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Quote of the Day
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"I guess this is a thing now" – A runner, after another monolith appeared in California. Now that "The Undoing" is over...maybe all just watch this?
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The Story
Mooove over meat, there's new game in town.
It's too early to talk about meat.
Steak with us: Singapore just became the first government to greenlight cultured meat. Kind of like lab-grown diamonds but...for meat. In this case, the chicken came first. Here's how it works: animal cells are obtained via a biopsy or a cell bank and are cultured (hence the name) in a lab. Then, they're fed a plant-based diet. Sprinkle in some scientific magic and voilà, we have the meats.
I'm impressed.
The animals are too. Especially since, barring the biopsy, none were harmed in the making of this meat. Singapore's Food Agency granted approval for Eat Just – a San Francisco-based company that has manufacturers in Singapore – to roll out and sell its lab-made chicken at a restaurant there. The meat, which reportedly has the same nutrients as conventional meat, will first be sold in the form of...drumsticks please...chicken nuggets. And the company hopes other countries will follow in Singapore's footsteps. The news comes as the $1.4 trillion meat industry faces criticism from animal-rights and climate-change activists.
Why's that?
Because tens of billions of chickens are killed each year. And livestock accounts for about 14.5% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions – about the same as the transportation industry (think: cars, airplanes). The high number is in part because livestock production requires a lot of land, energy, and water. Some animals (like cows and sheep) are also known to emit methane – a heat-trapping gas that's significantly more potent than carbon dioxide – contributing to global warming. Cultured meat could help countries cross the road to a more sustainable alternative. And in turn, help the planet.
I feel like you have more to say...
The UN does. Yesterday, it warned that humanity is waging what it describes as a "suicidal" war on nature. And said we're close to a "climate catastrophe" with 2020 expected to be one of the hottest years to date. If cultured meat were to take over a portion of the farm animal industry, it could lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. And scientists say cutting down on livestock consumption is vital to combatting the climate crisis and the single best environmental action a person can take. Two birds, one stone.
theSkimm
Humans have been eating animals for millions of years. And our penchant for meat is contributing to a climate crisis. Now, Singaporeans are getting access to a more humane, Mother Nature-approved alternative. It's a wing-win. And a nugget of good news the rest of the world may want to get in on.
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What's got some new recs and some old ones...
The CDC. If you could have been exposed to COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, the agency is now recommending you quarantine for 10 days (down from 14). After that, the risk of spreading the virus is about 1%. And if you get tested and it comes back negative, you can end your quarantine after seven days. The updated guidelines came as the agency warned Americans – again – not to travel for the upcoming holidays. It said this is the best way to stay safe amid a surge of infections, with the country surpassing 100,000 coronavirus hospitalizations yesterday.
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What just hit the (chess) clock and said 'your move'...
Iran. Yesterday, it passed a law that would ramp up the country's uranium enrichment and keep the UN from inspecting its nuclear facilities as early as February. In 2015, a deal between the US, Iran, and five other countries lifted heavy economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. But in 2018, the Trump admin bowed out of the deal and reinstated sanctions, accusing Iran of violating the deal. Now, Iran's law enables it to enrich uranium to 20% (higher than its 3.67% limit under the deal, and enough for an atomic bomb) if the US doesn't lift sanctions within two months. It comes after the country's top nuclear scientist was killed last week – a move that has Iran and some US officials pointing fingers at Israel.
...Oh and speaking of Israel, its parliament is moving toward dissolving its gov. Meaning, it could be headed toward a fourth election in just two years.
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What's saying 'the limit actually does exist'...
UPS. Earlier this week, the shipping company reportedly gave retailers like Gap and Nike temporary limits on the number of packages it sends out this holiday season. The reason: Americans are Just Doing It too much. And by 'doing it' we mean clicking 'add to cart' so much that UPS is overwhelmed by the high volume of packages. UPSorry.
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Better hope he doesn't forget cookies.
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You know you're shady when the dictionary throws shade at you. Lookin' at you, fine print. Aka the tiny text that often hides unfavorable terms and conditions. Cambridge Dictionary says it's sometimes written "in the hope that it will not be noticed." And those "gotchas" tend to be preeetty important. Like credit card late fees, annual fees, and balance transfer fees.
Luckily, not everyone is about that life. Case in point: Affirm. They offer transparent, flexible payment options. And they're giving 100 people $10,000 each. Enter for a chance to be one of them by sending a funny or dramatic reading of fine print you might find in credit card agreements or cell phone bills. Get it.†
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†Payment options through Affirm are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. No purchase or account necessary to enter or win a prize. A purchase or payment, or utilizing any Affirm services or products will not increase your chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S.&D.C. who are at least 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state of residence as of 11/19/20. Limit one entry per person. Contest ends 11:59:59 PM PT on 12/10/20. Void where prohibited. To enter and view Official Rules including entry requirements, judging criteria and prize details, visit here.
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It's the final countdown to 2021. But don't mentally move on from 2020 until you check a few things off your financial to-do list. Think: spending your FSA money, getting a status update on your credit card rewards, and revising your budget. We Skimm'd all the end-of-year money moves that can set you up for success.
PS: We've got more tips where this came from in the Skimm Money newsletter. Sign up.
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Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. 30+ recipes for avocado lovers. Do it for the gram. Or for a happy stomach. Either way, you avocadon't want to miss out.
2. The stuffer everyone wants in their stocking. That's right: hand sanitizer. Because clean hands are a must. This brand's refillable sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs without harsh chemicals. It comes in six essential oil scents. Aaand Skimm'rs get 20% off with code SKIMMJOY. Stock up.*
3. Sneakers you can toss in the washing machine. These sustainable ones are lightweight, extremely comfy, and back-in-stock after having a 16k waitlist. Basically the perfect holiday gift for anyone with feet. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 15% off for a limited time. Don't wait.*
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
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For when being cozy is your number one goal right now…
Meet Madewell's (Re)sponsible Cashmere Roll-Trim Pullover. Perfect for lounging, or looking put together on Zoom. Oh, and it's made from responsibly sourced cashmere wool. Skimm'rs get 30% off. Add to cart.*
For when you need some tips on dealing with imposter syndrome…
Linda Johnson Rice has got you covered. She's the CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, the former publisher of 'Ebony' and 'Jet' magazines. On this week's Skimm'd from The Couch, sponsored by Goldman Sachs, Linda told us that yes, even CEOs get imposter syndrome. And gave us her best tips on how to deal when those feelings kick in. Listen here.*
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
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Just like us, Goldman Sachs knows that community matters more than ever in times like these. That's why they give small biz owners access to education and resources through their 10,000 Small Businesses and 10,000 Women initiatives. Together, we're highlighting a few that are featured in their virtual #MakeSmallBig Holiday Market. Happy (small) shopping.
Something sweet...Erika J, The Chocolate Season (NE). Her beautiful, delicious artisanal chocolates, truffles, and brownies are perfect for the sugar lovers on your list. And they ship anywhere in the lower 48 states. Yum.
Handmade-in-America bags with a lifetime guarantee...Ellen M, Lotuff Leather (RI). These handbags, duffles, and totes are designed and built in-house at a studio in Providence. Ellen pivoted to make PPE earlier this year, but now she's back in the accessory business. Carry on.*
(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Rachel Tyson (NY), Claudia Hirsch (CT), Carolyn Bernstein (NY), Lisa Wallace (OH), Ophelia Ding (CA), Heidi Nascimi (VA), Meredith Balenske (DC), Mary Mickleboro (GA), Angie Kennedy (MT), Fran Babrow (CO), Jenny Li (NY), Remi Akindele (PA), Lucy Fort (VA), Debbie Knight (FL), Fran Allison (CO), Jeff Hodder (MA)
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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, 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
