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Quote of the Day

"The Last Barf Bag"

A new campaign by Dramamine to celebrate this very necessary invention. The friends we need during turbulence.

 

What's Happening

Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin
International

Russia and North Korea Sign Defense Partnership

What's going on: Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un signed a deal to provide mutual aid if either country is attacked. The specific details of the agreement aren't clear, but the pact was finalized as part of their summit in Pyongyang, which marked Putin's first visit to the capital city in 24 years. It comes as both countries face escalating tensions with the West, including the US. Officials say Russia has received ammunition from North Korea in recent months for use in the war in Ukraine. Putin and Kim framed the agreement as an alliance looking to maintain peace. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said “this should concern any country that cares about maintaining peace and stability.”

What it means: North Korea and Russia have entered a number of security pacts over the years, but this is the first time since the Cold War that defense-related clauses have been included. The agreement gives Putin much needed support as he faces growing international pressure and isolation over the war in Ukraine. It sends a message to the US and its allies, especially South Korea, that the relationship between North Korea and Russia is getting stronger. The deal also stands to make it more difficult to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. Moscow previously played a role in helping the US limit those programs, but that could be coming to an end.

Related: All of the Gifts Putin and Kim Exchanged Including a Tea Set (BBC) 

 
US News

Louisiana Is Putting the Ten Commandments in the Classroom

What's going on: Yesterday, Louisiana became the first state to require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in all classrooms. The new law, signed by Gov. Jeff Landry (R), also mandates public colleges and universities to put up the posters. Similar laws have been proposed in other states, like Texas, Utah, and South Carolina, but none have been successful. Civil liberties groups, like the ACLU and Freedom from Religion Foundation, said the law “is blatantly unconstitutional” and promised to challenge it in the courts. Landry welcomed the legal challenges and said he “can’t wait to be sued.”

What it means: The move is seen as a broader effort by conservative Christian groups to boost public expression of religion. States in the past have tried to display the commandments in schools, but failed. In 1980, the Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law and said it “had no secular legislative purpose” and was “plainly religious in nature.” However, some conservatives think there is a better chance of courts upholding laws like Louisiana’s after the Supreme Court sided with a high school football coach in 2022 who argued he had a right to pray on the field after his team’s games.

Related: The “After School Satan Club” Is Also Pushing Boundaries (NYT Gift Link)

 
Money

Disputes Over Credit Card Charges Surge

What's going on: From duplicate charges to deliveries arriving late, more consumers are using a variety of reasons to get their money back on credit card purchases. Last year, credit card users disputed 105 million charges, worth an estimated $11 billion. That’s up from $7.2 billion in 2019, according to Datos Insights, a finance-industry research company. The company projects that number to rise nearly 40% by 2026.

What it means: Experts said more people might be realizing how easy it is for them to get their money back from credit card companies, regardless of whether or not their reason is legitimate. Some cardholders are misusing the process, resulting in a rise in “friendly fraud.” These claims, which consumers sign off on, accounted for 20% of all disputes last year, according to Cybersource. Still, retailers have to foot the bill unless they can prove it wasn’t their fault — a process that can take months. And too many disputes could be just as bad for a business’ reputation as a string of one-star Google reviews.

Related: Afraid of Credit Card Scams? Here’s How to Avoid Them (Time Magazine)

 

Quick Hits

🤱 Some breastfeeding mothers are getting paid break time. Waiting for the rest of the country to follow suit.


🇺🇲 Patriotic or boring? Ralph Lauren’s Team USA uniforms have the sports world talking.


🎬 Embrace your main character energy on a Bridgerton replica set at the Netflix House.


👀 Limited Too’s revival is healing our inner child. Crossing our fingers for adult sizes.


😎 Central Cee and Sabrina Carpenter were playing games while Paul Mescal kept things short. Very short.

 

Skimm Picks

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

An expert-backed credit card your wallet will thank you for.

The Ascent’s experts compared hundreds of credit cards on their hunt for the best one. The winning card offers up to 5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025.*


A dermatologist-tested moisturizer you won’t wanna sleep without.

This sensitive skin-friendly night cream is packed with nourishing plant-based ingredients like rosehip oil and squalane. Cut to you waking up with brighter, smoother, intensely hydrated skin. Psst...Skimm’rs get a free 60-day supply.*


Linen looks that make summer styling a literal breeze.

This brand has everything you need for linen season. We’re honestly debating getting these lightweight pants with an elastic waist, relaxed leg, and slight ankle crop in every color. Psst…use code Summer20 for 20% off.*


Must-have products to keep sweat at bay.

Don't let boob sweat ruin all the fun.

 

Extra Credit

Hummus served with meat and pita

Eat

Think hummus is just for snacking? Enter dinner hummus — which, to be clear, is very different from nights when you’re so tired you house a half-eaten container with whatever crackers and veggies you find. Instead, it’s when a little extra effort and a couple of hearty toppings transform the dip into a fully satisfying meal. As is the case with Spoon Fork Bacon’s garlicky loaded hummus, which includes a generous layer of spiced lamb and a swirl of fresh herbs.

 

Settle This

Cross training with multi ethnic people who are different in age and physical readiness.

Media and marketing have been pushing cardio onto women for years, but doctors say that strength training is crucial for women's health. Are you in?

 

Game Time

Words

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.

Meet Us On The Leaderboard

Flipart | Spelltower | Crossword | Typeshift | Pile-Up Poker

 

Skimm Well

theSkimm tweet about men getting medical concerns taken seriously

Get better care

Patients are less likely to have health complications with a female doctor — but less than 40% of doctors are women. Which leaves the responsibility on you to advocate for your health. Let Skimm Well help.  

Our latest newsletter sends you expert-backed advice and scripts to guide you through doctor visits, plus you’ll get a weekly round-up of the top health and wellness news affecting you.