It’s a Thanksgiving miracle—something exciting is happening on the Upper West Side!

Editor’s note: gun violence mentions

Happening in the World: Austria initiated a partial lockdown on Monday, making it one of many European countries to reintroduce lockdown measures in response to rising COVID-19 cases. The lockdown will require all residents to stay home and all nonessential shops to close for at least 20 days. This partial lockdown follows Austria’s announcement last Friday that it will begin mandating COVID-19 vaccines in adults beginning in February 2022, making it the first Western democracy to introduce such a mandate. The announcement of these new measures prompted widespread protest with around 40,000 people protesting in Vienna on Saturday evening (WSJ).

Happening in the US: Yesterday afternoon, the Justice Department announced that it will pay around $130 million to 40 survivors and families of victims of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Two days after the February 14 shooting, the F.B.I. acknowledged that it had received multiple tips regarding the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, but had not investigated them due to protocol. In response, Mr. Fredrick Guttenberg and Mrs. Jennifer Guttenberg, whose child Jaime died in the massacre, sued the F.B.I. for negligence in November 2018 and were joined by 39 other families. The case had originally been scheduled to go to trial in January 2022, but in a court filing on Monday, the Justice Department said that it was in the process of finalizing a settlement with the families (NYT).

Happening in NYC: Staying in the city over the holidays? One special event to check out is the inflation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons! The inflation of these beloved balloons, from Snoopy to Baby Yoda, will take place tomorrow from 12 to 6 pm, and the event is open to all vaccinated guests with an exception for children under 12 who may attend with a vaccinated adult. Make sure to stop by the 72nd and Columbus checkpoint first to show proof of vaccination, then head to 77th and 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus to enjoy the balloon festivities (Gothamist).

Happening in Our Community: Today at 11:30 am, Columbia Global Centers is hosting a book talk with author Timothy Brennan. Brennan will discuss his recently published biography of Edward Said, a highly influential academic who taught literature at Columbia for over 40 years and authored the controversial book Orientalism. In his talk, Brennan will explore the paradoxes of his biography’s reception. Make sure to register for this exciting virtual event!

buzz lightyear via flickr