It wasn’t a great weekend for “public safety initiatives” in the US.

Happening in the World: The first international flights since March 2020 reached Australia today as the country lifted its ban on international travel. In the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the world’s most stringent travel restrictions were imposed. While Australian citizens were allowed to return to the country in late 2021, foreigners were not allowed entry. Now, any double-vaccinated individual can enter without quarantining. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Police in Portland, Oregon, say that Saturday night’s protest shooting was sparked by a confrontation between an armed homeowner and armed protestors. One was killed and five were injured in the shooting. Many potential witnesses to the violence have been uncooperative, making Portland police’s investigation difficult, police say. People were gathered in Portland to protest the shooting of Amir Locke, who was killed in Minneapolis during a no-knock warrant raid earlier this month. (CNN)

Happening in NYC: At least five individuals were stabbed in separate incidents in New York City subway stations over the weekend. All five victims are in stable condition. No arrests have been made in relation to any of the five stabbings. The incidents come after the NYPD unveiled a new public safety initiative on Friday. (CNN)

Happening in Our Community: Join Columbia’s Harriman Institute today at 12 pm for their webinar on Environmental Activism in Russia. The panel, made up of speakers from the Harriman Institute and NYU’s Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia, will discuss environmental activism’s challenges in Russia. The panel will also examine the achievements of the Russian environmentalist movement, despite the aforementioned difficulties.

Subway entrance via Wikimedia Commons