NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-05-2025 5PM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2025

NPR News: 01-05-2025 5PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Amy Held, NPR News in Washington. A massive winter storm is forecast to drop up to a foot of snow from the 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. Luke Garrett, NPR News in Washington. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana tells Fox News Mother they will not be delayed. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana tells Fox News, Mother Nature will not delay the certification of President-elect Donald Trump's victory. The Electoral Count Act requires this on January 6th at 1 p.m. So whether we're in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber

making sure this is done. Ahead of the expected snowstorm, Johnson's message to fellow House members is clear. We encourage all of our colleagues, do not leave town, stay here. 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.

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 recently visited New Orleans twice prior, and he traveled abroad. FBI New Orleans special agent in charge Lionel Myrthal spoke today. We have also tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt spoke today. We have also tracked that Jabbar traveled to Cairo, Egypt from June 22 until July 3 of 2023. 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 U.S. 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 Diya Hadid reports from Damascus. Syria's Foreign Minister, As'ad Hassan al-Shebani, spoke during a visit to the Gulf state of Qatar, which has been aiding the new interim government.

It's headed by Ahmad al-Sharah since his rebels overran Damascus in early December, toppling the decades-old Assad regime. It's headed by Ahmad al-Sharah 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 flow to Syrians, 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. It's NPR News. A one-week warrant for the detention of South Korea's impeached president is valid through Monday, and authorities are prepared to try again to detain Yoon Sang-yol over his martial law decree last month. His security forces resisted 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 Mandelit Del Barco reports the New York Times named this year's host comedian of the year. Nikki Glaser is known for roasting celebrities like she famously did to star quarterback Tom Brady. You were tired, then you came back, and then you were tired again. I mean, I get it. It's hard to walk away from something that's not your pregnant girlfriend. It's tough. Hey. Glazer told late night host Jimmy Kimmel she'll be facing a room full of TV and movie stars at the ceremony. Going into the Golden Globes people are just like be savage. Just destroy them.

Like people want blood. Glazer 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 Plus. Mandelit Del Barco, NPR News. 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 the 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.