Monday Briefing | March 9
Stories to Follow
Three Members of Saudi Royal Family Detained: On March 7, reports emerged that three senior Saudi princes, including the younger brother and nephew of King Salman, were detained for allegedly planning a coup. While King Salman signed off on these arrests, sources state that Mohammad bin Salman had directed them. As one source stressed, “with these arrests, MbS consolidated his full grip on power. It’s over with this purge.”
U.S. Prepares for Coronavirus Outbreaks: A leaked slide from a presentation for American hospitals indicates that the U.S. is anticipating millions of hospitalizations as the coronavirus gains ground in the United States. Allegedly, the U.S. is expecting as many as 96 million cases, 4.8 million hospitalizations, and 480,000 deaths as a result of the novel coronavirus. These estimations would leave the U.S. health care system left to grapple with a virus that is roughly 10 times as severe as the flu—a figure that leaves some skeptical as to whether the U.S. is sufficiently equipped for such an event.
President Trump Taps Mark Meadows as New Chief of Staff: Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC) will replace Mick Mulvaney as White House chief of staff. Mulvaney’s replacement was anticipated by many after his admission to a Ukraine quid pro quo. Meadows will be the fourth person to occupy the position of chief of staff since President Trump’s inauguration in 2017.
Happening This Week
Brooklyn Flea Market | Saturdays + Sundays in Williamsburg | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Brooklyn Flea Market has become one of New York City’s top attractions. With hundreds of vendors selling furniture, vintage clothing, collectible, antiques, jewelry, and art, visiting the Brooklyn Flea Market is an awesome way to spend your weekend. Plus, they have some great food, too!
Taking Shape: Abstraction from the Arab World | January 14 – April 4, 2020| Grey Art Gallery
This exciting exhibit examines the development of abstraction in the Arab world from the 1950s to the 1980s. Featuring nearly 90 works by a highly diverse group of artists, Taking Shape is a must-see for those interested in art or the Middle East.
Holi in the City | March 14, 2020 | Stage48
Come celebrate the Festival of Colors at one of the city’s biggest Holi events! Tickets range from $35-$45 and include complimentary appetizers.
In Your Free Time
Fight Pandemics Like Wildfires: What should governments be doing to protect vulnerable populations from the novel coronavirus? Catherine Machalaba and William B. Karesh discuss pandemic prevention in their piece for Foreign Affairs.
The Neapolitan Novels: Looking for your next read? Look no further than Elena Ferrante’s acclaimed Neapolitan Novels, which artfully delves into the intricacies of a life-long friendship.
Cashew + Ginger Energy Balls: A quick, cost-effective, and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth. With only four ingredients, try making these healthy cashew and ginger energy balls next time you find yourself reaching for the cookie jar.
This week’s Monday Briefing was brought to you by Kitaneh Fitzpatrick.
