“Skimm This” is a weekly news program that breaks down important stories from the past week and adds context and clarity to answer the questions on your mind. Every Thursday evening.
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This Is a Lot: Coronavirus Updates, Quid Pro Quo, and Locust Invaders
The World Health Organization says that the coronavirus outbreak is a global public health emergency. We’ll break down what this means as countries respond and how the economic impact of this disease is being felt around the world. Meanwhile, a locust invasion is wreaking havoc in East Africa and parts of the Middle East and South Asia. Also on today’s show: question time for senators at the impeachment trial ends today, and a mummy finds his voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Back to School: Senate Questions, Tobacco Report Card, Negotiations
Now that opening arguments have wrapped up in the Senate impeachment trial, it’s time for lawmakers to ask the questions. We’ll break down how this process works and what to expect next. Meanwhile, the American Lung Association put out its big annual report on tobacco use. The conclusion? The US government still has a lot of work to do. Also on today’s show: what to know about doing your taxes as a freelancer, and a pro-tip on negotiation from Food52 CEO Amanda Hesser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Make-or-Break Moment: Trump Defense, ‘Deal of the Century,’ Iowa Voting
President Trump’s defense lawyers have wrapped up opening arguments. We’ll break down the case they made, and what’s next for the Senate impeachment trial. Meanwhile, the White House has finally unveiled its plan for peace in the Middle East. But a key player to the deal wasn’t part of it, so TBD on whether the plan will work out. Also on today’s show: a new mobile app to track votes at the Iowa caucuses has security experts concerned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Where It Happened: Bolton Leak, Rival Meetings, Quarantine Update
President Trump’s defense team is launching into day two of their opening arguments at the Senate impeachment trial. But leaked excerpts from former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s upcoming book are adding more pressure on senators to consider calling new witnesses. Meanwhile, Trump hosted two back-to-back meetings with Israel’s top two political rivals today. We’ll explain what this has to do with peace in the Middle East. Also on today’s show: the latest updates on coronavirus, and a thing to know when doing your taxes and growing your family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Great Lengths: Democrats on the Mic, March for Life, Grammys Drama
House Democrats are wrapping up three days of opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. Before Trump’s defense lawyers take the mic on Saturday, we’ll take a look at how Democrats laid out the case, and whether it changed anyone’s minds. Then, President Trump became the first sitting president to speak at the March for Life rally today in DC. We’ll explain why his timing is everything. Also on today’s show: how drama over the head of the Recording Academy is overshadowing the biggest night in music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Noble Intentions: Quarantines, Genocide Prevention, Profit-Sharing
China is turning to massive quarantines to stop the spread of coronavirus. Now, millions are impacted as transportation comes to a halt ahead of the Lunar New Year. We’ll explain why some experts say quarantines don’t always work as intended. Then, a UN court has ordered Myanmar to take steps to protect its persecuted Rohingya Muslim population. That demand couldn’t have come on a more timely day. Also on today’s show: Delta Airlines shares its profits with employees, and how to get ‘Tinder Verified.’ Here’s a link to our December show on the Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Check Up: Coronavirus, Impeachment Managers, Negotiating
Hundreds of people have been infected by a virus that originated in China. Now, a case has been diagnosed in the US, too. We’ll explain what the coronavirus is and how officials are handling it. Meanwhile, the impeachment trial is back in session, so expect some long nights ahead. We’ll look into how the first day of oral arguments by the House Managers kicked off. Also on today’s show: how life updates can impact your taxes, and a pro-tip on career negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
All Talk: Davos, Impeachment Trial Rules, Big Endorsement
The world’s biggest movers and shakers are packing up their skis and heading to a place called Davos in the Swiss Alps. That’s right: it’s time for the annual World Economic Forum. We’ll explain what that is and why it’s a big deal. Meanwhile, the Senate spent the day laying out the rules of President Trump’s impeachment trial. We’ll look into what a trial looks like on Capitol Hill. Also on today’s show: why the New York Times’ 2020 endorsement is making headlines. If you have a few extra minutes, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Please take our survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Warning Signs: Media Access, Privacy Please, China’s Birth Rate
All eyes are on the Senate in the run up to next week’s impeachment trial. But new rules could make it difficult, or even impossible, to keep up with what’s going on. We’ll tell you why. Then, we’ll dive into your inbox to help explain all those privacy policy emails you’ve probably been receiving. Also on today’s show: the story behind China’s falling birth rate, and Michigan’s place in the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. If you have a few extra minutes, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Please take our survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Take An Oath: Impeachment Trial, New Russian PM, Prohibition
Something new started today: the impeachment trial of the President of the United States. We’ll explain how a one-man media circus gave the start of the trial a run for its money. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin just watered down the powers of his own office. Or, did he? We'll break down why Putin might be up to one of his oldest tricks. Also on today’s show: we look at women who work, and rewind a century to relive a ‘Dry January’ that ended up lasting 13 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Back in Business: Impeachment, US-China Trade, Electable Ladies
The “i” word is back in the headlines after the House of Representatives sent articles of impeachment to the Senate today. Did Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to hit ‘pause’ on impeachment for almost a month pay off? We’ll dive in. Meanwhile, the US and China signed a “phase one” trade deal today. Whether it’s enough to settle the trade drama is a whole nother story. Also on today’s show: an unmissable debate moment, and career advice from Kate Upton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Showdown: DOJ vs Apple, Democratic Debate, Longest Rap
One month after a deadly shooting in Florida, the Justice Department is still trying to figure out what happened. But there’s one thing standing in the way of investigators: Apple. We’ll explain why the government and big tech are fighting over data privacy. Meanwhile, tonight is the last democratic debate before the first voters head to the polls. We’ll break down what will and won’t be on stage. Also on today’s show: the WNBA makes money moves, and a record-breaking rapper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Damage Control: Protests in Iran, Aussie Bushfires, Royal Shake-Ups
Iran is suddenly on the defensive, facing critics inside and outside the country after it admitted to shooting down a passenger plane last week. We’ll explain how Iran is dealing with widespread protests and how the plane accident could impact the country’s diplomatic standing. Meanwhile, the Australian government is also on the defensive over its climate policies as wildfires continue to rage down under. Also on today’s show: a royal summit, and the big (corporate) winner from today’s Oscar nominations. PS: if you want to help the Aussie fire relief efforts, here’s the link we mentioned in the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What Now?: Plane Crash Investigation, Puerto Rico, Space Explorers
Days after a deadly plane crash in Iran, questions remain over what exactly happened. We’ll explain why major media outlets and western leaders are pointing to Iran. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is still recovering from two huge earthquakes this week. We’ll look into how the devastation following Hurricane Maria two years ago is affecting the island’s recovery efforts. Also on today’s show: the buzziest new gadgets, and the (maybe) first humans on Mars. PS: if you want to help the earthquake relief efforts, here’s the link we mentioned in the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Skimm Special: Harry and Meghan
First there was Brexit, now there’s Megxit. If you checked Instagram (or just the internet) this week, you probably saw the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are stepping back from their roles as senior royals. So, what does this actually mean? Can they do that? In this Skimm Special, we explain the decision that shocked the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices