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MAYDAY

THE STORY

Yesterday, political protests in France got heated - just days before the country’s presidential election.

WAIT...BACK UP.

Last month, France voted to send populist Marine Le Pen into a runoff against moderate Emmanuel Macron. Le Pen’s campaigned on leaving the EU so France can have more control over its borders. Macron wants France to stay in the EU and welcome immigrants with open arms. A lot of people aren’t happy with either candidate. They don’t like Le Pen’s far-right message, or her party’s racist past. But Macron reps the type of elite that many are ready to show the door. Right now, he’s leading in the polls thanks to endorsements from pretty much every other political leader. But anything could happen. See: Brexit.

SO WHAT’S THE LATEST?

Yesterday was May Day, which is typically when people around the world march for workers’ rights. But in France - with days to go before the presidential election - the marches were more political than usual. Protests in Paris turned violent. Some threw gas bombs at police, who responded with tear gas.

theSKIMM

When the UK voted to Brexit less than a year ago, it was a shock to the EU system. If France - a founding EU member - follows out the door, it would be a merde situation for the future of the EU.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HAVE TO DRIVE UPHILL USING STICK SHIFT...

Changing gears. Just like the Palestinian terrorist group, Hamas. Yesterday, it said in new policy docs that it no longer wants to destroy Israel. How nice. For a decade, Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip - a Palestinian territory. It has always said its no. 1 priority is to wipe Israel off the map. Israel and Egypt have blockaded their borders with the Gaza Strip since the group came to power. Meanwhile, Hamas’s main political rival Fatah (which controls the West Bank, another Palestinian territory) has played a key part in the on-again, off-again international peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. And it’s looking like they may be on-again sometime soon - Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas is headed to the White House for a visit with President Trump tomorrow. Some say these policy changes are Hamas trying to make itself over so that it’ll be taken more seriously by the international community, especially when it comes to potential new peace talks. In addition to dropping talk of destroying Israel, it also dropped its association with the Muslim Brotherhood - an group that’s been outlawed in Egypt. But Israeli President Netanyahu says don’t be fooled - this is all just “a smoke screen.”

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR RYAN SEACREST IS IN AS KELLY RIPA’S NEW CO-HOST...

Here’s who’s out. Yesterday, Fox News broke up with its co-president Bill Shine. He’s the latest Fox News heavyweight out the door in the wake of sexual harassment lawsuits against high-profile figures at the channel. It all started last summer, when then Fox News CEO Roger Ailes was fired after more than a dozen women at the company accused him of sexual harassment. Then last month, the channel said ‘c ya’ to star anchor Bill O’Reilly when similar allegations against him came out. Now, Fox is losing its Shine. He worked at the network for decades and was Ailes’s right-hand man. And he’s been named in several lawsuits that say he helped cover up sexual harassment, including by Ailes. Meanwhile, other lawsuits continue to hit Fox News’ inbox. There’s the class action lawsuit from a group of current and former employees accusing the channel of racial discrimination. And yesterday, a female reporter accused the network of gender discrimination.

PS: 21st Century Fox is a minority investor in theSkimm

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU FIND A BOX OF YOUR OLD STUFF IN YOUR PARENTS’ BASEMENT…

Don’t need these. The Trump administration is saying the same to two of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s signature programs. It’s reportedly scrapping parts of Mobama’s global girls education program, Let Girls Learn. The White House says it doesn’t need to be a stand-alone program anymore. It’ll be dropping the name of the program…but keeping most of the initiatives. On the same day, the administration also said it’ll be easing up some of Mobama’s school lunch rules. The ones that forced schools to lay off the salt and use healthier ingredients like whole grains. The White House says the rules are too strict and schools need more flexibility to dish up food kids will actually eat. Bring on the white bread PB&Js.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE REALLY FEELING YOUR OOTD...

So was everyone else. Last night, Anna Wintour hosted the Met Gala. Rihanna went as a loofah. Katy Perry went as the red wedding.

PS: Our app gives you a heads up ahead of time about big-deal events (like Anna Wintour’s prom). Get it here.

WHAT TO WATCH WHEN YOU NEED A GOOD CRY…

Here you go. Warning: may cause ugly crying in public.

WEIRD SH*T ABOUT RUSSIA

We have this new section. It’s pretty self explanatory. This week we’re telling you everything we know so far about WTF is going on with Russia. Including the key players…

Paul Manafort is Trump’s former campaign manager

In 2006 he allegedly agreed to help a Russian billionaire “greatly benefit the Putin Government” in the US. The billionaire also put Manafort in touch with a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine.

In August 2016, secret handwritten docs were found in Ukraine, showing Manafort was paid by that pro-Russian Ukrainian political party. It’s unclear if Manafort actually received that money. A few days later, Manafort resigned as Trump’s campaign manager.

Manafort’s not the only guy caught in this crazy web. We Skimm’d the rest of them over here.

SKIMM SLEEP

Sleep Compatible: Moving in with bae? You better get along when you’re unconscious. A quarter of couples living together say the way their SO sleeps is negatively affecting their zzz’s. Snorers, sleep talkers, night owls…they don’t all get along. Here’s a mattress and pillow everyone can agree on. Bonus: we got you a discount on the mattress.

SKIMM LIFE

Skimm A’s mom loves a good beach read. But hates lugging books to the beach. That’s why she’s getting this for Mother’s Day. Problem solved. Plus, we got you a little discount. Buy here.

PS: Win best child points with our other fav Mother’s Day gifts.

PPS: This is an affiliate partner, which means if you purchase, theSkimm may get some cash money. Thanks.

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SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm’bassador. You go, Glenn Coco.

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