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Together withNewYork-Presbyterian with world-class doctors from Columbia Weill Cornell Medicine
 

"Anybody who says 'words hurt' has never been punched in the face"

Chris Rock referencing the slap during his Netflix special. Between a Rock and a hard slap.

 
Top Story

Fish Are Friends

The Story

The UN has signed off on a historic agreement to protect ocean life.

How historic?

The idea's been in the (water)works for nearly 20 years. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea kicked in in 1994. It allowed countries to use the 'high seas' aka international waters for things like fishing, shipping, and researching. However, the law only protected less than 2% of oceans from things like overfishing and deep-sea mining. UN members have been floating the idea of a revamp to it since 2004. Especially given the disastrous effects of climate change, overfishing, and pollution. Now, there's a fresh framework to better protect our oceans.

What does the agreement look like?

About 60% of the world's ocean is international waters. This legally-binding treaty creates a new governing body to conserve ocean life and establishes ground rules for how to assess the environmental impacts of commercial activities like deep-sea mining. It'll also help turn 30% of the world's oceans into protected areas by 2030. The Biden admin and the World Wildlife Fund applauded the decision. Now, the UN countries need to officially adopt and ratify the treaty in order for it to go into effect, but that could take years. Note: 2030 is only seven years away, and orgs say "time is urgent."

theSkimm

One study found that 10% of global marine species are facing extinction because of humans. Now that the UN's addressing it, some say it's too little too late.

 
And Also...This

What's got some explaining to do…

Exxon Mobil. Last week, a federal agency sued the oil and gas company for employment discrimination. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the company failed to take proper action after five nooses were found at its Baton Rouge refinery between April 2016 and December 2020. In January 2020, a Black employee reported the finding of a noose to his supervisor, but another one was discovered nearly a year later. Exxon Mobil allegedly investigated and banned two contractors. Then, the employee filed a complaint with the EEOC. Now, after an investigation, the EEOC is suing and saying that Exxon didn't implement any changes to try and remedy the ongoing issue. Exxon says it disagrees with the EEOC and that they "thoroughly investigated" the claims. 

  • A concerning trend: Nooses have been found at schools, construction sites, and public places in recent years. In 2021, Amazon temporarily paused its construction of a new warehouse in Connecticut after several nooses were reported there in May 2021.


Where tensions are rising…

Greece. Over the weekend, thousands of people protested in Athens demanding better safety standards for the country's rail system. Demonstrations turned violent when some protesters threw Molotov cocktails, and police responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Greece has seen protests across the country for days since a train collision killed 57 people in the northern part of the country. Thousands of people —including train workers who have walked out on the job — have taken to the streets calling for better train infrastructure. The government has blamed human error for the crash and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said officials are hard at work to investigate and "determine liabilities."


Who's saying 'I can't believe it's not butter than other diets'...

Keto lovers. Yesterday, a new observational study reportedly found that a "keto-like" diet (aka low carb, high fat) may not be all it's cracked up to be. Researchers say the fad diet could double your risk of "major cardiovascular events" such as strokes and heart attacks. All this could be due to the high "bad" cholesterol levels brought on by a high-fat diet.


Who people are remembering…

Judy Heumann. Over the weekend, the disability rights advocate died at 75. Heumann was diagnosed with polio as a child and later became the first wheelchair-using teacher in NYC. She dedicated her life to the disability and civil rights movement and helped stage a sit-in in San Francisco which paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She served under the Obama and Clinton admins. Former President Barack Obama said he was "fortunate" to work with Heumann.


What's going to strut its stuff again...

The VS Fashion Show.


Who's getting called out for a "Scandoval"...

Tom and Raquel.


What might be trending on your TikTok feed…

#StopWillow.

 
Skimm Life

If you've always got 10 tabs open, we get it. So much to browse, so little time. Which is why we've rounded up some of our recent product recs so you don't miss a thing. Check out…

 
Skimm Picks

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

1. Holi essentials to get your crew in the spirit. The Festival of Colors, which also celebrates love and friendships, is this Wednesday. And Kulture Khanza's got ya covered with color powders, traditional water soakers, a puzzle, sticker books, and more. Use SKIMM15 for 15% off.*

2. A brain boost that works like magic…but is actually science. This brand's nootropic formulas clear mental fog, eliminate distractions, and improve cognitive performance. Their short quiz can help you find the blend for you. PS: Skimm'rs get 15% off with code SKIMM15.*

3. A trio of Mac lip oils on sale. Say hello to high-shine stains that'll deliver a nourishing tint. Lather one on for a dewy-lip look.

4. Our favorite socks for every situation. From fuzzy ones to compression socks to dressy options, we've rounded them all up.

 
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.

Heard it here first…Cleo H (CA). Her brand new album, "gold," chronicles the processing of a breakup from her longtime college boyfriend. Check out the lead music video here and then stream the full album.

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Alex Palazzo (NY), theSkimm's Erika Trombley (NY), theSkimm's Medha Imam (NY), Brendan Dubois (IL), Janet Hershaft (NY), Monzer Ayesh (NC), Chelsea Shope (SC), Rachael Gavri (IL), Molly Ingeman (MN), Grace Vieth (MN), Cari Draft (MI), Elizabeth Fratantuono (TX), Holly Tyrrell (FL), Jessica Sacher (GA), Sylvia Vail (IL)

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

 
 

Daily Skimm Weekend: The heart wants what it wants

Skimm'd with spring workout gear — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today
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Ready or not, Monday's almost here. We've got what you need to prep for the week ahead — from the biggest conversation starters to the most important dates. Who says Sundays have to be scary?

 

"Never push a slower friend down"

The National Park Service's advice for what not to do if your group meets a bear in the wild. Who needs enemies?

 

Eyes On

East Palestine

The Story

The fallout from the catastrophic train derailment in Ohio is continuing to grow.

This is about East Palestine?

Yes. In the weeks since a Norfolk Southern train carrying dangerous chemicals derailed in Ohio, the EPA — which handles, among other things, industrial pollution and its effects — has taken control of the cleanup. So far, that's included collecting more than 700 tons of solid waste and approximately two million gallons of liquid wastewater. On Thursday, the EPA ordered that the rail company test for dioxins, aka pollutants that can cause cancer and weaken people's immune and reproductive systems. In spite of those steps, things are still complicated.

Tell me.

Audio leaks about lax inspections in the rail industry are reportedly coming to light. Cleaned-up toxic waste still has to go somewhere…and waste disposal sites as far away as Michigan and Texas are balking at taking Ohio's toxic mess. Meanwhile, residents and cleanup crews are continuing to report health issues (think: migraines, nausea). At a town hall last week, angry residents confronted officials. Some expressed doubt about the findings from tests on chemical levels. Others pleaded with officials to "do the right thing" and "get our people out of here" — since a true cleanup reportedly might take years.

What will happen now?

The pressure on the railway industry, and Norfolk Southern in particular, is headed to the Senate. This week, the company's CEO will testify before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, answering questions about the derailment. Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill introduced last week would enhance railway safety precautions — and has been hailed by President Biden. But like cleanup, lasting changes to regulations are likely to take time.

theSkimm

In the past few years, there were reportedly at least 10 rail-related contamination events nationwide. East Palestine is the latest. As it sparks questions across the country about what happens when a company's toxic mess affects your home and health, the lives and livelihoods of East Palestine's 4,700 residents hang in the balance.

 
What's Happening

📰 In news…

Some say it's the 'end of a dynasty' as disgraced former South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh got sentenced to life in prison. A very different kind of sentencing happened in Belarus, where a Nobel Peace Prize winner was given 10 years for financing protests and smuggling cash into the country — part of a recent crackdown on dissent. In other overseas news, the US is now saying it's unlikely a foreign adversary was responsible for "Havana syndrome." But didn't say who, or what, might cause it. In a bummer report, research on the gender pay gap shows it's barely budged in the last two decades. And amid another runway close call and more reports of scary turbulence, the future of President Biden's FAA nominee may be up in the air.


🧘🏽‍♀️ In wellness…

Walgreens says it won't distribute abortion pills in at least 20 states. A startup wants to be the "Bumble for surrogates." AI could change the care you get from doctors and even therapists. Forget 10,000 steps, or even 5,000 steps — new research says you can get away with 11 minutes of daily exercise to step up your health. Looking for sweeter dreams? Maybe magnesium is the key. Oh and it turns out that friend envy is real and can actually be productive — as long as you're honest about it. But telling a new mom to make more mom friends? Not so much.


🔬 In science…

SpaceX sent four astronauts on another out-of-this-world mission. The moon could be getting its own time zone. In a land less far away, Egyptian authorities found a sealed-off chamber inside a Giza pyramid. Robotic body parts may start coming in handy. Plus, toothed whales apparently use vocal fry (yes, that vocal fry) to hunt prey.

 
Bookmark'd

Here's a look at the reads we've saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

If You Give a Woman a Cookie...the semi-sweet origin story behind the namesake of Mrs. Fields Cookies. 


People Are Getting Pregnant on TikTok's Trendy 'On-demand' Birth Control...a "revolutionary hormone-frees" gel may come with risks.


BIPOC! At the Disco: The Club Night Proving Emo Is for Everyone…a tiny New York venue has become a safe haven for BIPOC emo fans.


How To Find Joy in Your Sisyphean Existence…ever feel like you just can't win? Here's how you can.

 
Skimm Picks

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

1. The best deals to shop this week. From big discounts at Wayfair to winter clothing sales at Reebok, you know we love saving some dollars.

2. On-sale baby essentials that'll make the everyday a bit easier. Parenting is hard enough. Add in a deluxe play yard and a toddler training toilet to make life a bit less stressful.

3. Self-care products to add to your arsenal. Pick up this body scrubber for razor bumps and ingrown hairs, plus a foot file for calluses and exfoliation. Buff it out.

 
Sunday Scaries, Who?

Here's one tip for a better start to your week.

If you can turn down the pressure to be productive at the start of the week, Sunday will suddenly seem much more enjoyable. How do you do that? Enter: "Bare Minimum Mondays." No, that doesn't mean slacking off. Instead, it's giving yourself permission to only do essential tasks on Monday. Here's how to get down to (the necessary, and only the necessary) business. 

  • Take it easy. The goal is to get your work done — but in a more relaxed way. That may not look the same for everyone. If you're self-employed, you may find it helpful to schedule a few hours of focused work, then take the rest of the day for yourself. Or, if you have a more traditional 9-to-5, it might mean cutting down on morning meetings and focusing on admin that'll help you prepare for the week ahead. It could also just mean taking a longer lunch.

  • Refresh your to-do list. Not everything needs to be done first thing. So on Sunday, instead of writing down a weekly to-do list, only jot down what's on your plate for Monday. Then, identify which of those tasks are actually "must do" and push the rest back. Chances are, there won't be as many as you think — making both Sunday and Monday feel lighter. 

  • Distract yourself. Now that you've got a game plan, set it aside until tomorrow. Of course, that's easier said than done, so find something you can really dive into. That could be cooking a big dinner, calling a friend, or watching your fave TV show.

 
Save the Date

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

The F1 season begins in Bahrain. Aaaand they're off.

International Women's Day. Run the world.

South By Southwest kicks off in the Lone Star State. Yeehaw.

Time to spring forward — Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 am ET.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.

 
News Quiz

Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here's the answer.

A. "Peter Pan"

 
 
 

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