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JANUARY 24, 2020

TGIF, Wake-Up Callers! Today we’re introducing a fun new column: Hot Mic. It’s our op-ed section, where we’ll be letting people share their takes and get things off their chest. We’re kicking things off with an essay by the hilarious Jenny Mollen — and it’s all about setting boundaries. (I need to learn about that myself!) But of course, let’s start with the news...

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CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN

The World Health Organization declared that the outbreak of the coronavirus is not yet a global health emergency — but that it is an emergency within China. The country’s lockdown has expanded to over 35 million people, more than 800 people have been infected, and two deaths have been confirmed outside the epicenter. Officials are monitoring a second suspected case in the U.S. Major Chinese cities have canceled gatherings for the Lunar New Year on January 25th. CNN has live updates.

LATEST ON IMPEACHMENT

Here’s what happened on day three of the impeachment trial against President Trump:

• Democratic House impeachment managers argued that “no president has abused his power in this way.” Rep. Adam Schiff made a passionate speech, saying President Trump would always put his own interests ahead of the national interest.
• Rep. Jerrold Nadler argued that no criminal violation is necessary to impeach a president, showing a 1999 clip of Sen. Lindsey Graham speaking along similar lines. In a New York Times op-ed, Trump defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz makes a counter-argument.
• Dems argued President Trump’s interest in alleged corruption in Ukraine rose as former Vice President Joe Biden gained ground in the presidential race.

'I CANNOT FORGIVE'
Global leaders gathered in Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, where more than 1.1 million people were killed. At the World Holocaust Forum, leaders denounced rising anti-semitism. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany warned that “the spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise.” In a powerful speech, Buchenwald camp survivor Rabbi Israel Meir Lau said, “I came especially to tell you I cannot forgive.”

ARE YOU LONELY?
Then you’re not alone: More than three in five Americans reported feeling left out or lacking companionship in a new study. Researchers reported a 13% increase in loneliness since 2018, and found the feeling was most common among men. The survey found that isolating workplace culture could be to blame, as those with good co-worker relationships and a work-life balance were overall less lonely. Read more here.

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SAD NEWS TO REPORT

Jim Lehrer, the longtime PBS News anchor, has died at the age of 85. PBS NewsHour has a touching memorial that looks back at his incredible career, his dedication to delivering the news, and the words he constantly told his colleagues: “It’s not about us.” In this age of bitterly partisan journalism, Jim was an exemplar of fair, measured, objective reporting. He will be missed.

Supported by:

What to Watch: The HBO doc The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm centers on an intimate conversation between a boy and his Auschwitz survivor great-grandfather.

What to Read: Everyone’s talking about Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid.

What to Listen to: The season two premiere of my podcast Next Question is all about the Equal Rights Amendment.

What to Cook: It's National Peanut Butter Day, so try this no-bake peanut butter bites recipe from Noomi!

What to Follow: The subject of today’s #SeeHer Story: JLo!

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Wake-Up Call's new op-ed section, featuring the unfiltered opinions of influential people.

If you find yourself saying yes to every favor (even when you don’t want to), then you might relate to Jenny Mollen. In a new essay, Jenny tells us about the time she and Jason Biggs tried to say no to a favor — and how it all went haywire. She learned it’s okay to set boundaries… even if it means potentially looking like a jerk in the process. Read here.

• Actress Annabella Sciorra testified about her rape allegation against Harvey Weinstein in excruciating detail Thursday.

• The federal government might tighten rules for bringing service animals onto planes. Do you think the emotional support animal phenomenon has gone too far? The overwhelming response on my Instagram poll: Yes.

• Michelle Carter — the woman convicted for encouraging her suicidal boyfriend to kill himself over text — has been released from prison.

• It has emerged that one of the Ukrainian jet victims ran a company suspected by the U.N. of violating the Libyan arms embargo.

• Did Prince Charles snub Vice President Pence while shaking hands with global leaders? Watch the encounter that’s gone viral.

• Super like this: Tinder is reportedly adding a panic button to its app.

• 15-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff beat defending champion Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-4, making the Australian Open final 16.

• Carpool phony? New pics of James Cordon filming his show's most beloved segment have fans in a stir...

• 🎶: Here are the Grammy noms ahead of Sunday night’s ceremony.

• The Obama portraits might be coming to a city near you…

• 🎥: You can’t miss Whoopi Goldberg’s reaction to Patrick Stewart’s invitation to join the "Star Trek: Picard" cast.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here, so we’re dedicating this week’s #SeeHer Story to one of its halftime performers: Jennifer Lopez. Born in 1969 to Puerto Rican parents and raised in the Bronx, her big break came when she starred in the biopic Selena. From there, she got into music — and in 2001, she became the first woman to have a No. 1 movie and album in the same week. Watch her story here.

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Have a great weekend!