Today’s Bwoglines has all the greatest hits: Brexit, impeachment, and the remnants of the Cold War.

Happening in the World: After literal years of negotiations, uncertainty, and infighting, the 27 European Union member states officially approved of the United Kingdom’s departure from the bloc Thursday afternoon local time. The written approval was the last step the EU needed to take to officially pave the way for Britain to leave as of the January 31 deadline (NYT).

Happening in the US: During the impeachment trial yesterday, Trump’s legal team argued that presidents could do essentially whatever they wanted in support of their reelection as long as they believed their reelection to be in the public interest. This comes as there is increasing skepticism that Republicans will vote to allow witnesses (namely John Bolton) to offer testimony in the trial, despite the overwhelming popularity of calling witnesses among the American people (Washington Post).

Happening in NYC: The New York City Council is currently considering two resolutions that would divest NYC’s public pensions from nuclear weapons manufacturing and create a committee to declare the city a place that doesn’t produce or store nuclear weapons (Gothamist).

Happening on Campus: Today from 6-8 pm in Barnard Hall’s Sulzberger Parlor, Professor Juan Pablo Scarf will discuss “The Cold War Origins of Human Rights,” which “examines the repercussions of the foundational declarations of the Organization of American States (OAS) on human rights in 1948,” focusing in particular on the exclusion of Cuba from the OAS as well as the broader implications of this Cold War policy.

Short Story Recommendation: Nicole Krauss’ “The Last Words on Earth” is a heartbreaking account of a Polish American immigrant in New York City and his relationship (or lack thereof) with his adult son, and his increasing isolation in the world as he nears the end of his life. Apparently its an excerpt of a longer novel, but the writing and pacing within make for an airtight and beautiful short piece.

“vote your conscience” via Bwog Archives