Skimm'd while celebrating National Coffee Day

"It's not CGI, it's me" - Tom Cruise on rumors that he wears a fake butt in movies. He never skips squats and he cannot lie.

MISS INDEPENDENT

The Story

On Sunday, Catalonia will vote on whether to say 'adéu' to Spain.

What do I need to know?

Catalonia is in the northeastern region of Spain that includes Barcelona. It is a huge contributor to Spain's economy and has fought off and on for independence for decades. The movement started gaining steam again after Spain's 2008 financial crisis. Separatist leaders argue the region's been shouldering too much of the burden of propping up Spain's economy. In 2014, the region voted in favor of going its own way. Spain called the vote unconstitutional. Now Catalonia's going for it again.

What does the government say?

That the constitution has not changed, so this is still illegal. To keep the vote from happening, it's pulled out all the stops - like arresting Catalan officials, and confiscating millions of ballots.

And...?

Catalonia's holding the vote anyway. And Spanish officials are sending thousands of police to the area to block people from entering polling stations.

theSkimm

If Catalonia votes to leave, it would create uncertainty not just for Spain but for the rest of the EU.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when you hear Steve Scalise returned to Capitol Hill...

Great news. In other things on Congress's mind, yesterday President Trump temporarily lifted restrictions on aid for Puerto Rico. Since Hurricane Maria hit last week, the island has been without power, running water, or access to fuel. The situation has put a spotlight on the Jones Act - a law that blocks foreign ships from delivering goods between US ports. Puerto Rico officials said the law was limiting the island's access to aid. The Trump administration lifted the Act to help Texas and Florida recover from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. And yesterday did the same for Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the US Virgin Islands are still trying to pick up the pieces after they were hit by both Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the past month. Both the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were already dealing with major debt crises, and the storms will only add to their financial problems. Here's how you can help.

What to say when you don't get the directions...

Ikea can probably send help. It just bought TaskRabbit - the company that lets you hire people to do annoying AF things like put together Ikea furniture. TaskRabbit is a hot commodity in the startup world - Yelp and Google were also reportedly interested in hopping into a deal with the company. This is Ikea's attempt to face off against its digital rivals. *cough Amazon cough.* And help customers buy and assemble a bed without wanting to cry. Unclear how much it paid to seal the deal. Meanwhile, Roku just put together a stock market debut. Yesterday, the streaming device company's shares rose nearly 70% above their opening price. Not too shabby.

What to say when you pay for the group dinner...

Here's my Venmo account. Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said he'll pay back the US gov for the cost of using private jets for work. In recent days, it came out that Price had reportedly spent more than $400,000 in taxpayer money on fancy private flights to conduct official biz. Including one from DC to Philadelphia. Apparently he's never heard of Amtrak. This reportedly started after he missed a gov event because a commercial flight was delayed. Price started to get some major side-eye from Congress and the White House. So yesterday, he said he'd never travel private on America's dime again. And that he'd pay back the cost of his seat, which adds up to about $52,000. But that may not be enough to please the boss - President Trump has said he's "not happy" with Price and is looking into his extra spending habits. Meanwhile, it's come out that multiple White House officials - including Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner - have used private email accounts for gov business. Now the White House has reportedly launched an investigation into it.

What people are watching...

ISIS. Yesterday, the terror group released an audio recording that allegedly features its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. This would be a BFD since...he was believed to be dead. Earlier this year, the Russian military said they thought they killed Baghdadi in an airstrike. Now ISIS is saying 'not so fast' and showing the receipts. On the recording, Baghdadi refers to recent events like the escalation of the North Korea nuclear threat to try and prove he's alive and well. This comes as ISIS has lost major ground in Iraq, Syria, and Libya in the past year. Now, it's hoping the sweet sounds of Baghdadi's voice will show the rest of the world that everything is just fine.

What to say when you hear laughter is the best medicine...

Selina Meyer would probably agree.

SKIMM LIFE

For when you feel like your schedule's out of control...

Here are Skimm HQ's favorite life hacks for getting yourself efficient and organized and zen AF.*

For when you're wondering who's in the bathroom with theSkimms this week...

That would be Shiri Appleby. She's talking IPOs here.

For when you need a new author...

Skimm HQ can't put down Ayobami Adebayo's first novel, "Stay With Me."*

For when Skimm HQ is feeling nostalgic...

Spotify gets us.

*PS: This is an affiliate partner, which means if you purchase or sign up, theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM SHARE

It's hereeee. National Coffee Day. Skimm HQ's version of Chrismukkah. We're celebrating by popping lids and giving you presents...

*Today you've got a shot at the ultimate coffee shop package. A MacBook Air for your emails. Plus $100 to Dunkin' so you can fill your Skimm mug all the way to the top.

*All you have to do is share theSkimm with your friends using your unique link (hint: the one below). Every person you get to sign up is an entry for a chance to win. And your entries will carry over all week.

Questions? Answers

And congrats to Gina from Washington DC. You've got a $1,500 check headed your way.

GET MORE SKIMM

Gimme gimme more...

theSkimm app syncs directly with your calendar giving you all the important events and information you need to know. Go premium.

We know you love theSkimm...

But do you 'like' theSkimm?

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Break out your birthday suit.

Sam Kallevig NY, Bob Fiascone IL, James Macdonald IN, Haley Wahl WV, Oriah Ben-Gal FL, Tara Blackman NY, Daniel Ballen NY, *Leorah McGinnis CO, *Kaitlin Knauss PA, *Olivia Shin CT, *Rachel Donnelly Lella NJ, *Emmy Woosley KY, *Bethany Schmidberger OH, *Audrey Leduc CAN, *Sally Lee PA, *Brad Warren CO, *Lizzie Wilde CO, *Sara Wroblewski MA, *Dani Luft NC, *Amanda Giddens FL, *Gail Stein IL, *Brooke Candee CA, *Ashley Duross PA, *Haley Schrager PA, *Madeline Jordan IL, *Sarah McClure MO, *Elana Sokol VA, *Ayesha Patel AL, *Kimberly Oberski MI, *Larissa Bennett IL, *Nirali Chokshi FL, *Megan Wicks FL, *Stacie Maze MO, *Naila Rafique VA, *Brittany Tempest IL, *Grace Hamilton DC, *Kami Holder SC, *Jill Gabaldon TX, *Kendra June Macgregor CAN, *Claire Statler AR, *Rachel Carucci KY, *Jordan McBride DE, *Nishitha Kumar, *Cynthia Schostak OH, *Shannon Bradshaw NY, *Sahar Merchant IL, *Daphne Weppner FL, *Carter Dandridge SC, *Britt Nygaard WI, *Miranda Dafoe, *Zizi Zhang CA, *Jacquie Orrino PA, *Jin Know TX, *Ruthie Perlman SC, *Meg Bellamy FL, *Abby Adcock NC, *Kelly Frydrych CAN, *Gwenn Porter NE, *Kelly Owens CA, *Jenn Evoy Kratz MD, *Ariel Schwartz OH, *Molly Kirwan DC, *Salma Loo, *Danielle Hinckley OH, *Hayley Howell FL, *Debbie McCraw IL, *Haley Hahesy OH, Allison Miller TN, Danielle Milano NJ, Katriina O'Donnell IL, Denise Blasevick NJ, Sue Megan NH, Denise Blasevick NJ, Rebecca Stratton KY, Alyssa Thornburg IL, Jenny Leamey CA, Caroline Gwalt Rhodes TN, Sharon Katz PA, Heather Furlong FL, Claire Leitzen IL, Kay Pietri LA, Amanda Dominguez NY, Laura Perez IL, Tracy Battles NY, Devon Farrar UAE, Vivian Barbiero NJ, Joanne Blenman MI, Katy Lee OH, Sarah Cohen FL, Kara Keiser NJ, Daly Cantrell TN, Liz Chivers CA, Kathleen OConnor VA, Annina Roescheisen NY, Amanda Jenkins IN, Mary Casper NC, Amber McNally MD, Shannon Burden NY, Brendan Querey PA, Madison McKenzie IL, Kendra June Macgregor CAN, Allison Sotelo CA, Hannah Blum WI, Anette Herrera Spoon CT, Olivia Giamanco GA, Katie Kmieck WA, Gregg Prest MN, Robby Robinson CA, Brittany Tempest IL, April Kostecka Hendry TX, Sarah Croghan IL, Lori Levingston TX, Arris Gregory CA, Cindy Jeffery, Howard Dyckoff CA, Lauren Gargan MA, Lizzy Braun WA, Nikki Busch NY, Daniella Hajjar NY, Lyndsay LeDoux LA, Myra Hart TX, Peggy Lindquist FL, Karen Schweikert NY, Michelle White Tremblay AZ, Lori Kumpf NC, Taylor Imus IN, Olivia Gladstone MA, Miranda Defoe IN, Kelsey Markiewicz NY, Kate Stone Lombardi NY, Trish McKever CAN, Maren Stewart CO, Michael Dreger WA, Johnny Jennings MS, Cathleen Dohrn, Carol Croskey FL, Peggy Wilson FL, Clare McKeown DE, Jill Gwen OR, Pam Novak IL, Abby Adcock NC, Lisa Vetterlein WA, Karyn Levin OR, Alaire Outlaw, Nichole Farley CA, Danica Roth OR, Natalie DiLillo CA, Macy Johannsen MN, Tralucia Chastain TN, Ashley Walker FL, Justine Christian IL, Audrey Yee MI, Aliya Lakhani FL, Dylan Bertolini PA, Hillary Engelman NY, Hayley Howell FL, Antonella Kinder AR, Nick Spanel CO, Liz Spanel CO, Kathryn Adelstein CA, Jessica Thornbury CT, Gwen Zittoun CT, Julie Huffines NC

HALP

Skimm'd something we missed?

skimmthis@theSkimm.com

Issues?

help@theSkimm.com

Copyright (c) 2017 theSkimm, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

theSkimm Inc. 49 W 23rd Street, 10th Floor

New York, NY, 10010, United States

Update Profile | Unsubscribe