Skimm This

There’s a baby bust in the US: A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that last year’s birth rate was down 2 percent from 2017 - and was the lowest in 32 years. We’ll explain why fewer babies could be a problem for the economy. Meanwhile, the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration was taking heat on Capitol Hill today. This hearing comes two months after the administration grounded the Boeing 737 Max airplanes following two deadly crashes. We’ll tell you why lawmakers are concerned about how the FAA gives planes the green light. Also on today’s episode: social media influencers are feeling the gender pay gap, and how your co-workers are keeping you from doing your job.

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Facial recognition technology is creeping into all aspects of life, and San Francisco could be the first city in the US to block it. Other cities are thinking of following suit -- we’ll explain why. Attorney General William Barr wants to know how the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe got started. And he’s calling for back-up: from the US Attorney in Connecticut. Also on today’s episode: a security flaw on WhatsApp could have given hackers your private info, and some pride for your favorite animated aardvark’s teacher.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo crashed a meeting of EU foreign ministers today ... and he had Iran on the brain. Tensions between the US and Iran have been heating up for weeks, and now Pompeo is asking US allies: ‘are you with me?’ Meanwhile, Sweden and the US are about to start a game tug-of-war over Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Sweden just re-opened an investigation into a sexual assault allegation against him. And the US wants Assange on a conspiracy charge. Also on today’s episode: a new report says Asian American and Pacific Islanders are powerful influencers and a key financial force, and we remember the life of Hollywood actress and singer Doris Day.

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Today, trade talks between the US and China left with them saying ‘no deal.’ Right after the US raised tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent. These two powers have spent months at the negotiating table to come up with a long-term trade deal. We’ll explain how we got here. Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled a moon lander called Blue Moon. Bezos says his company, Blue Origin, wants to send people to the moon by 2024. We’ll tell you why private companies have stars in their eyes. And finally: Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Yesterday, we asked you about the moms in your life. You made us cry. 

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Uber’s heading to Wall Street tomorrow to make its debut on the stock exchange. But the ride-sharing company has seen a lot of backlash lately. Meanwhile, Pope Francis issued a new law that requires officials in the Catholic Church to report sex abuse and any coverup in the church. It’s an issue the Vatican has been grappling with for a while now. Also in today’s episode: how the US and China’s trade war is going to impact your wallet, and a look at baby names trending on your feed.

PS: Our phone number is 646-461-6370. Leave us a voicemail for our Mother’s Day segment, and you might hear your voice on the show.

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There’s a mom crisis in the US. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that about 700 women die every year in the US during pregnancy or after childbirth. Those numbers are up about 75% from the year 2000, worse than other high-income countries, and black and Native American women are most affected. We'll explain. Then: President Trump is playing the “executive privilege” card against releasing the unredacted Mueller report...and all of the underlying material the team used to write it. Also on today’s episode: how some states are trying to help high schoolers understand money, money, money, money ... and why “zero waste” is flying high.

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The Trump admin has announced they’re sending a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Persian Gulf - saying Iran has threatened US troops in the Middle East. It’s been nearly a year since the US pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Treaty -- and the beef keeps getting bigger. So where does it go from here? Meanwhile, the House Judiciary Committee has “contempt” on the brain after Attorney General Bill Barr skipped their congressional hearing. We’ll explain why that’ll be a whole process. Also on today’s episode: Denver’s deciding how to feel about magic mushrooms and California’s basking with sharks.

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A UN report is warning that one species - us - is threatening a million other species with extinction. Today, we’ll explain why biodiversity matters for humanity and how we can mitigate the damage. Meanwhile: the US and China were supposed to be close to a trade deal - but there are some new hurdles. We’ll tell you how the trade war is impacting folks here. Also on today’s episode: NBA center Enes Kanter is breaking fast for the playoffs and the Royals are celebrating new Baby Sussex. 

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Florida’s governor is set to sign a bill telling counties and towns they can’t offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. We’ll explain ‘sanctuary cities’ -- and how Florida’s soon-to-be law lines up with the rest of the US. Meanwhile: there’s a new study out that scientists say could stop the spread of HIV. Also on today’s episode: a new jobs report that’ll make your wallet feel full, and fun horse facts when you go Eliza Doolittle this weekend. 

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 Venezuela still doesn’t know who’s in charge. We’ll talk about why the US was predicting a peaceful transition of power - and why now they’re keeping all the cards on the table. Then: the US wants Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to cross the pond. Today he said: rather not. We’ll explain how the extradition process works. And finally: it’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Hebrew, that’s Yom HaShoah. A Holocaust survivor -- and the relative of a Skimm HQ’r -- shares his story.

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