Skimm'd while simplifying our space

"We regret the decision to have live animals at our prom" – The principal of the high school that somehow thought a caged tiger was a good idea.

GAZA

The Story

Yesterday was the deadliest day in Gaza in years.

Hang on. Back up.

Yesterday marked the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. This was a highly charged moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, since the city's status is a key issue in on-again, off-again peace talks. And for Palestinians, this suggests that the US – which has always aimed to be a neutral mediator in those talks – is clearly siding with Israel.

So what happened?

Tens of thousands of Palestinians protested along the border that Israel shares with Gaza. Many set tires on fire. Some are accused of shooting at soldiers and planting or hurling bombs. Palestinian officials say Israeli troops killed at least 58 people and injured more than 2,700 others. There were also protests in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

What are people saying?

Israel says it has the right to defend its borders. It holds Hamas – the Islamist militant group that runs Gaza – responsible for the violence. The White House agrees. The UN says Israel and Hamas need to keep their cool. And Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says that yesterday's killings were a "massacre." Protests are expected to continue today.

theSkimm

The opening ceremony of the US Embassy in Jerusalem served as a stark contrast to the violence happening only miles away.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say to your friend who's more excited for the Preakness than the royal wedding...

Place your bets. Yesterday, the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting. In 1992, Congress passed a law prohibiting state-authorized sports gambling with one exception: Nevada. Because Vegas baby. Some states have said 'boooo' because the gambling could encourage tourism and tax revenue. In 2011, New Jersey voters approved a measure to legalize sports betting. But the law was challenged by the NCAA, NHL, MLB, NFL, and NBA because it threatened the "character and integrity" of sporting events. The case made its way to the Supremes. Now, SCOTUS is taking a side. It says that states that want to offer sports betting can make changes ASAP. Good news for places like New Jersey. Bad news for some of the sports leagues.

What to say when you don't agree with your boss...

I vote you off the island. Yesterday, CBS sued its controlling shareholder Shari Redstone for trying to make a merge with Viacom happen. CBS and Viacom used to be one company. Over a decade ago, Redstone's father Sumner – the billionaire media mogul – decided to split them up so Viacom (which runs MTV and Comedy Central) could thrive on its own. But CBS was the one that did well post-breakup. In recent years, the Redstone family has been toying with the idea of CBS and Viacom getting back together. But CBS CEO Leslie Moonves and its board of directors aren't fans of the potential merger. They're going for a "nuclear option" that takes away some of Redstone's voting power and gives it to shareholders. And requesting a temporary restraining order to keep her from making what they think are bad decisions for the company. The Redstones called the lawsuit "outrageous." Expect more drama. A crucial board meeting and a hearing about the restraining order are both happening later this week.

What to say when you hear one of Jupiter's moon might have alien life…

Out of this world, just like this study. Scientists say they have taken the memories of some sea snails...and transferred them to other sea snails. Bear with us. First, they trained some sea snails to develop a reaction to shocks. Then, scientists inserted their RNA – a form of genetic info – into untrained sea snails. Who now suddenly reacted as though they had been trained themselves. Scientists believe the experiment shows how parts of the snails' memory are stored in the RNA. It's unclear what this means for us non-slimey creatures. But the study's author said this info could one day help us fight memory-related illnesses like Alzheimer's and PTSD.

What to say when it's already a crazy week and it's only Tuesday…

Tell that to Canada. Human feet keep washing up on beaches in western Canada. It's been happening since 2007. And over the weekend, a man found foot no. 14. No one is really sure why it keeps happening but authorities have an idea. You don't want to know more.

What to say when you hear "Project Runway" is coming back to Bravo…

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle's dad might RSVP 'nein' to the royal wedding.

What to say to say when you bump someone on your morning commute…

Sorry. Gap is saying the same.

THING TO KNOW

30-Day List

Your 'do not buy until' list. Sometimes life gets cluttered because you're buying too much sh*t. Next time you have the urge to shop in bed when you can't fall asleep, put it on your 30-day list. If the item's still there after 30 days, it means you really want it...and can rest easy knowing you didn't just spend your paycheck on something you don't need. Here are more tips to declutter. Ready, set, clean.

SKIMM PICKS

For when you're wearing an old t-shirt in yoga class…

Nama'stay on top of it. Upgrade your yoga wardrobe with this subscription box. Each box includes clothes that will actually make you want to work out (yes, really). They're high quality and discounted. And Skimm'rs get $30 off on top of that. Ommm included.*

For when you finish off a personal pizza…

Goals. Almost as good as eating it in Italy. How does a trip to the Amalfi Coast sound? Think: wine tastings, a cliffside cruise, cooking class. Hotel reservations and flights too. Brb, daydreaming at desk. Enter here.

For when you feel like you need a vacation…

Here are some Skimm reads to help you unwind.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Raise a glass.

Noah Schneider NY, David Schneider NY, Hanna Bregman NY, *Pauline Zilch NY, *Sloane Bell AL, *Veronica Noble CT, *Erica Einhorn CA, *Rohini Mehdiratta TX, *Max Kiss CA, *Kerri McDonald KY, *Alyssa Springer NC, *Rachael Mora KY, *Brittany Fritch IL, *Cecilia Daizovi VA, *Kelly Jo Morrison AZ, *Carolyn Herman IA, *Brittani Shank KS, Gillian Perry IN, Frances Rubin TX, Kate Logan, Karissa Evans NC, Hannah Kilbride TN, Sahas Kurumety PA, Theresa Moore CA, Tim Hinckley OH, Heather Rizzo FL, Gabriella Lidback GA, Lindsay Brownell MA, Alexandra Scott WV, Nadia Stephens NC, Betsy Jernigan TN, Haley Mulvey TX, Ebonne Just IL, Jamie Pries IL, Heather Cave VA, Maddy Berg MA, Alei Cook TX, Laurel Cassidy NY, Samantha Kopas IN, Tara Malfitano FL, Sarah Rogers AK, Megan Kerr MA, Meg Patterson GA, Kelsey Eriksen NY, Dana Hilton FL, Adrienne Thoms IL, Maggie Schumann CT, Jessi Ross FL, Jillian Emerson TX, Kat Shirrell, Alex Chitwood IN, Seth Goldstein NY, Cathy Lieblich FL, Liz Harges CA, Alison Berry VA, Marianne Offenbecher TX, Hayley Tafuro CT, Sara Buster OK, Kristynn Bolding TX, Kate Williams AL, Athena Garnto NC, Stacey Rex NC, Meghan Munroe FL, Susan Mattingly MD, Monica Cashatt AZ, Connie Morejon MN, Nicolle Kuhn OR, Chrissy Durban FL, Leslie Holthoff Martin VA