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| | Quote of the Day | | "Worn-out ritual" â Gucci, on fashion shows. Progress, but make it fashion. | | |
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On The Rocks
The Story The Trump admin says it no longer considers Hong Kong independent from China. Pause. Isn't Hong Kong part of China? Yes. But for over a century, it was a British colony. In the '90s, the UK gave the territory back but said it needed to remain semi-autonomous until 2047. China had said 'ok, sure.' And Hong Kong was allowed to keep its own courts, laws, and economy separate from the mainland, as well as maintain separate trade relationships with countries like the US. That hasn't stopped China from trying to tighten its grip on the territory before. Today, China took things to a new level. And now, the Trump admin is saying 'times are changing.' What happened? Today, China's legislature approved a proposal for a new national security law that would let China bypass Hong Kong's local government and crack down on pro-democracy protests there. It passed almost unanimously. Now, Chinese officials will draft the details of the law â a process that could take months. China's legislature says the law is needed to protect national security from protesters it's previously called terrorists. But critics say it's overstepping the territory's independence and overlooks its constitution. So what's the US say... It was expecting the proposal to pass. And as part of US law, Sec of State Mike Pompeo has to notify Congress every year on where the State Department believes Hong Kong's autonomy stands. Yesterday, he said that at this point, "no reasonable person" can say Hong Kong maintains a semi-autonomous status from China. And told Congress it doesn't make sense anymore to give the territory special treatment, like exempting Hong Kong from the billions of dollars in trade tariffs the US has hit China with in recent years. This could open the door to ratchet up trade tensions and jeopardize America's relationship with Hong Kong. I see. Speaking of tensions...US-China tensions also still remain high due to its trade disputes, and accusations of whether COVID-19 came from a Chinese lab. theSkimm This week's moves could further complicate the US's already tumultuous relationship with China. It also puts Hong Kong in the middle of their tensions. And that has some worrying about how the territory and global financial hub could be impacted down the line. | | |
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What the world is watching⦠The US. Yesterday, the number of coronavirus-related deaths there surpassed 100,000. It's the highest COVID-19 death toll in the world, killing more Americans than the Korean and Vietnam wars combined. And while the overall US death rate is on a downward trend, at least 13 states are experiencing a spike in cases as the country starts to reopen. | | |
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Where people want justice⦠Minneapolis. This week, protests over the death of George Floyd â the unarmed black man who died in police custody â turned violent there. Earlier this week, a video came out showing a police officer with his knee on Floyd's neck for at least seven minutes, as Floyd cried out "I can't breathe." Ever since, thousands of demonstrators have turned out, with some chanting "I can't breathe" and throwing rocks. One man was reportedly shot and killed near the demonstrations and several stores were looted. Police in riot gear tried to disperse crowds by firing tear gas and rubber bullets. The FBI and state officials are investigating Floyd's death. And while four police officers involved in his arrest have already been fired, the city's mayor is calling for one officer â seen in the video holding Floyd down â to be charged. | | |
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What's apparently on notice... Social media companies. Yesterday, President Trump threatened to shut them down. He didn't name names, but he's been having a public spat with Twitter. Earlier this week, Twitter said two of Trump's tweets correlating mail-in voting with voter fraud were "potentially misleading." That, after years of Twitter saying 'let him do his thing' and not applying its community policies to tweets critics characterized as inaccurate and harassing. Now, companies like Twitter and Facebook are facing the threat of being "strongly regulated" or even closed down. -
Can he do that?: It depends what he does. Social media companies have the right to choose what content goes on their platforms. So if Trump tries to force changes, that could violate their speech rights. The admin says he's planning to sign an executive order as soon as today, but it's not clear what it will say.
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What was dressed up and ready to go to the (space) dance⦠This launch. | | |
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Who's giving us all the feels⦠Baby Ash. | | |
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| The pandemic has changed a lot of people's cash flows. If yours is more of an inconsistent trickle than a steady stream, this budgeting guide is for you. Pro tip: set a baseline so your hard work won't go down the drain when money's extra tight. |
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| The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting us all in different ways. No matter your situation, sometimes you just need to press pause. Enter: our picks to help you take a breakâ¦
1. Books that'll actually hold your attention. So you started a book two months ago and you've barely made it past chapter one? Same. These suspenseful reads will keep you turning pages.
2. 7 tips for making restaurant-worthy salads. For when your homemade lunches are usually just a sad pile of leaves. Consider this your kale to action.
3. A feel-good playlist. Because the shower is your new karaoke bar. Enter: Céline, Alanis, and the Spice Girls. This is your moment.
PS: Sign up to get a list of things to do, watch, eat, and more to your inbox every Monday. |
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| For when your weekends are now spent on home DIY projects⦠Up next: security from SimpliSafe. Order online and set up your system in under an hour. Sans anyone coming to your house. You'll be covered for break-ins, fire, water damage and more. Psst...their Memorial Day sale is happening now. Lock it down.*
For when your shower has great water pressure⦠That's the stuff. Get a razor to match from this company. Their award-winning razors are only $9, so you can say 'see ya' to the pink tax and 'what's up' to a perfect shave. PS: Skimm'rs get 10% off a starter kit. Get into it.*
For when your home wasn't ready to become an office... Check out our fave products that'll make working from home a whole lot easier. This list has a standing desk, a back pillow, blue light-blocking glasses, and more. | | *PS This is a sponsored post. |
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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.
Life is a highway with...Kelly M (CO). She and her friend took a road trip from Denver, Colorado to their hometown of Columbus, Ohio, setting a goal to get $1 for every mile. They raised over $1,400 dollars in less than 24 hours to donate to a Colorado COVID-19 emergency relief fund for families.
Nailed it...Katie G (IL). She's helped raise over $250k in relief aid for unemployed, licensed beauty professionals impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. It's been able to help barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, and others.
(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Lizzy Wong (NY), Jana Schottenstein (NY), Elana Gorenstein (NY), Christina Manice (NY), Hannah Chung (GA), Emily Smith (TX), Amy Winheld (PA), Laura Patton (MN), Rachael Clevinger (WA), Debra Warner (AZ), Karina Belousova (AZ), Pat Reichenbach (TX), Janet Boyer (NY), Paula Berriz (MI), Michelle Donovan (PA), Kimber-Leigh Oppman (AZ)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Skimm HQ is bummed about the delayed space launch. Share theSkimm with your friends who were planning to watch it live. |  |  | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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