Sunday, January 5, 2020

This Week in Review, January 4, 2020

By Nate Feldman


          People around the world welcomed in the year 2020 on Wednesday.  Large crowds gathered throughout major cities around the world with displays of fireworks and large parties.  In downtown Manhattan, people watched the annual ball drop in Times Square as the year 2020 glowed in bright neon lights at exactly 12:00 AM. 
The New Year brought with it clear skies, but chilly temperatures to the northeast region of the United States.  The day began chilly and overcast, but in the afternoon it began to gradually clear up.  People enjoying the New Year’s festivities or just taking a walk with friends and family were able to enjoy the pleasant weather.       
            There were different festivities throughout the United States.  In Philadelphia, people gathered to see the annual Mummer’s parade.  In this 120 year old tradition, people dressed in fancy costumes play music and dance for crowds.  In Pasadena, CA, there was the annual Rose Bowl parade, which always proceeds one of the oldest and most famous football games played.
            Many people use the beginning of the New Year as an opportunity to set resolutions, usually consisting of goals people hope to accomplish during the next calendar cycle.  Such goals typically include a new habit people wish to pick up or drop.  
            The year 2020 is going to include many exciting, newsworthy events.  This summer, the world will turn its eyes to Tokyo, Japan as it hosts the Summer Olympics.  The United States will hold a much anticipated Presidential Election in November as Donald Trump will face the winner of the Democratic primary.  Before that, however, he will have to get through a trial in the U.S. Senate to determine if he should be removed from office or not. 
            Although many hope it will be a year that brings peace and prosperity to both their lives and the world, there was concern a day later about the possibility of a widespread war after the killing of the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq.  This came after Iraqi protestors allied with Iranian backed militias in Iraq stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.  Iran has promised retaliation for Mr. Soleimani’s killing, something which has stoked fear in many throughout the world that we could be headed to a much larger conflict. 

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