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
WarnerMedia on Track for CNN Plus, NFTs Following Discovery Deal Approval
The merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery received Justice Department approval on Wednesday, and Patty Hirsch, EVP of consumer and digital platforms at WarnerMedia, joined Cheddar News to discuss current and future offerings from the media conglomerate that will control both HBO Max and Discovery+. "Content really drives so much, and CNN has always had a very long history of creating an incredible documentaries, incredible content … and this service I think is going to ultimately provide the kind of content consumers want and the kind of content that consumers are going are going to pay for," she said. Hirsch also discussed NFTs in use through its Turner Sports and DC brands.
Fearless Fund Helps WOC-Led Businesses Bridge the Funding Gap
Black entrepreneurs lead the way in the creation of new businesses, but they often cannot get the necessary funding to get their business off the ground. The Fearless Fund is on a mission to change that, and help Black business owners get venture capital. The fund also offers a unique grant program meant to help entrepreneurs with growth, peer coaching, and more, including grants between $10,000 and $20,000. Arian Simone, Co-Founder and General Partner of Fearless Fund, joins Closing Bell to discuss the Fund's mission, how it helps Black entrepreneurs, and more.
Kellogg’s Beats on Q4 Earnings Despite Supply Issues, Work Stoppage
Multinational food company Kellogg’s reported an earnings beat amid supply chain issues and an extended labor strike. Kellogg’s Chairman and CEO c joined Cheddar News to discuss overcoming the obstacles and what's to come for the company. "The first half of the year is really going to be one about rebuilding inventory, and into the second quarter, starting to reestablish promotional activity for our customers and our consumers," Cahillane said. "And then the back half of the year, obviously, we're really much more back in business, and we expect to exit the year with our business in cereal being just as strong as it's ever been."
Miller Lite Opens First Branded Virtual Bar in Metaverse for 2022 Super Bowl
Miller Lite is opening the first branded bar in the metaverse, by way of Decentraland, as a way to advertise during the Super Bowl this year without buying an expensive TV commercial slot. Sofia Colucci, global vice president of Miller Family of Brands, joined Cheddar to talk about the new marketing concept. "We have a lot of great partnerships with NFL teams throughout the year but were shut out of advertising during the Super Bowl game, so this pushes us to think creatively and also think of what feels really relevant right now," Colucci said. "There's no question that there's a lot of excitement with the metaverse, and we wanted to participate but in a way that felt right for Miller Lite."
Dave Chappelle Pushes to Cancel Affordable Housing Development in Ohio Town
Plans to add affordable housing to a development in Yellow Springs, Ohio, were squashed after comedian Dave Chappelle and other community members spoke out against the project. Chappelle threatened to pull the plug on his local comedy club and restaurant projects if the development had been approved.
Spirit-Frontier Merger Signals Major Changes for Airline Industry
The airline industry is seeing a major consolidation as Frontier and Spirit Airlines have agreed to merge in a deal valued at $6.6 billion dollars. Frontier will control just over 51% of the company, and Spirit will control the other 48%, creating what would become the fifth-largest airline in the U.S. The deal was approved over the weekend, with Spirit CEO Ted Christie saying that the merger aims to create an aggressive, low-fare competitor focused on consumer-friendly pricing. John Grant, Senior Analyst at OAG explains the gravity of the merger, and the wider impact it could have on competition and the airline industry as a whole.
Load More