A crackdown by federal immigration officials has forced Chipotle Mexican Grill to fire hundreds of allegedly illegal employees in Minnesota.

The firing could affect more than half of the burrito chain’s staff in the state, and the probe is getting bigger.

Co-Chief Executive Monty Moran said officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has sent “notices of inspection” for Chipotle restaurants in Washington D.C. and Virginia.

The revelations are an indicator that illegal labor may be a more common practice in the restaurant industry than many people suspect. Some experts said the Chipotle investigations are a warning to the industry, which is one of the biggest employers in the U.S. economy and creates more than $300 billion in annual sales.

The Denver-based restaurant chain operates with the motto “Food with Integrity” and is now one of the best-known cases of a federal immigration crackdown that began several years ago.

“When you get a big name like Chipotle, it stands out and sends a message,” said Jacqueline Longnecker, president of Reno-based Employment Verification Resources Inc. “The onus is on employers now … It sends the message that nobody is going to be excused from this,” she said.

The company feels it has not been targeted.

“ICE has vowed to increase pressure on employers to avoid employing undocumented workers … We are one of a large and growing number of companies to go through this process,” Moran wrote in an e-mail.

Up until now, most immigration issues found in the restaurant industry have involved small businesses or franchise owners of big chains.

Wildfires have ripped through the major Western Australia city of Perth’s suburbs.

The destruction of homes comes as the country’s opposite coast continues to deal with flooding created last week by Cyclone Yasi.

The southern state of Victoria also experienced heavy flooding in the wake of Yasi, which created a set of thunderstorms that passed over Melbourne and many other big communities.

The fires have struck more than a 70 houses but no deaths were reported.

Two separate blazes have destroyed 4,000 acres of forests southeast and north of Perth since starting Saturday, according to one official.

A fire in Swan Valley was mostly under control Monday, but a separate fire affecting the towns of Kelmscott and Roleystone was still unpredictable in some areas, officials said.

“The pleasing thing is that there’s been no serious injuries or fatalities,” said Craig Hynes, chief operating officer for the local fire authority.

Hynes stated those who were evacuated Sunday have still not been able to go back to their homes because a risk of fire danger remains. Instead, the residents gathered in a neighboring town Monday to learn what had happened to their homes. Officials listed off addresses along with damage reports, sometimes telling homeowners that their properties experienced 100 percent destruction.

According to the fire authority, the Roleystone blaze started accidentally when a man used a power tool in his yard and sparks ignited dry grass. A tree falling in strong winds, striking power lines, started the other fire.

Unemployment Rate over 10 year period graphed from Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey Data

According to a survey of U.S. households, the unemployment rate is dropping at the fastest pace in fifty years, settling at 9 percent. This is the lowest rate in nearly two years.

The report for January is a little less rosy, as the number of new jobs came to a standstill. Employer’s added only 36,000 jobs last month, much less than the 145,000 expected by economists, and the weakest since September.

One staggering unemployment statistic is that of military personnel. Unemployment for Vets stood at 15.2% with the highest cause being employers are afraid of the military personnel will be redeployed.

The data studied at Brookings Institution gives “a puzzling and mixed picture of the health of the current job market”, according to Gary Burtless, senior fellow.

On the one hand, unemployment has already fallen to a level not expected to be attained until the end of this year, and by only the second month. However, on the other hand, January was much less productive for job seekers than the previous four months.

More than likely, the record snowstorms in the east and some December seasonal jobs had an effect on January employment statistics, as it cut into construction employment, resulting in 32,000 jobs lost. Transportation and warehousing also suffered, showing losses of 38,000 jobs. Neil Dutta, economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch commented, “The thumbprints of the weather were all over this report. Hiring was suppressed last month and will probably rebound this month”.

According to other recent reports, factories are producing more, retail sales are going up, and less people are requesting unemployment benefits, giving a picture of a rising economy.

The White House, while cautiously welcoming the news, refrained from celebration given the mixed reports.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned it would take “several years” to return to normal levels of unemployment. Last month he was more specific and predicted it may take as long as four or five years to reach previous levels of around 5.5 to 6 percent.

Officials at the European Central Bank announced Thursday that it would keep the leading interest rate for the Eurozone at 1 percent, a move that market watchers expected.

The rate is the lowest in the history of the euro’s single currency and has remained at 1 percent for over a year following large cuts in interest rates meant to avoid some of the worst possible fallouts of the world financial crisis.

Financial bailouts of Ireland and Greece in 2010 meant the year was a shaky one for the Eurozone economies.

The region has stabilized in recent months, and the addition of Estonia to the zone has increased the reach of the currency to 331 million people in 17 countries.

In January, the Bank of England also decided to keep its interest rate at 0.5 percent, even though some economists believed an increase would help slow inflation.

Since then, a surprisingly grim quarterly economic report that showed the British economy shrunk 0.5 percent made it less likely that officials would call for any immediate rate increase.

“What counts is not inflation in the near term, but inflation in the medium term,” said ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet during a press conference.

The announcement meant the bank was not backpedaling after the lower than expected January report, but Trichet also did not change bank’s stance, said Carsten Brzeski, a senior Eurozone economist in Brussels with ING Bank.

“It has been sufficient to increase the threat and awareness that the episode of very low interest rates could come to an end this year,” Brzeski said. “However, in our view, a first rate hike is not imminent.”

Eurozone inflation is climbing at a steady pace and is the highest since 2008. Data indicates consumer prices rose 2.4 percent in January compared to January 2010, just at the ECB’s expectations of 2 percent.

The regional benchmark, Stoxx Europe 600 Index is up about 23 percent since its lows hit May 2010 under confidence by political leaders and governments from policies implemented to support the currency. European banks will reap the benefits of low interest rates since the region’s debt crisis has eased and remains relatively cheap.

Cairo, Egypt Downtown

After days of protests in major Egyptian cities, President Hosni Mubarak, 82, will not seek another term in September.

On Tuesday, the move was meant to appease the millions of marching demonstrators demanding Mubarak step down.

The President of Egypt’s announcement did little to calm those gathered in Tahrir Square in central Cairo. “No, not good enough. Mubarak must go now!” protestors said.

Protestors are attacking journalists in the wake of ousting Mubarak after he said he would step down later this year. Military personnel are taking journalist into custody as an order to protect them. On Wednesday, CNN reporter Anderson Cooper and his crew were attacked. They are no longer in danger as they escaped with minor cuts and bruises. The attacks on journalist appear pro-government and sympathetic to the protestors.

Attention is now shifting to Friday, when some experts say unsatisfied protestors will begin another significant demonstration to demand the Egyptian military support them in their effort to remove Mubarak from office.

“The military will be the deciding factor in this standoff between Mubarak and the protesters,” said Julie Taylor, a specialist in Egypt at the Rand Corp., an American think tank. “The young people in particular are going to demand that the Army take their side and insist that Mubarak step down.”

President Barack Obama on Tuesday said in a statement that the transition of power in Egypt “must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now.” Though he did not specifically address Mubarak’s plan, he added that he “recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that a change must take place.”

Protestors and their demands risked overshadowing what was a remarkable moment on the world political stage, the authoritarian leader of the Arab worlds most populous country bowed down after 30 years in office, thanks to a vocal populous. Along with saying he would not run for re-election, Mubarak called for the constitution to be rewritten to set presidential term limits and to strengthen the authority of law.

The Egypt anti-government protest began January 25. The chaos has injured thousands and claimed the lives of about 300 people.

More than two dozen states won their challenge to the nation’s new health care law Monday when a judge in Florida said Congress does not have the power to make people buy health insurance.

The ruling is a step toward a major legal battle with an appeal from the Obama administration and puts fuel to the debate about how much input government can have on the lives of private citizens.

“There is a point where Congress overreaches its authority,” South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said. “Today, at least on a federal level, a judge has said the individual mandate went too far.”

The ruling by US District Judge Roger Vinson takes issue with the mechanism for funding the legislation finalized last March, and is just the latest twist in a number of rulings for and against the law. His ruling means Florida does not have to comply with the law. Lawmakers from 25 states joined the lawsuit to stop its implementation.

“All of this will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Until that happens, the rest of this is just theater,” said Dave Hewett, president of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.

Congress is also split on the law. The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives voted last month to repeal the law. Democrats still in charge of the Senate say they will not be bringing the legislation up for another vote.

The bill requires all Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Although most Americans already have health insurance, many do not, about 30 million uninsured, including healthy young adults who would rather not pay the premiums on health insurance coverage. Under than plan, they would be required to buy insurance for a few thousands dollars a year to help offset the costs for caring for older and sicker Americans.

People on both sides of the debate say the insurance mandate is key to entire package. One lawmaker made the example, states can enact laws requiring motorists to carry insurance, but added it should not be within the federal government.

“If we do not have a large population of folks with insurance coverage, it’s unsustainable,” said Sam Wilson, associate state director for advocacy for AARP in South Dakota.

Blizzard , winter storm warnings, freezing rain advisories, winter weather advisories and winter storm watches are in effect, across new Mexico and Southern Plains going northeast through the Midwest and upper Mid-Atlantic to New England for mid to late week of Feb 2, 2011. - Photo National Weather Service

This winter’s predictions will prove difficult as one third of the nation faces a blistering arctic storm of epic proportions. Groundhog Day is February 2, traditionally; the day the groundhog will predict the end of winter.

Ice, snow, wind, and even tornadoes are possible from now through Wednesday across the nation when gatherers will watch Phil’s prediction in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Over 100 million people live in the path of this potentially historic event. The path of the storm will reach from the Colorado Rockies Front Range to the Eastern Seaboard.

While the North and Northeast are expecting heavy snow and ice, the southeast will receive high winds, hail, and possible tornadoes. The storm is expected to peak on Tuesday. Blizzard conditions are possible in many major cities. Denver, Amarillo, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit and more are bracing or potentially life threatening cold.

Those living in the Northeast down thru the I-90 highway corridor will see snow and sleet as it changes to freezing rain, then back to snow in the evening. Ice may cause tree limbs and power lines to fall.

Ice accumulations of up to two inches could result as moisture and sub-freezing temperatures engulf the region. Wide spread power outages are anticipated. Residents are urged to have adequate supplies of food and water on hand. Back up heat is essential. Major cities have
emergency shelter prepared.

Residents fear that travel will become impossible as the storm moves into an area, especially those int he northern region. Fire, police, and rescue will face delayed response times due to snow and ice. Some areas could become impossible to reach. It is essential that residents in the path of the storm prepare themselves for extended power outages. Citizens are also urged to have sufficient medications and medical supplies on hand.

Residents should avoid any attempts to travel during the storm. Stay indoors. Keep curtains and blinds closed to decrease heat loss. Keep cell phones, radios, and lap tops charged. Conserve battery power if electrical services are lost. When utilizing alternative heat sources, safety first is the rule of thumb.

Elderly relatives and neighbors should plan to stay with friends and family. The storm is expected to pass through by Wednesday afternoon. Snow and ice may continue to cripple cities for several days after the storm passes. Stay alert to changing weather conditions.

Egyptian landscape of Cairo with pyramids in background.

The unrest in Egypt has sparked concerns for the economic stability of markets around the world.

Egyptian economist Salah Al Desouky said his country’s economy has not been able to withstand the ongoing political turmoil. Banks are closed and production at factories has stopped. Some foreign companies are getting their employees out of Egypt, and the country’s main stock market indicator fell 17 percent just before being shut down before the weekend.

“Economic interests have been exposed to real danger,” Al Desouky said.

Egypt, a strong US ally in the Middle East, has enjoyed a fairly robust economic growth in recent years, thanks in part to tourism, but the country’s unemployment rate is unofficially estimated about over 25 percent and inflation on food prices has been about 17 percent.

“The end-game in the political crisis in Egypt remains uncertain,” investment giant Citigroup said in a research note. “The position of (Mubarak) is looking increasingly tenuous, although it is far from clear how any transfer to a new political order will proceed, and over what timeline.”

Egypt is not an oil-producing state but its Suez Canal is important for the transportation of oil out of the region. The US Energy Department estimated that about 2.9 million barrels of oil passed through the Suez Canal and the nearby Sumed oil pipeline in 2009. The price of oil is trading at about $92 per barrel.

“The most pressing concern for global markets is the potential for knock-on effects on oil flow if turmoil starts to spread from Egypt across other countries in the region,” said Jane Foley, an analyst at Rabobank International.

The “March of Millions” in Egypt has sparked the Chinese government to withhold any information about the protest arising out of the country. Egypt is not the first country to hold protest; Yemen has held protest to rid their government leadership and Algeria protesting over higher food prices.

On Monday, over 1200 Americans were vacated from the country on charter flights. Internet services remain shut-down and cell phone networks have been disrupted. With concerns over security and personnel safety, the U.S State Department ordered evacuations amid anti-government protest.

The US economy picked up speed toward the end of 2010 as Americans spent more money at the fastest rate in four years and US companies sent more of their good overseas.

The growth in the final quarter of last year was a sign that 2011 could be a strong economic year, but remained too soft to point to any improvements to the unemployment rate.

The Commerce Department reported the economy grew by 3.2 percent during the October-to-December quarter of 2010. It was the best quarterly performance of the year and an improvement from 2.6 percent growth in the previous quarter.

For the entire 2010 year, the economy grew by 2.9 percent, the most annual increase since 2005 and a strong improvement since 2009 when the economy had its worst decline in more than six decades.

A major reason for the recent growth was strong consumers spending. Americans increased their spending by 4.4 percent during the quarter, the biggest increase sine 2006. Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the entire economic outlook.

Economists predict consumer spending will continue to increase through 2011 by about 3.2 percent or more, nearly double the slow gains seen in 2010.

Economist said cuts in Social Security taxes, increased wages and higher stock prices should make people more willing to spend money.

Others warn that consumers are spending more than they are saving as they cut through their savings to keep up with the cost of inflation.In December 2010, the savings rate slipped to 5.8 percent from 2009’s rate of 5.9 percent. The figure is still above the low hit during 2005 of 1.4 percent when consumers spent more during the housing boom.

The economic growth is not enough to drive down unemployment, which stood at 9.4 percent in December 2010. Economic growth of about 3 percent is needed to keep pace with the nation’s growing workforce. Growth would need to be near 5 percent for an entire year for the unemployment rate to drop 1 percentage point, some economists estimate.