|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 QUOTE OF THE DAY  |
|
|
"She said, apparently, she was glad it was me" – Helena Bonham Carter saw a psychic to get Princess Margaret's blessing to play her in "The Crown." A royal blessing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Story
President Trump is dealing with the aftermath of his major policy shift in northeastern Syria.
What's this about?
On Sunday, the Trump admin said that Turkey would soon move ahead with an operation in Syria and that the US would stay out of it...raising alarm bells about what that means for US-backed Kurds there.
Why?
The Kurds – an ethnic group in the region – have been a key US ally in the fight against ISIS. And have gained control of territory in northeastern Syria. But Turkey – a NATO ally – sees them as a terror threat. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has long threatened a military operation in Syria to take them down.
Well that puts the US in a tricky spot.
Yup. But a statement from the White House Sunday seemed to give Turkey's operation the green light. Trump defended the call, saying he was elected on pulling the US out of "ridiculous endless wars" and that it's time to "bring our soldiers home." But there was pushback.
From...?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. But especially Republicans. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said the move would benefit Russia, Iran, ISIS, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) threatened to intro a resolution in the Senate to oppose the "shortsighted and irresponsible" plan and ask for a reversal. On top of that, former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said leaving Kurds "to die is a big mistake." Overall, many are worried the US is abandoning a key ally and that doing that could bolster the chances of ISIS making a comeback.
Yikes.
Well, Trump has also sent some mixed signals on where he stands. He said that if Turkey does anything that his "great and unmatched wisdom" thinks is too much, the US will destroy Turkey's economy. The Pentagon said that the US doesn't condone a Turkish attack in northeastern Syria. So there's that.
theSkimm
Trump campaigned in part on ending US involvement in conflicts abroad, including in Syria. But his "America First" approach could hurt the US's credibility with key allies and complicate things in the region.
Skimm This: Our latest podcast ep explains who the Kurds are and how history may be repeating itself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who's not exactly thrilled about where things are headed...
Climate change protesters. Yesterday, hundreds of people were arrested in London and across the world. The British-based group behind these protests – Extinction Rebellion – blocked traffic to demand more action on the issue. The org was started last year and has since succeeded where Brexit has not: getting the UK to do something. It has called on the gov to commit to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, among other goals. After protests and meetings with British officials in the spring, the UK Parliament declared a climate emergency. It also became the first major economy to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050 – a timeframe that will still require major infrastructure changes. Stay tuned: more protests like this are scheduled over the next two weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who just got caught in a (space) jam…
The NBA. It's getting slammed for how it's handled its multi-billion-dollar relationship with China. Last week, the Houston Rockets' general manager tweeted in support of the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. He then quickly hit 'delete' and the NBA apologized. Turns out, this whole thing ticked off...everyone. On one side, Chinese partners suspended ties with the Rockets, sponsors in China pulled their money, and China's state broadcaster canceled plans to air NBA preseason games being played in China. On the other, US lawmakers are calling the league out for what they see as stifling free speech and prioritizing money over human rights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Which state is making edits to its laws…
California. Yesterday, the governor signed a law that lets pharmacies dispense HIV prevention pills without a doctor's prescription, and supporters say it's the first state to do so. That includes both pre- and post-exposure medications (aka PrEP and PEP). The law also bans insurance companies from making patients get approval to get the drugs. Supporters hope this will remove barriers for people who may need the meds (like having to wait for a doctor's appointment) and help end the stigma around the drugs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who definitely used to crush their high school science fairs...
These scientists. Yesterday, the Nobel Prize in medicine went to three scientists who helped discover how cells adapt to oxygen levels. ICYMI, oxygen is everything to us aerobic organisms. Knowing how cells respond to changing oxygen levels may have big implications for diseases where oxygen plays a big role, like cancer, heart attacks, and anemia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What'll give you more nostalgia than a Tracy Chapman song…
The best songs of the past decade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FYI, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. And we're teaming up with Google to help you keep things on lock.
57%
The percentage of Americans who share their passwords with an SO. The catch: only 11% say they change their passwords after they break up. Heartbreaking.
Next time you consciously uncouple, pick up your nearest device. Google's Password Manager can help. It automatically creates strong passwords, and helps you manage them in a convenient, secure one-stop-shop. Eat, pray, stay secure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do informational meetings get you anywhere in your career?
Ruth Guerra says 'yes.' Find out why.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For when your new commute is a dream…
Get your dream car to match with CarMax. They rule out millions of cars with their vetting process, so only the best become CarMax certified. Plus their seven-day money-back guarantee means you can shop worry-free. Learn more.*
For when your bra fits kinda but not really…
Tale as old as time. Enter this company. They make bras designed for women with smaller cup sizes. As in, sizes AA to B. And Skimm'rs get something off the price tag. Check it out.*
|
|
|
*PS This is a sponsored post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight on...Carly S (NY). She just got a job working as a social worker and family advocate at an adoption agency. As someone who was adopted, she's now excited to pay it forward and help people grow their families through adoption.
(Some) Birthdays...David Chesner (NY), Lucy Alagna (IL), Mary Lewellyn (VA), Tony Michuda (NY), Sally Oneill (NH), William Bauerle (FL), Mary Sullivan (NY), Jennifer Maltese (PA), Stuart Gellman (NY), Heather Eggert (WI), Beth Awalt (MD), Megan Miller (GA), Meghan Tawney (CO), Kirby Ingram (TN), Emily Resnick (CA), Tracey Jo Hebert (WV)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
|
|
|
theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
