| 1. CLIMATE CHANGE WAS FRONT AND CENTER AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES: In addition to the awards, climate change was center stage Sunday at the Golden Globes. A number of presenters and Globe winners took a moment to send wishes to victims of the Australian bush fires. But actor Joaquin Phoenix, who won best actor for Joker, took the issue a step further. After thanking the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for doing its part to fight climate change by serving the award ceremony’s first-ever all plant-based menu, he made an impassioned plea for personal responsibility for the environment. The Hollywood Reporter: “‘It's really nice that so many people have sent their well wishes to Australia but we have to do more than that,’ Phoenix emphasized. ‘Hopefully, we can be unified and actually make some changes. It's great to vote, but sometimes we have to take that responsibility on ourselves and make changes and sacrifices in our own lives. We don't have to take private jets to Palm Springs for the awards.’” 2. THOUSANDS MARCH IN ANTI-HATE PROTEST IN NEW YORK: After several anti-semitic incidents across the New York area, which has shaken the Jewish community, thousands of people attended an anti-hate march Sunday in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Protesters were joined by a host of politicians, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Chuck Schumer, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and more. The New York Times: “At the rally, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said New York will increase funding for security at religious institutions and will also increase the presence of the state police force and hate crimes task force in vulnerable communities. He said he also plans to propose a new state law labeling hate crimes as domestic terrorism. ‘While we’re here today in the spirit of solidarity and love, government must do more than just offer thoughts and prayers. Government must act,’ Cuomo said. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York announced a proposal to increase federal funding to protect houses of worship and increase the capacity for local police groups to fight hate crimes.” 3. CONTINGENT OF SENIOR TRUMP OFFICIALS SLATED TO ATTEND C.E.S.: The Trump administration this week is sending a large group of top officials to C.E.S. amid increased scrutiny of the technology industry. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, White House advisor Ivanka Trump, and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios will be among the more than 150 government officials from the United States and around the world who attend one of the technology industry’s most influential events. Reuters: “The White House has touted technology improvements as a way to boost U.S. employment and is working to ease regulatory barriers to advanced technologies like drones and self-driving cars. At the same time, the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission are probing whether big tech firms like Facebook Inc., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com, and Apple Inc. are violating antitrust laws. … Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons will speak at a fireside chat, and three of the other four F.C.C. commissioners will attend as will two other F.T.C. commissioners.” | 