Happening in the World: Escalating military conflict in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia has led to refugees fleeing to neighboring Sudan. Tensions rose earlier this year when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed canceled Ethiopia’s first democratic elections in decades due to the coronavirus. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front accused the Prime Minister of an unconstitutional use of power and held local elections, which Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared illegal and sought to intervene against. In response, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front launched an attack on the Ethiopian military, sparking violence. (NPR)

Happening in the US:  A federal judge recently denied the U.S. Bureau of Land Management the ability to drill for oil on more than 300,000 acres in Wyoming due to a failure to comply with environmental regulations set by the National Environmental Policy Act. This is the second time in two years the federal judge has denied the Bureau of Land Management’s request. (Reuters)

Happening in NYC:  Mayor Bill de Blasio has begun considering reclosing New York City schools from in-person study due to rising concerns of COVID-19 in the city. Current COVID-19 positive test rates have reached 2.5%, nearing the 3% threshold set earlier in the pandemic, but shutdowns may begin sooner. Closures could happen by Thanksgiving. Contrary to European models of lockdown, schools are not considered “essential services” and thus are subject to closure. This consideration comes off cities like Boston and Philadelphia shutting down in-person schooling as well. (The New York Times)

Happening in Our Community:  Columbia is hosting a forum on the history, present, and future of nuclear security. The event is also supported by ISERP, The Earth Institute and the Programs in Global Health, and the Academy of Political Science. Former Secretary of Energy and Co-Chair and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative Ernest J. Moniz will lead the forum and answer questions about the modern state of nuclear weapons, its interactions with emerging technologies, and terrorism. (Registration here)

Food of the Week: blood sausage and blood noodle soup

Image courtesy of Bwog Archives