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Northern Ireland
The Story
The UK and EU have finally reached a deal, three years after Brexit.
What's this about?
Northern Ireland. Since the UK broke up with the EU in 2020, there've been some loose ends. It all has to do with trade between the UK, Ireland (part of the EU), and Northern Ireland (part of the UK). The Northern Ireland Protocol — signed between former PM Boris Johnson and the EU — required that goods from Britain go through customs checks at Northern Ireland ports. Many politicians in the UK territory said the rule undermined their relationship with the rest of Great Britain. The tensions caused a rift within the Northern Ireland gov, which has been boycotting the checks. Amid concerns about a trade war, the UK's (many) PMs have failed to negotiate a new deal…until now.
Tell me more.
After months of negotiations, UK PM Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced they've reached an agreement. They're calling it the "Windsor Framework." It has three main parts to it. Goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland would go through a "green" channel that won't include routine checks. Meanwhile, goods that are passing through to get to Ireland and the EU would take the "red" channel, which will have normal checks. There's also the "Stormont brake" that gives Northern Ireland's assembly a say over any future EU trade rules.
Are people happy?
Yes and no. Sunak said the deal would mean that Northern Ireland gets the same products — including food, medicines, and plants — as the rest of Britain. However, the UK Parliament still needs to vote on the deal. The EU-UK's joint committee also needs to sign off on it. As for von der Leyen, she called the agreement "historic." The Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland — which led protests against the protocol — said there's been "significant progress," but they need time to read the fine print. Meanwhile, some party members think the deal doesn't go far enough.
theSkimm
Three years after Brexit went into effect, the UK has been trying to work through some not-so-tiny details — with the dilemma in Northern Ireland stumping many prime ministers. Now, it looks like there could be some closure in this breakup.
Child labor. Yesterday, the admin said it's cracking down on the labor exploitation of migrant children. Last year, the Labor Dept found that more than 800 companies hired 3,800 children in violation of labor laws. The New York Times and Reuters have reported that many of those kids are migrants from Central America working in slaughterhouses, construction sites, and factories. Now, the Labor Dept is launching its own investigation into the companies, suppliers, and factories that may be benefiting from child exploitation. The Department of Health and Human Services — which oversees the care of minors in fed custody — is also revisiting the vetting process of people who are sponsoring kids. In the meantime, federal officials are calling on Congress to increase the maximum fine for child labor violations. Right now, it's about $15,000 per incident, which can be pocket change for major companies.
What's going from a magic kingdom to a sunshine kingdom…
Walt Disney World. Yesterday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill that gives him power over Disney's self-governing district. Last year, DeSantis called on state lawmakers to strip Disney of its special district after the company spoke out against the controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law. Since the '60s, Disney World has been able to operate as an independent government in its Orlando-area theme parks. Now, under the new law, DeSantis can replace the district's five-member board with his personal picks. The district's also being renamed as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney has said it's ready to work with the new framework.
What might not be a great dupe…
Zero-calorie sweetener. Yesterday, a study linked erythritol — a sugar replacement that can be found in some keto products — to blood clots, stroke, heart attacks, and even death. Researchers also found that people already at risk of heart disease were twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke, if there are high erythritol levels in their blood. Now, the lead researcher says "the degree of risk was not modest." But the Calorie Control Council, an industry association, said the results are "contrary" to previous research on reduced-calorie sweeteners.
What teens might be saying…
Take it down. Yesterday, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children launched "Take It Down." It's a tool that allows teens (and anyone) from around the world to remove explicit or intimate images of themselves on some online platforms.
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. A credit card balancing act that's completely stress-free. Our friends at The Ascent say this card's got the longest 0% interest intro period for balance transfers they've seen. (Think: none due for 21 months.) Plus there's no annual fee. Check it out.*
2. Buttery soft joggers you'll wanna wear forever. It's no wonder this woman-founded brand's new CozyKnit joggers are best-sellers. They're comfy, flattering, and have roomy pockets. We wouldn't blame you for grabbing all four colors. Psst… Skimm'rs get 20% off sitewide. Jog, don't walk.*
3. A breakthrough skincare device that'll get you glowing. Droplette's award-winning micro-infuser delivers serums 20X deeper, where they're 90% more effective. So you get supple skin in 60 seconds. Sans needles. Psst…here's 50% off.*
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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.
Cloud Connections…Ranika K (TX). After being a digital nomad for two years, she founded her own retreat company to create a safe space and community for other aspiring nomads to join in.
(Some) Birthdays…Cristy Hollin (PA), Brandon Hall (CA), Deneece Hunt (NC), Dustin King (NY), Hannah Bardin (FL), Isabel Moreno-Garcia (IL), Jenifer Slone (PA), Jenna Raduns (IL), Jillian Coffey (TX), Kate Trotter (WI), Kathleen Johnson (PA), Madeline Rossettini (VA), Mary Holland Martinez (FL), Melissa Homsher (NJ), Mike Hitchcock (CAN), Nathan J Robfogel (NY)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Melanie De Lima, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Mariza Smajlaj
Photos by DAN KITWOOD / Contributor via Getty Images, Brand Partners
The outlook for awards season cleared up considerably over the weekend — I think.
"Everything Everywhere All at Once" took the top prizes at the Producers Guild Awards on Saturday and the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. Combined with the sci-fi comedy's win at the Directors Guild Awards earlier this month, it would seem like clear sailing to best picture at the Oscars in two weeks. As my colleague and Projectionist columnist Kyle Buchanan explained, "There is no stronger best-picture bellwether than the PGA Awards," which has matched with the Oscars all but three times since 2009. (That's when both groups made similar changes in voting.) And he also points out it's very rare for a film to take all three guild prizes and not go on to win best picture.
When it comes to individual acting prizes, the picture is murkier. Certainly Ke Huy Quan of "Everything Everywhere" remains the favorite for supporting actor after winning at the SAGs, as he's done at award ceremonies all season long as part of his remarkable comeback. And you can probably mark Brendan Fraser, another SAG winner, on your Oscar ballot for best actor; he's also been notching consistent victories (with some exceptions).
But the prizes for best actress and supporting actress are more up in the air. For the lead category, Michelle Yeoh's SAG win for "Everything Everywhere" makes her a strong contender opposite Cate Blanchett of "Tár," who triumphed at the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes. And Jamie Lee Curtis's SAG victory for supporting actress, also for "Everything Everywhere," was a surprise after Angela Bassett won at the Golden Globes for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." As Buchanan wrote, "this may be the season's most fluid acting race."
There are still more awards ceremonies next weekend in the run-up to the Oscars on March 12. Stay tuned!
