Skimm'd while watching "Black Lightning"

"The lips, the nose, the upper lips, the lower lips and even the jaw" - Some contestants were disqualified from a camel beauty contest in Saudi Arabia. For too much botox.

AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE A DAVOS PARTY

The Story

The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is in full swing.

Remind me.

It's the world's most exclusive après-ski. Billionaires, CEOs, heads of state, etc. retreat to the Swiss Alps every year to congratulate themselves on being masters of the universe. They're talking about everything from the economy and technology to poverty and gender inequality.

Why is this year so special?

Well, there was too much mansplaining in past years, so women are in charge this time. Also, every world leader and their mother is there, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Indian PM Narendra Modi have already made headlines. And President Trump is going to rep his 'America First' agenda with a crowd mostly interested in globalization.

Who won't be there?

Melania Trump. She was supposed to go, but backed out. Possibly because of a recent report that said Trump's lawyer paid off a porn star to keep quiet about her affair with Trump.

theSkimm

Davos is usually a high-profile networking retreat. Now, with EU leaders attending, and Trump being the first sitting US president to join in almost 20 years, it's expected to be a high-profile clash of world views.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when the waiter asks what you'll have to drink...

Water please. That's what the Oscars are saying. Yesterday, the nominations were announced. "The Shape of Water" came out on top with 13. You also have to see "Dunkirk" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," and it wouldn't hurt to watch "Get Out" again. Meryl is back - breaking her own record for most acting noms. Christopher Plummer got one for his role replacing Kevin Spacey in "All the Money in the World." Rachel Morrison from "Mudbound" is the first woman ever nominated for best cinematography. "Wonder Woman" got snubbed. Armie Hammer didn't get called by his name. And none for James Franco.

What people are watching...

Kentucky. Yesterday, a 15-year-old opened fire at a high school in Benton, KY, killing two students, and injuring more than a dozen other people. He was arrested and will be charged with murder. Investigators are still trying to figure the motive.

What to say during the brainstorm...

Interesting idea. Yesterday, Philadelphia officials said they want to be the first US city to set up safe injection sites. Meaning, people would be able to come to designated spots and shoot up opioids like heroin and fentanyl under medical supervision. The idea being this could help prevent overdose deaths. Reminder: there's a national opioid crisis - and Philly has the highest opioid death rate of any major US city. Unclear if these sites could get the green-light but the city's looking into ways to make it work. Meanwhile, one Northern California mayor is getting ready to hand out cash. This year, the city of Stockton is planning to give some low-income residents $500 a month, no strings attached. The idea is to test out a universal basic income - which is a safety net that some countries like Finland have been testing out. This will be the first time it happens in the US.

What to say when you see Elon Musk is trying out a new biz strategy...

So is Toys "R" Us. Yesterday, the captain of toys said it's closing a fifth of its US stores as part of a company makeover. The store you begged to go to as a kid has been struggling to keep up with consumers that now only click 'add to cart.' So last year, Toys "R" Us said 'we're kinda in a lot of debt' and filed for bankruptcy. Now, it says it has a plan to get out of the red. The plan includes closing about 180 stores starting next month, and combining some of its toy stores with Babies "R" Us. And apparently making stores "more fun." TBD if 'fun' will bring the buyers back.

What to say when the fire alarm goes off...

Time to evacuate. A volcano in the Philippines has been spewing lava thousands of feet high. More than 56,000 people have been forced to flee. Officials are warning people that there could be an especially dangerous eruption in the next few days. That's not even the only volcano freaking people out. Yesterday, a volcano erupted near a ski resort in Japan. There was an avalanche soon after, though it's unclear if they were connected. One person was killed and about a dozen more were wounded.

THING TO KNOW

Pancaking

A foul in the Puppy Bowl. It's when one puppy jumps on and flattens another puppy. Playing ruff.

PS: Puppies make us smile. Here are some more reasons to smile, thanks to Smile Direct Club. Especially since Skimm'rs get a special discount.

SKIMM LIFE

For when you haven't taken off your earrings in weeks...

Ear's to mixing it up. This is HQ's fave way to up our jewelry game. You get three pieces of bling a month with the option to buy the ones you love. Frost yourselves.*

For when Dryuary's almost over...

Pour. It. Up. Here's HQ's favorite new drink to put this month in the rearview.

For your coworker who's always writing on the dry-erase board...

Skimm HQ has a new Insta account for you.

*PS This is an affiliate partner, which means if you purchase or sign up theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM SHARE

Skimm HQ'rs are trying to get over their "Bachelor" brackets. Share theSkimm with your friend who still has their final four in the running.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Balloons for you.

Phil Voss CA, Carol Schulweis NY, *Gwen Baer GA, *Stephanie Fallon NY, *Cyndi Flanagan NJ, *Yasmeen Amirhosseini GA, *Victoria Macula NY, *Kathryn Dodds SC, *Cherylanne Skolnicki OH, *Jessica Williams OH, *Lindsay Carswell GA, *Aiza Romero Maza, *Gabriella Daidone NJ, *Mikaela Wieland IN, *Elizabeth Baugh, *Lara Lasic MA, *Brandy Plouff NC, *Carrie Watson TX, *Claire Mollak IA, *Joe Cho MA, *Kamdyn Fogo CO, *Samantha Gerken NE, *Samantha Carnevale NJ, Gabriella Nourafchan CA, Anna Catherine Roberson AL, Mary Elizabeth Roberson AL, Lesli Mead MA, Carol Schulweis NY, Michelle Penza NY, Rhegan Wollerman LA, Ryan Calvert, Brianna Hanan GA, David Massaro PA, Vanessa Harder WA, Abbe Forman TX, Karen Facompre NJ, Kate Marquardt WI, Melissa Lomas NC, Marie Donaldson IL, Linda Cremin CT, Linda Brucks FL, Shay Hannan WV, Susie Berman MI, Rachel Williamson KY, Jenna Burlace, Maria Bardo-Colon AL, Laura Lambrecht TN, Deborah Lewis IL, Briana Miles NE, Sarah Weigle GA, Kaitlin Goldin CA, Peyton Lausch, Molly Ho NY, Jo-Anne Burleigh CAN, Janene Maclin IL, Carolyn Warren TX, Paige Butterfield IA, Teri-ann Scott MI, Kathryn Kotowski WI, Lauren Marlowe PA, Samantha Carnevale NJ, Cameron Snyder CA, Izzie Raitt CO, Briana Otte NE, Atticus Li NC

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