Monday Briefing | September 21
Stories to Follow
Woman Arrested for Allegedly Sending Poison to President Trump — A woman suspected of sending ricin through the mail to President Donald Trump was arrested Sunday after she attempted to cross into the U.S. through Canada. Authorities say she was carrying a gun when she tried to cross the border in New York. Investigators say the letter containing the ricin was sent from Canada, and was intercepted at a government facility that checks all mail sent to the White House. The Trump administration has not yet commented on the events.
Presidential Happenings in Perú and Bolivia — Bolivia’s interim president, Jeanine Añez, announced on Thursday that she was quitting the presidential race, putting an end to a messy year-long campaign during which she was consistently falling behind in the polls. Añez, who replaced Evo Morales, says she will redirect her efforts to uniting the conservative vote. This week in Perú, President Martín Vizcarra survived an impeachment vote. This ended an arduous congressional battle which was threatening to send the country into a constitutional crisis. The opposing party’s motion to impeach Vizcarra for alleged obstruction of justice fell short of the two-thirds majority required for removal.
This Week in JPI
MAIR student Vanisha Sampat writes about the normalizing of relations between the UAE and Israel and what that means for India. The deal, known as the Abraham Accord, will result in heightened security cooperation between the two countries against regional security threats, such as Iran, with which India is aiming to keep ties. Ultimately, Sampat writes, India will have to pick sides.
Happening this Week
CSD Series: Turning Points within the Humanitarian Sector: COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter
Tuesday, September 22 | 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | On Zoom.
The international relations department is hosting a conversation with Jessica Alexander, a humanitarian aid professional who has conducted research for the UN, Red Cross and other NGOs. You can register for the event here.
Tickets on Sale for Hell’s Kitchen Haunted House
Monday, September 21 | 11:30 a.m.
For $35, you and your friends can get in the Halloween spooky spirit and visit the Bane Haunted House. This year, the house will have certain restrictions in place to ensure social distancing rules are respected.
In Your Free Time
To Watch: In the spirit of honoring the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died this past Friday, it seems timely to recommend watching the documentary “RBG”— a biographical film that portrays the life and career of Justice Ginsburg. Chronicling her life from her Brooklyn upbringing to her college days and career as a professor of law, viewers are introduced to Ginsburg as a multifaceted woman who dedicated herself to the fight for justice. The film also serves as a glimpse into her life off the bench, as a teacher, mother, spouse, friend, and in more recent years— pop culture icon.
“RBG” is available on Hulu and Amazon Video.
This week’s Monday Briefing was brought to you by Emmy Freedman and Angely Montilla.
