Skimm'd over takeout and spa night

theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile

FEBRUARY 20, 2018

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Skimm'd over takeout and spa night


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"We know that this might have inconvenienced some of you" – KFC, after running out of chicken in nearly all of the UK. KFC, you have one job.

THINGS HEATING UP

The Gun Debate

The Story

Students in Parkland, FL and across the US are taking the gun control debate into their own hands.

What's going on?

Last week, a former student shot and killed 17 people at a Florida high school using a semiautomatic weapon. It was one of the deadliest school shootings in US history. Since then, students in Parkland, FL and around the US have taken control of the gun debate and are pressuring Congress to take up gun control legislation. They have been all over TV, in the streets protesting, and are planning more marches and protests in the coming weeks.

theSkimm

After the Las Vegas shooting last year, Congress thought about banning a feature that makes weapons more deadly. Didn't happen. Now, a bill to improve federal background checks that was intro'd last year might have President Trump's support. We'll see.


The Russia Investigation

The Story

13 Russians have been charged with carrying out "information warfare" against the US.

What's going on?

This is part of special counsel Robert Mueller's Trump-Russia investigation. The indictment lays out how Russia allegedly attacked the 2016 election to "undermine public confidence in democracy" and help elect President Trump. It details how Russians, and a troll farm in St. Petersburg, allegedly spent millions of dollars stealing Americans' identities, posing as activists on social media, and buying politically charged ads. And on, and on. One of the defendants who helped fund this activity is an ally of Russian President Putin. The indictment doesn't implicate the Trump campaign in any wrongdoing.

theSkimm

A foreign adversary attacked the US election. Now we have more details on how. And BTW, intel officials say it'll happen again this year. Some states are reportedly reacting by going to paper ballots.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when you finish putting together your new dresser…

Finally. Pennsylvania has a new congressional district map. In '11, Republicans in the state drew up a map that split up voters into districts that favored the GOP. Last month, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court said that map was unconstitutionally partisan and lawmakers needed to go back to the drawing board. Earlier this month, PA Republicans tried to get the Supreme Court to block the ruling. It said 'nah, we'll pass.' One Republican lawmaker called for the Dem justices who ruled in favor of redrawing the map to be impeached. But the Republican-controlled legislature went ahead and took a pen to it anyway. Then last week the PA's Democratic governor vetoed it, saying it still favored the GOP. Since lawmakers and the governor couldn't agree, the court redrew the map itself. It's set to go into effect for the May 15 primary. The GOP's expected to fight the map in court. But the map means Dems could potentially pick up some Republican-held seats in the fall midterm elections.


What to say when you drop the ball on a team project…

Trouble. Just like for Oxfam. Yesterday, the charity released a '11 report into alleged staff misconduct in Haiti. Oxfam is one of the UK's largest charities that sends aid workers to areas dealing with poverty and other crises. Earlier this month, the media reported that Oxfam employees in Haiti allegedly hired prostitutes. And that this happened while the employees were there helping after the '10 earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands and destroyed most of the country. Now, the charity's going public with its internal report on the incidents. The report says that during the investigation three people physically threatened a witness. Oxfam said that it investigated seven employees and that all of them were either fired or resigned. The charity plans to meet with the Haitian gov to apologize. Good idea.


What to say when you hear "Black Panther" won the weekend

The BAFTAs also had some winners. The awards show on the other side of the pond can be a Magic 8 Ball for how the Oscars go down. Because there's overlap with BAFTAs and Oscar voters. So you really really need to see "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," which took home five awards, including best film. And should cave on "The Shape of Water" if you haven't already. Guillermo del Toro nabbed best director for his movie about a woman falling in love with a fish-man.


PS: A lot of other awards shows lead up to the Oscars. We Skimm'd it all for you.


What to say when you hear Fergie's national anthem

Not the best. But Austin Dillon is.

PEOPLE MORE FIT THAN YOU

It's the final week of the Olympics. Skimm HQ is still into it. Here's what you need to know…


Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir: The Canadian ice dancing team who won gold last night. And have fans all over the world shipping them as a couple.


Ester Ledecka: The Czech snowboarder who switched to skiing and pulled off a gold medal. She was ranked 43rd in the World Cup standings. And she shocked everyone. Including herself.


Alexander Krushelnitsky: The Russian curler suspected of doping. This comes after it came out that more than 1,000 Russian athletes were part of a gov-backed doping effort. And the country was banned from sending an official team to the Winter Games. Cool.


Robert Johansson's moustache: The Norwegian who helped his country snag gold in ski jump. His facial hair got some attention, too.

YOU SNOOZE, YOU WIN

Long weekends are nice. Coming back from them is not. Here's how HQ is coping...

For when you spill soy sauce on your bathrobe...

Coming back from a day off will do that to ya. The cure is a night in and more takeout. Pay with the Savor® card to celebrate. You earn cash back at restaurants and a reason to feel good about that second order of noodles.


For when you're getting out of bed after the long weekend...

Can I stay a little longer? This Casper mattress/pillow combo is so comfy that you'll feel like it's a three-day weekend all the time. And you don't want to snooze on this deal. Today's the last day to get it. Do it to it.*


For when you're struggling to 'like' your friend's vacation Insta…

Plan your own. How does four nights in India sound? Flights and five-star hotel included. Yes please.

*PS This is a sponsored section

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Go big.

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