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QUOTE OF THE DAY |
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"Feeling guilty" – A guy who finally paid his parking ticket. 44 years later.
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THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
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The Trade War
The Story
Today, the trade war between the US and China is officially on. The Trump admin hit China with $34 billion in tariffs because it says the country has been v unfair with its trading practices – especially when it comes to intellectual property. China disagrees. And is saying 'Happy Belated Birthday, America' with $34 billion in tariffs of its own.
theSkimm
The US and China are playing poker with the world's two biggest economies. And both are expected to be hit, hard – including US auto and agriculture industries. But for now, no one looks ready to fold.
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Scott Pruitt
The Story
Say 'bye' to Scott Pruitt. The EPA administrator resigned yesterday after facing multiple government investigations (and raised eyebrows) for allegedly doing things like dropping millions of tax dollars on personal security and asking an aide get him a used mattress from a Trump hotel. Yuuuuup.
theSkimm
As more and more accusations came out against Pruitt, the question wasn't if he'd exit left – but when. But the EPA is planning to 'keep calm and carry on,' as the guy stepping in to replace Pruitt is expected to keep hitting 'undo' on environmental regulations.
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New school policy
The Story
The Trump admin hit reverse on Obama-era affirmative action guidelines. These encouraged schools to consider applicants' race during the admissions process as a way to promote diversity.
theSkimm
The Trump admin – which supports an Asian-American lawsuit against Harvard – says the old guidelines basically encouraged schools to discriminate against applicants based on their race. Critics say this move is a hit on diversity – and that they have the law (hi, Supremes) on their side. Though that could change.
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What to say when you decide to skip happy hour...
Going rogue. Earlier this week, the head of Poland's Supreme Court showed up to work. The problem: she wasn't supposed to. Poland's governing party has been making moves to control the justice system. Recently, Poland passed a law lowering the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 70 to 65. Which meant dozens of the court's judges were sent packing. Supporters of the law said 'this is to weed out communist-era judges.' Critics – including the EU – say it goes against the country's constitution and undermines judicial independence. Thousands of people protested the law. And the head of the court still came to work, saying she should be allowed to finish out her term. TBD what happens next, but the EU is watching very closely.
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What to say when you forgot about a work project…
Trying to meet the deadline. So is the Dept of Health and Human Services. The gov is working to reunite under 3,000 migrant children separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order to stop families that crossed the border illegally from being separated – which they had been under the admin's "zero tolerance" policy. Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump admin to reunite the families before the end of July. And if the kids are under five years old, the admin needs to get it done by Tuesday night. Now, HHS is trying to meet the deadline and is using DNA tests to confirm that the family relationships are legit.
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What people are keeping their eyes on…
The heat wave. Since last week, more than 30 people have died in Canada after the country experienced record highs of more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Temps are expected to cool down starting today.
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile