NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-06-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2025

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Lai from NPR News in Washington. I'm Lakshmi Singh. The federal government's closed today because of a massive snowstorm, but Congress is in session this hour to carry out the constitutional duty of certifying the results of the 2024 election. As NPR's Mara Lyson reports, it is unlikely there will be anything like the pro-Trump insurrection that took place four years ago at the U.S. Capitol. Well, for one thing, the Capitol has been fortified like it wasn't in 2021, and it's going to be very hard for any large numbers of people to make their way into the building.

But the other bigger reason is that there's no belief among Democrats that the election was stolen. Vice President Kamala Harris will be presiding over the joint session of Congress and instead of spreading false rumors or lies about a rigged election or stolen election as Trump did four years ago, she has conceded that she was defeated. Danielle Pletka NPR's Mara Leysen reporting. Donald Trump is due to be sentenced later this week in New York City for falsifying business records. NPR's Ximena Bustilla reports the president-elect is fighting for a delay. Trump lawyer Todd Blanch argues that all court proceedings should be paused while they appeal

the decision from New York Judge Juan Marchand that Trump did not have presidential immunity in this case. In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. A few months later, the Supreme Court decided in a separate case that presidents do have immunity from prosecution for official acts taken in office. Trump's lawyers in his New York case said the Supreme Court ruling means some evidence in the state case should be excluded. But Judge Mershon ruled last month that Trump did not have immunity and last week scheduled his sentencing hearing for January 10th.

Hibana Bustillo and PR News, New York. President Biden will carry out one of his final duties as Consular-in-Chief. This afternoon, the outgoing leader visits New Orleans to meet with families directly affected by the New Year's Day terror attack in the city. A man plowed his vehicle into a crowd, authorities say the ISIS-inspired U.S. national killed 14 people before he was killed by police. Bitcoin, like other cryptocurrencies, is coming off a strong 2024, during which it traded above $100,000 for the first time. NPR's Rafael Nam reports more gains are expected this year. Bitcoin is in the middle of an incredible ride. It's becoming more mainstream with investment funds that now track the price of Bitcoin.

These funds attracted over $35 billion last year. Crypto investors are also optimistic as Donald Trump is set to return to the White House. Trump has promised to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the planet. And he has picked regulators for his next administration who are known to be friendly to the crypto sector. That may be great news for Bitcoin investors but it is alarming critics who caution that Bitcoin is very volatile and needs more stringent regulations. That's Rafael Nam. It's NPR. Austria's far right now has a mandate to form a new coalition government for the first time since World War II.

President Alexander von der Bellen tasked freedom party leader Herbert Kiechel for the job after centrists were unable to form a coalition without the FPO. The FPO is part of a right-wing populist alliance in the European Parliament. It is anti-immigration and wants to end sanctions against Russia. There is more focus on social opportunities that don't revolve around alcohol with the popularity of dry January. NPR's Alison Aubrey reports many cities across the United States have sober curious events this month. On the heels of the Surgeon General's warning

on the cancer risks linked to alcohol comes a mindful drinking festival in Washington DC, a celebration of non-alcoholic beverages in Chicago, and a mocktail fest in Miami to name a few. Dr. Mike Savilla is a family physician in Ohio. He says over the years he's seen people swap drinking for all kinds of new activities. They've started like a book reading club or they've started knitting or they're painting or a sporting event like bowling. Finding fun alternatives can increase the likelihood of cutting back, Savilla says, and a month-long break can help people take stock of their relationship

with alcohol. Allison Aubry, NPR News. US stocks are still trading higher this hour. The Dow is up 167 points at 42,899. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.