These are the headlines you Need 2 Know. * **Shutdown: Day 21:** Today is the first payday with no check for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors as the partial shutdown is now tied as the longest in U.S. history. Hundreds of civil servants rallied around the country Thursday calling for an end to the impasse. Read more [here](https://abcnews.go.com/beta-story-container/Politics/today-payday-hundreds-thousands-government-workers/story?id=60301420&utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Emergency Plans:** President Trump is said to be getting closer to declaring a national emergency over the wall funding, which would allow him a way to open the government and start building the wall without congressional approval, though it would almost certainly be challenged in court. Under one proposal being drafted by aides, Trump would dip into disaster relief funds for the money needed to start construction. Read more [here](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-could-take-billions-disaster-areas-fund-wall-n957281?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **One Family's Help:** A former NFL quarterback sent a check to a family affected by the shutdown ー enough to cover their January mortgage. Ryan Leaf sent the money after seeing a tweet from Taylor Futch lamenting the dire situation of her family, which includes her park ranger husband and two small children. Read more [here](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/01/10/government-shutdown-smokies-park-ranger-taylor-futch/2538336002/?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Syria Pullout:** American forces have begun withdrawing from Syria. According to the surprise announcement from the Pentagon, there would be no more information about “specific timelines, locations or troop movements.” There are approximately 2,000 American troops in Syria. Read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/world/middleeast/us-syria-troop-withdrawal.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage&utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Missing Teen Found:** A teenager missing since October has been found alive. Jayme Closs had been missing since October 15, when her parents were found shot to death inside their Wisconsin home. The 13-year-old reportedly approached a woman walking her dog, telling her she needed help. A suspect is in custody. Read more [here](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/10/us/jayme-closs-missing-wisconsin-girl-found/index.html?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Cohen to Congress:** Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former lawyer, will testify publicly in front of Congress at the invitation of Democrats, weeks before he heads to prison. His testimony before the House Oversight Committee will happen February 7. Read more [here](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424794-michael-cohen-to-testify-publicly-before-congress?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Climate Change:** Oceans are warming faster than previously thought, according to data from a new study. The study finds that oceans have absorbed 1000 times more energy than what the human population uses each year. Read more [here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/priyashukla/2019/01/10/oceans-have-absorbed-1000-times-more-energy-than-what-the-global-human-population-uses-each-year/?utm_source=Need%2B2%2BKnow&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885#5700305b58e7). * **Job Cuts:** Ford and Jaguar Land Rover are cutting thousands of jobs in Europe. Ford Europe has been losing money for years, while JLR says demand in China, which at one point was one of its strongest countries, fell more than 20 percent in 2018. Read more [here](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ford-europe-turnaround/ford-jaguar-slash-thousands-of-jobs-across-europe-idUSKCN1P411J?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Best of CES:** The annual Consumer Electronics Show is wrapping up in Las Vegas. The trade show, where the latest and most innovative gadgets are shown off to the public, looked more like an auto show this year with a heavy focus on car technology, according to Cheddar’s team on the ground. Read more [here](https://www.cheddar.com/tags/ces?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **To the Rescue:** The producers of the Oscars are scrambling to line up A-list celebrities to introduce various segments and awards, since the show will have no host. Among the plans is to assemble as much of the cast of the Avengers as is possible. The ceremony airs on ABC, which, like the Avengers franchise, is owned by Disney. Read more [here](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscars-producers-plan-reunite-avengers-telecast-1174867?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Spotted:** A tattoo of a sea turtle on Michael J. Fox’s arm. The 57-year-old actor posted a pic of his first tattoo on Instagram, saying “First tattoo, sea turtle, long story.” See it [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbYWuqFeax/?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Tim Tebow:** Tim Tebow is engaged to former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. The former NFL player (and current N.Y. Met) proposed at sunset in Florida, and following the proposal, a singer popped out from behind a bale of hay and sang “The Wedding Song.” Read more [here](https://people.com/sports/tim-tebow-demi-leigh-nel-peters-engaged/?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). * **Lions in the Lane:** Several lions were caught on camera casually strolling through a road in South Africa, holding up traffic. See it [here](https://www.facebook.com/131459315949/posts/10156480111850950/?utm_source=Need+2+Know&utm_campaign=109c56b433-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_11_2019_7_1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_97f672225d-109c56b433-316045885). Cheddar's Hena Doba gets into the latest. Subscribe to the Need 2 Know newsletter [here](https://theneed2know.com).

Share:
More In Technology
What to know about the Amazon cloud outage
An internet outage on Monday morning highlights the reliance on Amazon's cloud services. This incident reveals vulnerabilities in the concentrated system. Cloud computing allows companies to rent Amazon's infrastructure instead of building their own. Amazon leads the market, followed by Google and Microsoft. The outage originated in Northern Virginia, the biggest and oldest cloud hub in the U.S. This region handles significantly more data than other hubs. Despite the idea of spreading workloads, many rely on this single hub. The demand for computing power, especially for AI, is driving a construction boom for data centers.
Sex is a big market for the AI industry. ChatGPT won’t be the first to try to profit from it
OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT will soon engage in "erotica for verified adults." CEO Sam Altman says the company aims to allow more user freedom for adults while setting limits for teens. OpenAI isn't the first to explore sexualized AI, but previous attempts have faced legal and societal challenges. Altman believes OpenAI isn't the "moral police" and wants to differentiate content similar to how Hollywood differentiates R-rated movies. This move could help OpenAI, which is losing money, turn a profit. However, experts express concerns about the impact on real-world relationships and the potential for misuse.
Load More