But not the playground kind! Editor’s note: mentions of violence and police brutality.

Happening in the World: At least 59 people were killed and 157 injured by a suicide bombing yesterday at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. This attack seems to have targeted policemen praying in a mosque, as the mosque is within the tightly guarded police headquarters area. In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “Terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who perform the duty of defending Pakistan.” Following an initial claim by one of its commanders, the Pakistani Taliban denied involvement in the bombing. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Three Memphis fire department workers were fired last night amid motorist Tyre Nichols’ death. After being pulled over for an alleged traffic violation on January 7, Nichols was pepper sprayed, tased, punched, kicked, and hit by a baton, a deadly beating that caused his death three days later. Three fire department workers were fired for not providing Nichols adequate care, while five policemen have been fired and charged with murder, and two others have been suspended. Once again, Nichols’ death has brought issues of police brutality in the US to the forefront, reigniting calls in Congress for law enforcement reform. (BBC)

Happening in NYC: Yesterday morning, a 35-foot humpback whale became stranded after it washed up on the shore of a Long Island beach. On Hempstead’s Lido Beach, the whale became beached at 6:30 am, and it died 30 minutes later. Hempstead crews immediately tried to get the whale away from the rising tide with a heavy duty crane, yet efforts were unsuccessful. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society is examining this event, as well as the increase in humpback whale strandings since 2016. (Gothamist)

Happening in Our Community: Ever wanted to learn swing dance? Columbia Swing Dance is offering free introductory lessons tomorrow in Lerner 477. The beginner class will be at 6 pm. Email CUSwingDanceClub@gmail.com if you’re interested!

Swing Dance via Wikimedia Commons