Politics, Progress, and Polyrhythms in this morning’s Bwoglines.

Happening in the World: Petr Pavel, a retired senior NATO general, was elected president of the Czech Republic. In the runoff election, Pavel defeated former prime minister Andrej Babis. Babis has been described as a populist candidate that sought to label Pavel as a warmonger. Despite Babis running a combative campaign against Pavel, Pavel won 58.3% of the final vote. Experts hope he may bring a calming air to Czech political culture and a sign that Europe’s rising populism may be deflating. (NYT)

Happening in the US: The Food and Drug Administration proposed new guidelines to make it easier for queer men to donate blood. In the status quo, queer men cannot donate blood if they’ve had sex with another man in the past three months. Moreover, the current questions target and prohibit specific groups deemed a risk. The new policy will ask for general guidelines regardless of identities and would defer potential donors if they’ve had new sexual partners and engaged in risky sexual behaviors with them, like anal sex, in the past three months. In implementing the guideline, the FDA would allow monogamous queer men to donate blood. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: At a news conference, Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams say crime has decreased on New York City’s subway by 16% since October. This coincides with the implementation of new safety initiatives that increased the number of police officers in subway stations, a policy likely prompted by multiple high-profile violent crimes in the system. While this data shows success in the state and city’s crime policy, experts note that much can still change over the remainder of the year. (NYT)

Happening in Our Community: Attend a Jazz performance by the Louis Armstrong Jazz Performance Program during Music Monday at The Forum. The Columbia program supports various Jazz events at Columbia, including ensembles, professional musicians, lessons or coaching, and more. This concert will take place in The Forum’s ground-floor Atrium. RSVP is encouraged. (Columbia)

Puck Magazine Cartoon via Wikimedia Commons