“I am always confused as to what smartwatches are for” — An exec at a Chinese tech company that makes smartwatches. Honesty is not always the best policy.

TAKING SHOTS

THE STORY

Yesterday, Sec. of State Rex Tillerson and Russian President Putin had a date in Moscow.

WHAT HAPPENED?

At first, Putin played hard to get. He initially said the meeting was a no-go. Then yesterday, after hours of waiting, the two guys finally got together. This was part of Tillerson’s first official visit to Russia this week. Things went so well that Tillerson said US-Russia relations are at “a low point.”

WHY’S THAT?

Because of that time last week when Syria - a major Russia ally - launched a chemical weapons attack that killed more than 80 people. The US hit back with an airstrike on a Syrian airbase. Then accused Moscow of trying to cover up the Syrian government’s role in the chemical attack. Russia’s saying ‘erroneous.’ Tillerson’s saying Russia needs to stop backing Syrian President Assad. And Russia’s saying ‘nyet gonna happen.’

ANYTHING ELSE?

There are still questions about President Trump’s campaign team and potential ties to Russia. Yesterday, it came out that Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, was reportedly paid more than $1 million by a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine during the late 2000s. Manafort says any payments were for “political consulting work.”

theSKIMM

On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly said he planned to iron out relations with Russia. Instead, it looks like the relationship is the worst it’s been since the Cold War. Pass the vodka on the rocks.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR TEA’S READY...

Coming to a boil. Yesterday, China told North Korea to cool it. North Korea: the outcast of the international community. In recent years, it’s been feeling really trigger happy with its missile tests. It also says it’s working on a nuclear missile and isn’t afraid to use it against the US. In recent weeks, the White House said it’d consider taking military action and sent an aircraft carrier to North Korea’s backyard as a warning. All of which has made China - NK’s closest ally - reach for the stress ball. Last week, President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and told him he needs to keep NK in check. Then yesterday, a Chinese state-run newspaper said China may cut back on oil exports to NK if it tests a nuclear missile. Xi also FaceTimed Trump and told him to relaaaaax and look for a peaceful resolution to all the drama. All this comes as NK’s in party planning mode. This weekend, it’ll celebrate the 105th birthday of its founding father, Kim il-Sung. And the country usually marks celebrations by firing off missiles. As one does. So world leaders are all holding their breath.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN THE WAITRESS BRINGS THE CHECK...

Time to settle this up. Earlier this week, Rolling Stone said it settled a libel lawsuit with Nicole Eramo, a former associate dean at University of Virginia. This all has to do with the magazine’s article from 2014 about an alleged gang rape at UVA. The one investigators and experts later said was mostly false. Rolling Stone retracted it. And Eramo sued the magazine and the writer for portraying her as the “chief villain” who didn’t take sexual assault complaints seriously. Last year, a jury said ‘agreed’ and told the magazine and writer to hand over $3 million in damages. They tried to appeal. Now they’re saying ‘nvm’ and settling for a private amount. The Daily Mail’s also got settlements on the mind. Yesterday, the newspaper settled libel lawsuits with First Lady Melania Trump. And now has to Venmo her nearly $3 million. Last year, the newspaper published a story saying that FLOTUS once worked for an escort service. She sued, saying ‘not true.’ The Daily Mail retracted it and yesterday said ‘sorry.’

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU MAKE IT TO THE GYM BUT REALIZE YOU FORGOT YOUR SHOES...

One step forward, two steps back. Earlier this week, Republican North Carolina lawmakers intro’d a bill that would ban gay marriage. Just two weeks after the state repealed and replaced its controversial ‘Bathroom Bill’ law. That’s the one that said transgender people have to use public bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificate. Now some lawmakers are saying ‘but wait’ and tackling gay marriage. Note: in 2015, the Supreme Court said ‘what is this, the 1950s?’ and made gay marriage legal across the country. Supporters of this new NC bill say the Supremes overstepped when they made gay marriage a thing. Critics say ‘just…no’ and that this is unconstitutional. So there’s that.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO SWEARS SHE’S A GRYFFINDOR…

Meet Alfie Dumbledore.

SKIMM SLEEP

Professional Sleeper: An actual job. Casper has dozens of these pros wearing sensors at night to better understand the science of sleep. And to make this pillow even better.

SKIMM READS

The Futures by Anna Pitoniak

Boy meets girl. They fall in love and everything’s picture perfect. Until the financial crisis hits and boy gets involved in a shady deal at work. This read is “The Big Short” meets “Serendipity.” Buy here. 

SKIMM 50

Thanks to these Skimm’bassadors for sharing like it’s hot. Want to see your name on this list? Click here to learn more.

Sydney Mulligan, Jas Murgatroy, Laura Linman, Brandi Applebaum, Carol Beeson Dukes, Beth Statler, Loic Le Meur, Samantha Sutton, Carly Adams, Stefan French, Courtney Kozlowski, Alexis Swaine, Betsy Lee, Toni Davison, Paige Hepner, Lindsay Wood, Kat Ramsburg, Kayla Whitter, Natalie Halpern, Kelsey Brenon, Sheila Otwe, Anna Powell, Kathleen Henrion, Kendall Rickerman, Lexie Pinkelman, Cynthia Tang, Jennifer Errico, Missy Feola, Rashee Gupta, Stephanie Storch, Jesalyn Hines, Stacy Acorda, Nell Berens Prosise, Patricia Borrusso, Rhona Strong, Allison Hogue, Monica Perry, Christina Jenkins, Corey Robinson, Danielle Boyd, Donna Adams, Jacquelyn Winters, Joann Brown, Laura Pelant, Maci Bonniewell, Jill Riley

PROGAMMING NOTE

Skimm HQ’s going hunting for Easter eggs and/or eating matzo. So today’s the last Skimm for this week. We’ll be back in your inbox on Monday.

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