarantine unit for monitoring and assessment.
The facility known as the Omaha facility is more like a hotel suite than a prison or a lab. It comes with Wi-Fi, en suite bathrooms, and happens to be the most highly-equipped place in the US to tackle disease control according to Nebraska medicine.
National – Inflation and gas prices surge
Overall, the rates of inflation have met economists’ early expectations. On a month to month basis, inflation rose to 0.6%. Core inflation, excluding food and energy cost, rose 0.4% from last month.
As a result of inflation, American wages are significantly decreasing. The pace of wage gains has been slowing over the last two years, making the current inflation rate faster than average wages. The wage growth as of November was 4%, then by March it had fallen to 3.4%.
This week, the price of oil has risen more than 70% since the start of the year, and the average price of gas per gallon is $4.50. Unfortunately, economists expect that this is not the highest gas prices will be by the end of this year.
State – Pedestrian injured after being hit on Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
Atlanta police confirmed someone got struck near Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard SW intersection and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard SW. Emergency responders carried the victim to a local hospital for medical care. While the pedestrian’s injuries are considered severe, officials state he is currently stable.
The driver of the vehicle involved remained on the scene following the collision. The police have not announced any charges against the driver at the time the story was written. A witness who works near the crash site stated the driver may have had a medical emergency and hit a homeless man who regularly sits on the corner.
Authorities have not released the name or age of the person involved. Police have not confirmed what led to the accident or if the pedestrian was in a crosswalk when struck.
Politics – President Trump, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping share moments of respect, honor
While President Trump attended the state banquet, he had a sentimental moment with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping. The two men showed mutual admiration for each other while also reflecting on history.
Jinping demonstrated his respect by allowing Chinese citizens to show their gratitude for former President George Washington. He presented Trump with a tablet that has Chinese engravings calling Washington “a great general and statesmen.” Furthermore, Trump showcased his respect by revisiting phrases from a former U.S. president who respected Confucius, and mentioned another former U.S president who helped lay the foundation for a Chinese institution.
Chinese workers helped connect geographical features that linked the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, while Americans aided in linking knowledge and medicine. Overall, the two shared moments of remembrance and continual honor for the both countries.