“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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Putting Up A Fight: Venezuela, Assange Extradition, and Holocaust Remembrance Day
Venezuela still doesn’t know who’s in charge. We’ll talk about why the US was predicting a peaceful transition of power - and why now they’re keeping all the cards on the table. Then: the US wants Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to cross the pond. Today he said: rather not. We’ll explain how the extradition process works. And finally: it’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Hebrew, that’s Yom HaShoah. A Holocaust survivor -- and the relative of a Skimm HQ’r -- shares his story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Star Players: AG Bill Barr, Caster Semenya, and Lucy Liu
Democrats on Capitol Hill had a lot of questions about the attorney general’s pen pal - Robert Mueller. South African elite runner Caster Semenya has been fighting against allegations that she has an unfair advantage because of her high testosterone levels. A court announced this morning that she lost that battle. Also on today’s show: who’s representing on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Update Available: Infrastructure, Venezuelan Protests, and Burkinis
Infrastructure across the US needs a reboot. President Trump met with top Democrats to try to figure out how to make – and pay for – the fixes. In Venezuela, two people are still calling themselves prez. The US says it wants a “peaceful transition” - but today, things weren’t looking that peaceful. Also on today’s show: Sports Illustrated is making history in its swimsuit issue, and Japan is making history in the Imperial Palace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Paying For It?: US Ransom Policies, Boeing, and Fake Meat
The White House confirmed that North Korea sent them a bill for American prisoner Otto Warmbier – to the tune of $2 million. But the White House says: they didn't actually pay it. Why hostage ransoms are so controversial. Meanwhile, Boeing execs finally faced their shareholders – to explain how the company’s going to bounce back from the 737 Max turbulence. Also on today’s show: a new group of women are saying #NoExcuses, and Burger King is giving you another excuse to go vegan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trade Ya: China’s Belt And Road Initiative, Gun Laws, Seaweed Bottles
Top officials from around the world met in China today to hear more about their Belt and Road Initiative — a reboot of the Silk Road to improve global trade routes. Here in the US: President Trump was also talking to the NRA about international trade. Of firearms. That was good news for the gun lobbying group, which has been going through a rough spot. Also on today’s episode: a fishy beverage option at the London marathon, and a cheesy celebration for the new royal babe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
I’m Heeeere: Joe Biden, Kim Jong-un, The Kids
Former VP Joe Biden is (finally) in. He announced today he’s running for president in 2020 - as the 20th candidate to join the race. So who – and what – is he up against? In Russia, NK leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down to talk nukes. We’ll tell you what you need to know about their summit. Also on today’s episode: why there are crayons scattered around your office today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Accounting, Please: Boy Scouts, Big Pharma, Avengers
Thousands of Boy Scouts leaders and volunteers have been accused of sexually abusing children - in cases that go back decades. Lawyers are now just scrambling to rep survivors in lawsuits. What’s changed: states have been expanding statute of limitations laws for child sex abuse. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Meanwhile, the feds are hitting a pharma co and two former execs with drug trafficking charges. They’re the first federal charges issued in the opioid epidemic. Also on today’s episode: news you’ll want to be standing up for, and the cast of “The Avengers” would like to thank… China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Will They or Won’t They: Impeachment and Citizenship on the Census
Democrats and progressives have been talking about whether to impeach President Trump since he was elected. And even though the Mueller Report didn’t say his admin colluded with Russia, that debate hasn’t gone away. We’ll tell you why some top Dems are saying, ‘cool it.’ Meanwhile, SCOTUS heard arguments today about whether to include a question about citizenship on the 2020 census. Their decision is expected by June. But how could it affect you? Also on today’s episode: Robert Mueller and his team top the best seller list, and why a contestant on “Jeopardy!” is keeping Alex Trebek up at night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Shut It Down: Social Media in Sri Lanka, Border Vigilantes, Plastic Straws
After massive terror attacks in Sri Lanka killed nearly 300 people on Sunday, the gov there has blocked Facebook and other social media sites. Their goal: to prevent more sectarian violence. But does going dark on social media actually work? Meanwhile, in the US, the FBI arrested the leader of a vigilante group in New Mexico. Which has drawn a lot of attention to armed militias at the southern border. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Also on today’s episode: LA says ‘later, bruh’ to plastic straws, and other ideas on how to show the planet you care. Right in time for Earth Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Talking About Troubles: Violence in Northern Ireland, 4/20, and Dancing Bans
A young journalist was killed last night during a riot in Northern Ireland. Her death is highlighting tensions along the Irish border. And it comes on the anniversary of a decades-old agreement that’s now at risk. Because Brexit. Then - tomorrow is 4/20. And support for marijuana is at an all-time high. But not everyone’s stoked. Also on today’s show: a Seder with a guest list in the thousands, and a place where dancing is illegal for one night only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Reports and Rapport: Mueller, US & NK, Facebook
The Mueller report is here. It’s long. It’s complicated. And some of it’s still secret. We’ve Skimm’d what we know so far, and we’ll tell you what to expect next. Meanwhile, North Korea is getting all fired up again. But they’re telling Trump - it’s not you, it’s him. Also on today’s episode: Facebook’s saying “sorry” for mining contacts, and Apple’s trying to give Mother Earth a hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Alarm Bells: Asylum Seekers, Red Flag Laws, TSA Hair Pat-Downs
The Justice Department is changing policies for asylum seekers waiting for immigration hearings. We’ll explain why fleeing persecution in one country...could mean being detained in another. In Colorado, a massive manhunt for a woman “infatuated” with the Columbine tragedy is over. We’ll tell you why lawmakers there believe new red flag laws could prevent tragedies. Also on today’s episode: why hair is setting off alarms at TSA, and how laser data could help rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Outbreaks and Breakouts: Measles, GOP Contenders, Climate Change Arrests
The measles virus is still spreading, and tight-knit communities are more vulnerable than others. We’ll explain why -- and tell you what’s being done to help. Also: Trump’s not the only GOP candidate in the 2020 race anymore. We’ll tell you why primary contenders can make things messy. Also on today’s episode: climate change protesters in London are getting arrested, and a new study explains why we’re all so distracted. Wait, what? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Notre Dame Fire, Campaign Cash, and FUCT
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris went up in flames today -- we’ll tell you what we know so far. In the US: 2020 presidential candidates are showing us their donation receipts. We’ll explain why the dollar signs are not all that matters. Also on today’s episode: SCOTUS hears a case about the brand that must not be named, and taxpayers are experiencing Instagram vs. reality: Tax Day edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Levelling the Playing Field: Reparations, 5G, Game of Thrones
Georgetown students want to help make amends for history. They voted to add a little extra to their tuition to pay reparations to the descendants of Georgetown’s former slaves. President Trump is also trying to help people who have been underserved. By the Internet. He announced initiatives to expand 5G and help people in rural America. Also on today’s episode: how millennials are saving houseplants and how Game of Thrones is going to save our Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices