A migrant crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border has led to threats over Europe’s gas supply and more political happenings in today’s Bwoglines.

Happening in the World: Currently, thousands of people (mostly coming from Iraq, Syria, and Yemen) are at the Belarusian-Polish border, enduring below-freezing temperatures with hopes of crossing into the EU. However, EU officials have accused Belarus of prodding the current migrant crisis to undermine the union, with threats made to impose sanctions on Belarus. In return, Belarus’s authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, threatened to cut off natural gas supplies to Europe if sanctions are imposed, worsening already existing fears over rising gas prices in Europe (BBC). 

Happening in the US: Governor Jared Polis of Colorado signed an executive order Thursday declaring the entire state of Colorado at high risk from COVID-19 exposure. Due to the state’s increased spread of COVID-19, Governor Polis stated that all adults would be eligible for a booster shot. He justified widening booster access to all citizens by arguing that the increased spread of the virus in Colorado created the kind of high-risk environment for which federal regulators authorized boosters (NYT).  

Happening in NYC: Chinatown will get a $20 million state grant to redesign three of its less-trafficked public spaces, with hopes of revitalizing the neighborhood after the detrimental economic impacts of COVID-19, worsened by anti-Asian racism. The grant will focus on the East Broadway Mall, the East Broadway Triangle, and Forsyth Plaza and Kimlau Square (Gothamist). 

Happening in Our Community: The Harriman Institute will host a presentation this afternoon with Thane Gustafson, author of Klimat: Russia in the Age of Climate Change. The event will be centered around the increasing issue of climate change in Russia, specifically given how much of the country’s territory lies in the arctic north. The webinar will be held online from 12 to 1:30 pm, with more information available here. 

gas price hikes via Picpedia