Skimm'd with a caffeine buzz

"Why not?" - Idris Elba thinks the next James Bond should be a woman. Cementing his Internet bae status.

OPEN SESAME

The Story

The government is open for business again.

Remind me.

Last week, the government shut down after Congress couldn't agree on a spending deal. Democrats said they'd only pass a bill that included protections for Dreamers. Republicans said they wouldn't talk about protecting Dreamers until a spending bill passed. You see the problem.

So...what did they do?

Yesterday, Senate Dems caved and helped pass a short-term spending bill. In exchange, Senate Republicans agreed to consider an immigration bill in the next month. The House signed off too. The problem for Dems: now any immigration deal won't be tied to must-pass legislation like a spending bill - meaning it's less likely to get enough 'ayes.' Especially in the more conservative House.

What are people saying?

Republicans are saying 'time to move on' and President Trump says he's glad Dems came "to their senses." Dems are divided. Some say at least this jump starts the immigration debate. Others say it could be the end of a program that protects hundreds of thousands of people who came to the US as kids.

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This new deal just reset the countdown clock until next month. Congress will have to have the same fight all over again in T-17 days.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching...

This earthquake. Early this morning, an 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Alaska. Now, the coasts of British Columbia and Alaska are under a tsunami warning, meaning there could be major flooding and people are being told to move to higher ground. A lot of the rest of the West Coast is under a tsunami watch, meaning TBD.

What to say when you hear Bill Cosby is doing stand-up comedy again...

Bye. Yesterday, three USA Gymnastics board members quit amid one of the largest sex abuse scandals in US sports. Last year, Larry Nassar - the former longtime USA Gymnastics team doctor - pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting several girls. More than 130 women have accused him of sexual assault, including multiple Olympic gymnasts. You've seen many of the survivors take the mic over the past week at Nassar's sentencing hearing. Some have also called out USA Gymnastics for not doing more to protect athletes, and allegedly trying to silence their accusations (see: McKayla Maroney). The USA Gymnastics president says he supports these resignations, and that the group's working on changing its culture. Nassar could get at least 40 years in prison for the charges.

What to say when you sign a new apartment lease...

It's official. Yesterday, VP Mike Pence said the US Embassy in Israel is moving to Jerusalem by the end of 2019. For years, countries have kept their embassies out of Jerusalem because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israelis claim Jerusalem as their capital. Palestinians say parts of Jerusalem should be the capital of their future state in any two-state solution. Last month, President Trump broke with decades of US policy by officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and promising to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv. A lot of world leaders and the UN said 'this won't help achieve peace.' The Trump admin initially said the move wouldn't happen for several years. Now Pence - who's on a tour of the Mideast - says the US is going to start packing moving boxes next year.

What people are talking about...

Neil Diamond. Yesterday, the singer said he's retiring from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. You know Diamond from hits like "Sweet Caroline" and "I'm a Believer." He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now, he's canceling part of his 50th anniversary tour because of the diagnosis. But he plans to keep writing and recording music. He's also getting a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy's this weekend. In other news hitting the music world hard, today legendary jazz musician Hugh Masekela died at age 78, after battling prostate cancer for years. He was known as the father of South African jazz and some of his songs became symbols of the anti-apartheid movement. You know him for hits like "Grazing in the Grass." RIP Hugh.

What to say when you hear Elton John, Cate Blanchett and Angela Merkel are all at Davos...

Shotskis for everyone. Yesterday, Bacardi said it's buying the maker of Patrón for more than $5 billion. The liquor company has had a stake in Patrón's parent co for roughly a decade. But it's thirsty for more. The deal would make Bacardi - which also owns brands like Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire - one of the largest spirits companies in the US. They're expected to seal the deal later this year. Cheers.

What to say while waiting for the Oscar noms to come out...

Don't worry, PwC is on it this year.

THING TO KNOW

Yarn bombing

When people knit jackets for poles, fences, bike racks, etc. We don't know either.

SKIMM LIFE

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For your friend who loved the song "Budapest"...

George Ezra is back with "Paradise." One Skimm HQ'r has it on repeat.

SKIMM SHARE

Skimm HQ is all stocked up on potato chips. Share theSkimm with your friend who loves sour cream and onion.

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