The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has all eyes on the Kremlin.

The Aftermath

The Story

The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has all eyes on the Kremlin. 

Tell me. 

Last week, Russian officials said 47-year-old Navalny died in prison, where he was serving sentences totaling more than 30 years. Western leaders blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death, with President Biden saying it was proof of “Putin’s brutality.” The Kremlin has reportedly denied involvement. Navalny, who survived an alleged 2020 assassination attempt, had been Putin’s fiercest critic: organizing massive protests and exposing allegations of the Kremlin's corruption. Now, many are asking: What's next for Russia's opposition movement?

What's the response?

Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to continue her late husband’s work for a “free Russia.” She reportedly called on supporters “to fight more desperately and furiously than before.” It comes amid fears the Kremlin may only tighten its grip on dissent, especially ahead of next month’s presidential election, which Putin is expected to win. Meanwhile, Russia's first major victory in months in Ukraine has world leaders confronting the Kremlin's potential threat to Europe. That's as Germany and Denmark have warned Russia could attack a NATO country in the coming years.

theSkimm

For some, Navalny’s death is a sign of Russia’s return to totalitarian rule. Others believe his death will galvanize the opposition movement ahead of a presidential election and amid an ongoing war, with many remembering Navalny’s words: “If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong.”

What’s being argued over in court...

Israel’s land occupation. Yesterday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearing arguments over the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. The case is separate from South Africa’s genocide accusation against Israel. In 2022, the UN General Assembly voted for the ICJ to hear the case and issue an advisory opinion. Now, the court will hear from the representatives of more than 50 countries this week. On the first day of hearings, the Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister said Israel has only given Palestinians three options: “displacement, subjugation, or death.” Israel isn't scheduled to speak, but has rejected the ICJ’s validity in the case. The court could take months to issue a ruling, which won’t be binding. The case comes as Israel said it would launch a ground invasion of Rafah, Gaza, if hostages aren’t freed by Ramadan, starting March 10.

What people are paying attention to…

Alabama’s Supreme Court. Last week, it ruled that fertilized, un-implanted embryos created via in vitro fertilization (IVF) are children under state law. The ruling reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a 2022 lawsuit. Three couples had sued an Alabama fertility clinic under the state's Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, alleging their embryos were killed after a hospital patient dropped them on the floor. The state justices ruled the act protects “all unborn children, regardless of their location.” Reproductive rights advocates said the ruling — believed to be the first of its kind — could deter parents or health care providers from pursuing IVF.

Who’s stepping into another market…

Former President Trump. Over the weekend, he unveiled the $399 “Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The shoes are already sold out. A company called 45Footwear LLC, which is licensed to use Trump's name and likeness, sells the sneakers. The shoe drop comes on the heels of a New York judge issuing Trump a nearly $450 million civil fraud penalty. The judge also barred Trump from running any New York business, including his own, for the next three years.

Who may get more gains in the gym…

Women. A study published yesterday showed women could exercise less than men and reap the same benefits, if not more. Researchers looked at the self-reported exercise habits of more than 412,000 men and women from 1997 to 2019. Women who said they exercised regularly had a 36% lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, while men who reported regular exercise had a 14% lower risk.

Who’s going from Hollywood to Silicon Valley…

Bridgit Mendler.

Who's alleging Jimmy Kimmel played him…

George Santos.

theSkimm helps you tackle your to-do lists, whether you're refinancing your loans or choosing a daycare for the first time. We talk to experts and real women to empower you to make decisions faster and with more confidence. Check out our guides to get started.

PS: Your feedback makes a big impact. Let us know what you like, what could be improved, and most importantly, if we helped you get sh*t done. Share your thoughts.