Daily Skimm: Turn the music up to hear that sound

Skimm'd whilst preparing for a major exit

JANUARY 31, 2020 READ IN BROWSER

Skimm'd whilst preparing for a major exit

QUOTE OF THE DAY   "I'm just shocked that I've done something that's upset people more than 'Cats'" – James Corden, after he was caught not driving during "Carpool Karaoke." Don't worry, James, it'll be kara-ok.

HERE WE GO

The Story President Trump's impeachment trial could be coming to an end. What do you mean? First, a quick reminder of how we got here. Last year, the House impeached Trump over his dealings with Ukraine. This year, the Senate kicked off its trial. Impeachment managers and the president's legal team presented their case for and against conviction in front of the Senate. Then there were 16 hours of questions. Who went first? The impeachment managers aka House Democrats. They relied on new and old evidence to support their arguments to convict Trump. And focused on: Abuse of power…as in the first charge against Trump. Democrats argued that he abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival – former VP Joe Biden (and his son, Hunter) – while withholding military aid to the country. It's a narrative that former national security adviser John Bolton's unpublished book seems to support. Obstruction of Congress...as in the second charge against Trump. Democrats argued that he obstructed Congress by blocking documents and witnesses during the House's investigation. And Trump's legal team? Trump's defense team argued the charges don't amount to impeachable offenses, and focused more on: Quid pro quo…as in, one of Trump's lawyers argued that a president running for reelection cannot be impeached for quid pro quo if it's done in the best interest of the country. The Bidens...as in, they argued that Trump didn't "specifically" ask Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, but instead asked for an investigation into the firing of a prosecutor investigating Burisma (a company Hunter Biden was on the board of). Partisanship…as in, they claimed this impeachment was just an effort by Dems to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere in 2020's. What happens now? Today, the Senate will vote on whether to allow witnesses into the trial – something Dems have pushed for. Those calls grew after news of Bolton's unpublished manuscript came to light. But Dems still need four Republican senators to vote with them for this to happen – and only two seem ready to do it. If the vote passes, the trial continues. If not, the Senate could vote as early as today on whether to convict the president and remove him from office...or not. With a Republican-majority Senate, all bets are on acquittal. theSkimm Trump is the third-ever US president to be impeached. As early as today, the country could find out whether he's convicted or acquitted of the charges leveled against him. It's a decision that – whether it comes today or not – could reverberate over the course of this year's election, and for years to come.

AND ALSO...THIS

What's ringing the alarm... The World Health Organization. Yesterday, the org officially declared the new coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency. Last week, it refrained from doing so, saying it was "too early." But the number of cases increased more than tenfold in just a week, and the pneumonia-like virus has spread to over 20 countries. At least 213 people have died, and nearly 10,000 have been infected. The WHO is encouraging countries to work together to combat the coronavirus. More alarm bells: In the US, the first human-to-human transfer of the virus has been recorded. Meanwhile, the State Department issued its highest-level alert for people wanting to travel to China. And says those already there should "consider departing." Skimm This: Our latest podcast ep explains what a global health emergency actually means, and goes into the economic ramifications of the virus.

What some states are fighting for… The Equal Rights Amendment. Yesterday, three attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the US government, calling on it to add the ERA to the US Constitution. The amendment, passed by Congress in 1972, bans discrimination on the basis of sex. But in a deadline imposed by Congress, 38 states needed to adopt the amendment by 1982 for it to be ratified. Only 35 states managed to do it on time. Now, AGs from the last three states needed to ratify the amendment – Virginia, Illinois, and Nevada – are suing, saying the Constitution doesn't give Congress the power to set a deadline on the ratification process.

What's on the up and up... US life expectancy. Yesterday, a CDC report said that life expectancy in the US increased in 2018 for the first time in four years. This was in part due to lower death rates from cancer and drug overdoses. The report also says that women are expected to outlive men by five years (81 and 76, respectively). Psst...Age is more than just a number to your finances. Here's what a longer life expectancy could mean for your wallet.

Who's saying 'au revoir'… Ginni Rometty. Yesterday, IBM announced that its first female CEO is stepping down. Since taking the role in 2012, Rometty invested heavily in cloud computing. But profits have been declining and so has the company's stock. Now the company's saying 'IBye' to Rometty and has IBMet someone else to take over.

What'll have millennials talking more than new emojis... Avocados.

SKIMM READS

"Uncanny Valley" by Anna Wiener Memoir alert. This behind-the-curtain debut charts one millennial's move from a publishing job in New York to the San Francisco tech bubble. What comes next is a wild ride in startup land full of glamour and excess, toxicity and caution. Calling all fans of "The Social Network" or "Brotopia." PS: "Uncanny Valley" is just one of the books we're excited to curl up by the fire with this winter. Check out the rest of our picks that we can't put down this season.

SKIMM PICKS

For when you're looking for an easy way to make an impact… Time to tweet. Olay is doing their part to help close the gender gap. And you can help. For every tweet using #MakeSpaceForWomen through Feb 3, they'll donate $1 to Girls Who Code, up to $500,000. Psst…look out for some of your fave celebs in their ad during this weekend's big game. Get going.* For when your friend had a spare hair tie… She saved you. When it comes to saving money, this personal finance site has a plan. Check out their 7-day savings challenge. Your wallet will thank you later. Rise up.* For when you've spent your life looking for the perfect nail color… Hard to find. Just like the bottles in this online wine shop. It's curated by a Master Sommelier with major chops. And they send global picks right to your door. Psst...you can get $50 off of a $150 purchase. Clink.* *PS: This is a sponsored post.

SKIMM'RS

Raising our paws for...Wanda W (TX). She is a certified professional dog trainer and recently became a certified Pet CPR/First Aid Instructor through Pet Tech. Anything is pawssible. Best wishes for...Kate G (TX). She's deploying on her first volunteer operation with Team Rubicon – a veterans service org that uses disaster relief as a way to reintegrate veterans back into civilian life. (Some) Birthdays...Jenna Elson (NY), Chris Steadley (OH), Emma Eales (CA), Alex Biehl (GA), Cat Roberts (VA), Jenna Elson (NY), Mona Liddell (NC), Aly Glick (DC), Nairi Esayan (NY), Sue Gravas (ME), Elisabeth Shaughnessy (CT), Anton Smajlaj (NJ), Maureen Rich Wallace (NC), Terra Marshall (OH ), Leah Forest (MD), Alix Tarnowsky (LA) *Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

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Skimm HQ is ready to kick off Super Bowl LIV. Share theSkimm with your friend who likes big punts and cannot lie. Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=e98aa03e

Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? help@theSkimm.com Copyright (c) 2020 theSkimm, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: theSkimm Inc. 50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B New York, NY, 10010, United States See our full sponsor agreement Unsubscribe

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Daily Skimm: We just sold out all the floor seats

Skimm'd while turning our passion into a dream job

JANUARY 30, 2020 READ IN BROWSER

Skimm'd while turning our passion into a dream job

QUOTE OF THE DAY   "Brad Pitt" – A name tag at an Oscars luncheon worn by none other than...Brad Pitt. You're doing amazing, sweetie.

SEE EU LATER

The Story So Brexit is actually happening tomorrow. For real this time? Yup. Get your tea and crumpets ready because we're taking a stroll down memory lane. In June 2016, the UK voted 52% to 48% to leave the EU. But no one could agree on how exactly to make Brexit a reality, with contentious issues like Northern Ireland keeping things in a deadlock. But after UK PM Boris Johnson came into office last summer, the UK and EU eventually reached a deal. At 6pm ET tomorrow, the UK will stop being a member of the EU. But breakups are complicated. Uh-oh. What do you mean by that? There'll be an 11-month transition period where the UK and EU still have to hash out the details on their trade relationship, as well as issues like security and transportation. You know, the small stuff. Negotiations aren't expected to start until March, and the transition is slated to end on Dec 31. Will that happen? Let's just say this: trade deals can take years to hammer out. But Johnson has said the transition period won't be extended beyond 2020. Meaning, if we hit New Year's Eve and the UK and EU drop the ball on negotiations, the UK could suddenly revert to World Trade Organization rules. Which would essentially be like a no-deal Brexit – something that lawmakers tried to avoid in the past. Yikes. And in the meantime? For now, it doesn't look like much will change. The UK will still trade freely with the EU and follow its laws. And UK citizens will still have free movement around the bloc. The situation with Northern Ireland will still need to be worked out. But for now, it won't see much of an impact. theSkimm After more than three years of negotiations, the UK will officially be the first country to leave the EU after 47 years of membership. Tomorrow will no doubt be a historic day for the bloc. But it also opens a new chapter of uncertainty around issues that impact tens of millions of people.

AND ALSO...THIS

What the world is monitoring… This coronavirus. Today, the World Health Organization will meet once again to determine whether the pneumonia-like virus amounts to a global health emergency – something it had decided against doing last week. The outbreak has killed at least 170 people and infected more than 7,700 others. In China, coronavirus cases have now surpassed the number of SARS cases that erupted there during the deadly epidemic in the early 2000s. World's response: Japan, Australia, and several other countries are evacuating citizens from the epicenter of the outbreak in central China. Yesterday, a flight carrying about 200 Americans landed in California, where they'll be screened and monitored for three days by health officials. And more evacuations are expected early next week. Closed signs: Some companies are starting to pull away from China during all of this. Google temporarily shut down all offices in the country. Starbucks has closed more than half of its nearly 4,300 Chinese stores. Travel alert: Several airlines (like United and American) have scaled back on flights to and from China. Other airlines (like British Airways and Lufthansa) have suspended those flights altogether.

Where people are raising questions... Mississippi. Earlier this week, a 28-year-old inmate died, marking the 13th prison death in the state since late December. The majority of the deaths have happened at a prison in the northwestern part of the state, after unrest in one of the prison's violent units led to multiple stabbings. But there have also been reports of vermin, mold, and other health concerns there. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) has since pledged to close that unit down. A statewide issue: The state is undergoing a funding and staffing crisis, and the prisons' conditions are deteriorating. The Southern Poverty Law Center and other advocacy groups have called on the DOJ to investigate the state's prison system, accusing Mississippi of "deliberately and systematically" putting prisoners at risk. Legal action: A recent lawsuit filed on behalf of more than two dozen inmates is also targeting the conditions of state prisons. It claims the prisons violate their Eighth Amendment rights around cruel and unusual punishment.

What's not seeing shadows... PETA. The animal rights org is calling for Punxsutawney Phil's retirement. It says groundhogs experience "great stress" in public (like on Groundhog Day) – and wants an AI groundhog instead. Phil of the future, is that you?

Who's reminding us about the land before time… This child.

Impeachment Trial

Day 9 Yesterday, President Trump's impeachment trial entered a new phase as the Senate submitted questions, which are expected to wrap up today. Lawmakers on both sides got to ask questions, read out by Chief Justice John Roberts. Here's what was mentioned: Quid pro quo: Trump's legal team said that if a president did something to get reelected, this kind of quid pro quo shouldn't lead to impeachment. The argument is that if Trump believes his reelection is what's best for the country, he could be acting in the public's interest. Book controversy: A book manuscript by former national security adviser John Bolton reportedly claimed that Trump connected aid to Ukraine with investigations into Democrats, contradicting arguments by the president's defense team. Now the White House has threatened to block the release of Bolton's upcoming book, citing concerns over classified info. What's on standby: The vote on whether to approve witnesses in the trial. That's expected to happen tomorrow. In the meantime, Republicans seem to be confident that they have the votes to keep witnesses from testifying. Important, because that means the trial could wrap up as soon as tomorrow.

SKIMM MONEY

Workin' 9 to 5 (okay, 6...or 7) may be one way to make a livin'. But it's not actually a prereq for earning serious cash. Check our guide on passive income for the deets.

SKIMM PICKS

For when you've gotten your daily steps in all month... This is your year. Your mind deserves some TLC, too. This app gives you daily self-care tips so you can de-stress and feel less anxious. They also have over 500 meditations. Plus, get 50% off an annual membership today only. Sign up now.* For when you're crushing it at work… You're doing well. Make sure your body is too. This new wellness brand makes nutritional supplements with high-impact ingredients without the high price tag. Like Rhodiola rosea root, which is said to naturally calm and fight mental fatigue. So you can keep kicking butt. Learn more.* *PS: This is a sponsored post.

SKIMM'RS

Summer (book) vibes for...Terri P (PA). She's been elected as president of the Friends of the Conshohocken Library. She'll help with the children's summer reading program and run educational and historical adult programming. Get ready to make a (reading) splash. Curtain call for...Susan L (CT). She's incorporated a woman-owned nonprofit theatre company called FUSE. The company's first production is "The Lion King Jr," which opens in March. Here's to a roaring opening night. (Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Dana Raichman (NY), Charlie Stern (NY), Rachel Brooks (NY), Julie Sorenson (CA), Kelly Morin (SA), Heather Ryan-Sigler (VA), Karisa Egan (CT), Moni Graf (KS), Shannon von Ree (AR), Tori Ahlmeyer (VA), Caleb Faille (IL), Jayne Sevenski (KY), Caroline King (ME), Nikki Frantzen (PA), Mary Ciccarelli (MA) *Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

SKIMM SHARE

Skimm HQ loves a good happy-hour team-bonding event. Share theSkimm with your co-worker who can't wait for Dry January to end. Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=e98aa03e

Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? help@theSkimm.com Copyright (c) 2020 theSkimm, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: theSkimm Inc. 50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B New York, NY, 10010, United States See our full sponsor agreement Unsubscribe

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