Monday Briefing | November 18 - Journal of Political Inquiry

Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard (left) greets Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (right) as Morales accepts asylum in Mexico on Monday November 11th. / Photo courtesy of the Mexico News Daily

Stories to Follow

Instability in Bolivia: On November 11, Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales accepted asylum in Mexico after resigning from office on November 10 under significant pressure. Recently, Morales changed the law to be able to run for a fourth election, and subsequently insisted he won despite allegations of fraud. Consequently, Morales faced brutal violent protest and lacked allies as the police and the military sided with his opposition. This ousting of Bolivia’s once widely popular leader, and Latin America’s first indigenous and longest serving president, leaves the Bolivian people, the Bolivian democracy, and ethnic tensions in an alarmingly dangerous position.

Anti government Protests in Lebanon: Anti-Government protests erupted in Lebanon on October 17, against endemic corruption, failure of public services, and ongoing economic mismanagement. Protestors have called for the political elite to resign, as well as Hezbollah government officials who are typically popularly revered. After Prime Minister Hariri stepped down on October 29 and two weeks of closed door consultations, Mohammad Safadi was nominated as the country’s next prime minister, only to withdraw his name in mid-November in the face of protest. Leaders continue attempts at forming a stable government in the face of unrelenting and violent public outrage.

Happening This Week

A Magical Wonderland of Lights, Fridays – Sundays, November 23, 2019 – January 5, 2020, 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Randall’s Island, New York, NY 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Randall’s Island will be transformed into a holiday wonderland this season! From November 23 – January 5, LuminoCity is bringing its holiday light festival to the city. The event will feature countless insta-worthy moments, themed nights, street food vendors and more. Eighteen massive light activations will be spread out throughout three distinct lands: The Winter Fantasy, The Wild Adventure, and The Sweet Dream. There are also theme nights! Check out their website for more details.

Brooklyn Chocolate Festival, Sunday, November 24, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Brooklyn Cider House – 1100 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

The 2019 Brooklyn Chocolate Fest will feature popular vendors selling an array of treats, including toffee, pudding shots, fudge, brownie bars, chocolate stuffed wontons, cake jars, a chocolate fountain, candied apples, pickles, pies, vegan truffles, chocolate coated pretzels, fancy cookies and more! You can stop by for free samples and pick up holiday gifts for your friends (and yourself).

In Your Free Time

The holiday season is starting up and it’s almost Thanksgiving! To prepare for get-togethers with family and friends, here are a few recipes to explore:

Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Butter: This pumpkin bread is perfectly spiced and fluffy; it is definitely the best pumpkin bread recipe out there and very appropriate for a cold fall day.
Spicy Cranberry Sauce: Interested in trying something new with the cranberry sauce this year? Try this out spicy sauce out for Thanksgiving.
Stuffed Mushrooms: These mushrooms are stuffed with feta cheese and spinach and make for an irresistible side dish for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

This week’s Monday Briefing was brought to you by Jessie Wall.