It is always politics, isn’t it?

Happening in the world: New economic figures released in China today show significant growth, further cementing China’s economic lead over other countries, such as the US, who continue to grapple with the limiting effects of COVID-19. Though the percent growth is slightly lower than experts predicted, all signs continue to point to a speedy economic recovery for the nation. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Another government official, this time the mayor of Wichita, Kansas, has been the target of death threats linked to anti-government groups’ hatred of coronavirus-related restrictions. Over the summer, the mayor supported a mask mandate for the city that was met with significant resistance from the population. The detailed texts, which laid out an explicit plan to murder the major, have lead to the arrest of one Wichita resident. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: An enforcement of a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags in grocery stores is set to begin today after months of delay due to complications from a lawsuit and COVID-19. Stores will be allowed to sell brown bags for a small fee, which will be except for those on food stamps. Revenue from this fee will go toward New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund and a New York City initiative to provide reusable bags for residents. (Gothamist)

Happening in our community: Tomorrow from 2:15 pm to 3:30 pm, the Maison Française will be hosting Guillaume Lachenal, an associate professor at Paris Diderot, to discuss the rise and fall of lomidine, a drug used in late-colonial Africa to prevent sleeping sickness. The “miracle drug” was used in mass injection campaigns for years until a string of deadly accidents forced the cessation of these “Lomidinization” campaigns. You can learn more and register here.

Happening in my mind: Why did a biography about a scientist make me weep this weekend?

Image of some nice reusable bags via Flickr