Presented by Cornell University’s Skimm’bassador Erica Baevsky

 

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS (9/21 & 9/24)

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU NEED TO BRING A BLANKET TO WORK TO DEAL WITH THE AC…

Winter is coming. Justin Timberlake is not. Welcome to the Emmys, where Sunday night, “Game of Thrones” broke President Bartlet & Co’s record for most wins in one year. And in case your ex-boyfriend’s mother changed her HBO NOW password, just borrow Andy Samberg’s. Meanwhile, Don Draper finally snagged an Emmy for lead actor in a drama. He also won best entrance. And Viola Davis took home the win for lead actress in a drama. She is the first African American woman to do it, and said during her acceptance speech that, “the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that simply aren’t there.” Mic drop.

 

WHAT TO SAY TO YOU FRIEND WHO’S STILL TALKING ABOUT THE NISHA CALL…

Just wait for “Serial” season two. It looks like it’s being packaged with a Bowe.

 

LEGAL NEWS (9/21)

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR COWORKER WHO ONLY WATCHES BRAVO…

Previously on “The Real Housewives of DC”…Last Friday, House Republicans voted to cut all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Senate Democrats will block the bill from becoming a law. But, it’s a battle that could lead to to a government shutdown later this month. Again. Reminder: over the summer, a pro-life group released a series of undercover videos. They appear to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing selling organs and tissue from aborted fetuses for a profit. While it’s not illegal to donate fetal tissue for medical research, it IS illegal to profit from them in any way. Planned Parenthood says it does not. Congress is investigating. All of this is going down right before the government decides on a budget. Some GOP lawmakers – including presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) – say they’re willing to shut down the government over the Planned Parenthood issue. And maybe flip some tables while they’re at it.

 

REFUGEE NEWS (9/21 & 9/23)

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU’VE HAD A BAD DAY AND YOUR FRIEND COMES OVER WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE…

Just like John Kerry. On Sunday, the Sec. of State announced that the US is going to accept 100,000 refugees in 2017. That’s a big bump up from the current 70,000-a-year cap. The announcement came after Kerry spent last weekend in Germany talking out the EU’s migrant and refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people have been traveling to the EU to get away from war (in places like Syria) and poverty (in places like Africa). Many of them are trying to end up in Germany, and the country’s been under a lot of pressure trying to handle the flood of people. So Sunday’s announcement is Kerry’s way of saying ‘we’ve got your back.’ Except the UN thinks that about nine million people have been displaced in this crisis…so the US’s pledge might not do too much to help. PS: here’s your Skimm of the EU’s migrant and refugee crisis.

 

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU GET EVERYONE TO AGREE ON A TIME FOR A BIG MEETING…

Finally. On Tuesday, EU ministers agreed on a plan to redistribute 120,000 refugees across member countries.  For months, hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees have been making their way from places like the Mideast and Africa to the EU.  Some are fleeing violence in their home countries and some are just looking for more opportunities. Until Tuesday, the EU was divided on how to deal with the crisis. Some countries, like Hungary, said they don’t have the resources to deal with the crisis. While Germany and France have been saying ‘ja’ and ‘oui’ to welcoming more people. This plan is progress, but it’s also just a Band-Aid, since the UN estimates hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees will flood the EU over the next year.

 

MEDICAL NEWS (9/23)

WHAT TO BRING UP AT TONIGHT’S FAMILY DINNER…

Drugs. Earlier this week, a drug called Daraprim jumped in price overnight from $13.50 to $750. People — and politicians — were not happy with the CEO who changed the price. On Tuesday, the kitchen got a little too hot to stand, and he lowered the price. To how much? Unclear. The drug is used to treat a rare infection, but can also be used as part of cancer and HIV treatments. The price jump was reportedly arbitrary, and part of a trend where companies buy old, cheap drugs and try to sell them as if they’re shiny and new. And then sprinkle good cheer.

 

TECH NEWS (9/22)

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR FRIEND PREORDERS THE NEW IPHONE…

Just wait for the car. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that The Fruit is trying to roll out an electric car by 2019, which is earlier than expected. The project is being called “Titan”…because iCar was too basic. This would put Apple in direct competition with Tesla, which is the biggest name in the electric car game. Elon Musk, iWatch your back.

 

FOOD + HEALTH NEWS (9/22)

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR ROOMMATE TELLS YOU NOT TO EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH…

These peanuts would be an issue too. On Monday, the former owner of a peanut company in Georgia was sentenced to 28 years in prison. That’s because his company knowingly shipped peanut butter contaminated with salmonella to customers — causing nine deaths and hundreds of illnesses between 2008-2009. Contamination at the company (creatively called “Peanut Corporation of America”) led to one of the biggest food recalls ever. And now, it’s led to one of the longest sentences ever for a food recall. ‘Peanut’ would be a good prison name.

 

SPORTS NEWS (9/23)

It ain’t over till it’s over.’ Thanks, Yogi Berra. On Tuesday, the legendary baseball player died at age 90. He was known for his catchphrases and his catcher skills – he won 10 championships with the Yankees, and appeared in more World Series games than any other player. He was also a Hall of Famer, named MVP three times, and inspired a cartoon character. And he knew that ‘when you come to a fork in the road, take it’ (yes, that was another ‘Yogi-ism ‘ attributed to him) — Berra became a MLB manager and coach after he retired from the field.

 

THE POPE’S VISIT (9/24)

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO LOVES TO USE #BLESSED…

Pope-mania got you too? On Wednesday, Pope Francis took over DC. He talked about the Church’s sex abuse scandal, climate change, kissed a child, and  made someone a saint. All in a day’s holy work. On Thursday, he talked to Congress. And then he headed to NYC for the UN General Assembly. And then maybe Bed Bath & Beyond, we don’t know if he’ll have enough time.

 

 

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