News: Daily Skimm: My perspective may differ from yours

Friday, May 13, 2022

Daily Skimm: My perspective may differ from yours

"Luxury diapers"

— What Goop faked us out with to raise awareness about diaper taxes. Poop, there it is.

Joining the Club

The Story

Finland wants to sign on the dotted line.

For what?

NATO. After Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year (citing concerns over NATO expansion), Finland's been eyeing NATO membership. It would be a historic move considering the country's traditionally neutral past. Finland argues that Russia's war in Ukraine has "completely changed" its security landscape. Joining the alliance could provide some beefed-up protection against Moscow. Now, Finland's leaders say the Nordic nation needs to join NATO "without delay."

What happens if Finland does join?

It gets military support from fellow NATO members — including the US — in the event that it's attacked. It's also required to reciprocate that support for other members. That could mean increased tensions with Russia. Finland — which shares over 800 miles of border with Russia — would roughly double the border that Russia shares with NATO territories, bringing the alliance even closer to the Kremlin's doorstep.

I can't imagine Russia is happy.

It's not. Its foreign ministry warned that Finland joining the alliance would "inflict serious damage" to the two countries' relationship. Now, Russia's saying it would be forced to take retaliatory steps to counter the "emerging threats." In the past, Russia threatened to station nuclear weapons in the Baltic Sea. Reminder: one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's key requests following the Ukraine invasion was that Ukraine be blocked from joining NATO. Finland's president said nobody else caused this but Russia. The Biden admin says it supports their application.

What's next?

There are still a few steps left before Finland gets a NATO ID badge. Meanwhile, Sweden could announce plans to join the org in the coming days.

theSkimm
Russia says it invaded Ukraine over key security concerns like NATO. Now, the invasion is pushing two historically neutral countries to rethink their national security concerns. That's bringing the alliance too close to home for Putin's comfort.

And Also...This

What's in a glass case of emotion...

The stock market. Yesterday, the S&P 500 continued to decline, putting the index on track for its worst weekly drop since January. The weekly declines are inching the market closer toward bear market territory — when stock prices go down for a sustained period (think: 20% from a recent high). To put it another way: a more than $7 trillion market value has been reportedly wiped off of the index so far this year. But nothing is safe. By that we mean...

Crypto: Yesterday, a cryptocurrency sell-off erased more than $200 billion off the market in a single day. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, hit its lowest level since 2020. Some are pointing fingers at one crypto in particular, TerraUSD, for the sell-off.

PS: We asked a personal finance expert what to do when the stock market drops on Skimm This. Listen here.

Where there's an emergency…

North Korea. Yesterday, the hermit kingdom reported six people died after admitting a COVID-19 outbreak for the first time. Another 350,000 people are said to have shown signs of fever that quickly spread. The country immediately imposed a nationwide lockdown after reporting its first case more than two years into the pandemic. The claim that the country hadn't been hit by the virus until now didn't have many countries convinced. But the new admission has public health experts worried the situation must be serious for the country's supreme leader to acknowledge the problem. And the repercussions could be bad: North Korea is one of the few remaining countries that is believed to not have administered vaccines to some 26 million people. It comes as one of the country's only allies — China — moved this week to tighten restrictions in Shanghai, which has been on a city-wide lockdown since March.

Grim milestone: Meanwhile, the US surpassed 1 million deaths this week. Yesterday, The Biden admin honored the lives lost to COVID-19 by ordering flags to be flown at half-staff.

When you ain't got the time to take drawers off, on sight...

Enter: this. Yesterday, a company began selling the first FDA-authorized underwear to protect against STIs during oral sex. There's a lot to unpack here but we'll be brief. Sexually transmitted infections from diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis are on the rise. But dental dams are about as popular as they sound. So one company, noticing a hole in the market, decided flavored latex undies were the way to go. The goal: to match condoms' energy and protect against infections from the vagina and anus, too. Now, never nudes have a new uniform. People getting down can have a snack while they're having a snack. But that's not all…The undies reportedly taste like "you're eating a cookie." C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

What's got a big zodiac sign to live up to...

Sagittarius A*.

What Kendrick Lamar's done for you…

His fifth album.

In the Bag

Together with

Trying to add some color to your wardrobe this season? Hammitt's new collection can help with that. Think: rusty red leather bags that are equal parts luxe and versatile. Keep reading to find the style for you…

For the minimalist. It's like a clutch and a crossbody got together to make a wristlet-baby that can fit alllll your essentials.
For the world traveler. Vacation or staycation? Either way, this roomy weekender's got you covered. Psst…celebs are all over it.
For the traditionalist. The only thing better than one best-seller is two best-sellers. Enter: this chic clutch-and-tote combo featuring Hammitt's iconic metal details.

Skimm Life

Design: theSkimm | Photo: Amazon, Free People

It's officially wedding season, and whether you're the one getting married or not, you're probably searching for what to wear to all those events — including comfy undergarments and something that'll save the day when a blister forms. We've got ya covered:

Skimm Picks

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

1. Glow Recipe's Christine Chang's secrets to success. In our new video, Chang spills what drove her to start her own company, how she weaves joy into her routine, and her advice for maximizing every day. Press play.*

2. Swimwear that'll get you in the tropical spirit. Andie's new collection is full of prints and colors that bring the heat. Each and every style is perfect for soaking up some sun or going for a swim. Just add water.*

3. How to track your vitamin and hormone levels without trekking to the doc. This brand sends FDA-approved lab tests to your door, and shares the results within days through an app on your phone. Take this quiz to get started. PS: Skimm'rs get 20% off.*

4. How to invest in trends that are shaping the future. Like electric vehicles and blockchain. The experts at iShares have identified forces that are pushing the world forward. And they have ETFs (hint: exchange-traded funds) that can help you invest in 'em. Don't miss out.*

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

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.

You had us at 'hola'…Maria J (VA). She just released her second Spanish learning game after she saw a need for her students to learn and practice languages in a fun way. Check it out here.

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Alicia Valenski (VA), theSkimm's Martha Upton (NY), Hanna Bregman (NJ), Donna Golkin (NY), Lisa Wong (NJ), Brittney Goodsen (MN), Susan Davis (PA), Mia Gettenberg (FL), Hannah Kimmel (RI), Cassidy Chiasson (DC), Katie Stamm (MD), Hayley Tafuro (CT), Carolyn Herman (IA), Brittani Shank (KS), Leslie Holthoff Martin (VA), Louise Perkowski (PA)

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

Skimm More

The upcoming premiere of "Jurassic World Dominion" is giving BDE: Big Dinosaur Energy. This week on "Skimm This," we look at which summer blockbusters should be on our radars and how the film industry is trying to bounce back after two tough years. Unleash the beasts. The theater is open.

theSkimm Loyalty Program

Exclusive discounts from some of our fave retailers just for members? Yep. And even more perks when you sign up for our Loyalty Program. Check it out and get access here.

Skimm'd by Melanie De Lima, Kate Gilhool, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj