Skimm'd with brand whisperer Bozoma Saint John

theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile

OCTOBER 19, 2018

ARCHIVE

theSkimm
Share theSkimm

Skimm'd with brand whisperer Bozoma Saint John


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"Honestly, it's not for everyone" – Nebraska's convincing new tourism campaign. Bonus points for self-awareness.

AFGHANISTAN

The Story

The Taliban has Afghanistan on edge before its first parliamentary elections in years.

It's been a while. Remind me.

US troops have been in Afghanistan for 17 years helping the gov fight off terrorist groups like the Taliban – which ruled the country back in the '90s. Earlier this year, the gov and the Taliban agreed to their first ceasefire. There was also talk about a potential peace deal. Now, the warm fuzzy feelings are back down to zero.

What's the latest?

Yesterday, a gunman opened fire at a regional governor's compound in southern Afghanistan's province of Kandahar – aka the Taliban heartland. He killed a top regional police chief and intelligence chief. The shooter was apparently a bodyguard for the governor. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

Who were they trying to attack?

The police chief that they killed. He was a big deal in the area and a key US ally. The terror group also claims to have been after the top US commander there, Gen. Scott Miller. He wasn't injured, but three others were. The Taliban also said 'be prepared for this weekend.'

What's this weekend?

Elections. Tomorrow, the whole country was set to head to the polls. But earlier today, the gov delayed voting in Kandahar for a week because of the latest attack. And the terror group is set on causing more chaos.

theSkimm

Afghanistan has been unstable for decades. And yesterday's attack shows that the future and stability of the country is still very much in jeopardy.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are talking about...

This caravan. Yesterday, President Trump threatened Mexico if it doesn't stop a group of migrants from entering the US. For years, tens of thousands of Central Americans have come to the US, fleeing violence and poverty back home. Some have traveled together as a group for safety. You heard about a caravan like this earlier this year. Now, it's coming up again. Earlier this week, Trump told Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador that if they don't halt the caravan, they could lose US aid. Now, some migrants have reportedly reached Mexico – and Trump's dialing up the pressure. He warns he'll bring out the US military, close the border, and might risk the new trade deal. Mexico's saying 'I hear you.' It reportedly won't let the migrants enter as a group. And it's forcing them to either show a passport and visa (something many apparently don't have) or apply for refugee status, which could take months. TBD if that's enough to stop these migrants from trying to enter the US…and keep Trump happy.


What to say when you wish you hadn't agreed to be social…

Gonna have to cancel. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he's pulling out of Saudi Arabia's big money conference next week. ICYMI, Saudi Arabia is accused of murdering Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate earlier this month. Cue CEOs, media outlets, and western gov officials backing out of the kingdom's version of Davos (think: Burning Man, but instead of music and drugs: networking and investment talk). For days, people have been wondering if Mnuchin would drop out, too. And the Trump admin has been treading carefully, because money. It's giving Saudi Arabia a few days to wrap up its investigation on Khashoggi's disappearance. But it's also starting to push back against it (Exhibit A: Mnuchin ditching the conference). And warning that Saudi Arabia could face "very severe" consequences if it's found to be responsible. The Dow doesn't exactly seem thrilled with this US-Saudi tension.


What people want answers about...

The Catholic Church. The Justice Dept is looking into sex abuse allegations within the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, a state grand jury found that hundreds of priests there have abused at least 1,000 children spanning decades. Now, the DOJ is starting to issue subpoenas. Speaking of the DOJ, it's asking SCOTUS to throw out a climate change lawsuit. In 2015, a group of children and young adults sued the gov, saying the lack of climate change action threatens their right to an environment "capable of sustaining human life." The Obama admin tried to stop the lawsuit. Now the Trump admin is, too. It's arguing that there's no such thing as a right to certain climate conditions – and that the lawsuit's trying to force gov policy through the courts. But unless SCOTUS does something, it's expected to go to trial this month.


What to say when you find your old Furby…

I wish I knew how to destroy you…right, Banksy?


What to say when you need a Midol…

Are you there, childhood?

SKIMM READS

"This Will Only Hurt A Little" by Busy Philipps

You guys. Busy Philipps has a memoir. The "Dawson's Creek" alum and everyone's favorite Instagram follow gets into everything from what it's like being a woman in Hollywood to her friendship with Michelle Williams to dealing with postpartum anxiety. Spoiler: she's not afraid to call people out along the way. Get busy.


PS: Books and the weekend go together like Busy and Michelle. Check out all of our Skimm Reads here.

SKIMM PICKS

For when layering isn't just for sweaters…

Pile on the frosting. This jewelry brand has an exclusive sale just for Skimm'rs. Get your fave pieces up to 70% off. Shine bright shine far.*

*PS This is an affiliate section, which means if you purchase, theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Raise a glass.

Pamela Haddad MA, Stephania Stavropoulos IL, Charlotte Grinberg MA, *Liz Maupin IL, *Bethany Lee AL, *Noelle Beacom NE, *Charlotte Wessel AL, *Charles Allen NJ, *Meredith Smith GA, *Ann Jones MI, *Caitlin MacBride OH, *Nicole St. Marie NY, *Jayme Parker VT, *Luann Abrams OR, *Sarah Gittemeier KS, *Janelle Einfrank OH, *Elizabeth Partain AL, *Amy Langmaid MT, *Tara Price NY, *Diana Larach MA, *Moira O'Connor DC, *Lauren Sloan GA, *Sabrina Elshafei MD, *Gina Kellogg KS, *Emily Wilkinson DC, *Emma Couch TN, *Stephanie Campbell WI, *Christina Rumbaugh TN, *Ashlyn Perez TN, *Lauren Coticchio Willis NJ, *Katie Stember NC, *Mireya Larach, Tori Leggett NC, Julie Ashkenazi CA, Kristen McManus IL, Shannon Finegan PA, Laila Mobh Alidina FL, Laura Gigliotti NY, Catherine Johnson OR, Kathryn McDonnell MO, Molly Berman DC, Mary Elder PA, Marcee Mygatt CO, Savannah Marshall CA, Christine Malecki IL, John Geekie NY, Elizabeth Marut IL, Rebecca Boardman CA, Whitney Johnson CA, Arielle Bobek MA, Regina Sheerin, Elizabeth Thompson NC, Zack Rogers NY, Alexa Gordon NY, Ellie Spitz IL, Sarah Jie PA, Christine Whitman NY, Stephanie Finn VA, Caitlin Polus NY, Emma Reaney IN, Victoria Wheelock MO, Michelle Fitch TX, Marisa Boras TN, Haley Williams NC, Kathryn Yates ME, Erin Keegan OH, Carolyn Spero IL, Kendra Haro MA, Mandy Rutter, Jill Uhen IL, Emily Butera PA, Laura Butera MA, Kellie Morrison OH, Joanna Kilbane Myers OH, Savetka Mirakovska NJ, Hannah Ferguson IL, Haley Howard GA, Tyler Bailey MA, Emily Johnson NY, Morgan Yucel CA, Johnna Cheetham WV, Kevin McCarthy CO, Bob Killay MA, Diane Scully FL, Joan Emerson WI, Julia Regeski GA, Lindsay Schenck Basto IL, Vicki Ebeling IL, Kathleen Knight Pugh, Annie Canadeo CT, Sarah Hirschfeld ME, Mary McElhinney-Stark CA, Ashley Brown CA, Mayrav Dolgin IL, Jocelyn Riordan OR, Kristy Carroll MD, Leslie Collins CA, Jennifer Lane FL, Mollie Young NY, Hannah Bagshaw NY, Beverly Cooper, Nicole Voss OK, Stacey Engoron NY, Amy Schmelz NY, Jessica Lynch NC, Susan Stiles VA, Andrea Schröer CA, Phyllis Goode DC, Michelle Aiyanyor NY, Lucie Antoine NY, Anita Humer NY, Jess Miller AZ