Thanksgiving is one week away, so take time out of your Saturday morning to get informed on current happenings and impress your extended family with your ability to have a finger on the pulse of current news.

Happening in the World: After going through a year-long struggle to negotiate for a “professional agreement that regulates minimum working conditions, rights to minimum wages and measures for maternity,” almost 200 women’s football players in Spain voted to strike in October. Now, they will officially strike this weekend, and eight top league matches are expected to be affected by the absence of players. (BBC)

Happening in the US: A 23-year-old murder has been revived into a high profile case; Rodney Reed, texas prisoner and alleged murderer, was scheduled to be executed this Wednesday, but new evidence that could potentially help prove Reed’s innocence came out. This case became so well known in the past few weeks that Rihanna and Kim Kardashian even had something to say about it. Protesters called, emailed, faxed, and mailed Texas officials pleading for an extension that would halt the upcoming execution. Finally, the Court of Criminal Appeals in Texas decided to halt Reed’s execution yesterday, so new evidence could be tested and considered. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: The Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn is notorious around this time of year for its extravagant and mesmerizing holiday light display, but one family has already begun to assemble their light show. Thanksgiving and the first significant snow have yet to occur, so it seems extremely early to be putting up lights for Christmas and other winter holidays! I’m glad to know CBS agrees.

Happening on Campus: Hosted by NOMADS Columbia (New and Original Material Authored and Directed by Students), tonight’s features two distinct performances and refreshments! These staged readings will happen tonight from 8 pm to 10 pm in the Held Auditorium in the Ella Weed Room. Consider going if you’re in the mood to support student-driven productions and artistic endeavors while being moved and inspired. (Facebook)

Weekly Song Recommendation: New Order’s “Blue Monday” came out in 1986, so take a trip down memory lane to the days of techno beats and monastic sounding background chants (1:45).

protest via Flikr