Skimm'd while booking a weekend away

"A failure in our leadership" – Indiana University's Caving Club, after it left a freshman behind in a cave. For nearly three days. Rocky start.

THINGS PEOPLE HAVE OPINIONS ON

THE NFL

The Story

Over the weekend, President Trump took the debate over protest in pro-sports to a new level.

Give me some background.

Last year, then-San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick started taking a knee during the national anthem to protest police shootings of black people. Since then, more players have joined in some kind of protest. Others have come out against it. Supporters say this is their First Amendment right. Critics say it disrespects the flag and service members. This year, Kaepernick opted out of his contract. No team has signed him.

What did Trump say?

A lot. On Friday, he suggested that any "son of a b****" who kneels during the anthem should be fired. He tweeted about it all weekend, suggesting a fan boycott. This comes as tensions are high with North Korea, the GOP is struggling to repeal Obamacare, and a senate candidate Trump's backing in Alabama might lose. So he may have reasons to change the conversation and drum up support from this base.

Didn't something happen with Steph Curry?

Yup. On Friday, the NBA star said he wanted to reject an invite for his team to go to the White House. On Saturday, Trump said 'fine then' and rescinded the offer. Lots of pro-athletes defended Curry, including LeBron James, who called Trump a "bum." Others say the divisiveness and name-calling doesn't help.

Where are we now?

Yesterday, dozens of NFL players responded to Trump's comments, many by kneeling or linking arms during the anthem. The NFL and NBA commissioners, and many NFL team owners, have also come out against Trump on this. Others, like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, say these kinds of protests belong off the field.

theSkimm

Trump said that his comments have "nothing to do with race." His harsh criticism of pro-athletes comes just weeks after he failed to take a hard line against white supremacist groups in Charlottesville, VA.

TRAVEL BANS

The Story

Last night, President Trump announced new limits on travel to the US from eight countries to go into effect next month. It replaces the other travel ban, which just expired.

How is this one different?

The last one was temporary. This one is indefinite. It includes most of the countries on the old list – but adds Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela. Unlike last time, the restrictions vary from country to country. Unlike last time, officials say they've been working with federal agencies and foreign govs to make this a smooth rollout. And unlike last time, not all of these countries have Muslim-majority populations. Meaning it may stand up better in court.

theSkimm

Trump's reason for the policy is still the same – that it's needed to keep the country safe. TBD on whether it'll face the same legal pushback.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when an extra bag of M&Ms drops from the vending machine…

Winning. So is Angela Merkel. Yesterday, Germans voted to give Merkel a fourth term as chancellor in the country's parliamentary election. Merkel's been in charge for over a decade and has steered the EU through minor crises like Brexit, and the migrant and refugee crisis. But since her party didn't win the majority of seats, it will now have to team up with others and hash out a policy game plan. Meanwhile, a far-right, anti-immigrant party managed to gain seats in parliament. It's the first of its kind to do so in decades. Merkel's party prob won't be cozying up to them.

What to say when your text is getting too long...

Putting it in an email. Yesterday, it came out that Jared Kushner – President Trump's senior White House adviser and son-in-law – has sometimes used a personal email account for White House business. On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly criticized Hillary Clinton for using a private email server while she was secretary of state. Kushner set up this private account at some point before Trump took office. His lawyer says he's used it for less a 100 emails since then. And that the messages were mostly to share news articles. There's no evidence that the emails included classified info.

What to say after a bad date...

It's not me. Today, Iraqi Kurds will vote on whether to break from Iraq. The Kurds are an ethnic minority group spread across Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. They've been fighting for independence for a long time. In recent years, they've also been very clutch partners to the US & friends in the fight against ISIS. This has helped them gain more territory. Now, the Kurds want to make it all official. Iraq says the vote is unconstitutional. The US says it'll undermine the ISIS fight. Iran and Turkey worry it'll lead to independence votes from Kurds in their own countries. But the Kurds are saying 'too bad' – and going for it anyway.

What to say while arguing with a co-worker…

Senate Republicans can relate. This week, they're trying to pass a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. Again. The main feature this time is the bill would take federal funding for Medicaid – the insurance program covering low income and disabled people – and give it to the states to set up their own healthcare systems. No Senate Dems are on board. Meaning Republicans can only afford to lose two GOP votes. Right now, it's looking like they might not have the numbers. As a last-ditch effort, a revised version of the bill includes more cash money aimed at states of GOP senator holdouts. And they've got until Saturday to make it happen before Senate rules change and it becomes much more difficult to pass. Let the negotiating games begin.

What to say to your friend who's a Kris Jenner truther…

Thoughts?

21

The minimum number of days in advance you should really try to book that domestic flight. Because deals. But no matter when you get that confirmation email, this will help. Think: access to that airport lounge you've always walked by, getting those hard-to-get reservations. Travel master hat on.

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For when you have a co-worker who's not registered…

Pre-game National Voter Registration Day here.

For when you need a new podcast…

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