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 QUOTE OF THE DAY  | | | "He doesn't like me, and I hope he knows I don't like him either" – Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield on Texas QB Sam Ehlinger. Who said guys weren't dramatic? | | | | |
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The Story Over the past 24 hours, the US and Iran came to the brink of a direct military conflict. You mean war, don't you? Say it. It could have come to that, yes. So let's catch you all the way up. The two countries have had bad blood since the '70s, when Iranian revolutionaries kicked out their US-backed shah and took the US embassy hostage. A new Islamist, anti-US gov came to town. You really went all the way back, didn't you? If we're about to head to war with a foreign country, you're going to need to read the eff up. In the decades since, things have gone from bad to worse. Think: Iran threatening allies and to develop nuclear weapons. In 2015, the US and several other governments signed a deal to pull the breaks on Iran's nuclear program. But President Trump has said the deal doesn't go far enough. So he pulled the US out of it. And has been reimposing sanctions on Iran that are squeezing its economy. That sounds like a last year problem. Why are tensions so high right now? A few weeks ago, the US said it received threats from Iran against US troops and sent an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region. There've since been attacks on oil tankers nearby that the US has blamed on Iran. This week, the US said it's sending 1,000 more troops. Meanwhile, Iran's economy is apparently suffering. It says it's days away from violating the terms of the nuclear deal and gave European countries until next week to give it a reason to stay in it. Ok. What happened in the past 24 hours? Yesterday, Iran shot down an unmanned military drone it says was over its airspace. The US denies it was intruding into Iranian territory. Since then, Trump called it a "very big mistake" said that the public will "find out" whether the US intends to respond. But then he seemed to want to de-escalate. He said someone "loose and stupid" in Iran was responsible for shooting down the drone. Then we found out about the airstrike. What airstrike? Reports came out yesterday that the US had called for a retaliatory military strike against Iran. Then called it off. By that time, the operation was reportedly underway in its early stages. Think: planes in the air, ships right where they needed to be. As late as 7pm ET last night, the US was apparently still getting ready to launch a strike against Iran. The attack was reportedly set for before dawn today. Whoa. Correct. It bears noticing: an airstrike isn't like an Uber. You can't easily call one and then cancel a minute later if you changed your mind. So what happens now? It's still not clear why the strike was called off and whether it was called off indefinitely. In other words: it could still happen. theSkimm Trump has campaigned in part on getting the US out of foreign wars. But there are people in his administration who feel differently, and want to go hard on Iran. Yesterday's about-face was a case study in that tension. And what happens as a result of this could impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people in both countries. | | | | | |
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What's keeping federal agencies busy… Opioids. The FDA wants to change its approval process for new drugs. The opioid epidemic kills more than 130 people every single day in the US. While several states are suing pharma companies for their role in the crisis, the federal gov has gotten heat for letting these drugs come onto the market. Now the FDA wants drugmakers to provide it with details on the risks and benefits of their new drugs, including the potential impact on public health. -
Taking on a challenge: The FDA says that opioids "present unique challenges." On one hand, the drugs help patients with pain but, on the other hand, they can "cause enormous harm when misused and abused." Federal funding. Customs and Border Protection is blaming the deaths of migrant children on a lack of money. In the past few months, hundreds of thousands of migrants (including many kids) have reached the US-Mexico border. Since last year, at least seven migrant children have died in US custody. Now the CBP is asking Congress to pass a $4.6 billion emergency package ASAP, including $2.9 billion for taking care of migrant children. -
And that money would go toward: CBP wants to use it for medical checkups, infirmary beds, and traveling medical facilities that can quickly get care to rural areas. -
Snip snip snip: The Trump admin recently ended English classes, legal aid, and other services for migrant children it said weren't critical to children's safety, citing serious budget constraints. | | | | | |
| | Who made it to the final round of the interview process... Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt. Yesterday, the UK's governing Conservative Party voted to move the two candidates to the final round of Britain's Next Top Leader. Reminder: PM Theresa May kept trying to push her Brexit deal like a podcaster trying to sell you on ZipRecruiter. But with May's deal, exactly no one was interested. Jury's out on ZipRecruiter. So last month, May finally said 'I give up' and promised to step aside. Now, the race for the next PM is down to two. The party's 160,000 members will decide on a final winner next month. Their options… -
British Trump: Boris Johnson – the former mayor of London and former foreign secretary – wants to get the UK out of the EU, yesterday. And is fine with a no-deal Brexit if it comes to that. -
The Other Guy: Aka current foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt. He made it to the runoff by thiiiis much (think: two votes). And there are rumors Johnson is happy Hunt is his opponent...because he doesn't see him as a threat. | | | | | |
| | What people are watching... Georgia. (The country, not the state.) Earlier today, police there used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to stop protesters from storming the country's parliament. The reason for the protests: people were angry that a Russian lawmaker was allowed to sit in the chair of the Georgian parliament speaker during an assembly. Important to note: This lawmaker is apparently a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin (who many Georgians aren't fond of). Thousands showed up to protest his appearance. And riot police showed up to disperse the crowd. The result: nearly 70 people (39 police and 30 civilians) had to get medical treatment. -
Bad blood: In 2008, Georgia was in a war with Russia. Georgia ended up losing control of two territories, which the international community claims is now under Russian control. The lawmaker that showed up yesterday has backed independence for the two territories. | | | | | |
| | Where the word 'hackathon' isn't exactly appreciated… Riviera Beach, Florida. The city agreed to pay hackers to get its computer systems back. Three weeks ago, hackers managed to take control of its computers. The impact? City employees haven't been able to access emails and emergency dispatchers can't input calls into computers. Now the city's handing over 65 bitcoin (translation: $600,000...though by the time you read this, who knows) in the hopes of getting its systems back. It's just the latest in a series of cities and businesses getting hit by ransomware attacks and struggling with how to respond. | | | | | |
| | When you're trying to cut down on screen time… Skimm This. Our daily podcast talks about 'phone bone.' New research shows that people are growing what looks like a little hook at the base of the skull. Scientists think it's because people are looking at their phones too much. So: eyes up.
…Oh and if you need another reason to unplug, Apple is issuing a recall for some of its MacBook Pro laptops...because their batteries could overheat and cause a fire. How very Samsung of them. | | | | | |
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| | "Fleishman Is in Trouble" by Taffy Brodesser-Akner This New York Times writer went big on the D's: divorce, drama, dating apps, and disappearances. This one's all about the trouble that ensues when a 41-year-old man divorces his wife and has to put the pieces back together. It's a feminist novel nestled in a story about the messiness of marriage. Get it here.
PS: It's Pride Month and we have more reads recommendations for you. Check them out here. | | |
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|  | | | ICYMI, it's summer solstice (the longest day of the year). We're stretching happy hour out with our picks for pouring it up outdoors.
For when your frosé melts too fast… Squeeze the moment. Absolut Juice is a light bev made with real fruit juice and no artificial flavors. Psst...it's made through a carbon neutral distillation process. Aka it's eco-friendly. Cheers to planet Earth.
For when the best part about the picnic is the leftovers... Food for thought. This "I heart leftovers" Pyrex container looks good and stores food better than doggie bags.
For when the sun's setting in your eyes… Shades, on. We like these from Le Specs because they look high fashun without the high price tag. Extra points if your playlist matches the sunglasses' '90s vibe. | | |
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| | Spotlight on…Carly V (NV). She just got her dream job with the US Geological Survey as a hydrologic technician (hint: a heavily male-dominated field). She will contribute to gathering scientific data that could help fight climate change. And she's just 25.
Cheers to…Lauren V (MD). She's finishing major renovations on her first home and will be moving in next week. Joanna Gaines would be proud.
(Some) Birthdays…Danielle Schulweis (NY), Gabe Aprati (IL), Karen Ballen (NY), Valentin Guillement (NY), Cathy Wilson (KY), Michelle Swanson (CO), Beth Bogle (MN), Carolyn Schoenfelder (OR), Ghislaine Ruiz (MA), Justin Golden (KS), Lydia Zaccaro (FL), Rebecca Verbosky Kerns (SC), Sarah Boddy (AZ), Taylor Thomas (IL), Tyger Danger (NY)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. | | |
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| | Skimm HQ is excited it's the first day of summer. Share theSkimm with your friend who always packs an extra beach read. | |  |  | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=e98aa03e | | |
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