Happening in the World: Months after September elections left no party with a clear majority, Angela Merkel’s conservative CDU/CSU seem to be close to creating a coalition government, after coming to an agreement over the division of key ministries with center-left Social Democrats (SPD). The deal still needs to be approved by SPD members but gives their party control over ministries including finance and foreign affairs. (BBC)
Happening in the US: Following last month’s government shutdown, the Senate has reached a 2 year, bipartisan budget deal that raises spending for defense and other programs. The government has until midnight to reach a deal or trigger another shutdown. However, the bill still has to get through the House, where some Republican opposing the spending increases and some Democrats object to the lack of protections for Dreamers. (BBC)
Happening in NYC: Google is in the process of purchasing Chelsea Market for a reported $2.4 billion. There are no reports yet as to what Google might do with the building, and evicting tenants with long-term leases would be a lengthy process. However, this can be seen as part of a larger trend of the tech sector increasing it’s presence on the East Coast, and in New York in particular. (NYT)
Happening on Campus: Register by noon today for “A Conversation with Russian Presidential Candidate Ksenia Sobchak.” Taking place from 6 to 8 pm in the Kraft Center, Ms. Sobchak is the main democratic opposition candidate to President Vladmir Putin in the upcoming 2018 elections. You must register and provide a photo ID in order to attend the event.
Word of the Day: Sprezzatura is an Italian word for something that’s effortlessly elegant, like the international student who rolls into your 10:10 in a 3-piece suit.
i hope she kicks putin’s butt via Columbia University Events