Happening in the World: Thousands of children in Switzerland and Germany are expected to skip school today, part of a larger protest against climate change. They’re inspired by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who is at the World Economic Forum in Davos to urge leaders to stick to the goals set by the 2015 Paris Climate Accords. As one young activist said, “After all, why should we study if we have no future?” (BBC)

Happening in the US: Trump’s longtime associate Roger Stone has been indicted and arrested on charges brought by the special counsel investigation. Mueller’s team alleges that Stone sought stolen emails from WikiLeaks at the direction of yet-unnamed senior campaign officials during the 2016 presidential election, and has also brought charges of witness tampering. (CNN)

Happening in NYC: The MTA board voted to put off a vote on two dueling fare hike plans until February, giving them more time to review their options. This could prove to be a problem if fares aren’t increased soon; the MTA will lose $30 million a month if they don’t up fares by March. (Gothamist).

Happening on Campus: The Columbia Undergraduate Law Review is hosting a screening Life is Wonderful: Mandela’s Unsung Heroes from 8 to 10 PM tonight in Hamilton 517. Come out to see a documentary on Mandela’s legal defense during the famous Rivonia Treason trial, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director. 

Short Story Recommendation: You might not have time to read real books for fun now that the semester’s started, but Ken Liu’s “Paper Menagerie” and “The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species” are so short that you don’t really have any excuse. LeVar Burton will even read you the first one, so you can relive your Reading Rainbow days.

a great big beautiful world via Bwog Archives