Monday Briefing | April 1

Stories to Follow

U.S. pulls humanitarian support from three Central American nations: This week, President Trump declared that the U.S. is cutting off aid to three Central American countries, claiming that they’ve failed to stop the flow of migrants into the United States.

On late Friday, the Trump administration notified Congress that it plans to reprogram $450 million in aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The decision represents a swift change in American foreign policy in the region; in addition to cutting humanitarian and development aid, it puts law enforcement efforts, including U.S. vetted anti-gang units, at a standstill.

The decision drew swift ire from officials in the three Central American countries and many U.S. diplomats and humanitarian experts. Some experts have declared that cutting aid will only exacerbate the root challenges that proliferates migration from the three countries.

Just over a dozen Sumatran rhinos are left in East Kalimantan: The population of Sumatran rhinoceros in East Kalimantan, Indonesia continues to dwindle. There are now just 12-15 rhinos left in the regencies of West Kutai and Mahakam Ulu, East Kalimantan.

According to Sunandar Trigunajasa of the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), poaching and habitat fragmentation are the main contributors to the decreasing number of rhinos in the wild. The organization’s rescue team is now trying to find a mate for Pahu, a female rhino who’s more than 25 years old, so they can potentially reproduce and increase the number of rhinos.

Pope Francis visits Morocco: Pope Francis arrived in Morocco on Saturday, exciting Morocco’s Christians throughout the nation. Morocco is a predominantly Muslim nation, and is known for being fairly tolerant to other religions. However, Moroccan Christians are often scrutinized or rejected by family members, and can face societal challenges. During his visit, The Pope called for increased solidarity between Muslims and Christians, and posed a warning about global leaders using border wall threats and fear mongering as a means of migration control.

Happening This Week

Diplomacy: Elevating the Tough Conversations: April 4th, 2019

Ambassador James W. (Wally) Brewster

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Room 102, 19 University Place

http://as.nyu.edu/ir/events/wallybrewster20190404.html

Target’s First Saturdays: April 6th, 2019

Frida Kahlo Exhibit and Activities

Brooklyn Museum

5:00pm – 10:00pm

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays

NYC Pillow Fight Day: April 6th, 2019

Washington Square Park

3:00pm – 5:00pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/2316975771687959/

In Your Free Time

For the subway: The Lost Art of American Diplomacy by William J. Burns | In this issue of Foreign Affairs, Burns explores the history of American diplomacy, and how standards have evolved — and sometimes shattered — under recent administrations.

In your ears: How to Raise Boys by 1A | NPR’s 1A took a unique look into the lives of young men in today’s culture. Pointing to the new challenges teen boys and young adult men face, such as challenges towards a high school or college diploma and their increasingly aggressive and impulsive behavior, host Joshua Johnson talks to the experts about how and why society should be rethinking masculinity, and what that means when raising today’s young men.

On your stove: French Onion Grilled Cheese | Is anything better than Grilled Cheese? French Onion Grilled Cheese may just be the one. This New York Times Cooking recipe calls for caramelized onions, making for a buttery, gooey delight. Enjoy this recipe on a day off or when taking a study break.

This week’s Monday Briefing was brought to you by Kayla Stewart.