“Grim” describes the state of the world at the moment pretty well.

Editor’s Warning: Mentions of Death

Happening in the World: Unrest in Sweden, sparked by the burning of a Quran by far-right Swedish activist Rasmus Paludan, went into its fourth day on Sunday. In the city of Norrköping in Eastern Sweden, riots broke out after Paludan threatened to hold another burning rally. At least 17 people were arrested and three were injured after police fired warning shots at protestors. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Also on Sunday, a mass shooting at an Easter congregation in Furman, South Carolina, left at least nine people injured. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division reported no casualties. The shooting was the second to rock South Carolina this weekend, with another taking place in the city of Columbia. (CNN)

Happening in NYC: Hate crimes in the city have increased 76% this year compared to the same period in 2021, according to New York’s Hate Crimes Task Force. Between January 1 and April 10, there were 194 hate crimes, whereas that period last year saw 110. 86 of those 194 targeted Jews in the city; anti-Black hate crimes also doubled from 13 to 26. (CNN)

Happening in Our Community: On Thursday, April 21, at 6 pm, the Columbia Climate School will host “Climate Change and the Future of Our Cities.” Professors Amale Andraos and Andrew Smyth will discuss the profound challenges and changes facing our urban areas as a result of accelerating climate change, in a program moderated by the Founding Dean of the Columbia Climate School, Alex Halliday. Registration for the event is required.

Paludan at a Danish Quran-burning in 2019 via Wikimedia Commons