Daily Skimm: Whatever happened to predictability?

Skimm'd while reminiscing about malls. And mall pretzels.

May 22, 2020 Read in Browser

Skimm'd while reminiscing about malls. And mall pretzels.

Quote of the Day "I'll just swoosh my hair around, and then maybe turn up the angle a little bit" – A woman on finding your best look for video calls. Another thing we didn't expect to be dealing with in 2020.

Hong Kong

The Story A law China's considering is setting off alarm bells in Hong Kong. Remind me what the deal is there... Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous Chinese territory that has its own laws, courts, and economy. That's because the UK (which ruled Hong Kong for over a century) gave the territory back to China in the '90s on one big condition: that the territory keep some of its independence for at least for 50 years. The deal expires in 2047, when Hong Kong becomes fully part of China. But some residents already feel their rights are going away – and protests erupted last year. What happened last year? Millions protested a bill that would have allowed some criminal suspects to be extradited to China. The protests continued for months and at times turned violent, with police using tear gas and rubber bullets and some protesters throwing petrol bombs. The local government withdrew the bill in the fall, but activists said 'too little, too late' – and want their pro-democracy demands met. Meanwhile, the gov in Beijing wasn't happy, calling the protesters terrorists. Got it. So what's happening now? Today, China's legislature is considering a national security law that would ban "sedition, secession, and subversion" – effectively letting China bypass Hong Kong's local government and crack down on the protests. The legislation is expected to pass as early as next week. What are people saying? China's legislature says the move is necessary for national security. And that it will serve the "fundamental interests" of everyone involved. But critics say it's an overstep into Hong Kong's independence. And that it ignores the territory's Basic Law (the equivalent of its constitution) which only gives the local gov the right to pass rules like this. President Trump warns the US would react "very strongly" if China passed the law. And US lawmakers across the aisle are threatening sanctions. theSkimm China isn't the only country looking to increase its authority while the world's attention is on fighting COVID-19. See: Hungary, Poland. But critics are worried it could signal an end to some of Hong Kong's biggest freedoms and trigger another wave of protests.

And Also...This

What's saying 'we fly high, no lie'… The Trump admin. Yesterday, President Trump said the US would withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty. The nearly 30-year agreement between 35 countries allows them to fly surveillance planes over each other's territory – so they can keep tabs on each other's military activities. It's intended to reduce the risk of war. But the Trump admin says Russia has repeatedly violated the agreement by not allowing aircrafts to fly over certain parts of its territory. And some have accused Russia of using it to gather US intel. But Russia reportedly denied it broke the treaty and called the US's decision "destructive." Now, the US is set to pull out of the deal in six months. You may not pass go: This is the admin's latest decision to withdraw from a major arms control deal. Last year, Trump withdrew from the INF Treaty which banned the development of ground-based missiles. ...Oh and add that to the list of things to brief Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) on. He just got the thumbs up to serve as the next director of national intelligence.

Whose cases got an update… Ahmaud Arbery. Yesterday, Georgia investigators arrested the man who filmed the fatal shooting of the 25-year-old. He's the third person arrested in connection with the case – and is being charged with two crimes, including felony murder. The man, who claims he's just a witness, maintains he had "nothing to do" with the murder. But he was named in the original police report as having allegedly tried to block Arbery's path. Arbery's family – which had repeatedly called for his arrest – said they were "relieved." Breonna Taylor. Yesterday, the FBI opened an investigation into the death of the 26-year-old EMT. Taylor was killed in her own home in March when police went into the wrong house to pursue a search warrant, according to the family's lawsuit. Now the FBI says it will make sure the "investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough, and impartial manner." This is the latest case involving police brutality toward black Americans.

Who could be missing the milkman, the paperboy, and evening TV... Lori Loughlin. Today, the actress and her husband are expected to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in the college admissions scandal otherwise known as "Operation Varsity Blues." Reminder: that's when dozens of parents were accused of scheming to get their kids into colleges. Loughlin and her husband were charged with conspiracy and bribery for paying half a million dollars to get their daughters into USC. They face a hefty fine, several months in prison, and hundreds of hours of community service.

What you can say to your Hinge matches… Call me, maybe.

Catherine the Great was an OG badass who broke glass ceilings before it was cool. As in, she took over and ruled Russia in the 1700s. So in honor of Hulu's new show, "The Great," we're partnering to bring you some wisdom from Cath herself. Preview coming in 3,2,1... Ever faced down an uprising? (Ok if you even had to think about that… what is your life?) For Catherine, it came with the territory. One particularly rough uprising happened in 1773. A dude named Yemelyan Pugachov tried to overthrow her. First, he pretended to be Catherine's dead ex-husband. Then Pugachov started storming through Russia with a big army, causing all kinds of trouble. It was really a LOT. Keep reading here to see what went down next. And what you could possibly learn from this story. You got this.

Skimm Reads

"All Adults Here" by Emma Straub A 68-year-old grandmother reassesses her life choices (and parenting skills) after witnessing a school bus accident in town. Cue a story about dysfunctional family life that's witty and charming. For all the "Modern Lovers" and "The Vacationers" fans…this one's for you. PS: Need a good book to curl up with on Memorial Day weekend? Here are 11 buzzy books to choose from. Frosé not included.

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting us all in different ways. No matter your situation, sometimes you just need to press pause. Enter: our picks to help you take a break… 1. Some contenders for song of the summer. Not even a global pandemic could stop a Justin Bieber banger from taking over. Enter: some competition from Dua Lipa, Missy Elliott, and more. 2. A popsicle kit. Nothing screams 'it's 5 p.m. somewhere' like some ice pops filled with booze. Add this mold and these recipes to your life for peak MDW vibes. 3. Three totally random things that made us happy: '90s bingo, a unicorn ring toss, and a wine and cheese pairing swatch. PS: Sign up to get a list of things to do, watch, eat, and more to your inbox every Monday.

For when your space could use an upgrade... This furniture store's Memorial Day Clearance sale can help. Things like patio furniture, grills and fire pits, mattresses, and cookware are up to 70% off. Yes, you read that right. Run, don't walk.* For when you're ready to turn side hustle into your main hustle… If you build it they will come. But first you need a website. Get a .store domain name for your ecommerce site with this company. It will help your customers remember you and help you sell more. Psst...Skimm's get a special offer. Get to work.* For when your apartment is also your office is also your gym… Protect it. With this company, it only takes 90 seconds to get insured. Renter's insurance starts at $5 per month, and homeowner's insurance starts at $25. Easy peasy.* *PS This is a sponsored post.

Programming Note

Skimm HQ will be observing Memorial Day. See you back in your inbox on Tuesday.

Skimm'rs

In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others. An apple for...Paige O (NY). She works at Volunteers of America-Greater New York. The org's Operation Backpack gives children experiencing homelessness and those in domestic violence shelters a new backpack full of grade-specific supplies. But the pandemic has disrupted their operation and they're looking to pivot their donation and delivery model. Find out how you can help here. Together, forever with…Kanishka C (CA). She co-founded TogetherSF, a San Francisco-based org that coordinates volunteer efforts in response to COVID-19. It's helped volunteers donate food and provide other services to local seniors and vulnerable populations. Learn more here. (Some) Birthdays...Dr. Arielle Haves Bayer (NY), Gregg Brooke Henry (IL), Liza Andrews (NY), Peri Labovitz (GA), Octavia Obolensky (NY), Caryn Greenberg Albertson (FL), Annmarie Malgieri (NJ), Samantha Fitzsimmons (VA), Kelsey Ross (VA), Ariana Ghovanlou (CA), Caryn Cookie Albertson (FL), Priscilla Morales (MD), Violette Barrington-Janvier (CAN), Amanda Parmelee (NC) *Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Skimm Share

Skimm HQ is hoping for some sun this long weekend. Share theSkimm with your friend who's ready for summer. Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=e98aa03e

Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? help@theSkimm.com Copyright (c) 2020 theSkimm, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: theSkimm Inc. 50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B New York, NY, 10010, United States See our full sponsor agreement Unsubscribe

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Daily Skimm: You didn't have the feet. I don't have the heart

Skimm'd while talking hustle and mentorship with Lindsay Peoples Wagner

May 21, 2020 Read in Browser

Skimm'd while talking hustle and mentorship with Lindsay Peoples Wagner

Quote of the Day "Harry Azcrac" – The name that Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) was pranked into reading during a virtual graduation ceremony. Some senior class traditions can survive the test of times.

App for Grabs

The Story Apple and Google have a tech fix for COVID-19. Let's hear it. Yesterday, they launched a new software that allows public health officials around the world to create their own contact tracing apps. Thanks to Bluetooth (so fancy), the app could detect people nearby you may have interacted with. If someone tests positive for COVID-19 and shares it with the app, users who were near them within the last 14 days will get notified. The power of technology. Yup. The idea is to boost regular contact tracing, usually done by humans. That's when public health staffers help an infected person track down who they came into contact with – in an effort to trace the spread of the virus and try to contain it. Contact tracing is seen as a potentially critical tool to help slow COVID-19's spread. And Apple and Google's software is meant to make the process faster and more effective. *Raises hand* privacy concerns, though... Right. Both companies have had their fair share of scandals. See: recording people's personal convos, collecting medical data without consent, a bug that exposed millions of users' data, the list goes on. The companies are saying 'we hear you' and that they're limiting who can access the data. Everything will apparently be kept private – only used by health officials – and not stored in a central database. The companies also promise the software won't use GPS tracking or collect phone numbers. Ok then. When does it roll out? That's unclear. But the tech is officially up for grabs for health officials to use and create their own apps. Apple and Google said several states (hi, Alabama, North Dakota, South Carolina) are jumping on board. And that 22 countries have requested the software. Germany, Italy, and Ireland are reportedly expected to release theirs in the coming weeks. theSkimm Countries like China and South Korea have gotten praise for their widespread use of contact tracing. And Apple and Google's help could prove valuable, especially as all 50 US states look to ease restrictions and get their economies back on track. But coming after years of scandals, some aren't ready to take tech's assurances at their word. PS: GV (formerly Google Ventures) is a minority investor in theSkimm.

And Also...This

Who's making threats… President Trump. Yesterday, he said he'd withhold federal money from Michigan and Nevada if they go ahead with plans to expand vote-by-mail efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic. He called the states' moves "illegal" and said mail-in ballots could lead to "voter fraud." But studies have shown fraud is rare for mail-in voting and that it doesn't necessarily benefit one party over the other. It wasn't clear what money Trump would hold back. And if he'd have the power to withhold federal funds approved by Congress. Anyone else: A growing number of states have sent absentee ballot applications to voters amid the coronavirus pandemic. That includes Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska, and West Virginia.

What else Michigan has on the mind... These dams. This week, floodwaters breached two dams in central Michigan, forcing about 10,000 people to evacuate. Recent heavy rains were blamed for the record-level rise of Tittabawassee River. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) worried this would be the worst flooding "in 500 years." She declared a state of emergency for Midland County, whose downtown area could be under nine feet of water. So far, no deaths or injuries have been reported. And President Trump tweeted he had "sent our best" military and FEMA teams to help. Rising concerns: Midland is also home to the Dow Chemical Company. And that's raising concerns because there's a Superfund – a contaminated, hazardous waste site – downriver from the company's plant. Dow's enacted its flood preparedness plan, but many worry the floodwaters could spread polluted sediments downriver. History of problems: In 2018, federal officials revoked the license of the company running one of the dams for its inability to handle major flooding. That same year, Michigan rated the dam in unsatisfactory condition. The other dam had been rated fair. And unfortunately the issue isn't unique to Michigan – by one count, there are more than 2,100 potentially dangerous dams in the US.

Where people are watching... India and Bangladesh. Yesterday, the most powerful cyclone in over a decade hit the countries. At least 22 people were killed. But officials evacuated nearly 3 million before the storm, a move they said saved lives. Bangladesh reportedly said at least a million people lost power.

Who's mastered some escape rooms… These guys. Yesterday, US authorities arrested a former Green Beret and his son for their alleged roles in helping smuggle Carlos Ghosn out of Japan. Back in December, the former Nissan chief was facing trial there on charges of financial crimes (think: underreporting his income for years). But the two men – who clearly watched too much David Blaine – are accused of helping him sneak onto a private jet in a large box and flee to Lebanon. Now, the two men are expected to be extradited to Japan to face trial.

While some babies are cute... Other babies...need time.

Thing to Know

Bamboo Knit Before we get into it, let's talk about bamboo for a sec. And why it's sustainable. When bamboo is harvested, it regenerates from its own roots. Meaning it doesn't need to be replanted, and can be grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Shoe company Cariuma got wind of this, and had an idea. Drumroll please...bamboo knit. Aka a material that combines bamboo and recycled materials. Cariuma uses it to make their IBI sneakers (which had a 12k person waitlist – NBD – but are now back in stock). So you can reduce your carbon footprint, one foot step at a time. Even better: Skimm'rs get 15% off for a limited time only. Add to cart.

If you're bored of being bored, do more...from home. See: virtual museum tours, longer streaming service trials, free French classes. And say 'oui' to saving on entertainment with our new guide.

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting us all in different ways. No matter your situation, sometimes you just need to press pause. Enter: our picks to help you take a break… 1. The 20 best Netflix comedy specials. Because all the 'you're on mute' jokes aren't cutting it anymore. 2. 47 podcasts to keep you company. For when your own thoughts have overstayed their welcome. Listen to Jonathan Van Ness or Oprah instead. You get a pod, you get a pod... 3. Bedazzle by number. This art project involves some serious bling. The '90s called, they want their hobbies back. PS: Sign up to get a list of things to do, watch, eat, and more to your inbox every Monday.

For when you need some motivation... Here's a podcast ep with someone who's worked her way to the top. Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, joined us on our latest episode of "Skimm'd from The Couch," sponsored by Estée Lauder. She talks about why hustle actually pays off, and how she's pushing industry boundaries to be more inclusive. Listen here.* For when you had cereal for dinner last night… Don't hate the player, hate the game. Get your vitamins with this wellness company's new daily supplement packs. Each dose supports digestion, immunity, cognition, heart health, and great skin. Psst...Skimm'rs get 20% off. Get into it.* For when you're tired of spending time in the kitchen... Check out our fave products to make things a whole lot easier. This list has a gadget that will chop all your veggies, something to make produce last longer, a cold brew maker, and more. *PS This is a sponsored post.

Skimm'rs

In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others. Taking a breath with...Gina M (NY). She's a therapist in New York and spoke to us about why the discomfort many people are experiencing right now is actually grief. And she gave us some tips for how to cope. Watch here. Getting crafty with...Caroline G (DC). She worked with a group of friends to start Supply Love, a nonprofit that makes cloth masks and supplies for hospitals in DC. They've donated 2,500 cloth masks, 15k gloves, and thousands of other supplies. Learn more here. (Some) Birthdays...Mason Rudnick (NY), Jaclyn Chesner (NY), Allison Fields (NY), Jeff Aprati (IL), Tina Sharkey (CA), Anne VanderWal, Arnaud Karsenti (FL), Hanisha Grover (NJ), Emily Schwartz (CA), Laura Taylor (WI), Heather Dawson (CAN), William McManus (VA), Amy Rasberry (CO), Maggie Dudgeon (AR), Rachel Nutted (TX), Marne Friedman (NY), Linda DePeri (FL) *Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Skimm Share

Skimm HQ is getting ready to grill this weekend. Share theSkimm with your friend who always makes the best sides. Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=e98aa03e

Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? help@theSkimm.com Copyright (c) 2020 theSkimm, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: theSkimm Inc. 50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B New York, NY, 10010, United States See our full sponsor agreement Unsubscribe

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