Monday Briefing | December 10
President Donald Trump shakes hands with John Kelly after he was sworn in as White House Chief of Staff in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 31, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Stories to Follow
Huawei Executive Arrested, Faces Extradition to the U.S. On December 1st, U.S.-China relations received another blow when Huawei’s chief financial officer was arrested in Vancouver for breaking American sanctions on Iran. Meng Wanzhou, 46, is also the daughter of Huawei’s founder. She was accused of deceiving U.S. financial institutions to help the telecommunications giant evade U.S. sanctions in Iran. News of the arrest, however, came days after President Trump and President Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires to reach a tentative truce to the U.S-China trade war. Ms. Meng’s arrest has escalated the tension between the two countries, and China’s Foreign Ministry has responded that there will be “serious consequences” if Canadian authorities do not release Meng immediately.
White House Chief of Staff to Leave by Year’s End. Last Saturday, President Trump announced that White House Chief of Staff, John Kelly, would be stepping down from his position by the end of the year. Mr. Kelly was brought in last year to bring order to the Trump administration and was credited with removing several controversial figures, like Sebastian Gorka and Anthony Scaramucci. Rumors that Trump and Kelly’s relationship soured, however, have circulated in recent months, and Trump hinted in November that Kelly would be replaced. Kelly is next in a long line of Trump officials who have left the administration, a list that includes former Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and the previous chief of staff, Reince Priebus. Trump has pointed to Nick Ayers, Vice President Pence’s 36-year old chief of staff, as Kelly’s replacement.
Japan Passes New Immigration Law to Attract Foreign Workers. The Japanese parliament passed a controversial new immigration law last Saturday. The new law, which aims to bring over 300,000 foreign workers into Japan over the next five years, is a response to increasing labor shortages due to an ageing population and declining fertility rates. The emphasis on increasing foreign worker populations, however, combats conservative views on immigration, and concerns that Japan does not have the legal, economic, or social infrastructure to support immigrant populations.
This Week in JPI
JPI’s Fall 2018 Issue
The Journal of Political Inquiry at NYU is pleased to present our Fall 2018 issue, which will be published on Wednesday, December 12th.
Happening This Week
How to Live in the City: New York | Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 7PM
Ali Tufan Koç presents an interactive workshop created to help you deal with the challenges of living in New York City. Come explore the art, science, and culture of the city and find happier and healthier ways to live.
The show takes place at The Assemblage on 17 John St. Tickets are available for $40 here.
Slate Presents: Political Gabfest Conundrum Show Live in NYC | Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 7:30PM
Emily Bazelon of The New York Times, John Dickerson of CBS This Morning, and David Plotz of Atlas Obscura will be at the NYU Skirball Center this Wednesday for a special live performance of Slate’s hilarious show that contemplates modern puzzles. Is it insulting to get someone the gift of cleaning service? Would you rather work for a great boss who’s a terrible person or a person who’s terrible at his job but a great person? Find out the answer to these and more this Wednesday!
Tickets are available for $15 with NYU ID here.
It’s a Wonderful Life | Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 7PM.
The IFC Center in the West Village starts screening It’s a Wonderful Life this Tuesday. Soak up the feel-good, holiday vibes of this classic Christmas movie amidst preparing for finals. Not interested in holiday films? The IFC Center also has amazing indie and foreign film offerings including Tyrel and Shoplifters, all showing now.
Tickets available for $15 on the IFC Center website and through the ticket booth at 323 6th Avenue.
WinterFest at the Brooklyn Museum
The WinterFest exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum opened on December 5th. Join attendees for a winter wonderland, complete with a giant snow globe, the world’s largest snowman, an enchanted Christmas tree maze, wine-tastings, and beer garden. You can also buy local crafts for your holiday gift exchanges.
Admission is free, as are most attractions. Find more information here.
In Your Free Time
For Your Reading Pleasure: The winners of the 10th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards have been announced! Check out the website to find your winter break book. Favorites include Circe by Madeline Miller and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.
To All Pod-Enthusiasts: Need something new to listen to? The true-crime genre might be crowded with podcasts like long-time favorite, My Favorite Murder. But newer releases, like Bear Brook and In the Dark are making waves. Grab some tea, some headphones/your speaker, and settle in for some stellar investigative journalism.
Need somewhere new to eat? Check out the authentic Lebanese spot, Balade, on 208 1st Ave for delicious lahmebajin, shawarma, and falafel. For dessert, try the creamy mouhalabie or the ashta.
This week’s Monday Briefing was brought to you by Bhavini Kakani.
