“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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"So Long, Farewell: Julian Assange, Sudan’s President, and Nipsey Hussle"
There were a couple of big arrests today in London and Sudan. And both men could be leaving on a jet plane to face charges. The U.S. wants Wikileaks founder Julian Assange stateside to face a conspiracy charge. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has an open invite to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and genocide. Also on today’s episode: Nipsey Hussle’s funeral in Los Angeles and signs of voting in India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the Pipeline: Oil, Gas, and Taxes
President Trump flew to Texas today to visit the heart of the oil and gas industry, and he signed two controversial executive orders while he was there. They’re meant to make it easier to build oil and gas pipelines - which some states have not been happy about. Another thing not getting easier: taxes. Congress just banned the IRS from ever offering a free tax filing service. Also on today’s episode: a legend in the NBA is retiring and we finally get a peek at a black hole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Middle Men: Drug Prices and the (No Spoilers) Mueller Report
Crazy high drug prices have gotten bipartisan attention lately. Back in February, drug companies pointed fingers at Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Today, five PBM execs were on Capitol Hill and pointed the finger back. Attorney General William Barr was on the Hill, too, getting grilled about the Mueller Report. Also on today’s episode: a duchess’ tax dilemma and a marathon on ice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In or Out: The Israeli Elections and the West Bank, Cabinet Shakeups and the Border and NCAA Finals
Israel is getting ready to head to the polls, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is giving voters one more thing to think about: the West Bank. The region at the center of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. NBD. In the US, more shake-ups in the Trump Administration. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and her Secret Service Director are out. There are a lot of questions about Nielsen’s replacement. Also on today’s episode: why more defense might make for a March Madness dud, and huge pythons in Florida caught by a honey pot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s Complicated: Saudis and the US, Ecuador and Julian Assange, Cats
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the US are heating up. Congress voted to end US military support for the kingdom’s proxy war in Yemen after the Saudi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated last year. Putting President Trump in an awkward spot. In other diplomatic tension, Julian Assange may have overstayed his welcome at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Packing his bags could land him in jail. And in the US. Also on today’s episode: a Final Four Cinderella story and rude cats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why Dems Are So Obsessed with President Trump’s Tax Returns
President Trump has gotten a lot of heat for keeping his tax returns under lock and key. Now, Dems are cutting out the middle man and asking the IRS to show them the receipts. But why are the president’s tax returns such a big deal? In other money news, the Dept of Education has been cutting down on who’s eligible for a public student loan forgiveness program. Also on today’s episode: science wants you to take a walk and chill, and Airbnb’s inviting you to a sleepover at Mona Lisa’s house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sharia Law in Brunei and NATO’s 70th
Human rights groups all over the world are calling out Brunei for harsh new laws. People caught participating in gay sex could now be stoned to death. So we’re breaking down Sharia law and how it’s interpreted across the Muslim world. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Capitol Hill. Just in time for NATO’s bday. But don’t expect a big party. Also on today’s episode: people are seeing red over taxes, and a spy in Mar-a-Lago’s saying ‘sorry about that, Chief.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Facebook vs. Fake News
India is headed to the polls soon. Social media there has turned into a mess of fake news. Sounds familiar. Facebook is trying to avoid a repeat of the 2016 U.S. elections. But that’s harder than it sounds. Meanwhile, the US Senate can’t agree on a budget for Puerto Rico relief funding. Also on today’s episode: it’s Equal Pay Day (but not for everyone), and Chicago gets ready to make history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cutting Aid and Clearing Officials
The Trump Administration is thinking about cutting aid to a few Central American countries. It’s pointing to the border crisis. But how are the two related, again? In other DC news, today we found out that the White House gave security clearances to dozens of officials - even after their applications were denied. Also on today’s episode: Democrats are talking about the robot tax, and Japan says, ‘new era, new us.’ PS: Equal Pay Day is coming up. Leave us a voicemail at 646.461.6370 to tell us how you’ve fought for equal pay at the office. And you just might hear your two cents on the show next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
No Deal Brexit. But We Have Lyft-off.
Third time’s the charm. Except when it comes to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to get a Brexit deal approved. Bollocks. Parliament voted down her plan for the third time today. Making a no-deal Brexit look like a definite possibility. We’ll tell you what that could look like. Also on today’s episode: Lyft requests a ride to Wall St, and Skimm’r Melissa tells us about her Woman of the Week. PS: Equal Pay Day is coming up. Leave us a voicemail at 646.461.6370 to tell us how you’ve fought for equal pay at the office. And you just might hear your two cents on the show next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hustling for Healthcare and Decoding 5G: Medicaid Work Requirements and Huawei
A DC judge struck down laws in Arkansas and Kentucky that would require Medicaid recipients to work in exchange for getting free or low-cost government healthcare coverage. Opening up the floor for debate. Meanwhile, the UK is the latest country to call out Chinese tech giant Huawei for being insecure. Also on today’s episode: Sarah Kate Ellis gets ready to present the Carters with some gold, and we get bad news from the produce aisle. PS: Want to tell us about your Woman of the Week? Leave us a voicemail at 646.461.6370 and you might hear your voice on the show on Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Border Wall Budget and Theresa May’s (Br)exit Strategy
The Pentagon is checking its account - and making bank transfers - to figure out how it’s going to pay for President Trump’s border wall. Not everyone is happy with their fix. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that she’s got a brand new Brexit strategy: stepping down. Also on today’s episode: “Hidden Figures” are found on Capitol Hill, and the EU is putting on the brakes. In cars. PS: Want to tell us about your Woman of the Week? Leave us a voicemail at 646-461-6370, and you might hear your voice on the show this Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nevermind: Trump Admin to the ACA, Chicago Prosecutors to Jussie Smollett, NASA to its All-Female Spacewalk
The Trump Administration wants to take down the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare. Spoiler: this won’t be the last time you’ll hear about healthcare. Because 2020. Changes to the law could affect you. We’ll tell you about it. Meanwhile, in Chicago, it’s “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s lucky day. Prosecutors dropped all charges made against him for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself and cleared his record. Also on today’s episode: an all-female editorial staff at the Vatican says ‘we quit’, and NASA reminds everyone that size matters. When you’re suiting up for zero gravity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Robert Mueller’s Day Off (And What it Means for Everyone Else)
Mueller…? Mueller…? After two years, Special Counsel Robert Mueller finally turned in his report to the DOJ. And probably had a great weekend … while Attorney General William Barr got down to speed-reading. Today, we’re breaking down the questions that are still swirling around about the report, including the big O(J). Obstruction of Justice. Also on today’s episode: we intro you to the unlikely Brexiter-in-chief, Theresa May, and a certain tech company has some (Apple) News. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Disputed Territories: The Golan Heights and Abortion Rights
President Trump tweeted earlier this week that the US should recognize that Israel’s the boss of a disputed area called the Golan Heights. Making the US the first country to do so. Spoiler: the international community is annoyed. We’ll explain what’s going on. Back at home, Mississippi now officially has one of the strictest abortion laws in the country. Cue: legal pushback. Abortion activists are hoping they can take it to the big leagues: SCOTUS. Also on today’s episode: Skimm’rs Emma and Erica thank their mommas for what they gave ‘em. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices