Skimm’d while getting ready for SkimmU Well
February 22, 2022
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Daily Skimm
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day

"You can guess" — A Finnish cross-country skier, on which body part froze during an Olympic race. Hint: it fits on a Wordle.

The Kremlin’s Gambit

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The Story

Russian troops are heading into Ukraine.

What happened?

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially recognized self-declared separatist republics in Ukraine as independent states.

Where are we talking about?

Donetsk and Luhansk. They’re in eastern Ukraine, right along the border with Russia. Since 2014, Russian-backed separatists have pushed against Ukraine. It’s a conflict that’s left 14,000 people dead. Russian soldiers have been operating there too, though not openly.

So why did Putin just recognize them as 'independent'?

It set him up to send in “peacekeepers” to the region. Which is what he’s doing, ordering an untold number of Russian troops to eastern Ukraine to apparently “maintain peace.” 

What’s the international community saying?

The US and allies criticized Russia at a last-minute UN Security Council meeting. But guess who sits on that council and has veto power? 

Russia?

Yup.

So what’s the international community’s next move?

Sanctions. President Biden ordered financial sanctions on the two breakaway regions. But not on Russia. The EU and UK are expected to announce their own set of sanctions.

theSkimm

After weeks of threatening to invade, Putin's testing the waters by openly sending troops into the country. Just how far into Ukraine he goes — and how quickly — remains to be seen.

PS: Need a refresher on Russia and Ukraine’s history? Here you go.

And Also...This

Who people are talking about…

Kim Potter. On Friday, a judge sentenced her to two years in prison. Last year, the white police officer shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright, who was Black, at a traffic stop. It happened in Minnesota, 10 miles away from where George Floyd was killed in 2020. Potter, a 26-year police vet, says she meant to draw her Taser rather than her gun. It's an incident that’s believed to be rare, with only 15 officers claiming to have made the mistake in the past 20 years. In December, a mostly white jury found Potter guilty of manslaughter and she faced over seven years in prison. Now, a judge has sentenced her to two but she’s expected to serve less than that. The judge called Wright’s death a “tragic mistake.” Wright’s family called the sentence an example of “white women tears” trumping justice.

Where there’s a little less tension…

Ottawa. Over the weekend, hundreds of police cleared the last of the Freedom Convoy protesters from the country’s capital. For three weeks, thousands of protesters had flooded the city demanding an end to COVID-19 mandates. Some blockaded Parliament, and a key bridge responsible for more than a quarter of US-Canada trade. A number carried Nazi and Confederate flags. Now, after PM Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers for the first time in Canada's history,all protesters were cleared, with almost 200 arrested. Trudeau called for people to work together and “start healing as a nation.” 

…Oh and, speaking of COVID-19 regulations, UK PM Boris Johnson is telling people in England to begin "living with Covid” by lifting all restrictions.

Why the public health community is mourning…

Paul Farmer. Yesterday, the global health champion died of unknown causes in his sleep. He was 62. Farmer co-founded Partners in Health, an organization that launched health care facilities for low-income communities across the world. Farmer was also credited with bringing life-saving HIV medication to Haiti. His work — providing health care to millions of people around the world — was the subject of the 2003 book, “Mountains Beyond Mountains.” Public health experts and world leaders have issued a wave of tributes, with Dr. Anthony Fauci remembering Farmer as one of the field's “iconic giants.”

While it's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week...

Let's talk about disordered eating.

While former President Trump’s debuting his new app…

Britney Spears is reportedly saying 'all eyes on my book.'

Asking for a Friend

We tapped REALTORS® (aka members of the National Association of REALTORS®) to get answers to your homebuying and selling questions. First up…

Q: If I want to buy a house in the next year, what should I do to prepare?

REALTORS®: Get your finances ready. Request free copies of your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. And do all you can to boost your score. Some ideas: Report any errors you see, pay bills on time, and pay down debt. While you’re at it, save for a down payment, closing costs, and moving expenses. Oh, and find a REALTOR® — even if it seems early. Their local market expertise can set you up for house-hunting success.

Psst…REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Happy Feet

Tucking ‘em under pillows. Putting warming packets in our boots. Triple layering. Keeping our feet warm in the winter can take serious work. Bombas makes it easier. Their socks and slippers are soft, snuggly, and suuuuper comfy. Plus, for every pair you buy, they’ll donate an item to someone in need. So keep your feet happy with their…

Skimm Well

If only we could freeze time (come on, we’ve all thought it). Until scientists get a handle on that, here’s another option: Freeze your eggs to buy time. We Skimm’d what it costs, its success rate, and how it might impact you physically and mentally. So that whether kids are a ‘definite’ for you or TBD, you have the info you need to plan ahead. 

PS: There are so many benefits to tracking your cycle, from understanding your unique patterns and symptoms to pinpointing your fertile window. Download the Ovia Fertility and Cycle Tracker app to see exactly where you’re at in your cycle and what it means.

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Ready-to-bake dishes you can pretend you made. But actually got delivered. This brand makes it easier to eat delicious food built on organic fruits and vegetables. Sans shopping and chopping. Psst...the gigante bean and artichoke dish is a fan-fave. And Skimm’rs get a special deal.*

2. Virtual events that’ll help you unleash your inner investor. This March, Fidelity is hosting a special series allllll about turning smart money habits into savvy investing strategies. Oh, and it’s free to join. Register now.*

3. A fitness program that puts the ‘personal’ in personal training. As in personalized goal-setting, workout schedules, and unlimited access to your very own coach. Psst…if you sign up now, you’ll get 50% off your first three months. Talk about a flex.*

4. Something to help you celebrate the ‘Last Most Organized Day of the Century.’ Hint: today. Because it’s 2/22/22. The Container Store is offering 22% off over 10,000 products to help you get organized. But don’t wait. Because the sale ends tonight.*

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm'rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Statement pieces…Joi C (GA). She’s starting a movement and making it fashion. With a line of graphic tees and accessories designed to inspire and celebrate Black culture. Get in on it.*

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Ryan McMahon (NY), Kristen Krauss (NY), Michelle Berman (NY), Jess Levin (NY), Dare Schenck (IL), Dorie Smith (NY), Mary-Rachel Leach (TN), Caitlin Edwards (OH), Cynden Amrose (CO), Kelsey Bennett (OH), Melinda Schneck (PA), Hannah Shirley (MO), Katarina Gay (OH)

Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm More

Hot sauce as dressing…say no more. We texted with Tinx, advice expert & digital creator, about her fave shows, mantras, and podcasts (ahem, not to mention her new pod, “It’s Me, Tinx”). Plus, how to hold a funeral when a situationship ends. Check it out.

And if you’re looking for other smart ways to spend your time...

Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Kate Gilhool, Mariza Smajlaj, and Julie Shain

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