Thursday, February 11th, 2021
New Capitol Riot Video, TikTok Sale On Hold & Lunar New Year
All the news you need in about 10 min:
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Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to peruse the latest happenings...
Impeachment Trial Day 2 Recap
During this week’s impeachment trial, the Democrats acting as prosecutors showed powerful footage from the Capitol attack that had not been released until now. Video showed rioters smashing their way into the building and many lawmakers and their staff running for safety. They’re trying to convince the divided Senate that former President Trump incited the violent mob. Democrats will have more time today to complete their arguments. Then, it will be time to hear from Trump’s legal team. The whole trial could wrap up as soon as this weekend.
Read More: NY Times, AP, Reuters, Politico
GA Trump Call Criminal Investigation
Georgia officials have started a criminal investigation into the controversial phone call former President Trump had with the state’s top election official. In that call, Trump told Georgia’s secretary of state to “find 11,780 votes.” That was Biden’s margin of victory in the state. However, the official said there was no widespread fraud that would have changed to results. Now, a newly-elected Democratic prosecutor has launched an investigation. One senior Trump adviser responded by calling the whole thing a political witch hunt.
Read More: AP, NY Times, FOX News, Axios
Pentagon China Task Force
The U.S. is reevaluating its relationship with China. President Biden says he’s starting a China task force at the Pentagon. Civilian and military experts will look into the top concerns and priorities and make recommendations in the next four months. President Biden also held his first call with China’s President Xi Jinping yesterday. Biden says he made it clear he will work with China when it benefits the American people. In the last few years, China has clashed with the U.S. on many issues like trade, COVID-19, human rights, Hong Kong protests, and more.
Read More: Axios, Politico, FOX News, DOD
TikTok Sale Called Off
It looks like the Chinese parent company of the social media app TikTok will still have total control of the app, even here in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. A group including Oracle and Walmart rushed to make a deal last year to oversee TikTok in the U.S. Then-President Trump threatened to ban it over national security concerns if that deal wasn’t reached. Now, The Wall Street Journal cites sources who say the sale is on hold indefinitely and the Biden administration is doing a review.
Read More: WSJ, AP, Reuters
CDC New Masking Recommendations
The CDC released an official report looking at the different ways to wear a mask and which options work best. New research found one cloth or surgical mask will block just over 40% of small, viral particles from you to someone else. However, if you double up and put a cloth one over a surgical mask, more than 80% of particles are blocked. If the other person has a mask on too, the protection is even better. The report also says the fit of masks is key and people should find masks that prevent air from leaking out.
Read More: NBC News, WaPo, NPR, CDC
Study: Diabetes Drug Helps Weight Loss
Researchers say a drug that’s already being used for diabetes treatment could dramatically help obese people lose weight. It’s called Semaglutide. Researchers tested it for more than a year and found those who got the drug lost about 15% of their body weight. That means it’s more effective than any other weight loss drug currently on the market. That said, there are still some unknowns. For example, it’s not clear if it’s safe to take high doses of it long term. Still, the FDA just asked the FDA to approve the drug for weight loss.
Read More: NY Times, CNN, NEJM
NBA National Anthem Controversy
All pro basketball teams are now required to play the national anthem before games moving forward. The clarification was sparked by controversy this week surrounding the Dallas Mavericks. The team’s owner, Mark Cuban, said his team hadn’t been playing the anthem at home games this season because he said members of the community didn’t feel the tradition fully represented them. When fans returned to the Dallas arena for the first time this season, the no-anthem policy became an issue. Cuban said the Mavs will follow the rules from now on.
Read More: USA Today, WaPo, Axios, NBA
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
Jay-Z, Tina Turner, and Foo Fighters are among this year’s nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Hall released its list of 16 candidates this week. Artists are eligible for a nomination 25 years after their first official recording is released. For Foo Fighters and Jay-Z, this was the first time they were eligible. Some of the other artists and groups who made the cut include Mary J. Blige, Iron Maiden, Rage Against the Machine, LL Cool J, and Chaka Khan. You can vote on your favorite nominees now through April 30th.
Read More: AP, Rolling Stone, NPR, HOF
Thing to Know Thursday: Lunar New Year
This year, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, falls on February 12th. It marks the first full moon of the lunar calendar and it symbolizes the chance to start fresh and be hopeful about the year to come. Usually, hundreds of millions of people travel to see their families for the occasion and watch big lantern festivals. This year, because of the pandemic, many public celebrations are canceled. However, some traditions remain. People are decorating their homes in bright colors and making traditional meals.
Read More: Smithsonian, CNN, Business Times