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Quote of the Day
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"Now will be your exit cue" – A dating expert, who says most lockdown romances could be ending soon. But don't worry, cuffing season is around the corner.
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The Story
Israel and the UAE have struck a "historic" deal.
Explain.
Yesterday, the two countries agreed to establish formal diplomatic ties – making the UAE the third Arab country (after Egypt and Jordan) and the first Gulf Arab state to have official relations with Israel. President Trump – who helped put together the deal – said it would create a "more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East." Israel and the UAE have been unofficial allies on certain issues (especially when dealing with Iran), and this could open the door for opportunities in tourism, education, trade, and security between the two. But there already appears to be some disagreement.
What do you mean?
As part of the deal, Israel would have to halt its annexation of the West Bank. But the country's saying 'do we really have to?' and said it's a temporary pause. Quick history: Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 and Israelis have built settlements there. But millions of Palestinians live in the area and want to make it part of their future state. Last year, the Trump admin stood behind Israel's occupation of the West Bank, which didn't sit well with the Palestinians or the EU. Now, despite the new deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he's still "committed" to annexing part of the West Bank.
What are Palestinians saying?
They're not happy. They've long relied on Arab countries to support their struggle for independence. Palestinian leaders denounced the deal as a "stab in the back" and demanded that it be reversed. But President Trump suggested that other countries could follow the UAE's lead – and potentially lead toward a more peaceful Middle East. Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden also commended the agreement.
theSkimm
This deal is seen as a major foreign policy win for Trump ahead of the November election. But while Israel and the UAE celebrate, Palestinians feel snubbed by an agreement that affects them but doesn't include them.
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Who's got some mixed feelings…
President Trump. Yesterday, he said he wouldn't approve nearly $30 billion in funding for the US Postal Service and election efforts because it would give the US "universal mail-in voting." (Although hours later, he seemed to backtrack.) For weeks, the president's claimed mail-in voting would lead to election fraud – despite little evidence of that and...having requested a mail-in ballot for himself. And recently, the USPS has made changes that some say could impact the November election – which Dem lawmakers have called "sabotage." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said withholding aid for the USPS and absentee voting would undermine "the health of our democracy" and could force people to choose between their safety (in the middle of a pandemic) and getting their vote counted.
...Oh and speaking of mail-in voting, SCOTUS just made it easier for Rhode Island voters to do just that.
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What's received a bad report card…
Yale. Yesterday, the Justice Dept accused the university of illegally discriminating against Asian American and white applicants in its admissions process. The allegation comes after a two-year DOJ investigation following complaints from Asian American students. And marks the Trump admin's latest move against affirmative action. It found that race was a "determinative factor" and that Asian American and white students were less likely to be admitted to Yale than Black students with similar academic records. Yale denied the allegation and said it considers many things when reviewing applicants. Now, the DOJ has ordered the school to stop using race or national origin as a factor in its upcoming admissions. But the Ivy League school says it won't change its policy.
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What's pointing the finger at the coronavirus pandemic...
The NY Federal Reserve. Yesterday, it released a report finding that households with children are more likely to be suffering severe financial hardship. And that this puts them at more risk of dipping into savings, missing rent payments, or not having enough food. The risks are even higher for lower-income and single-parent households who are more likely to depend on gov support.
The CDC. A new report found that depression symptoms among Americans were four times higher in June of this year (compared to last year). And that anxiety symptoms were three times as high. The increase was especially notable in young adults, essential workers, and unpaid caregivers. As well as minorities. The CDC said support systems to address these mental health concerns "will continue to be needed urgently."
Skimm More: Our guide has tactics for coping with anxiety because your mental health is always important, especially right now.
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What's showing some signs of improvement…
Unemployment. Yesterday, the Labor Dept said new unemployment claims fell to 963,000 last week – the first time since March they've been below 1 million. And it suggests the labor market could be recovering.
Psst…things may be moving in the right direction, but the unemployment rate's still in the double digits. Here's what that could mean for you – even if you're working.
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"Atomic Love" by Jennie Fields
This week, we're partnering with Book of the Month to bring you an exclusive Skimm Read. Join Book of the Month now to get a copy for only $9.99. And then pick from five books every month to get one delivered right to your door. Find out more here.
What do you get when you combine a female scientist, the early 1950s, a handsome male FBI agent, and a potential Soviet Union spy? You guessed it...this novel. The main character, Rosalind Porter, goes through professional and romantic ups and downs as she navigates her love of country, science, and two very different men. If you like historical fiction with plenty of romance, this one's for you.
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Summer is here. Check out our fave picks for the season…
1. Five mistakes to avoid when taking a bath. Here's why we'll never shave our legs before getting in again. Consider yourself showered with knowledge.
2. A guide to freezing your produce. For when you never made the strawberry shortcake you said you were going to. Here's how you should store all your fruits, veggies, and herbs (yes you can freeze basil). Ice ice baby.
3. The ultimate guide to quarantine dating lingo. We couldn't help but wonder, would Carrie Bradshaw get zumped (Zoom dumped) on a Post-it?
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
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1. The 2020 conventions are right around the corner. Our podcast "Skimm This" has a special ep about what to expect and why party conventions matter. Plus we spoke to officials on both sides of the aisle about how COVID-19 is impacting this year's plans.
2. Meet Whitney. She was working for a mental health org while secretly battling anxiety. We spoke to her about how she found (and paid for) a therapist. And how she developed healthy coping methods and took control of her diagnosis.
3. Trying to grow your savings account is not an easy feat. We've got product recs that'll do (some of) the work for you. Like towels that only get softer after washing, a tool to remove drain clogs, and reusable dryer balls. Cha-ching.
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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.
Support the craft...Joe M (CA). He's a retired Navy pilot and the CEO of Help Heal Veterans, a San Diego nonprofit that provides free therapeutic arts and crafts kits to hospitalized and homebound veterans and active duty military. It's delivered nearly 175,000 kits in just four months. Learn more here.
Getting in (book) circulation...Taylor S (IL). She's the program coordinator for Reach Out & Read Illinois, an affiliate of a national nonprofit that focuses on early literacy development. Right now, the org's guiding pediatricians to give a book to a child and use it throughout a check-up. It's in need of more diverse books. Donate here.
(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Julie Shain (DC), theSkimm's Kitana Aviles (NJ), Nancy Yecies (PA), Scott Kelrick (CA), Nancy Fiori (IL), Crystal Spaeth (IL), Nicki Harris (FL), Sammi Arbitman (PA), Aashna Pandya (CA), Erin Henry (NY), Missy Kelley (NY), Alex Miller (NY), Lisa Chastain (GA), Lindsay Runyan (OH), Dylan White (CAN)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Ellen Burke, Niven McCall-Mazza, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
