Skimm This

There were a couple of big arrests today in London and Sudan. And both men could be leaving on a jet plane to face charges. The U.S. wants Wikileaks founder Julian Assange stateside to face a conspiracy charge. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has an open invite to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and genocide. Also on today’s episode: Nipsey Hussle’s funeral in Los Angeles and signs of voting in India.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump flew to Texas today to visit the heart of the oil and gas industry, and he signed two controversial executive orders while he was there. They’re meant to make it easier to build oil and gas pipelines - which some states have not been happy about. Another thing not getting easier: taxes. Congress just banned the IRS from ever offering a free tax filing service. Also on today’s episode: a legend in the NBA is retiring and we finally get a peek at a black hole.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crazy high drug prices have gotten bipartisan attention lately. Back in February, drug companies pointed fingers at Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Today, five PBM execs were on Capitol Hill and pointed the finger back. Attorney General William Barr was on the Hill, too, getting grilled about the Mueller Report. Also on today’s episode: a duchess’ tax dilemma and a marathon on ice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel is getting ready to head to the polls, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is giving voters one more thing to think about: the West Bank. The region at the center of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. NBD. In the US, more shake-ups in the Trump Administration. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and her Secret Service Director are out. There are a lot of questions about Nielsen’s replacement. Also on today’s episode: why more defense might make for a March Madness dud, and huge pythons in Florida caught by a honey pot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the US are heating up. Congress voted to end US military support for the kingdom’s proxy war in Yemen after the Saudi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated last year. Putting President Trump in an awkward spot. In other diplomatic tension, Julian Assange may have overstayed his welcome at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Packing his bags could land him in jail. And in the US. Also on today’s episode: a Final Four Cinderella story and rude cats.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump has gotten a lot of heat for keeping his tax returns under lock and key. Now, Dems are cutting out the middle man and asking the IRS to show them the receipts. But why are the president’s tax returns such a big deal? In other money news, the Dept of Education has been cutting down on who’s eligible for a public student loan forgiveness program. Also on today’s episode: science wants you to take a walk and chill, and Airbnb’s inviting you to a sleepover at Mona Lisa’s house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Human rights groups all over the world are calling out Brunei for harsh new laws. People caught participating in gay sex could now be stoned to death. So we’re breaking down Sharia law and how it’s interpreted across the Muslim world. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Capitol Hill. Just in time for NATO’s bday. But don’t expect a big party. Also on today’s episode: people are seeing red over taxes, and a spy in Mar-a-Lago’s saying ‘sorry about that, Chief.’  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 India is headed to the polls soon. Social media there has turned into a mess of fake news. Sounds familiar. Facebook is trying to avoid a repeat of the 2016 U.S. elections. But that’s harder than it sounds. Meanwhile, the US Senate can’t agree on a budget for Puerto Rico relief funding. Also on today’s episode: it’s Equal Pay Day (but not for everyone), and Chicago gets ready to make history.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump Administration is thinking about cutting aid to a few Central American countries. It’s pointing to the border crisis. But how are the two related, again? In other DC news, today we found out that the White House gave security clearances to dozens of officials - even after their applications were denied. Also on today’s episode: Democrats are talking about the robot tax, and Japan says, ‘new era, new us.’ PS: Equal Pay Day is coming up. Leave us a voicemail at 646.461.6370 to tell us how you’ve fought for equal pay at the office. And you just might hear your two cents on the show next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Third time’s the charm. Except when it comes to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to get a Brexit deal approved. Bollocks. Parliament voted down her plan for the third time today. Making a no-deal Brexit look like a definite possibility. We’ll tell you what that could look like. Also on today’s episode: Lyft requests a ride to Wall St, and Skimm’r Melissa tells us about her Woman of the Week. PS: Equal Pay Day is coming up. Leave us a voicemail at 646.461.6370 to tell us how you’ve fought for equal pay at the office. And you just might hear your two cents on the show next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices