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June 29, 2021

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Skimm'd from an eco-friendly mattress

Quote of the Day

"I'm just his favorite person" â A woman on her husband who suffers from Alzheimer's proposing again, not remembering they were already married. If he's a bird, she's a bird.

Tigray

The Story

Ethiopia's government has declared a ceasefire.

That's good news, right?

It could be. For nearly eight months, Ethiopia's Tigray region has seen major conflict. Back in November, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military operation in the region. He said it was revenge against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) â a regional ruling party â for attacking a military base. Ahmed's forces deployed to the north en masse and took over the regional capital, Mekele, with the help of soldiers from neighboring Eritrea. Then things went from bad to worse.

What do you mean?

In recent weeks, the fighting reached a fever pitch. A few days ago, an Ethiopian military airstrike on a busy market left at least 64 people dead. Three workers from Doctors Without Borders were killed in a separate incident. Then, the TPLF took back Mekele, ousting gov soldiers. Overall, thousands were killed. More than 1.7 million have been displaced. And at least 350,000 are facing famine. But with few members of the press or humanitarian groups allowed in, it's possible the numbers are higher. But now, after mounting pressure from international leaders, Ethiopia's gov declared an immediate unilateral ceasefire.

What does it do?

The gov said the main goal of the ceasefire is to give farmers time to recoup as the region heads towards famine. It could last through Tigray's planting season in September. And would also give aid groups room (and time) to help. But TPLF fighters have yet to confirm the news. The UN said it's "hopeful" that the hostilities will come to an end. Especially since several groups (like Amnesty International) reported the violence amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, new tensions could flare as the country waits for the results of its much delayed elections.

theSkimm

With the ceasefire, aid groups may now be able to give civilians some much-needed help. But it's not clear if the country's headed towards peace, or if the atrocities will continue.

And Also...This

What's saying so much by saying so littleâ¦

SCOTUS. Yesterday, the high court refused to hear a Virginia school board's case to bring back its transgender bathroom ban. In 2015, then-high school student Gavin Grimm, who is transgender, sued his school after they banned him from using the boys' bathroom. The school board said he could instead use a private bathroom or the girls' bathroom. Grimm said the restriction "severely interfered" with his education and that he felt humiliated. Lower courts agreed that the bathroom ban violated Title IX, which prohibits schools from discriminating "on the basis of sex." Now, the Supreme Court's decision to not hear the case means the lower court's ruling is upheld â giving Grimm a win.

Viewpoints: Grimm said he's happy the legal fight is over. The ACLU also applauded the court's action. SCOTUS didn't say why they rejected the case. But Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito had voted to hear it out.

...Oh and speaking of LGBTQ+ rights, California added five more states (FL, MT, WV, AR, ND) to its state-funded travel ban over their anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Who's calling out racism globallyâ¦

The UN's human rights chief. Yesterday, the United Nations Human Rights Council released a landmark report calling on all countries to fight systemic racism. The report was ordered last year after George Floyd's murder â which sparked racial justice protests in the US and across the globe. It found that at least 190 Black people have died at the hands of law enforcement in the past decade, mostly in the US. And that racism is still a universal problem. Now, the UN says this needs to be addressed ASAP. And suggests things like reparations, restitution, apologies, memorialization, and "guarantees" that Black citizens will no longer face injustice because of the color of their skin.

Where things are getting hotterâ¦

Canada and the Pacific Northwest. This week, the region is experiencing a heat wave as temps break records (think: Portland and British Columbia to spiked nearly 116Â°F). This comes weeks after the Western US (including in parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada) were hit with a record-breaking drought. But much of the PNW isn't used to record-breaking highs and ACs aren't found too frequently there. Seattle city officials are reportedly urging people to head to cooling centers. And the CDC recommends drinking fluids, taking cool showers, wearing loose clothing, and finding air-conditioned buildings to stay cool. And to beware of symptoms of heatstroke.

Could it be?: Experts are pointing to climate change as the culprit behind rising temps (and utility bills). It comes as the world's experiencing more intense heat waves, droughts, hurricanes, and forest fires. And it could even affect your health.

PS: Scientists are ringing the alarm on climate change. Here's why this year's drought in the Western US is historic.

Who's got people jumping through hoopsâ¦

Those who made the US Olympic teams.

Two Truths and a Lie

ICYMI, it's rosÃ© season. We've got a game to help celebrate. You know how this works: two of the below statements are facts. And one's fiction.

A. Paler rosÃ©s are not necessarily less sweet.

B. RosÃ©s typically taste best within a year of bottling.

C. Most rosÃ©s are made by mixing white and red wine together.

So, which one isn't true? It's (drumroll, please) C. There are a few different methods of making rosÃ©, but it's rarely mixing two already-finished vins together. Psst...if all this guessing got you thirsty, check out WSJwine. Skimm'rs get two bonus sparkling rosÃ© bottles and two stemless glasses free with their first case. Meaning you could save over $135 and get 14 bottles of wine. RosÃ© all ~~day~~ summer.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter lifeâ¦

1. A new kind of credit card. The Verizon VisaÂ® Card is the only credit card that can help you save money on Verizon wireless bills and products. Cardholders can also earn rewards on gas, takeout, and more, where Visa credit cards are accepted. Learn more.*

2. How to get a personalized fertility update at home. This company's at-home fertility test can get you easy-to-read, physician-reviewed reports on egg count and other fertility factors. They've also got products like prenatal vitamins. Start by taking this quiz. Psst...Skimmr's get 10% off sitewide.*

3. Energizing drink mixes to brighten up your days. This brand used organic green tea and collagen to create the ultimate picker-upper. It comes in summer-themed flavors like Raspberry Lemon and Cherry Lime. But with zero added sugars. And Skimmr's get their sampler set for $5.*

4. Premium CBD products for your specific needs. This female-founded brand knows CBD (they even have their own organic farm). Plus, they provide each member with a dosage specialist. So you can find the right routine for you. Here's an extra 20%. CB-Done and done.*

5. Our fave handmade finds on Etsy you'll wanna shop ASAP. From adorable home goods to eco-friendly swaps to chic jewelry. Check out all our recs you'll immediately want to add to cart.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimmârs

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.

Friends and food...Alana V (NJ). She launched Freedom with Food and Fitness. And coaches women on intuitive eating. She's also launching her first introductory webinar in August. And has 45+ pages of free content for her email subscribers. Learn more.

Helping kids...Sara O (CA). She's created kids books with visual calendar kits to help kids with changes like moving, divorce, or a cancer diagnosis. She's also raised over $11,000 to donate Kids' Cancer Kicking Kits to children's hospitals across the country. More here.

(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Sara Colodner (NY), Kate Brennan (CA), Libby Hipp (PA), Ashley Riley (CO), Shannon Hayes (IL), Kearby Lamson (OK), Arielle Reiner (NY), Christa Schneider (TN), RaSheda Humphrey (IN), Annagail Piche (CA), Janine Licare (CA), Susan Schneider (NY), Lorie McQueen (AZ), Robert Cone (MO), Jasmine Passa (VA)

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

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