Skimm This

First: We’ve got the context on the biggest stories from the week – from the war in Ukraine, to the latest booster shot recommendations. And a major immigration announcement from the White House. Next up: A bombshell new report revealed that Facebook’s parent company hired a private firm to dish dirt on fellow social media giant TikTok. We’ll skimm the digital drama…in 60 seconds. ICYMI: As we hea...

First: We’ve got the context on the biggest stories from the week – from the new Omicron subvariant, to a controversial new abortion bill in Idaho. And a major declaration from the United States that has some people saying: “too little, too late?” Next up: Biden’s Supreme Court pick Ketanji Brown Jackson headed to Capitol Hill this week. We’ll break down what we learned about Jackson from her mara...

First: We’ll start this week by speaking to someone inside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. We've got an inside look at emotions on the ground, the latest on US involvement, and where the war could go from here.  Next up: With Putin playing mind games on his own turf, we’ll take a look at the information iron curtain in Russia. ICYMI: The Fed announced it’s raising interest rates .25%. We’ll explain...

First: We’re entering a new phase of the war in Ukraine as Russia ramps up its attacks on civilians. Cue: pressure on the US to hit Russia harder. We’ll break down Biden’s big announcement this week banning Russian oil, the damage it could cause to Russia, and what it means for us here at home.   Next up: We’ll speak to an expert about the other cyber weapons at Russia’s disposal - and what might...

First: Over a million refugees have left Ukraine as Russia continues to attack the country. We'll speak to a professor about what’s next for those leaving and how Europe has historically handled an influx of displaced people. Looking for ways to help Ukraine? Check out our guide.  Next up: This war isn’t just being fought militarily. The West has also used global finance as a weapon to hit Russia...

First: It finally happened. Russia has launched a major invasion of Ukraine. We know the headlines probably feel scary and chaotic right now. So we’re going to cut through the noise by talking to two experts in Europe about what we can expect next.  Next up: We’ll give you the context on the other headlines from the week — including more countries rolling back COVID protocols, a major new report o...

First: Tensions at the Ukrainian border seem to be at a boiling point, as the US warns a Russian invasion is imminent. We spoke to a reporter on the ground in Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv to see what life has been like amid rising tensions.  Next up: We’ll give you the context on the other headlines from the week — including more drama at the Olympics, a major settlement for the families of Sandy H...

Suit up, Skimm’rs. This week, we’re all about the competition: Winter Olympics drama. The Super Bowl, which, yes, we’re watching for the ads. And big tech, where some power players are trying to avoid a losing streak. Plus, the latest on protests in Canada’s capital and mask mandate rollbacks. First: We’ve got updates on a landmark #MeToo bill that passed in Congress, which states are relaxing the...

First up: We’ve got the latest on the US military operation in Syria, a potential COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five, and a bombshell lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the NFL. Plus, the latest data shows rents in major cities are sky high.  Next: Speaking of sport and scandal…the Winter Olympics are kicking off in Beijing this week. We’ll talk to one reporter about diplomatic boycotts a...

First up: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring. We called up a law professor to find out what this means for the court’s future.  Next: We’ve got the latest on tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border, as well as the stock market’s wild ride this week and why this year’s tax filing season is off to a rocky start for the IRS. BTW, here’s theSkimm’s guide to completing your tax return. Then...

First up: We’ve got the latest on voting rights legislation in the Senate, 5G versus airlines, the Texas synagogue standoff, and how to get free COVID-19 tests and N95 masks. Next: We called up White House press secretary Jen Psaki to talk about President Biden’s priorities for his second year in office.  ICYMI: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in hot water for breaking lockdown rules in 2020. R...

First up: We’ve got the latest on how hospitals are coping with Omicron cases amid a staffing shortage, rising inflation (again), the latest scandal to hit top US universities, and Prince Andrew getting thrown some royal shade.  Then: The US and Russia are squaring off again – and these talks are giving people some major Cold War vibes. We’ll ask one expert why things are so tense right now, and w...

First up: We’ve got the latest on school closures across the country, COVID-19 boosters for teenagers, the jury’s verdict in the Elizabeth Holmes trial, and Apple hitting $3 trillion dollars.  Next: Verizon and AT&T’s 5G rollout is threatening to ground planes in major cities all over the US. We’ll break down why — and how the airlines and mobile networks plan to fix it.  Then: One year ago today,...

First up: We’ve got the latest on the end of the Kellogg’s workers’ strike, the government hitting pause on student loan repayments again and emergency FDA authorization for Pfizer’s at-home COVID-19 pill.  Then: If you’ve been wondering why we’re all still scrambling for rapid tests two years into the pandemic… you’re not alone. We Skimm’d Biden’s announcement this week on the plan for tackling O...

First up: We’ve got the latest on the tornado damage in Kentucky, Congress raising the debt ceiling, and the big USA Gymnastics settlement.  Then: This week, Congress passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, funding the military for the next year. But this year’s bill was different. We’ll break down a major change that’s meant to curb sexual assault in the armed services.  ICYMI: The...

Today: we're sharing the latest episode of another Skimm podcast, Pop Cultured with theSkimm. Skimm This will be back in your feed with the week's news on Thursday. The Bachelorette’s Michelle Young is making Bachelor nation history. For the first time since the franchise premiered in 2002, the man who'll soon be handed that final rose is guaranteed to be a man of color. It may seem like reality d...

First up: President Biden and Vladimir Putin had an awkward Zoom this week to discuss the growing tension at the border of Ukraine. But just like any convo you’ve had with a friend slash enemy, this one… didn’t solve much.  Next: Speaking of US frenemies, this week Biden bucked the social norms by RSVPing ‘no’ to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics… as did Canada, the UK and Australia. ICYMI: We’ve g...

First up: The word of the week is definitely “Omicron.” We called up a doctor friend to break down what we do and don’t know about the new COVID-19 variant. Next: We’ll get into this week’s other big headlines, from a school shooting in Michigan to a controversial new Twitter policy, and the start of Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial. Then: The Supreme Court heard a major abortion case this week about Mis...

First up: We’ve got a breakdown of the week’s biggest stories – including anti-lockdown protests in Europe, what President Biden is doing to lower gas prices, and why more Americans are saying they don’t want to have children.  Next: We’ll break down the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and speaking to an expert about the bigger implications of this trial for gun rights in the United States....

First up: We’ll break down the headlines, including what got settled at a meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and China, why the sports world is on edge after the disappearance of a Chinese tennis star, new consumer spending data, and why the House voted to censure Republican Paul Gosar. Next: Vladimir Putin is causing headaches for world leaders again. We’ll ask one expert: why is Russia stir...

First up: Nine people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival last weekend. We called up one local reporter who was on the scene to explain what happened, whether this tragedy could have been prevented, and what it means for live music.  Next: Congress finally passed its $1.2 billion infrastructure bill. We’ve got the details on how the money’s gonna be spent. Then: The U.N....

First up: We’ve got a breakdown of what went down in elections all over the country this week, and what it could mean for next year’s midterms.  Next: We’ll get into this week’s other big stories, from the latest on COVID-19 vaccines for kids to workplace vaccine mandates and Facebook’s retreat from facial recognition. Then: Texas’ restrictive abortion law wound up in front of the Supreme Court ag...

First up: So much for paid family leave. Democrats unveiled a more than $1 trillion spending bill this week, but it’s leaving a lot of people disappointed. We’ll catch up with one Capitol Hill reporter to find out why. Next: We’ve got the latest on Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids under 12, the coup in Sudan, the U.N.’s scary climate report and the U.S. asking passport holders: is your gender M, F...

First up: We’ve got the latest on COVID booster shots, over-the-counter hearing aids, a breakthrough organ transplant, and a high-profile kidnapping in Haiti.  Next: Congress’ January 6th investigation is picking up steam. We’ll break down what info they’re after, and why former Trump advisor Steve Bannon is coming up in all of this.  ICYMI: It’s flu season again, and experts are warning about a “...

First up: We’ve got the latest on I.C.E. ending worksite immigration raids, Social Security payments increasing, and the F.D.A.’s first approval of a vape pen.  Then: We’ve spent a lot of time talking about COVID-19 vaccines — but what about treatments? We’ll ask one expert about the difficult work of discovering COVID treatments, Merck’s new pill, and any new treatments we can expect. Next: Texas...