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THINGS MAKING TRUMP SWEAT
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Russia
The Story
And you thought you were done hearing about President Trump and Russia.
What's new?
A new report from The New York Times says the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was working on behalf of Russia. The investigation started in May 2017, a few days after he fired James Comey – who was leading the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation. Over the weekend, Trump avoided directly answering whether he is working or has ever worked for Russia, adding that "it's the most insulting thing I've ever been asked."
Is that all?
Nope. A new report from The Washington Post says Trump has gone above and beyond to keep details of his convos with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the DL. Including taking his interpreter's notes and telling them not to discuss what had happened with anyone. This has made it so there are no detailed records – including classified files – of Trump's face-to-face interactions with Putin over the past two years. Trump says he's never done anything in particular to hide his meetings.
theSkimm
Special counsel Robert Mueller is thought to be close to finishing his investigation into whether Trump or his team conspired with the Kremlin. Now, these two reports are a reminder of how little we know about Trump's communications with Russia.
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Government Shutdown
The Story
The longest shutdown in US history continues. Welcome to day 24.
Tell me more.
Since last month, around 800,000 federal workers have been working without pay or are on unpaid leave while the funding fight over the US-Mexico border wall drags on. On Friday, many workers got an empty paycheck. And the union representing air traffic controllers sued the Trump administration about it. Now, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is telling Trump to temporarily reopen the gov and continue negotiating with Democrats for border funding – and if that doesn't work out, there's the always the option of declaring a national emergency.
theSkimm
It's unclear when hundreds of thousands of Americans will be able to go back to their normal lives with normal paychecks.
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What to say when your boss makes you feel underappreciated…
We're not gonna take it. Teachers in Los Angeles are planning to go on strike today. You saw the headlines about teachers strikes across the country last year, from West Virginia to Oklahoma to Colorado. Now, it's happening in California. Teachers in LA – which has the country's second-largest school district – are demanding a few things. Including: smaller class sizes, more nurses, librarians, and counselors, and more money in teachers' paychecks. The school district and the teachers' union there have been fighting for more than a year. And last week, they couldn't agree on a deal that included all of those things. So teachers are getting their protest signs ready. Schools are still expected to stay open – with some hired subs. This would be the first teacher strike there in 30 years, and it could potentially spark more protests around the country.
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What to say when your friend who's bad with directions is navigating…
Not feeling so confident about this. Yesterday, Greece's PM called for a vote of confidence in the government. Here's the drama: Greece isn't a fan of Macedonia because it's already the name of a northern Greek territory. And Greece has iced out Macedonia from NATO and the EU over the issue. Last year, both countries agreed that Macedonia can get rebranded as the Republic of North Macedonia. Last week, Macedonian lawmakers approved the name change. But Greece's defense minister – whose right-wing party is in a coalition with the PM's left-wing party – isn't on board and resigned. And said his party is not in the mood to stay in the coalition. Now, the PM's saying 'we don't need you' – and that a confidence vote will prove just that. It looks like the PM may have enough support in this week's vote, but if things go south, it could lead to a snap election.
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What to say when you tell someone 'we should put something on the cal'...
Not happening. Yesterday, a judge in California blocked Trump admin rules that would let more employers opt out of giving women free birth control. This is about an Obamacare requirement that women's birth control be covered at no additional cost. But there are exemptions for religious organizations. The Trump admin wanted to expand the criteria – making it so some employers (like nonprofits and small businesses) could also use moral objections to opt out. The rules were set to take effect today. But yesterday a judge said the rules are on hold in 13 states and DC because there are still "serious questions" about whether this violates the health care law. The rules will still go into effect for the rest of the country.
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What to say after finishing everything on your weekend to-do list…
Just gonna give myself a pat on the back. Yesterday, Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate an NFL playoff game on the field. One of many firsts in her career. Speaking of the playoffs, the divisional round wrapped up over the weekend and four teams are saying hello to next weekend's conference championship games. It'll be the Los Angeles Rams vs the New Orleans Saints. And the Kansas City Chiefs vs the New England Patriots. The two teams that win will go to the Super Bowl in Atlanta, y'all. Speaking of, meet your halftime performers: Maroon 5, Travis Scott and Big Boi.
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What to say when you get taken down a notch...
How do you like them eggs?
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April 14
The day winter is coming. Aka when the final season of "Game of Thrones" officially comes back. Mark your cals.
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For when you're procrastinating on a project...
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*PS This is a sponsored section.
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Cheers to…Catherine S (AL) for enrolling in school to get her master's degree in education and following her lifelong dream of becoming an English teacher. And to Wenting G (WA) for traveling to all seven continents…in nine months. Yes, you read that right.
Spotlight on…Diane H (UT). Three months ago, she donated her kidney to her friend's sister-in-law. Now she's an ambassador for the living donor community, and encouraging people to be tested to help save others.
(Some) Birthdays….theSkimm's Andrew Cerda (NY), Shonda Rhimes, Lori Anderson (MN), Jared Whertvine (NY), Amy Haywood (FL), Lexie Gritlefeld (CA), Rachel Lebow (NY), Michael Funston (KS), Rachel Strauss (TX), Stephanie Evans (OR), Martha Burt (AL), Samie James (IA), Valerie Mason (MD), Michelle Zauzig (ITA), Allison Woodward (WI)
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
