NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-06-2025 2AM EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2025

NPR News: 01-06-2025 2AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What's in store for the music, TV, and film industries for 2025? We don't know, but we're making some fun, bold predictions for the new year. Listen now to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. A major snowstorm is moving from the Midwest at this hour and into the mid-Atlantic states. It's already been pounding the central states, bringing heavy snow, ice and frigid temperatures. In Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quentin Lucas is asking residents to stay inside and off the roads. He says frigid temperatures and poor driving conditions are a recipe for disaster. When you get these sub-zero temperatures,

at least sub-zero wind chills, we know that can have a negative impact not just on our workforce, but also our residents. And so we're making sure we address all of those issues. Several states have declared emergencies because of the weather. The polar vortex causing that bad weather is also reaching Washington D.C. where Congress is required by law to meet and certify the presidential election results later today. The district government has declared a snow emergency but congressional leaders say they'll still get their work done. 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. Ahead of that certification process, President Joe Biden offered some reflection and direction to a group of new Democratic lawmakers Sunday night. Meeting with him at the White House, he urged them to make an effort to talk to those that they disagree with. Please reach out. I don't want you to compromise on any principle you fully disagree with. But just understand the other person's perspective. Syria's foreign minister has called on the U.S. to lift sanctions imposed on that country to punish the former Assad regime.

He says those sanctions are now punishing Syrians who've been impoverished by years of war. NPR's Diya Hadid reports from Damascus. Syria's foreign minister, As'ad Hassan al-Sheibani, spoke during a visit to the Gulf state of Qatar which has been aiding the new interim government. It's headed by Ahmad al-Shara' 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. 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. for a possible ceasefire in the fighting in Gaza. Hamas official told Reuters they have approved a list of 34 Israeli hostages to be returned as part of any deal. But Israel's prime minister says he has not received such a list. These latest peace talks come as Israel has increased its attacks on Gaza. Finland is getting more help finding out how undersea electricity and communication cables

in the Baltic were cut and damaged on Christmas Day. Terry Schultz reports. Sweden is sending a Navy vessel to assist in the ongoing investigation into the severing and damage of cables between Finland and Estonia suspected of being caused by an oil tanker linked to Russia. Finland seized the tanker the Eagle S and has forbidden members of the crew from leaving while the probe continues. A petition to release the vessel filed by the ship's owner in the United Arab Emirates, was rejected Friday by a Helsinki court. Investigators say they found substantial evidence an anchor was dragged over the cables.

The Eagle S is missing one of its anchors. In response to the incident, NATO has boosted its security presence in the Baltic Sea, and the European Union pledges to impose more sanctions on Russia. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz in Brussels. South Korea's anti-corruption agency says it's asking police to take over the execution of an arrest warrant for the country's impeached president. The request follows a failed attempt on Friday to arrest President Yun Suk-yeol. Anti-corruption investigators were met by a human chain of presidential guards who blocked

the entrance into Yoon's home. Yoon is being investigated for his martial law declaration last month. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Dcheng-Kyat, NPR News The Indicator is a podcast where daily economic news is about what matters to you. Workers have been feeling the sting of inflation. So as a new administration promises action on the cost of living, taxes and home prices, the S&P 500 biggest post-election day spike ever,

follow all the big changes and what they mean for you. Make America affordable again. Listen to The Indicator, the daily economics podcast from NPR.