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 QUOTE OF THE DAY  |
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"Someone attached two leaf blowers to a sled and put their kid on it" – A real headline to get you through hump day. And something to add to your parenting goals.
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The Story
Yesterday, the UK Parliament voted against PM Theresa May's Brexit deal.
How'd we get into this mess again?
In 2016, 52% of British voters chose to exit the EU and all that comes with it. May was the chosen one to figure out the fine print of the exit deal. It's been a mess. Pro-Brexit lawmakers want the UK to have complete independence from the EU. The EU doesn't want to give the country too much leeway, or else other member countries might want to bounce too. Then, there's the issue of how to handle the customs border between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (part of the EU). May's deal tried to handle this by keeping the UK in a trade agreement with the EU until further negotiations. The EU signed off on it. Then yesterday, it was up to Parliament to make a decision.
How'd it go?
The deal was overwhelmingly rejected – in what was one of the biggest Parliamentary defeats in modern history. Not a good look for May, who's been working with the EU on this deal for more than two years.
What happens next?
It's unclear. But here are a couple ways this could go down...
Option A: A new deal. It took a while to hash out the current one, and it's up in the air if the EU would be willing to accept something new. So this option is kinda...bleak. Which leads us to...
Option B: A no-deal Brexit. The UK is set to leave the EU on March 29th whether a deal is in place or not. No-deal may lead to shortages of food and medicine, chaos at airports, and the pound's value dropping. Many worry this option would wreak havoc for the country. Which leads us to...
Option C: The UK could try to postpone its exit date while politicians continue to work on a deal. Maybe. Which leads us to...
Option D: A second referendum to determine if voters even still want to leave the EU.
What about May?
Today, lawmakers are expected to hold a no-confidence vote in May's government – which opens up the possibility of new elections. Meanwhile, May's got until Monday to talk things out with EU and come up with a new proposal to present to UK lawmakers.
theSkimm
May became PM with one purpose: make Brexit happen. More than two years later, the country is no closer to that goal. Some are putting the blame on May. And the EU is saying 'just figure your sh*t out already.'
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What people are watching…
Nairobi. Yesterday, gunmen stormed a hotel complex in Kenya's capital, killing at least 14 people. The gun attack came after a pair of explosions, including a suicide bomb attack in the hotel's lobby. Hundreds of people were evacuated over the course of the hours-long attack. Islamist terror group al-Shabab – aligned with al-Qaeda – claimed responsibility.
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This federal judge is also taking a stand. He blocked the Trump admin's plans to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Reminder: the census helps figure out things like how many House seats states get. Last year, the admin said it wanted to ask people if they're US citizens – which hasn't been done on the census since 1950. Supporters say this could help protect minorities' voting rights. Opponents say this could scare immigrant communities from filling out the census. Now a judge is stopping the Trump admin, saying that an inaccurate headcount could have "major implications" for the country. Expect this issue to make its way to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) also has eyes on 2020. Yesterday, she took a page out of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-MA) book and announced she's launching an exploratory committee – meaning she can start raising money for a potential presidential campaign. If she decides to run, she'll join a crowded Dem field that includes Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI), former HUD Sec Julian Castro, former Rep. John Delaney (MD), and former WV state Sen. Richard Ojeda.
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What to say when you're craving a hamberder…
McDonald's is having trouble with its Big Mac. Yesterday, McDonald's lost its "Big Mac" trademark in the EU. There's another fast-food chain in Ireland and Northern Ireland called Supermac's. It wants to expand throughout the EU, but can't because of McDonald's trademark. So Supermac's filed a complaint. Yesterday, the EU said 'I'm not lovin' it' and sided with Supermac's – but McDonald's can appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, here's something you probably won't love: Netflix just bumped up its prices in the US. It's the biggest increase since it launched its streaming service 12 years ago. And here's something that people have mixed feelings about: Gillette's new campaign on toxic masculinity. Some say it's a wake-up call for society to change. Some say it's too PC.
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What people are talking about...
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's trial. Yesterday, a witness said that the drug lord bribed the former Mexican president. In 2017, El Chapo was extradited to the US to face drug trafficking charges. He's been on trial since late last year. Now, a witness claims that former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto allegedly got $100 million in exchange for letting El Chapo come out of hiding. Corruption between drug cartels and Mexico's gov has been an issue for a while – but if it turns out Nieto took the bribe, this type of corruption would have officially reached the highest part of the gov.
PS: Our Skimm Notes goes deep on El Chapo and how he became the leader of the world's largest drug cartel. Listen in theSkimm app here.
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What to say to your friend who posts pics of their succulents on Insta…
You've got nothing on China. It's the first country to have seeds sprout on the moon. It planted a mix of cotton seeds, rapeseed, and potato seeds. This comes more than a week after China became the first country to land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. Underachievers.
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One motto we have for 2019 is to strive to be "The Less Broke You." Because a smarter you means more money in the bank, more financial independence, and more flexibility to start saving for the future.
We talked to one Skimm'r about how she achieved her financial goals. And listen to this: she paid off $100,000 in student loans in 20 months. Yes, she's a superwoman. But you can be too.
Check out her advice here.
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For when you want a new year, new money resolution…
It's time to take stock. No, really. Vanguard can help you start investing now – whether you want to DIY or get help from a finance whisperer. Start investing like a pro here.*
For when your friend has big news...
Pop the champagne. HQ popped all the bottles last year because pretty much half the office got engaged. And they're all looking at this free website for an easy way to plan and register for gifts. Skimm'rs get 30% off invites and save the dates. Put a ring on it.*
For when you want to wear a blanket to work...
Same. Get comfy with this cashmere brand. They're focused on sustainability (read: clean energy manufacturing) and just released new neutral colors. Psst...Skimm'rs get something off the price tag. Here you go.*
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*PS This is a sponsored section.
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Chilling champagne for…Conor D (MA), who became the first Eagle Scout in his family. And Zeena D (CA), who was recognized for her work with Girl Scouts of Orange County. Celebrate with alllll the Thin Mints.
Spotlight on…Lauren T (OH). She developed, wrote curriculum for, and launched a new program for the Air Force. The goal: work with startups on how to commercialize new tech. The program launches this month.
(Some) Birthdays…Mark Sawyier (MO), Matthew Bregman (NJ), Alliy Drago (NY), Gail Schlesinger (MA), Stevy Olive (TX), Sarah Petrosky (KY), Renee Stein (MO), Steven Newhouse (NC), Nupur Moondra (VA), Ankita Nayak (TX), Catherine Niech (MA), Rebecca Dew (SC), Lindsay Dietrich (GA), Kayleigh Falcon (CT), Anna Stone (Israel), Lanier Clark (MS)
*Welcome to a new Skimm community section we're testing. Want to take it to the next level with us? Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
