These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Divided Government:** The government may not be open, but it is, for the first time in two years, officially divided. The 116th Congress will gavel into session today, at which point Rep. Nancy Pelosi will become House speaker for the second time and the most powerful elected woman in U.S. history. Among the first orders of business for newly-empowered Democrats will be a vote on rule changes to promote diversity and attack the deficit, and short-term funding legislation that would reopen the government but is unlikely to pass the Senate. Read more [here](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/423517-dems-unveil-rules-package-to-promote-diversity-hit-deficit). * **The Wall:** A meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders failed to break an impasse over the border wall, with Trump reportedly saying he would “look foolish” if he reopened the government while the two sides continued to negotiate. Earlier, in a televised cabinet meeting, Trump repeated several false claims about immigration and praised the former Soviet Union for invading Afghanistan in 1979. Read more [here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-defensive-trump-calls-a-cabinet-meeting-and-uses-it-to-boast-deflect-and-distract/2019/01/02/21600a3a-0ec3-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html?utm_term=.2c8d0874c094). * **Dark Side of the Moon:** China successfully landed a rover on the far side of the moon, according to state media. It’s a historic first for human space exploration. The rover completed a “bull’s-eye” touchdown with help of its own satellite, which relayed information to Earth since radio frequencies can’t reach that side of the moon. The rover has already sent back its first images. See the pics [here](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/health/china-lunar-rover-far-moon-landing-intl/index.html). * **BP Meds Recall:** A blood pressure medication is being recalled after officials say trace amounts of a possible cancer-causing chemical were discovered. The medications being recalled ー 80 lots of them ー are Amlodipine Valsartan Tablets, Valsartan HCTZ Tablets, and Valsartan Tablets. They’re made by Aurobindo Pharma USA. Read more [here](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blood-pressure-medication-recall-aurobindo-pharma-valsartan-amlodipine-trace-amounts-carcinogen-chemical-ndea/). * **Apple’s Warning:** Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is warning investors that the company’s upcoming earnings report will show slowing sales. Cook says there were fewer iPhone upgrades than expected in China and puts some of the blame on the ongoing trade war. The warning, which came via a public letter to investors, is a rare one from the company and sent shares tanking. Read more [here](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/apple-warns-investors-iphone-sales-are-slowing-n954006). * **Bob Einstein:** Bob Einstein, a comedian whose career spanned more than 50 years and is today perhaps best known for his role as the deadpan Marty Funkhouser on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," died at 76. Einstein began his career on the Smothers Brothers in the 1960s. Read more [here](https://deadline.com/2019/01/bob-einstein-dead-curb-your-enthusiasm-super-dave-osborne-smothers-brothers-1202527938/). * **Big Soccer $$$:** Christian Pulisic is officially the most expensive American soccer player of all time. Pulisic, 20, will be paid nearly $73 million to play for Chelsea, but in the meantime is finishing out his season with Dortmund, a German club he’s played for since he joined at 16. Read more [here](https://www.npr.org/2019/01/02/681660236/with-73-million-deal-christian-pulisic-is-most-expensive-u-s-soccer-player-ever). * **Spotted:** Madonna, with what some fans are speculating to be butt implants. The singer appeared in New York City on New Year’s Eve with what appeared to be a larger backside. See pics [here](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6548273/Madonna-fans-question-singer-butt-implants.html). * **Kim & Kanye:** Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are reportedly expecting a fourth child via surrogate. The baby is said to be due in early May. Read more [here](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/baby-no-4-kim-kardashian-and-kanye-wests-surrogate-pregnant-with-a-boy/). * **Netflix Censored:** Hasan Minhaj is speaking out after Netflix removed an episode of his comedy show from Saudi Arabia. In the pulled episode, Minhaj is critical of the country in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Minhaj tweeted: “Clearly, the best way to stop people from watching something is to ban it, make it trend online, and then leave it up on YouTube.” He also pointed out “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis is happening in Yemen right now.” Read more [here](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/03/hasan-minhaj-responds-to-netflix-pulling-patriot-act-episode-in-saudi-arabia.html). * **Leftovers:** The Mediterranean diet is the best way to eat in 2019, according to the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings. It also named the fish-heavy, low in sugar, red meat and saturated fats diet the easiest plan to actually follow. See the list [here](https://health.usnews.com/best-diet). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Business
20-Year-Old Entrepreneur Tania Speaks on Emotional 'Shark Tank' Deal With Mark Cuban
Season 13 "Shark Tank" contestant Tania Speaks secured a $400,000 deal for her Speaks Organic Skincare brand with "Shark" Mark Cuban while also being named one of the best pitches in the history of the show — all at 19 years old. Now 20, Speaks joined Cheddar News to talk about the skincare line, the clean beauty industry, and the moment that host Cuban was moved by her pitch. "I couldn't believe that he got emotional. I'm surprised I held back my tears that long," the young entrepreneur revealed. "It's just amazing for someone else to be inspired by your story, especially Mark Cuban himself."
ViacomCBS Rebrands as Paramount Global, Puts Emphasis on Streaming
The media giant formerly known as ViacomCBS has officially rebranded itself as Paramount Global with a focus on its streaming service, Paramount Plus. Naveen Chopra, chief financial officer at Paramount, joined Cheddar to discuss the company’s name change and streaming wars. "There are components of content licensing that we continue to do, either historical arrangements or opportunities to license content that don't really impinge on what we're trying to do with our owned and operated services and that continues to be an important ingredient in our broader financial model," he said. "But our number one priority is putting our best assets on Paramount Plus." Chopra also discussed theatrical release windows before feature films hit its service and the platform's subscription goals.
Investors Fear Fed Reaction to Inflation Data
The recent 7.5% year-over-year increase in consumer prices is the highest since 1982, and drew some strong reactions from investors, with speculations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates by 50 points instead of 25. But other analysts believe that the Fed will stick with its original plan of 25 points next month. Chris Vecchio, Senior Analyst, at DailyFX broke down how the Fed could potentially react to the historically high inflation data.
Uber and Lyft Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations Despite Omicron Setbacks
Ride share competitors Uber and Lyft both posted their fourth quarter earnings days apart from each other. Both companies have been trying to get back on their feet after taking some pandemic-related hits, but the Omicron variant had other ideas as the year came to a close, with each company taking a hit in ridership in December. Lance Ippolito, head trader at The Future of Wealth explains how Uber and Lyft measured up this earnings period and why Uber may still have an edge over the competition.
Top Google Trends During The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl might be over, but people are still buzzing about the players, commercials, halftime show, and more. Google tracks the top searches before and after the game every year, revealing the show-stopping moments of the biggest sporting event of the year. Sadie Thoma, Director of US Creative Partnerships at Google, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the top trends this year.
Load More