NPR News: 01-05-2025 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 5, 2025, 5 PM EST

Host: Amy Held

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1. Major Winter Storm Threatens Washington D.C. Amid Election Certification

A significant winter storm is set to impact a wide region from the central United States to Washington D.C., potentially depositing up to a foot of snow. This development coincides with a critical moment for the nation's democracy, as Congress is legally mandated to convene and formally certify the presidential election results tomorrow.

Key Points:

• Snow Emergency Declared: The D.C. government has proactively declared a snow emergency in anticipation of the storm's impact.
• Congressional Leaders Confirm Commitment: Despite the severe weather forecast, congressional leaders are resolute in their commitment to proceed with the certification process.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Johnson, House Speaker of Louisiana: “Mother Nature will not delay the certification of President-elect Donald Trump's victory” ([00:48]).
• Unnamed Congressional Leader: “The Electoral Count Act requires this on January 6th at 1:00pm so whether we're in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making” ([00:55]).
• Mike Johnson: “Sure, this is done ahead of the expected snowstorm. Johnson's message to fellow House members is clear” ([01:04]).
• Unnamed Congressional Leader: “We encourage all of our colleagues, do not leave town, stay here” ([01:09]).
• Mike Johnson: “The House speaker says he hopes for full attendance despite the storm” ([01:12]).

Additional Details: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that city resources will be allocated to assist in snow removal, ensuring that members of Congress can travel safely to the chambers for the certification process. NPR's Luke Garrett provided ongoing coverage from Washington.

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2. Investigation into New Year's Day Attack in New Orleans

Authorities are delving deeper into the events leading up to the tragic New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, where a man drove his vehicle into pedestrians on Bourbon Street, resulting in 14 fatalities.

Key Points:

• Perpetrator Identified: Shamsud Dean Jabbar is the suspect behind the attack. Investigations reveal that he had visited New Orleans twice recently and had traveled abroad prior to the incident.
• International Movements: FBI Special Agent in Charge Lionel Merthal disclosed that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 to July 3, 2023.
• Terrorist Inspiration: The FBI attributes Jabbar's motives to inspiration from the terrorist group ISIS. However, there is no evidence of accomplices, either domestically or internationally.
• Unclear Motives: The specific reason for targeting New Orleans remains uncertain.

Notable Quotes:

• Lionel Merthal, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge: “We have also tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 until July 3 of 2023” ([01:44]).

NPR's Amy Held reported on the ongoing investigation, highlighting the complexities of motives and the absence of identified accomplices.

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3. New York Implements Congestion Pricing in Manhattan

Starting today, congestion pricing measures are being enforced in parts of Manhattan, aiming to reduce traffic by charging drivers for access during peak hours.

Key Points:

• Financial Impact on Drivers: Most drivers can expect to pay up to $9 to enter the busiest areas of Manhattan during peak times.
• Objective: The initiative seeks to alleviate traffic congestion and promote more sustainable transportation options within the city.

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4. Syria's Foreign Minister Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions

Syria's Foreign Minister, Assad Hassan Al Shaybani, has appealed to the United States to lift sanctions imposed on the country, arguing that these measures are now harming the Syrian populace.

Key Points:

• Sanctions' Impact: The sanctions, initially intended to punish the former Assad regime, are now adversely affecting ordinary Syrians, exacerbating poverty and hindering reconstruction efforts.
• Call for Aid: The Syrian interim government, led by Ahmad Al Sharra, has expressed an urgent need for international aid to support its population and rebuild cities devastated by years of conflict.
• Diplomatic Efforts: Al Shaybani made these remarks during a visit to Qatar, a key supporter of the interim government.

Notable Quotes:

• Nikki Glaser, Golden Globes Host: “Going into the Golden Globes, people are just like, be savage. Just destroy them like people want blood” ([04:18]).

Dia Hadid of NPR News reported from Damascus, detailing the complexities of Syria's current political and humanitarian situation.

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5. Legal Proceedings Against South Korea's Impeached President

A one-week warrant has been issued for the detention of South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Sung-yall. Authorities are preparing to renew attempts to detain him concerning his recent martial law decree.

Key Points:

• Legal Actions: Security forces intensified efforts to arrest Yoon Sung-yall on Friday amidst escalating protests outside his residence.
• Political Tensions: The situation underscores ongoing political unrest in South Korea, with significant public opposition to the impeached president's actions.

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6. The Golden Globes: A Night of Humor and Honors

The Golden Globe Awards are set to take place in Hollywood tonight, celebrating the achievements of the past year in film, television, and streaming.

Key Points:

• Host: The New York Times has designated comedian Nikki Glaser as this year's host, renowned for her sharp wit and celebrity roasts.
• Host's Approach: Glaser has expressed mixed feelings about her role, balancing humor and the festive nature of the event.

Notable Quotes:

• Nikki Glaser: “You retired, then you came back and then you retired again. I mean, I get it. It's hard to walk away from something that's not your pregnant girlfriend. It's tough” ([04:04]).
• Nikki Glaser: “Going into the Golden Globes, people are just like, be savage. Just destroy them like people want blood” ([04:18]).
• Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News: “Glaser said that may not be her approach this time, but she will have to strike a balance between killing it in the room and being funny for audiences watching on CBS and Paramount” ([04:24]).

NPR's Mandalit Del Barco covered the event's anticipatory atmosphere, emphasizing Glaser's role in delivering both laughs and memorable moments.

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7. Box Office Update: 2025 Strong Start

The 2025 film season is off to a robust beginning, outperforming the previous year by approximately 20% in box office earnings during the same weekend period.

Key Points:

• Top Grossing Films: Walt Disney's "Mufasa" secured the top position in North American theaters, grossing $23.8 million in its third weekend.
• Competitive Landscape: Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which dominated the preceding two weekends, remains a strong contender in the box office rankings.

Amy Held provided these insights, highlighting the positive trends in the entertainment industry's financial performance this year.

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End of Summary

Produced by NPR News Now.

Transcript

[Amy Held]

Okay.

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[Amy Held]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. A massive winter storm is forecast to drop up to a foot of Snow from central U.S. to Washington, D.C. that's where Congress is required by law to meet and formally certify the presidential election results tomorrow. The D.C. government has declared a snow emergency, but congressional leaders say they will not be delayed. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Mike Johnson]

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana tells Fox News Mother Nature will not delay the certification of President elect Donald Trump's victory.

[Congressional Leader]

The Electoral Count act requires this on January 6th at 1:00pm so whether we're in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making.

[Mike Johnson]

Sure this is done ahead of the expected snowstorm. Johnson's message to fellow House members is clear.

[Congressional Leader]

We encourage all of our colleagues, do not leave town, stay here.

[Mike Johnson]

The House speaker says he hopes for full attendance despite the storm. D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser says city resources will be used to help clear snow for members of Congress ahead of election certification. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Amy Held]

We are learning more about the lead up to the New Orleans New Year's Day attack, when a man drove into people on Bourbon street, killing 14. Authorities say Shamsud Dean Jabbar had refused to recently visited New Orleans twice prior and he traveled abroad. FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lionel Merthal spoke today.

[Lionel Merthal]

We have also tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt, from June 22 until July 3 of 2023.

[Amy Held]

The FBI says he was inspired by the terrorist group isis, but the investigation so far shows he did not have an accomplice in the US or overseas. It's unclear why he targeted New Orleans. Commuting by car in parts of Manhattan will, starting today, take a toll on drivers. Congestion pricing gets underway. It could cost most drivers up to $9 to access the busiest parts of the Big Apple during peak hours. Syria's foreign minister has called on the US to lift sanctions imposed on the country to punish the former Assad regime. He says those sanctions are now punishing Syrians impoverished by years of war. NPR's Dia Hadid reports from Damascus.

[Dia Hadid]

Syria's foreign minister, Assad Hassan Al Shaybani spoke during a visit to the Gulf state of Qatar, which has been aiding the new interim government it's headed by Ahmad Al Sharra since his rebels overran Damascus in early December, toppling the decades old Assad regime. The Syrian interim government has repeatedly called on the US to lift sanctions that were imposed to punish the Assad regime. They say they urgently need aid to float Assyrians, most of whom live in poverty. There's also an urgent need for reconstruction after the former regime flattened swaths of major cities in its quest to destroy rebels opposed to its rule. That call to lift sanctions has also been echoed by senior foreign policy analysts on Syria. Dear Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

[Amy Held]

It's NPR News. A one week warrant for the detention of South Korea's impeached president is valid through Monday and author authorities are prepared to try again to detain Yoon Sung y'all over his martial law decree last month. His security forces res efforts to arrest him Friday, and protesters have been gathering outside his home. The Golden Globes will be handed out in Hollywood tonight to honor last year's films, TV shows and streaming series. Laughs could be in store. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports. The New York Times named this year's host comedian of the year.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

Nikki Glaser is known for roasting celebrities like she famously did to star quarterback Tom Brady.

[Nikki Glaser]

You retired, then you came back and then you retired again. I mean, I get it. It's hard to walk away from something that's not your pregnant girlfriend. It's tough.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

Hey, Glaser told late night host Jimmy Kimmel she'll be facing a room full of TV and movie stars at the ceremony.

[Nikki Glaser]

Going into the Golden Globes, people are just like, be savage. Just destroy them like people want blood.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

Glaser said that may not be her approach this time, but she will have to strike a balance between killing it in the room and being funny for audiences watching on CBS and Paramount. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

2025 at the box office is already off to a better start than 2024, up around 20% from the same weekend last year. Walt Disney's Mufasa claimed the top spot in North American theaters this weekend. The lion king prequel earned $23.8 million in its third weekend. Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which has dominated the past two weekends, wasn't far behind. You're listening to NPR News.

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