“We want to apologize to all fans for the confusion” - iHeartRadio, which mistakenly gave the Best Music Video trophy to Zayn at its awards show. Fifth Harmony won. Memo to everyone with envelopes: get it together.

THE CIA HAS EYES

THE STORY

Yesterday, WikiLeaks pulled a Mr. Robot and published what it says are lots of classified CIA documents.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WikiLeaks put thousands of documents online that appear to outline CIA hacking techniques. It’s unclear if the docs are legit, or where they came from. But WikiLeaks has a history of publishing info from potentially shady sources. Before the election last year, WikiLeaks dumped a bunch of hacked emails from the DNC, which the US gov says came courtesy of Russian officials. Experts say these docs seem legit. Surprise, the CIA’s not commenting.

WHAT DO THE DOCS SAY?

That the CIA really likes Will Ferrell movies. That it can tap into smart TVs and phones and turn them into spying devices that can listen to people’s convos. And that the CIA can sidestep encryption - a highly secure way of protecting data - on apps like WhatsApp. It’s unclear who the CIA might be targeting with these alleged tools, but there are laws that prevent it from snooping on average US citizens. So your weekly phone call with mom is probably safe.

theSKIMM

If these docs are real, they expose some pretty serious security flaws in the devices you use every day. The kinds of flaws US intelligence is supposed to flag for tech companies. And since Silicon Valley has been butting heads with the feds lately over protecting customer privacy, this is probably raising a few flags.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR EX SENDS A PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE EMAIL…

Simmer down now. Last night, China stepped in to cool rising tensions between North and South Korea. Reminder: the Koreas have technically been at war since the 50s, with the North repeatedly threatening nuclear war against anyone who looks at it funny. The US is Team South Korea, and China is Team North Korea. Earlier this week, North Korea tested out some ballistic missiles that may be capable of hitting US military bases in Japan. This was around the same time the US and South Korea were doing joint military exercises, as besties are wont to do. In response, the US gov sent South Korea the parts to build a defense system to shoot down these kinds of missiles in the future. That’s when China stepped in and told everyone to take ten deep breaths. China is suggesting that the North might suspend its nuclear and missile activities if the US and South Korea stop exercising together. It’s unclear whether the North will go along with this plan. Please hold.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR CO-WORKER WHO WALKS AROUND BAREFOOT IN THE OFFICE…

Not everyone’s into that. ICYMI, earlier this week, the House GOP dropped its version of a healthcare bill that would replace Obamacare. And the GOP’s not sure how it feels about it. In one corner, Republicans including Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) are saying this still looks a lot like the current plan. In another corner, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle say this will pull the rug out from under millions of people currently covered by Obamacare or Medicaid. Who’s definitely on board? President Trump and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT). Yesterday, Trump gave it a thumbs up and said he’s “proud” to support it. And Chaffetz, while defending the plan, said coverage would still be affordable for lower income Americans as long as they don’t buy “that new iPhone that they just love.” Meanwhile, Chaffetz is also House Oversight Committee Chairman. Yesterday, he said the committee won’t be looking into Trump’s claims of voter fraud in the 2016 election.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING...

Bomb threats against Jewish groups. Yesterday, the entire Senate sent the Trump administration a letter asking it to do more to protect the Jewish community, after more bomb threats in at least seven states. This is the sixth time places like Jewish Community Centers and schools across the country have reported getting these kinds of threats, making for more than 100 threats so far this year. Jewish cemeteries have also been vandalized in recent weeks. This is not normal. The FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division have been investigating, and last week, one suspect was arrested. Meanwhile, other minority groups have also been targeted. Last week, a Sikh man was shot in the arm outside his home near Seattle. The shooter allegedly shouted “go back to your own country.” Authorities are searching for the gunman and investigating the shooting as a hate crime.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR STARBURST IS MAKING ALL PINK PACKS...

Today you’ll be seeing red. Hint: International Women’s Day.

SKIMM SLEEP

DEC2: A super sleep gene that some people have. It lets them be totally functional off of six hours of sleep or less. No under eye-bags, no trouble focusing, no nodding off in the morning meeting. It’s pretty rare. So if this isn’t you and you need all the zzz’s, this mattress and this foundation are it. We even got you a little something off the price tag. 

NO EXCUSES: IMMIGRATION

Skimm HQ doesn’t want to hear no excuses. You need to be informed on the issues driving the national conversation this year. Starting with immigration. All week we’ve been giving you info on the key players who have shaped the debate in recent years. Next up...

Former President Obama: His legacy on immigration reform is…complicated. He deported more people than any other president. He also created DACA, which allows undocumented immigrants brought here as kids to live and work in the US on a temporary basis. In 2014 - after Congress said ‘hard pass’ to immigration reform - Obama acted alone to delay the deportation of undocumented parents of US citizens, and expanded protections for people brought to the US illegally as kids. After a lot of legal back and forth, the plan was eventually nixed.

PS: We have 10 brand new questions on theSkimm’s citizenship test. Check it out here. And when you’re done, share it with your smarty pants friends.

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