“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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No Quick Fix: Immigration, Middle East Peace, and Women’s Soccer
Immigration and Customs Enforcement was scheduled to target 2,000 families in raids across the country this weekend. But with hours to spare before the raids: President Trump called them off. For now. This is all happening amid renewed focus on conditions for migrants - especially kids - being housed at the border. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, the US is giving peace in the Middle East another go with a two-day ‘economic workshop’ this week. But the Trump admin isn’t necessarily on everyone’s good side at the moment. We’ll explain why. Also on today’s episode: the USWNT is goals, and a new kind of ‘female Viagra.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Take It Back: US and Iran, Police on Social Media, and Harry Potter
President Trump says he approved military strikes on Iran planned for last night – but that he called them off with ten minutes to spare. This is the latest move in the rocky relationship between the US and Iran, and it has the world’s attention. We’ll explain the complexities here. Meanwhile, dozens of police officers in Philadelphia have been put on desk duty after a group uncovered public social media posts that were racist, Islamophobic, and misogynistic. But Philly isn’t the only city where police are under fire for this. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: puppy love at Amazon HQ, and your Hogwarts acceptance letter is finally en route. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meet Me In The Middle: China and NK, UK Prime Minister, and Phone Bone
Today, China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un kicked off a two-day summit with the red-carpet treatment. This is the first time in almost 15 years that a Chinese leader has visited North Korea. And some are saying this is China playing mediator between North Korea and the US. We’ll explain why that’s a big deal. Meanwhile, it’s off to the races for the next UK prime minister. Meet your final two contestants: former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. We’ll tell you what to expect going forward. Also on today’s episode: a new UN report says more people are displaced than ever before, and a new 21st century problem is a real pain in the neck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Owning Up: Reparations, Jamal Khashoggi, and Joy Harjo
Hundreds of people showed up to a House subcommittee hearing today on Capitol Hill. The topic? A bill that would create a commission to study slavery and whether reparations for African Americans are in order. We’ll explain the conversation happening around reparations. Meanwhile, a UN investigator has released a new report about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The report says there’s evidence that points to top officials in Saudi Arabia – including the crown prince. We’ll break down what’s new in the report. Also on today’s episode: Joy Harjo is the first Native American US Poet Laureate, and why Adidas may be feeling a little directionless. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ready to Launch: Libra, Trump’s 2020 Campaign, and Boaty McBoatface
It’s only June, but Facebook’s ready for Libra season. The social media giant is about to roll out a new global cryptocurrency called Libra. We’ll explain why Facebook thinks you should turn your $ into ≋. Meanwhile, President Trump will officially announce his re-election campaign tonight at a rally in Orlando. Technically he’s been running ever since he took office in 2017. But there are some nitty-gritty rules sitting presidents are supposed to follow on the campaign trail. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: pride flags abound, and Boaty McBoatface is making waves. Again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Decisions, Decisions: Iran Nuclear Deal, SCOTUS, and Gloria Vanderbilt
The Iran Nuclear Deal is on the rocks. This is the deal Iran, the US and a bunch of major EU and other powers signed back in 2015 to prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon. Now, Iran’s says it’s about to break one of the promises it made in that deal. We’ll tell you why this is important. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court laid down the law today. We’re breaking down two of the big decisions: double jeopardy and racial gerrymandering. One may impact President Trump’s former campaign chairman, and one is just the first chapter from SCOTUS on the subject. Also on today’s episode: 2020 presidential candidate Cory Booker chatted with theSkimm about a potential question on the upcoming census, and we reflect on the life of the late fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
History Rhymes: the US and Iran, Flint, and Father’s Day
There were explosions on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week. The US is pointing the finger at Iran, who’s saying ‘not us.’ These two countries have been going at it for a while – but the implications of this latest fight are global. We’ll break it down. Meanwhile, Michigan prosecutors are dropping criminal charges against officials accused of contributing to the Flint water crisis. But prosecutors say they’re still investigating. We’ll explain. Also on today’s episode: Dads. We asked you to call in and tell us about the fathers or father figures in your life. Hear what our listeners had to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fake It Till You Make It: Russia Probe Inquiry, ‘Deepfakes’, and Dads
Special Counsel Robert Mueller dropped the mic a couple weeks ago, but Washington still has some unfinished business with the Russia investigation. The Attorney General has launched an investigation into the original investigation. Pre-Mueller. We’ll tell you more about it – and what it has to do with comments President Trump made on TV last night. Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee met today to talk about ‘deepfakes’ - aka manipulated videos that seem real. AI experts warned today: they’re not ready to detect them all. Also on today’s episode: a new poll about dads feeling ‘dad shamed,’ and the Stanley Cup’s post-victory journey. PS: Father’s Day is this Sunday, and we want to hear about the dads or dad figures in your life. Leave a message at 646-461-6370 and you may hear your voice on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Waving Flags: Hong Kong Protests, Executive Privilege, and Pulse
There were massive protests in Hong Kong today over a bill that would allow fugitives to be extradited to mainland China. Hong Kong is technically a semi-autonomous part of China. And protesters say this bill is really about China exerting more control over them. We’ll explain. Meanwhile, President Trump dusted off his executive privilege card over documents related to a new question on the 2020 census. The Trump admin wants to ask people if they’re citizens. And Dems in Congress want to see the docs. We’ll break this down for you. Also on today’s episode: the third anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, and C-section parties in Brazil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Game Time: ‘Safe Third Country’, Iowa, and Kickoff
The US and Mexico struck a deal on immigration before President Trump could impose tariffs on all Mexican imports. But now, Trump is saying ‘more to come.’ That could have to do with Mexico being named a ‘safe third country’ – something Mexico doesn’t really want. We’ll explain why. Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidates are practically tripping over each other in Iowa. The reason: it’s the first state to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ in the presidential primaries. And Iowans want candidates to ‘think local.’ Also on today’s episode: Botswana is the latest African country to decriminalize gay sex, and the US women’s team kicked off its first match in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Everything's Goin' My Way: Mueller Report, Health Care, and Ali Stroker
This week, lawmakers in Congress are nose-deep in a page-turner: the Mueller Report. Mueller’s not talking … but Dems are hearing from some old school political junkies - like President Nixon’s former White House counsel John Dean - and trying to force other people to show up. We'll explain why. Meanwhile, California lawmakers say it’s time for a check-up. Their new budget plan would give some undocumented immigrants state health care coverage - the first state to do so. Also on today’s episode: Broadway actress Ali Stroker made history at the Tony Awards, and Starbucks is trying green on for size. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flip it and Reverse it: Emissions Rules, Robocallers, and the Women’s World Cup
Major automakers wrote a letter to two of their pen pals: President Trump and CA Gov. Gavin Newsom. They’re asking them to, pretty please, compromise on emissions standards. Before it’s too late. We’ll tell you why the auto industry wants to pump the brakes. Meanwhile, the FCC passed new rules that could make your hotline bling a little less. Because robocallers. Also on today’s episode: the Women’s World Cup kicks today, and NASA hopes your weekend is out of this world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Not Forgotten: D-Day and Today, Hyde Amendment, and Long Weekend Forever
World leaders gathered today to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and remember those who fought and those who lost their lives. But the alliances in place since D-Day between the US and Europe are now being tested. We’ll explain how we got here. Meanwhile, 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden is singling himself out from the rest of the democratic pack in supporting the Hyde Amendment. Which bars the federal government from funding most abortions. We’ll tell you why Biden’s taking heat for backing it. Also on today’s episode: a Gen-Z is making history at the French Open, and the people in the UK want Summer Fridays all year long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Work, Work, Work: Arms Sales, Mexican Tariffs, and a Mass Wedding
The Trump administration wants to sell $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East countries. But many US lawmakers are saying: ‘bad idea.’ We’ll explain why they don’t want this sale to go through, and how they plan to stop it. Meanwhile, Mexico’s foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard is in DC trying to talk the Trump administration down from raising tariffs. We’ll tell you where that debate stands now - it’s taxing. Also on today’s episode: a mass wedding in Israel with a lot of pride, and 600 million reasons to work, work, work, work, work, work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Old Wounds: Tiananmen Square, Cuba, and High Heels
It’s been 30 years since Beijing's Tiananmen Square massacre, in which the Chinese government turned the military on its own people. China doesn’t want to talk about it – but some survivors do. And the US has a lot to say. We’ll explain the complex dynamics here. Meanwhile, if you haven’t booked your summer trip to Cuba yet: you may be too late. The Trump administration is restricting some travel to Cuba. We’ll give you the history on this. Also on today’s episode: the end of Ramadan has Muslims on a lunar watch, and Japanese women are taking a stand … against high heels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices