“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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Not Done Yet: Turkey’s Syria Invasion, Climate Activism, Long Commutes

October 10, 2019 0:12:42 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

Turkey launched an attack on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria this week, bringing violence to a region where thousands of ISIS fighters are held in makeshift prisons. We’ll explain how the international community is reacting to the risk that those terrorists could escape. Meanwhile, climate activists are embracing new and diverse tactics to make their voices heard. We’ll look at the Extinction Rebellion’s disruptive tactics and a new climate lawsuit in Alaska. Also on today’s show: Americans’ average commute time is longer than ever, and Sesame Street teaches an important lesson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Power Struggles: Trump vs. Congress, Fighting Fires, Lithium Batteries

October 09, 2019 0:13:24 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

The White House’s refusal to cooperate with an impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives is setting the stage for a constitutional crisis. We’ll look at what a constitutional crisis actually means, and how Congress could respond here. Meanwhile, protests are going down in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. We’ll take you on a whirlwind tour of the latest demonstrations. Also on today’s show: hundreds of thousands of Californians are finding themselves in the dark, and the inventors of the lithium battery get their 15 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Watch: Chinese Surveillance Companies, Discrimination, The Cosmos

October 08, 2019 0:12:41 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

The US government is taking names. The Commerce Department says its adding 28 Chinese companies to a trade blacklist. We’ll connect the dots on what this has to do with reported human rights violations in China, and what it could mean for the ongoing US-China trade war. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is back on the bench. The Supremes heard two big cases today that could affect millions of LGBTQ-plus workers across the country. Also on today’s show: millennials want to talk about mental health at work, and the latest Nobel Prize award is out of this world.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ready for Battle: Turkey in Syria, Trump's Taxes, Red Blood Cells

October 07, 2019 0:12:11 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

Democrats and Republicans are speaking out against the surprising pullback of US troops from northern Syria, saying the Kurdish forces that helped defeat the Islamic State could be at risk. We’ll explain the pushback Trump’s big move is facing on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile: efforts to keep President Trump’s tax returns a secret hit a legal snag on Monday. We’ll survey the pressure he’s under to make the documents public. Also on today’s show: Millennial investment habits and how the secret life of red blood cells could offer clues about treating cancer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unmasked: Ukraine Texts, Hong Kong Protesters, and Dino Bones

October 04, 2019 0:12:15 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

The former US special envoy to Ukraine has handed over some of his texts as evidence in the House’s impeachment inquiry into President Trump. And now Trump is pulling China into the action, too. Meanwhile, protests in Hong Kong got kicked up a notch. The region’s leader invoked an old law to ban people from wearing masks while protesting. Turns out: there’s history here. Also on today’s show: Haiti’s president is facing some heat, and a dinosaur makes a surprise appearance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remedies: Injection Sites, Wine and Cheese Tariffs, and IPO Woes

October 03, 2019 0:12:41 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

A federal judge just gave a boost to supervised injection sites, saying a clinic in Philadelphia doesn’t violate drug laws. Activists say the ruling could mark a turning point in the fight to reduce drug overdoses. Meanwhile, Swiss cheese and French wine just got dragged into a US-EU trade spat that’s actually about … airplanes. We’ll connect the dots. Also on today’s show: we’ll break down the rough year for IPOs, and how one adventurous eagle is documenting glacial melt in the Alps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gettin' Fresh: Impeachment Inquiry, Boeing Whistleblower, Algae

October 02, 2019 0:11:30 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

House Democrats are ratcheting up the impeachment inquiry. And now, all eyes are on the State Department, which is trying very hard not to get involved in the Democrats’ investigation. Meanwhile, Boeing is back in hot water after a whistleblower complaint alleges some rifts in the company’s culture when it comes to safety. Also on today’s show: algae’s new party trick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super-Massive: China's 70th, Global Banking, and Galactic Mysteries

October 01, 2019 0:13:03 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

Today marked 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the country threw a huge birthday party for itself. China’s economic and military rise is impressive, but there are some storm clouds on the horizon, too. We’ll put it all in perspective. Meanwhile: another phone call between President Trump and a foreign leader is under scrutiny. Also on today’s show: the IMF gets a new boss, and why ‘Planet 9’ may not be a planet at all.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Competing Interests: Refugee Crisis, Campaign Finances, Mortgage Rates

September 30, 2019 0:12:16 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

Four years after the European migrant crisis reached its peak, European leaders are being called on to once again to address a situation that’s never fully been fixed. Meanwhile, Montana Governor and democratic presidential candidate Steve Bullock wants to set up public financing for his campaign -- but the agency that needs to sign off on it is kinda busy right now. Also on the show: why economists say it could be a great time to buy a home, and our raison d'être. PS: Where do you like to listen to our show? When do you listen? Tell us what you think about Skimm This by leaving a voicemail at (646) 461-6370. You could hear your voice on our show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time After Time: Egypt Protests, US Refugee Program, Landmines

September 27, 2019 0:13:24 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

Protesters tried to mobilize across Egypt today for a second week of anti-government demonstrations. But security forces were out in force after days of making arrests. We’ll explain why President el-Sisi is coming under fire. Meanwhile, it was supposed to be the UN’s big week, but the General Assembly meetings got buried under news of drama in DC. We’ll bring you up to speed. Also on the show: the US is cutting back its refugee admissions program, and Prince Harry walks in his mother’s footsteps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Power Moves: Whistleblower Complaint, Israeli Politics, and ‘Gini Index’

September 26, 2019 0:12:18 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

The mysterious whistleblower complaint everyone’s talking about...is finally public. So: we got lots of new details. And lawmakers in Congress had lots of questions – especially about why it took so long to see the complaint. Meanwhile, we could be one step closer to figuring out who will govern Israel after last week’s do-over election. Also on today’s show: income inequality is at a new high, and one Skimm’r who’s making her finances work.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Call Me Maybe: Trump and Ukraine, Juul CEO, and 'Apply Thru'

September 25, 2019 0:13:34 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

It’s the phone call heard ‘round the world: the White House released what it says is a rough transcript of President Trump’s controversial chat with the president of Ukraine. But not everyone is saying ‘case closed.’ In fact, some are saying ‘case wide open.’ Meanwhile: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave her blessing to an impeachment inquiry. We’ll explain what that means IRL. Also on today’s show: a big-name e-cigarette company has a new leader, and McDonald’s has a new way to say ‘you’re hired.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Lies Beneath: UN Speeches, Brexit Ruling, Lost Continent

September 24, 2019 0:11:51 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

The UN General Assembly kicked into high gear today and President Trump urged world leaders to take a page out of his ‘America First’ playbook. UN chief Antonio Guterres had a slightly different idea of how to tackle global problems. We’ll compare and contrast. Meanwhile: the UK’s top court has thrown a wrench in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s political agenda, saying his move to shut down Parliament in the final weeks before Brexit was unlawful. Also on today’s show: it’s National Voter Registration Day, and step aside Atlantis – there’s a new lost continent in town. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Words vs. Action: Trump and Ukraine, UN Climate Summit, and Retirement

September 23, 2019 0:13:45 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

It’s only Monday, but President Trump probably can’t wait for the weekend. A mysterious whistleblower complaint is still dominating the headlines, reportedly for a phone call he had with the President of Ukraine. But Trump would prefer people talk about Ukraine … and former VP Joe Biden. We’ll explain what this is all about. Meanwhile, a bunch of countries got together at the United Nations for a special summit on climate. They talked a strong game about going greener, but was it enough? Also on today’s show: millennials share their concerns about retirement, and a royal family outing in South Africa.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Balancing Act: Climate Strikes, Pacific Islands, and Japanese Whisky

September 20, 2019 0:13:20 0.0 MB Downloads: 0

The world was gripped by massive student-led climate strikes today. Some say the demonstrations were the largest climate protest in history. We’ll let you know what strikers want and what they’ll be watching for at a big UN climate summit on Monday. Meanwhile: Taiwan’s friend group got a bit smaller this week, as it loses support from two of its traditional backers in the Pacific. Also on today’s show: a quick update on Israel’s election, and the truth about Japanese whisky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices