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Tensions are rising. Last week, Russia kicked off a five-day referendum in the occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine. The question on the ballot: "Do you wish to secede from Ukraine?" Ukraine and Western countries including the US have condemned the vote as a sham. Ukrainians report that Russian soldiers are going door-to-door, coercing people "under a gun barrel" to vote in favor of annexation. The 'results' are expected tomorrow.It comes as Russia announced a troop surge of 300,000 and its first draft since World War II. And amid mounting nuclear concerns.
Explain.
Over the weekend, Russia's top diplomat told the UN that any annexed region would have Russia's "full protection." Meaning, including with nuclear weapons. That wasn't the only threat made. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putinaccused the West of "nuclear blackmail" and said Russia is capable of doing the same — potentially code for 'this is an apocalyptic threat.'
What are people saying?
Experts fear Russia will double down: the US and other NATO countries have supplied Ukraine with weapons, and after annexation Putin could claim those weapons are being used to attack Russian territory. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that Putin might not be bluffing and called on the West to continue putting on pressure in order to deter him. And US officials warned of "catastrophic consequences" if Putin reaches into his nuclear arsenal.
theSkimm
Between a troop surge, nuclear threats, and so-called votes to annex parts of Ukraine, Russia's moves in the last week have the world on edge.
Italy. Today, Italians are poised to elect the most far-right government since fascist Benito Mussolini. Giorgia Meloni — who's slated to be the country's first female prime minister — and her party's right-wing coalition are projected to have won about 45% of the vote. She co-founded the Brothers of Italy party, which has neo-fascist roots and gained popularity with anti-immigration policies. It has also proposed shrinking LGBTQIA+ and abortion rights in the predominantly Catholic country. It will be weeks before a new gov is fully formed, meaning a more complete picture of Italy's future could emerge in the days to come. But Meloni's likely win already has many ringing the alarm, since far-right parties in other European countries have also recently made gains (see: Sweden and France).
Cuba. Yesterday, Cubans voted on whether to legalize gay marriage. The vote on a 100-page family code is bringing to the forefront a set of issues that have long been debated on the island. In addition to legalizing same-sex marriage, the overhaul would also allow surrogate pregnancies and for same-sex couples to adopt children. Under former leader Fidel Castro, gay men were considered undesirables and sent to work camps. In 1979, homosexuality was decriminalized in Cuba although many reportedly say they still faced discrimination. If the code passes, Cuba will join a handful of other Latin American countries that allow same-sex marriage. Results are reportedly expected today.
What people are watching…
Hurricanes. Yesterday, troops in Canada were deployed to help with recovery efforts as Fiona made landfall in Eastern Canada. One fatality was reported, as the storm swept across Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec, destroying homes and leaving thousands without power. It's considered one of Canada's costliest natural disasters. And comes after the storm crippled Puerto Rico and Bermuda on its path through the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Florida has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Ian.
What's got us starstruck…
A cosmic collision. Tonight, a NASA spacecraft will slam into an asteroid about 7 million miles from Earth. But don't worry — this asteroid was never headed our way. It's all part of NASA's test to help develop a method to divert any asteroids that might turn in our direction in the future. And avoid another extinction, like what happened 65 million years ago. The spacecraft will hit at 7:14 pm ET.
...Oh and for sky gazers looking for some extra fun, tonight Jupiter will be the closest to Earth it's been in nearly 60 years. And it'll appear especially big and bright since it will be opposite the sun from our POV down on Earth.
Skimm Reads: Book'd with Kelly Ripa is our twist on book club. Join us as we sit down with Kelly Ripa (no biggie) to uncover the experiences, lessons, and more behind her new collection of essays, "Live Wire," on Thursday, October 6 at 7:30pm ET. Plus, we'll send you a copy of "Live Wire" when you register and exclusive post-event content. No library card necessary. Sign up now.
Skimm Picks
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Top drawer must-haves. This female-founded brand's bras are a lacy choose your own adventure. Think: thermo-regulating fabric with dreamy details. (Hiii Sonoma Curve.) Or sheer, airy, and ultra-flattering. ('Sup, Florence Demi.) Both pair perfectly with their buttery-soft undies. Psst…Skimm'rs get 20% off everything right now.*
2. How to be proactive about your allergies this fall. The best time to start allergy treatment is two to four weeks before symptoms hit. And this brand can help you find a plan that's right for you. Plus they're giving Skimm'rs 50% off. Take the quiz.*
3.A shirt for all your fall outfits. From apple picking to wine tasting, this sustainable blanket shirt will have you covered. And feeling cozy. Pair with your fave leggings or jeans and hit the road. Psst…here's 20% off.*
4.Fresh, healthy dog food that's completely tail-ored to your pup. This brand will create a custom meal plan based on your dog's breed, age, weight, and protein prefs. Then ship the meals to ya. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 50% off their first two weeks. Wag on.*
*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.
Modern Love…Briana P (CA). She wrote an essay on her own story of two passing ships in the sea of love. Check it out here.
(Some) Birthdays…Christie Ramsaran (NY), Evan Shields (GA), Gayle Schrader (VA), Sakina Ali (IL), Haley Coller (NY), Breanna P (NM), Julie McHood (UT), Rose Stangel (GA), Liane Bonin (CA), Cheri Wagner (PA), Anne Cline (WA), Shannon Barnes (CA), Melanie Goerke (MI), Brittany Pratt (MO), Laura Moreno (MA)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm More
Blessed day. We caught up with the cast of "The Handmaid's Tale" to hear the advice they'd give their characters ahead of season 5. Which we receive with joy. Watch now.
World Contraception Day (happening today) is all about increasing family planning awareness. And it's backed by brands and orgs around the world that want to help people take charge of their sexual and reproductive health, like Organon. They make NEXPLANON, a prescription birth control for the prevention of pregnancy in women. NEXPLANON is a small, thin, flexible arm implant that provides up to 3 years of pregnancy protection — sans daily, weekly, or monthly dosing. It's over 99%* effective and can be removed by your doctor at any time. Learn more.
*NEXPLANON is over 99% effective, with less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women who used NEXPLANON for 1 year.
Important Safety Information
You should not use NEXPLANON if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant; have or have had blood clots; have liver disease or a liver tumor; have unexplained vaginal bleeding; have breast cancer or any other cancer that is sensitive to progestin (a female hormone), now or in the past; or are allergic to anything in NEXPLANON.
Talk to your healthcare provider about using NEXPLANON if you have diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, headaches, gallbladder or kidney problems, history of depressed mood, high blood pressure, allergy to numbing medicines (anesthetics) or medicines used to clean your skin (antiseptics). These medicines will be used when the implant is placed into or removed from your arm.
Immediately after the NEXPLANON implant has been placed, you and your healthcare provider should check that the implant is in your arm by feeling for it. If you cannot feel the NEXPLANON implant, contact your healthcare provider immediately and use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as condoms) until your healthcare provider confirms that the implant is in place. You may need special tests to check that the implant is in place or to help find the implant when it is time to take it out.
The implant may not be placed in your arm at all due to failed insertion. If this happens, you may become pregnant. Removal of the implant may be very difficult or impossible if the implant is not where it should be. Special procedures, including surgery in the hospital, may be needed to remove the implant. If the implant is not removed, then the effects of NEXPLANON will continue for a longer period of time. Other problems related to insertion and removal include pain, irritation, swelling, bruising, numbness and tingling, scarring, infection, injury to the nerves or blood vessels, and breaking of the implant. Additionally, the implant may come out by itself. You may become pregnant if the implant comes out by itself. Use a back up birth control method and call your healthcare provider right away if the implant comes out.
The most common side effect of NEXPLANON is a change in your normal menstrual bleeding pattern. In studies, one out of ten women stopped using the implant because of an unfavorable change in their bleeding pattern. You may experience longer or shorter bleeding during your periods or have no bleeding at all. The time between periods may vary, and in between periods you may also have spotting.
If you become pregnant while using NEXPLANON, you have a slightly higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic (occurring outside the womb) than do women who do not use birth control. Ectopic pregnancies can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility, and even death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you think you are pregnant or have unexplained lower stomach (abdominal) pain.
The use of NEXPLANON may also increase your chance of serious blood clots, especially if you have other risk factors, such as smoking. If you smoke and want to use NEXPLANON, you should quit. Some examples of blood clots are deep vein thrombosis (legs), pulmonary embolism (lungs), retinal thrombosis (eyes), stroke (brain), and heart attack (heart). It is possible to die from a problem caused by a blood clot, such as a heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor at least 4 weeks before if you are going to have surgery or will need to be on bed rest, because you have an increased chance of getting blood clots during surgery or bed rest.
Cysts may develop on the ovaries and usually go away without treatment, but sometimes surgery is needed to remove them.
Besides changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, other common side effects reported in women using NEXPLANON include: headaches; vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina); weight gain; acne; breast pain; viral infection such as sore throats or flu-like symptoms; stomach pain; painful periods; mood swings, nervousness, or depressed mood; back pain; nausea; dizziness; pain and pain at the site of insertion. Implants have been reported to be found in a blood vessel, including a blood vessel in the lung.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in your lower leg that does not go away; severe chest pain or heaviness in the chest; sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, or coughing blood; symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swollen face, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing; sudden severe headaches unlike your usual headaches; weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or trouble speaking; sudden partial or complete blindness; yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, or light-colored bowel movements; severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in the lower stomach (abdomen); lump in your breast; problems sleeping, lack of energy, tiredness, or you feel very sad; heavy menstrual bleeding; or if you feel that the implant may have broken or bent while in your arm.
NEXPLANON does not protect against HIV or other STDs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088
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