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January 6 Certification and Its Impact
January 6 marks the day for Congress to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory. In stark contrast to the events that unfolded four years ago, when Trump supporters breached the U.S. Capitol injuring approximately 140 police officers, today’s proceedings are expected to be markedly different. The FBI has labeled the past incident as domestic terrorism, although Trump described it as a “day of love” and has vowed to pardon those charged in connection to the attack. More details on the previous events can be found here.
The Aftermath and Reflection on January 6
- 🎧 Revisiting Trump’s Presidency: After re-entering the presidential race, Trump minimized the January 6 violence, asserting there were no firearms involved, despite NPR’s Tom Dresibach’s report clarifying the falsehood of this claim. He suggested that his supporters merely “got a little out of hand.” However, this narrative has been countered by judges overseeing over 1,500 related cases. Trump has made vague promises of pardons if reelected. Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who retired due to injuries sustained during the attack, expressed feelings of betrayal, asking, “What did I risk my life for?”
- ➡️ QAnon and the Capitol Riot: Some Capitol rioters were motivated by the QAnon conspiracy, which portrays Trump as fighting against a sinister deep state. Despite social media platforms’ attempts to ban QAnon-related content post-attack, the movement persists. Learn more about its continued presence here.
- ➡️ Changes in Certification Procedures: Compared to 2021, this year’s certification process features new protocols set by Congress. Key changes are discussed in detail here.
CNN Faces Defamation Suit
CNN is in court today over a defamation case. The lawsuit stems from a report following the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Afghanistan, which accused a security consultant of offering costly “black market rescues.” The report mistakenly displayed Zachary Young’s photo, leading him to sue CNN to vindicate his reputation. Further details on the case are available here.
- 🎧 Young’s Legal Battle: Claiming reputational damage and financial losses, Young’s attorneys argue that he was aiding NGOs, not individuals. Despite CNN’s eventual apology, the network maintains that Young provided misleading information, as they could not confirm any evacuations he claimed to have conducted. Internal discussions at CNN reveal concerns about the initial reporting.
Golden Globes Highlights
The 82nd Golden Globes took place in Beverly Hills with Nikki Glaser as host. The musical-thriller Emilia Pérez stood out, securing several awards including Best Musical or Comedy Film. On television, FX’s Shōgun swept its categories. Check out the full list of winners.
- 🎧 Unexpected Moments: Despite Emilia Pérez‘s anticipated success, the night had surprises, like the musical Wicked winning only one award for box office performance. The Globes faced previous criticism over diversity issues, but changes to its voting body have since been implemented, expanding to include over 300 global entertainment journalists.
Music in Conflict: Israel-Hamas War
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has profoundly impacted the music scene. NPR’s Daniel Estrin initially avoided music post-October 7 attacks, reflecting a wider artistic pause. Recently, however, there’s been a resurgence of new music. Estrin conversed with Israeli critic Einav Schiff and Palestinian artist Tamer Nafar to discuss their current playlists and the wartime music landscape.
Aztec Rebels: A Motorcycle Club’s Journey
Founded by brothers Andrés and Eddie Lucero, the South Bronx-based Aztec Rebels motorcycle club started in 2016 with the goal of creating a community that resonated with their cultural values. The club, now with over 20 members, offers a safe haven away from violence. “People are always looking for a family, and that’s why sometimes they get into gangs. We want to be that place where Mexicans can come and be in a safe environment, without violence, but with a family,” Eddie shared.
Three Key Updates
- Jurassic Discoveries in England: Researchers uncovered dinosaur footprints, approximately 166 million years old, at a limestone quarry in southeast England. The findings provide insights into the size and speed of dinosaurs like the Cetiosaurus and Megalosaurus. More on the discovery can be read here.
- New York City’s Congestion Pricing: Implemented yesterday, the new measure charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan during peak hours, despite a last-minute legal challenge from New Jersey. Additional details are available here.
- Cartoonist Quits Over Rejected Work: A Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist resigned from the Washington Post after her cartoon, which depicted tech and media giants yielding to President-elect Donald Trump, was rejected. More on the situation can be found here.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
