Skimm'd while learning how to code

"Please refer to PowerPoint above" – The guy who turned his Tinder profile into a pitch deck. He has dirty blonde hair, a Netflix account, and way too much time on his hands.

BUMPING THIS

The Story

President Trump is moving to ban bump stocks.

Pause. What is a bump stock?

An attachment that lets a semiautomatic rifle mimic an automatic weapon by firing continuously. It was used last year by the Las Vegas gunman to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.

So, why now?

Trump says this is to help prevent future mass shootings, like the one in Las Vegas. And like the one last week at a Florida high school that left 14 students and three staff members dead. Bump stocks weren't used in that shooting, but a semiautomatic weapon was. Last year, Congress thought about banning bump stocks. Nothing happened. Yesterday, Florida lawmakers voted on whether to debate a possible assault rifle ban. They said no.

When does this take effect?

We'll see. The Justice Department said that it will move quickly on drafting regulations. TBD on when that will happen. But one Democratic senator who welcomed the ban warned that Trump's order could be tied up in court for years.

theSkimm

Any kind of gun control from a Republican president would be a very big deal, since the party's base has always pressured lawmakers to be pro-gun rights. But Trump is facing a different kind of pressure in the opposite direction – from the surviving students of the Parkland shooting.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching…

Syria. This week, the Syrian gov has been bombarding rebel-held eastern Ghouta, killing more than an estimated 200 people. These have been the deadliest days in the area in years. Syria's civil war has been going on for almost seven years. Rebel forces (some of whom have been helped by the US) have been fighting against forces that support Syrian President Assad (helped by Russia and Iran). Since 2012, rebels have kept control over this area near the capital. The gov allegedly attacked eastern Ghouta with chemical weapons in 2013 and it's been under government siege for years – meaning limited access to food and supplies. This is one of the last rebel-controlled areas in the country. Now, it seems like the Syrian government may be ready to retake the territory at any cost. And could be prepping for a major ground invasion.

What to say when you hear Louisville is losing its championship…

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. Yesterday, a lawyer pleaded guilty to lying to investigators. This is part of special counsel Robert Mueller's Trump-Russia investigation. As part of that investigation, Mueller's been looking into former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his no. 2, former Trump aide Rick Gates. They've been charged with things like conspiracy against the US, fraud, and money laundering. The lawyer, who's the son-in-law of a Russian oligarch, admitted he wasn't telling the truth about when he was last in contact with Gates. Unclear what this means for the larger investigation, but could be that the lawyer's plea deal means Mueller's trying to get Manafort on more charges – and wants the lawyer to cooperate. The charges came the same day that Mueller indicted 13 Russians for allegedly trolling America's election.

What to say when someone you don't know asks you to invest in their Kickstarter…

I'm good – but best of luck. Yesterday, Venezuela launched its own cryptocurrency – the first time a country's done that. Venezuela is sitting on the world's largest known oil reserves, and has long used oil profits to prop up its socialist system. But in recent years, oil prices have tanked – and so has Venezuela's economy. It's so bad that its currency is basically worthless, and people are starving while trying to access food and basic supplies. Venezuela's president – who's been the subject of massive protests and US sanctions – thinks this currency, called the petro, could turn things around. The currency is being backed by oil, which is awkward because the opposition says it's illegal to use the country's oil reserves to back financial transactions. Some people are saying 'I don't see it.'

What to say when you're crashing on a deadline that gets postponed...

Whew. Cape Town is pushing back the date it expects to run out of water. The South African city's been in a drought and the water supply there has been really low for months. A few weeks ago, the city told residents to expect to run out of water in April. If this actually happens, it would be the first major city in the world to do so. Now, thanks in large part to efforts by residents to save water, that expected day – what's referred to as "Day Zero" – has been pushed back to July. Not out of the woods yet – but very welcome news.

What to say to your friend who always complains about their boss...

Newsweek editors are putting it in writing.

What to say to your friend who carries an EpiPen...

Fingers crossed for this.

PEOPLE MORE FIT THAN YOU

It's the last few days of the Olympics. Here's what you need to know…

USA v Canada: The gold medal game is on for women's hockey. This is a decades-long rivalry. In the 2014 Olympics, Canada beat the US for the gold. But in the 2017 World Championships, the US beat Canada. Should be an (n)ice game.

Heather Bergsma: The US women's speed skater who's held some world records in her sport. But she and her team have had a tough year. Bergsma – who was a favorite to medal – came in eighth place, twice. She's up again today for team semifinals.

Lindsey Vonn: The American alpine ski racer who got bronze in downhill skiing. The same event she took home a gold for in 2010. Her goal: end her Olympic career on a high note. Not too shabby.

GROW THIS B

Skimm HQ has ended many team meetings with this line. That's because we like to stick to our startup life roots. Here are some ways you can get those entrepreneurial vibes going…

For when you're ready to make your side hustle your main hustle...

Doooo it. Start a business. There's a school for that. This free video workshop gives you everything you need to start and grow your own B. MBA not necessary. Get into it here.*

For when you've just scheduled a coffee date with your mentor...

Add it to the cal. Then meet our podcast "Skimm'd from The Couch." This week we have on Girls Who Code Founder and CEO Reshma Saujani to talk everything from working to pay off student loans to closing the gender gap. Listen here.

For when you want to make a difference…

Get involved. Our Skimm'r of the Week Randy Taran did. She founded ProjectHappiness when she saw that her daughter was showing signs of depression. Through helping her, Randy created a program of resources for students with similar struggles. It's now in every US state and over 120 countries. Learn more here.

PS: Every week for the rest of the year we'll be featuring a Skimm'r of the Week. At the end of the year, we'll choose a Skimm'r of the Year...it's our version of Best Picture. More on that over here.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

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