“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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Keeping Watch: Dems Debate, Capital One Data Breach, and Robot Contacts
Live from Detroit, it’s round two of the 2020 democratic primary debates. You know the drill: ten candidates tonight, and ten more tomorrow. But the dynamics have shifted since round one. We’ll tell you what to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, a woman has been charged in one of the biggest data breaches ever. She allegedly stole info from over 100 million credit card applications - including things like Social Security numbers. If this rings a bell: that’s because massive data breaches are kind of a thing lately. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Also on today’s episode: why Katy Perry is in hot water over “Dark Horse,” and contact lenses that let you pretend you’re James Bond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Next Level: Trump vs. Cities, John Ratcliffe and Greta Thunberg
This weekend President Trump unleashed a Twitter tirade against the city of Baltimore and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. Trump said Charm City is “infested with rodents,” and “dangerous,” reigniting the ‘good country, bad cities’ stereotype. We’ll explain what the numbers say about Baltimore and why Trump could still benefit from his attacks on America's inner cities. Also over the weekend: Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats updated his LinkedIn, announcing he’s stepping down in August. Trump is tapping Congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas to fill the role. We break down why Coats was on the outs with Trump and why Ratcliff's choice is raising some eyebrows. Also on today’s episode: Greta Thunberg’s unconventional plans to get to the US and which summer threats are scarier than Shark Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tour de Force: Russia, OITNB and Cycling
Russia targeted U.S voting systems. Right, we’ve heard that before. From Robert Mueller, for example. He really wanted to talk about Russian interference during his testimony on Capitol Hill this week. But yesterday a new report dropped details about just how extensive it was. Spoiler: it was in all 50 states. That was 2016 - but they’re still at it - and other countries are getting in on the game. We’ll explain. Meanwhile: Up to 150 migrants trying to get to Europe died in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya. Both the EU and Libya are being criticised by human rights organizations to change their controversial treatment of migrants. Also on today’s episode: The real world legacy of the final season of “Orange is the New Black” and fun facts about the hardcore cyclists of the Tour de France. Bon week-end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Not Messing Around: North Korea, The Death Penalty, Heatwave
North Korea is playing with fire – literally. Just a couple weeks after President Trump visited Kim Jong Un in North Korea and agreed to resume denuclearization talks, North Korea tested two missiles this morning. Back in the US, Attorney General Bill Barr is resuming the death penalty, but he’s making some changes to how it’s implemented. Also on today’s show: Europeans and A/V guys everywhere are sweating it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Digging deeper: Mueller Testifies, Facebook Settlement, and Self-Care Day
Today, Democrats and Republicans told former special counsel Robert Mueller: ‘have a seat - actually, have two.’ Mueller said he was done talking about his report -- but lawmakers have more questions. We’ll tell you why, and what happened during today’s hearings. Meanwhile, Facebook has to pay $5 billion and change up its privacy rules after an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: how self-care is about more than just relaxing, and a very expensive stroll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Changes: UK Prime Minister, SNAP Benefits, and Wrestling
The UK has a new prime minister. Between dealing with Brexit and tensions with Iran, Boris Johnson has a long ‘to do’ list to tackle. And he doesn’t even have a full cabinet yet. We’ll explain what lies ahead for Johnson and the UK. Meanwhile, a proposed Trump admin rule could cut millions of people off from food stamp benefits. We’ll break down why the admin wants this rule, and who it affects. Also on today’s episode: more women are being nominated to attend US military academies, and a star who wrestled her way to the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On The Rise: Tensions with Iran, Puerto Rico Protests and India's Moon Mission
Today, Iranian officials announced that they’ve broken up a CIA spy ring and that they’ve arrested 17 suspected spies. Iran’s claimed this kind of thing before -- and President Trump says reports of arrests aren’t true. But there’s a history here that’ll help you decode today’s headlines. Meanwhile, anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Puerto Rico today, calling for Puerto Rico’s governor to resign. He says he’s staying put. But lawmakers are already talking impeachment. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: India makes its way to the south side of the moon, and there’s one less place to document on your Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SPECIAL EPISODE: To The Moon And Back
Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the “giant leap for mankind.” You may have heard of it. On today’s episode, we break down the Apollo 11 mission: what it took to prepare for the mission, and what actually happened over the course of the eight-day-long journey to the moon and back. There was a lot that could have gone wrong. But it was a complete success. And NASA kept returning to the moon. Astronauts not only brought in a new phase of the space race - they brought back some souvenirs. Some of which are just being studied for the first time. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Alienated: US and Turkey, FaceApp, and Area 51
Turkey just ordered a new missile defense system from Russia. And now the US is telling Turkey: no F-35 fighter jets for you. Basically, the US is worried selling Turkey the F-35s means giving Russia access to top secret tech. We’ll tell you why that’s a concern for the US, and how it affects the relationship with Turkey, a key NATO ally. Meanwhile, another Russian invention is causing people’s hair to go gray: it’s called FaceApp. Some US lawmakers are warning that your uploaded selfies may end up in the Russian government’s inbox. We’ll explain why. Also on today’s episode: tragedy strikes a famous animation studio in Japan, and why the US government is going there...out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On the Outs: Libra in Congress, Planned Parenthood, and Netflix
Today, the head of Facebook’s global cryptocurrency project got a bipartisan grilling from the House Financial Services Committee. Lawmakers have been raising concerns about the crypto, called ‘Libra’: over who will regulate it, how Facebook will handle people’s private financial data, and whether their approach could break antitrust laws. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, the president of Planned Parenthood has been ousted from the job after eight months. The organization reportedly wants make fighting for abortion rights a priority. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: why Netflix has gone back and edited an old scene from the show ‘13 Reasons Why,” and how Apple is giving us more ways to express ourselves. PS - If you or someone you know needs it, here’s the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transfer of Power: Asylum Rule, Ursula von der Leyen and Emmy Nominees
The Trump administration has issued a new rule that’ll mean most migrants heading to the US-Mexico border likely won’t be eligible for asylum. The admin says asylum seekers will have to ask other countries first. And those other countries are saying: who, us? Legal experts say this new rule could violate domestic and international law. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, soon-to-be former German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen has been elected the new president of the European Commission. She’s making history as the first woman to hold the job - and she’s got a surprising to-do list. Also on today's episode: just how many Emmy awards ‘Game of Thrones’ is nominated for, and a really big lift(-off.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Doubling Down: Trump Tweets, Puerto Rico, and Prime Day Protests
Over the past few days, President Trump’s sent out a series of tweets about a group of “‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen.” He suggested they should “go back” to the countries they came from. Today, he doubled down. We’ll tell you who President Trump’s talking about and why -- and how people are reacting. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is having a bad case of the Mondays. Hundreds of pages of chats between Governor Ricardo Rosselló and others have leaked. And they’re filled with sexist and derogatory comments. All while Puerto Rico is trying to figure out how to pay off billions of dollars in debt. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: why some Amazon workers are boycotting Prime Day, and a new name to know on the nightly news circuit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Incoming: Citizenship Data, ICE raids, and Tropical Storm Barry
President Donald Trump has dropped the idea of adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. But he says he has a back-up plan to get the data anyway. Which could affect elections across the country. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, Republicans and Dems in Congress are visiting detention camps along the Mexican border - but are coming back with different stories. Today’s hearing comes right before planned ICE raids begin on Sunday. We break it down. Also on today’s episode: a tropical storm makes its way to Louisiana, and a great match at Wimbledon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Don’t @ Me: Social Media Summit, Student Loans, and World Population
Today, the White House hosted a social media summit. None of the big players (think: Facebook, Twitter) were reportedly on the guest list. President Donald Trump and his guests have claimed those companies have an anti-conservative bias. We’ll explain what this summit is all about, and why this is a love/hate relationship for the President. Meanwhile, one of the country’s biggest teachers unions is suing the Department of Education. It all comes back to something called the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Plaintiffs say the program is actually violating the Constitution. We’ll give you the details. Also on today’s episode: a candidate for state senate in Delaware is writing history, and we talk about all of humanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Free Falling: Interest Rates, UK Ambassador’s Resignation, and Ticker Tape
Today, the Federal Reserve’s top guy Jerome Powell spoke. He doesn’t do that much. But when he does - it’s important. Especially when it comes to interest rates. We’ll tell you what you – and your wallet – need to know. Meanwhile, there is drama going down across the pond. (Again.) Some comments the UK ambassador to the US made about President Trump leaked. Now, the ambassador is saying ‘cheerio’ to his post. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: why ticker tape parades are a thing, and the unexpected impacts of tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices