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Skimm for November 4th

Skimm’d after a cookie break.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“A universal symbol that resonates across languages, cultures, and time zones” – Twitter, on the heart. The Little Blue Bird changed up its ‘favorite’ feature from a star to a heart. And then learned that people don’t heart change.

THINGS SAYING 'KONNICHIWA'

TAKATA

THE STORY

Yesterday, US regulators told Japanese auto supplier Takata ‘do not pass go, and give us up to $200 million.’

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Since 2008, automakers (think: BMW, Honda, Toyota) have recalled about 19 million cars because of faulty airbags made by Takata. At least seven people have died and more than 100 have been injured because of a defect that can cause the bag to explode and spray shrapnel during a crash. Which is pretty much the opposite of what you want an airbag to do. Takata says it knew about the problem, but it didn’t tell regulators quickly enough. So yesterday, regulators reached a settlement that means lots payments if Takata doesn’t follow the rules. It also requires Takata to stop making the faulty airbags until it can prove they’re safe. Good idea.

theSKIMM

If Takata ends up paying $200 million, it would be a record-breaking penalty. Bad news for an industry that’s been swimming in scandals and recalls.

JAPAN POST

THE STORY

Today, Japan’s postal service is going public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The IPO could raise almost $12 billion, making it the biggest IPO of the year.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

That this isn’t your US Postal Service. Japan Post also has branches that deal with banking and insurance. Japan’s been wanting to privatize the government-backed institution for a while, but there are opinions. Supporters say this will inspire a lot of people to jump into Japan’s stock market game. But critics are saying ‘email killed the postal service star.’

theSKIMM

This is the first time in a long time that international eyes are on a Japanese IPO. No pressure.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO COLLECTS HER ‘I VOTED’ STICKERS...

And did you get one yesterday…? In case you missed it, yesterday was Election Day in the US. Not the big one. State and local elections. Still important. Ohio decided it doesn’t like lighting up, and said ‘no’ to medical and not-so-medical pot use. So pour one out for Nick Lachey’s dreams of making it big as a pot kingpin. Houston, TX opted to repeal an anti-discrimination measure that was passed by its city council last year. The measure gave new protections from being discriminated against for race, age, sexuality, or gender identity. But critics said it was a public safety issue – specifically worrying about predatory men claiming to be women and going into women’s bathrooms. Kentucky has a new Republican governor, something that hasn’t happened there in a while. Next up: 2016.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING...

South Sudan. This morning, a cargo plane there crashed shortly after takeoff. At least 41 people on board and on the ground were killed. South Sudanese officials say a crew member and a child survived.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF LISTENING TO BIEBER...

What do you mean? The presidents of Taiwan and China are reportedly meeting up for a coffee date in Singapore this weekend. No word on what the meeting’s about. But BFD, since leaders of these two governments haven’t spoken since the Communist Party took over mainland China in the 1940s. China’s president has been wanting Taiwan to drop this whole ‘Miss Independent’ thing and get back together with the mainland. Taiwan’s current prez is all for closer ties with China, but his term is almost up. And odds are a pro-independence candidate is going to win next year’s election. A lot of people are thinking that by playing nice, China’s hoping to change those odds.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR VICE AND A&E ARE STARTING THEIR OWN CHANNEL...

Guess who else is making plans? Yesterday, HBO said it sealed a four-year-deal with Jon Stewart. He’ll be working on digital shorts that focus on current events – aka Christmas has come early for your friend who misses her moments of Zen. The shorts will be available on HBO’s subscription apps, which are a big focus as the network tries to reel in more cord-cutters. Stewart also has the option to do movies and TV projects through HBO. Unclear whether he’ll continue to make fun of Arby’s.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU RUN INTO YOUR BOSS AT A BAR OVER THE WEEKEND...

It’s like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs. Yesterday, Amazon stepped out of your computer and into its first real, live store. It set up shop in Seattle, where The ‘Zon is headquartered. Which is interesting, since the company’s always said it can afford to keep its prices low because it doesn’t have any brick-and-mortar stores to look after. Which put a lot of brick-and-mortar stores out of business. Apparently total Internet domination wasn’t enough. Amazon says it’s going to use all of the data it has on people’s shopping habits to its advantage inside a store. Muahahaha.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO WORRIES MACHINES WILL TAKE OVER SOMEDAY...

Heard bout that new Gmail feature? Yesterday, Google unwrapped a shiny, new artificial intelligence tool that scans emails and comes up with suggested replies. Which brings us all one step closer to being Joaquin Phoenix in “Her.”

THING TO KNOW

Lampshading: Apparently what you call wearing an oversized t-shirt that covers up your Nike shorts (norts), making you look like a lamp shade. It’s how your cousin in college says, “I woke up like this.”

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