News: Daily Skimm: I'm eating junk and watching rubbish

Friday, November 12, 2021

Daily Skimm: I'm eating junk and watching rubbish

November 12, 2021

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Daily Skimm

Skimm'd while getting our smile holiday card-ready

Quote of the Day

"We're not calling for an end to public sex" – A researcher, reminding tourists to clean up after doing the deed on a protected Spanish beach. Maybe find another fornication location?

26th Time's the Charm?

The Story

Action on climate change is hanging in the balance.

I'm listening.

Today marks the 12th and final day of COP26. It's the annual climate conference in which leaders from around the world meet up with one goal in mind: prevent a worldwide climate catastrophe. So far at this year's session, over 100 leaders have pledged to stop deforestation. More than 80 reps have promised to cut methane emissions by 30%. Both within the next decade. Over 40 countries have promised to phase out coal use. India wants to go net-zero by 2070. And the US and China – the two largest CO2 emitters – have agreed to work together on going green for the planet's sake.

Sounds like a lot.

But it's far from enough. At the end of the conference, countries typically sign a deal on how they're collectively going to combat climate change. Negotiators are still hashing out the details and released a second draft early this morning. It uses softer language on commitments to cut the use of coal and fossil fuels. And "requests" nations come back with stronger climate targets by the end of next year. It also pushed developed countries to follow through on giving poorer nations $100 billion per year to combat climate change. But the clock's ticking on reps to put pen to paper. And show the world it has been listening to climate change warnings.

What are people saying?

The UN wants govs to "pick up the pace" on negotiations 'cause the deadline's today. Greta Thunberg has already called the conference a "failure," saying the world needs to drastically cut emissions, stat. And Indigenous delegates have argued their voices aren't being heard when it comes to negotiations. Meanwhile, hundreds of fossil fuel lobbyists – who reportedly outnumber countries' reps – are making their presence known. The real indicator of whether COP26 is a success will come in time as world leaders either follow through on their promises, or fail.

theSkimm

If the world doesn't cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% by 2030, it faces some of the worst impacts from climate change. So far, we're not on the right track. And it's unclear if world leaders will follow through on creating change.

And Also...This

What people are watching…

The Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Yesterday, the defense rested its case in the 18-year-old's homicide trial. In August 2020, then-17-year-old Rittenhouse drove across state lines to a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, WI – with an illegally purchased AR-15-style rifle in tow. His goal, as he put it, was to protect businesses, put out fires, and give medical aid. (Rittenhouse is not an EMT.) There, he shot and killed two people – 26-year-old Anthony Huber and 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum. And injured then-26-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz. Rittenhouse has pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self-defense after Rosenbaum threatened and allegedly chased him. And insisting he "didn't do anything wrong." But Grosskreutz said he tried to stop the teen he thought was an "active shooter." Closing arguments begin Monday.

The elephant in the courtroom: Race. Rittenhouse (who is white) was safely arrested after killing two people – a standard of treatment many Black Americans say they may not have gotten in a similar situation.
Another elephant in the courtroom: The judge. He's raised eyebrows after barring the prosecution from referring to those killed as "victims." And some have accused him of bias.

Who's feeling stronger than yesterday…

Britney Spears. Today, the pop star could finally be released from her 13-year-long conservatorship. Since 2008, Britney's dad, Jamie Spears, has controlled much of her personal life, career, and finances. Earlier this year, America got some insight into what she'd been through. Britney testified, claiming she was forced to work against her will, banned from driving, and prevented from getting her IUD removed. The testimony had the #FreeBritney movement in an uproar. It wasn't until September that a judge suspended Spears' father as a conservator. Now, a judge could take scissors to the legal battle once and for all.

PS: Wondering what exactly is a conservatorship, and how does it work? We got you.

What's singing 'if it's up, then it's up'...

YouTube. Earlier this week, the company announced it's hiding the 'thumbs down' button count on videos. YouTube says the move is designed "to protect creators from harassment" and from "dislike attacks." Aka when people team up to dislike videos and hurt its success. But there's apparently concern the change will have people wondering, 'how do I know if a video's worth my time?' YouTube says viewers can still hit the dislike button – but only creators will see the exact count. The platform isn't the first to hit 'edit' to its features. Facebook and Instagram have also played around with toning down their "like" button.

What's incREDible...

Taylor's version. And cats.

Skimm Money

Health FSA

A flexible spending account that lets you buy qualified medical expenses (think: thermometers, glasses, tampons, sunscreen, and over-the-counter meds) with pre-tax dollars.

Psst...while some offer a grace period, you might have to use all or most of the money you put in within one year. So it's smart to use health FSAs for expenses you can see coming. For those you can't, you'll want an emergency fund. The Fidelity Spire® app can help you build one. And compare the impacts of different financial choices. So you get more power for your dollar.

PS: We teamed up with Fidelity on a Sunday Fund-day sweepstakes to help you beat the end-of-weekend scaries. Enter here for a chance to win blue light glasses, a special edition S'well bottle, and more.

Ready, Set, Glow

"Hyaluronic acid" may be hard to say (and spell). But research shows it can soothe dry eyes, help bones stay strong, and keep skin hydrated, plump, and glow-y. So you juuust might wanna get products that can boost your natural supply. Like the pro-grade, science-backed ones from PCA SKIN®. They've got...

A smoothing serum with a proprietary complex. The kind that encourages skin to create more of its own hyaluronic acid. Yes, please.

An award-winning overnight mask. Step one: Smooth onto your face. Step two: Snooze. Step three: Wake up radiant.

The secret to softer, fuller lips. Seeing (the before and after photos) is believing.

Pro tip: Use 'em together. Oh, and shop now. Because Skimm'rs get a special gift when they spend over $150 for a limited time.

Skimm Reads

"The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig

Part "Sliding Doors," part "Groundhog Day," this whimsical read explores something we've all probably thought about before: What if things in your life had happened differently and what if you could do it over again? You'll meet Nora, a depressed 30-something, who finds herself not in heaven, not in hell, but in a special middle ground known as the Midnight Library. It's a vast space filled with books that offer her endless possibilities at life anew. With each read she opens, she'll get to start over in another alternate reality version of her life — and explore all the what-ifs and unanswered questions. Magic awaits.

Skimm Picks

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

1. How to straighten your teeth without going to a dentist's office. Byte's impression kit includes everything from aligners to whitening tools. So you can get your smile holiday card-ready this season. Oh, and it's on suuuper sale before Black Friday. Say cheese.*

2. Something to cozy up to the fire with. Just add a blanket and warm bev. This 10" tablet lets you enjoy hours of reading, watching, listening, and add-to-cart-ing. Plus, it just so happens to be on sale right now.*

3. Intimates so discreet, you'll forget you have them on. Parade's new collection features their first-ever, layer-friendly tanks. In addition to their signature barely-there, buttery-soft underwear and bralettes. In seven nude shades selected by *the* Kelly Rowland's makeup artist Fatimot Isadare. Shop now.*

4. Things you probably didn't know about migraine disease. Like the fact that it affects more than 1 billion people around the world. (Yep, billion with a 'B'.) Our friends at Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) helped us do some digging into the symptoms, triggers, and treatment approaches. Learn more.*†

5. A wallet-friendly way to upgrade your home appliances. We have a feeling your kitchen and laundry room will looove these LG products from Best Buy. Psst...we're peepin' their full-sized oven with air-fryer features. Shop select packages for 10% off.*

6. The most popular products Skimm'rs bought in October. From melatonin gummies for better sleep to a mold- and mildew-removing gel, these bestsellers are worth adding to cart.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

PPS: Check out our selection of the best holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

†Nurtec® ODT 75 mg orally disintegrating tablets is a prescription medicine for the acute treatment of migraine attacks and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. Do not take if you are allergic to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients. The most common side effects were nausea (2.7%) and stomach pain/indigestion (2.4%). Please visit nurtec.com for full Prescribing Information, Patient Information and Important Safety Information. US-RIMODT-2100927 10/27/2021

Skimm'rs

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.

Adding to your reads...Addison A (TN). She published a novel she wrote in college called, "The Light of Luna Park." It's a dual timeline historical fiction that follows a nurse and a teacher as they delve into the mysterious history of the Coney Island baby incubators. Read up.

Helping you heal...Alexandra K (IL). She's celebrating the one-year anniversary of her startup, Lighten. The company helps bereaved families plan gatherings for deceased loved ones. And focuses on end-of-life gatherings that can feel like celebrating a life, not just mourning a death.

(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Sophie Riese (NY), theSkimm's Dan Giunta (NJ), Dheerja Kaur (CA), Harpreet Sawhney (WA), Maggie Malloy (NY), Dave Lohrey (CA), Steve Greenbaum (PA), Danielle Freedman (NY), Sean Foley (CA), Troy Carter (CA), Dori Bayer (NC), Jane Gellman (NJ), Shannon Burgess (CA), Cadence Turpin (TN)

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

Skimm More

Travis Scott has a history of chaotic concerts — he's even been charged with inciting a riot at a previous gig. This week on "Skimm This," we spoke with Joey Guerra, music critic for the Houston Chronicle, about the eerie legacy of Scott's 2019 documentary and warning signs leading up to the Astroworld tragedy.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time...

Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.
Tune in to our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume.
Subscribe to our "Skimm Money" newsletter to keep up to date with your wallet.
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