“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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Unmasked: Ukraine Texts, Hong Kong Protesters, and Dino Bones
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
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
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
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
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
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’
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'
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
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
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
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
Step Up: Whistleblowers, Russian Protests, and the Washington Monument
A whistleblower is sending Washington into a tizzy today. The House Intelligence Committee is demanding information about a complaint that reportedly has to do with President Trump. Meanwhile: an actor’s arrest is making waves in Russia. And other actors are staging protests. Also on today’s show: a big Chinese tech company is launching a new smartphone model in the middle of a trade war, and the Washington Monument is making it easier to make it to the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
New Normals: Tent Courts, Interest Rates, and ‘They’
The Trump Administration is unveiling new immigration courts that look a little different than what you might expect. They’re actually tents and shipping containers built right near the US-Mexico border as a part of a big new immigration policy. We’ll explain. Also: the Fed slashed interest rates for just the second time since the Great Recession today, heeding a request by President Trump. Also on today’s show: Greta Thunberg turns the tables in DC, and the dictionary gets nonbinary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Making Waves: Auto Strikes, Impeachment Hearings, and Channel Swimming
Autoworkers across the country are joining the picket line in a strike against General Motors. They say the company needs to give them better wages and benefits. Meanwhile, President Trump’s former campaign manager was on Capitol Hill today for the first official impeachment hearing. Also on today’s show: Indonesia is making a big change to its child marriage laws, and an American is making waves across the pond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Awaiting Results: Israeli Elections, Saudi Oil, and Science Prizes
Israelis might be feeling a little déjà vu: they’re heading back to the polls tomorrow to vote for parliament for the second time this year. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has put a lot of issues in play, from the annexation of West Bank settlements to mandatory military service. Meanwhile, half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production was cut off after drones reportedly attacked the country’s largest oil plant on Saturday. Global oil markets are feeling the heat as the plant tries to get up and running again. Also on today’s show: we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and we share some weird science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices