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| | | Quote of the Day | | "I am now Dionne the Singer" â Legendary singer Dionne Warwick, teasing Chance the Rapper on his stage name. After all, That's What Friends Are For. | | |
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The Story The president's trying to take a bite of Georgia. What? For the past several weeks, President Trump and his legal team have been working tirelessly to overturn the state's election results. There've been lawsuits and two recounts. But Trump's taken things up a notch. Over the weekend, he urged Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to call a special session of the legislature to overturn Biden's win. Can he do that? He can ask. But the governor said a special session to choose new electors isn't an option under state or federal law. Some GA officials are saying 'peach, please' and starting to lose their patience. Many have rebuked Trump's election fraud claims and argued he was creating division within the party. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R) â who voted and campaigned for Trump â said the president's "mountains of misinformation are not helping the process." And yesterday, GA's secretary of state said the president's calls for a special session would amount to "nullifying the will of the people." Republicans are also worried that Trump's rhetoric could hurt their party's chances of winning the Jan 5 runoffs. What do you mean? Right now, the Senate's fate remains in the balance as two races in Georgia could determine which party controls the upper chamber â which has had a Republican majority since 2015. Republican incumbent Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler will face off against Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively. Some GOP lawmakers are standing by the president. Others worry that Trump's ongoing claims of a "rigged" election will turn Republican voters away from the polls. PS: Today's the last day Georgians (including those who'll be 18 by Jan 5) can register to vote. Early voting begins Dec 14. theSkimm President Trump's latest rally was supposed to be spent campaigning for Sens. Perdue and Loeffler ahead of their races. But it seems to have turned into a last-ditch effort to change the state's election outcome in his favor. And with the latest rebuffs from GA Republican lawmakers, it doesn't look promising. | | |
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Where ending the pandemic is priority no. 1... The US. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). And Harvard professor and infectious disease specialist Dr. Rochelle Walensky to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are two of the most prominent positions that oversee the gov's response to COVID-19 â everything from quarantine guidance to allocating PPE to states. Becerra doesn't have a traditional public health background â but he spearheaded a multi-state lawsuit to defend the Affordable Care Act in the courts. If confirmed, he'd be the first Latino to lead the dept.
The UK. This week, Britain will begin offering doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. First in line: people over 80 years old, health care workers, and nursing home staff and residents. The gov has ordered 40 million doses, enough for 20 million people. And about 800,000 doses are expected to be available this week. Britain will be the first country in the Western world to offer the vaccine. It's reportedly the largest vaccine rollout in UK history.
...Oh and speaking of rolling things out, Russia's doing the same with its Sputnik V vaccine at 70 different locations in Moscow. The vaccine is still undergoing testing â raising concerns about its safety. | | |
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Who's got election updates⦠Venezuela. Today, members of President Nicolás Maduro's United Socialist Party claimed victory with nearly 68% of the vote for the National Assembly. It was the last branch of government in the country not yet in Maduro's grasp. And is widely seen as the last democratically elected body in the country. Reminder: Venezuela is still a country of two presidents â socialist leader Nicolás Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaidó. The US and dozens of other countries are team Guaidó. But Maduro â who's been president since 2013 â is backed by Russia, Iran, and China. The opposition had boycotted the election, calling it a "fraud," and a reported 31% of the 20 million registered voters actually participated in the election. Now, the opposition with Guaidó, who is the current head of the National Assembly, could hold a referendum over the next few days to counter the parliamentary election results. | | |
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Where a mystery's one step closer to being solved... Cuba. A recent report found that directed microwave energy is likely to blame for the neurological symptoms dozens of American diplomats have been experiencing. Reminder: Over the last four years, diplomats in Cuba and other countries (like China and Russia) have reported hearing high-pitched sounds and experiencing things like dizziness, nausea, and hearing loss. Now, we're finding out that radio frequency energy may be the reason â but no word on who's behind the attacks. Some gov officials have said the evidence points to the Kremlin, but the State Department says the investigation is still ongoing. | | |
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What's saying 'a person can dream'... DACA. Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump admin to fully reinstate the Obama-era program that protects over 640,000 young undocumented immigrants from being deported. Reminder: The admin has been trying to end DACA. When its efforts failed, it issued restrictions against new applications and limited renewals to one year instead of two. But those were invalidated. Now, a fed judge says the admin has to start accepting new applications starting today. As many as 300,000 new applicants could be eligible. | | |
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| | | This holiday season we're all about staying home and staying warm. So together with our pals at Maidenform, we've rounded up holiday gifts entirely dedicated to being cozy AF. Check out our fave comfy gifts of the season: loungewear, slippers, snuggly blankets, and more. Because why leave your couch when you don't have to? |
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| | | "In a Holidaze" by Christina Lauren This week, we're partnering withBook of the Month to bring you an exclusive Skimm Read. Join BOTM with code SKIMM5 now to get a copy for only $5. And then pick from five books every month to get one delivered right to your door. Find out more here.
Everyone needs a holiday read. Equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, Christina Lauren's new novel invites you into an epic time loop. Maelyn Jones keeps living the same Christmas over and over, as the universe tries to show her what will make her happy. Hint: it isn't her dead-end job, her ex...or the Utah cabin her family is getting ready to sell. But it does have something to do with the two families she always spends the season with. Get in the spirit. |
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| Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...
1. Things that'll keep you from freezing this winter. To raise your heating bill or not. That is the question. This list has things like door draft stoppers, a chunky-knit throw, and a llama-shaped heating pad. Not so chilly anymore.
2. The gift of some 'you time' this holiday season. Dame Products was founded by two women who wanted to revolutionize sex toys. And their Arc G-spot vibrator is designed for exploringâ¦even when you're stuck at home alone. Skimm'rs get 15% off sitewide. Signed, sealed, delivered.*
3. Mascara to make you feel glam on your holiday Zoom parties. This brand's best-selling one lengthens, defines, and curls lashes without clumping, flaking or smudging. It's an Allure Best of Beauty 2020 winner. Bonus: Skimm'rs get 15% off. Ready for your close up.*
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox. | | *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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| For when you're trying to stress less this holiday season... More money could help. That's why Affirm, a flexible and transparent alternative to credit cards that lets you buy now and pay later, is giving 100 people $10,000 each to spend on gifts. Really. Enter now for your chance to win.*â
For when that matching family sweater tradition is hard to break... Time for an upgrade. (Dog included.) These limited-edition holiday ones from this sustainable company have frolicking goats and snowflake patterns. And they're made from ethically-sourced cashmere. Plus, Skimm'rs get 25% off with promo code SKIMMGIFT25. Spread the cheer.*
For when they're having lots of movie nights at home lately... Send them this celeb-fave wellness brand's superfood popcorn trio. It's filled with three plant-based flavors (salty, sweet, and "cheezy") and comes gift-ready. Today's the last day to order so it arrives by Dec 25. Add to cart.*
For when you're gift shopping for that friend who loves to decorate⦠Help create a cozy retreat with this electric lantern. It comes with six different candle settings so you can change the brightness and ambiance. And it helps heat the room. PS: New customers get $10 off $25 or more with code OFFER for a limited time. Yes, please.* | | *PS: This is a sponsored post.
â 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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| In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.
Table talk...Mary Kate T (NY). She and her family have set up a Sharing Table on their front yard, a community space for Long Islanders to take the food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies they need. People can also leave what they can. Her plan is to continue this until Christmas.
Accessorizing with...Mimzy F (NY). She's creating custom chains to keep masks handy and off the floor. She came up with the idea after losing work opportunities because of the pandemic. Now, she's helping people add a little personal touch to their masks. Check it out.
(Some) Birthdays...Jon Tisch (NY), theSkimm's Katie Boes (NY), Melissa Danilow Kline (NY), Kara Herbst (IL), Sarah Wysocki (CA), Laura Liddell (MA), Amanda Fortino (TX), Samantha Gottlieb (WA), Katy Collins (WA), Jane Taras (IN), Alexandria Dennett (CA), Kaleigh Scruggs (GA), Jordan Klimek (MN), Julie McGloin (MA), Caitlin Pusateri (IL), Debbie Newman (IL)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Skimm HQ spent the weekend binge-watching holiday movies. Share theSkimm with your friend who's a fan of "Happiest Season." | | | | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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| Skimmâd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Kamini Ramdeen, Mariza Smajlaj, Niven McCall-Mazza, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain |
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