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| | | Quote of the Day | | "Stiletto Crocs" â A thing. Comfy in the front, uncomfy in the back. | | |
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The Story International law enforcement is punking people. Please elaborate. In 2018, the FBI dismantled Phantom Secure, a Canadian company that provided organized crime groups and criminals with encrypted phones. But instead of leaving it at that, they decided to go incognito. Enter: Operation Trojan Shield. With the help of the Australian police and a former developer, they got more than 12,000 encrypted devices into the hands of criminals. All the phones had ANOM â a secure encrypted messaging app apparently disguised as a calculator. Some serious "Mission: Impossible" business. Of course, none of the criminals were aware that ANOM was run by authorities, allowing them to peek into their convos. Dun dun. Using the newly popular devices, the criminals talked about everyday things (think: drug shipments, trafficking explosives, and contract killings). While they texted away, Australian law enforcement and the FBI intercepted over 20 million messages in three years. It led to more than 800 arrests (including in Australia, Spain, and the Netherlands), the seizure of 8 tons of cocaine, and the confiscation of more than $48 million. And prevented at least 10 people from getting killed as well as thwarted a mass killing. Wow. Right. The operation comes as authorities have been struggling to penetrate the high-tech communications of the criminal world. Europol, the EU's police agency, described it as "one of the largest and most sophisticated" operations of its kind. And because law enforcement spent years collecting messages, Australia's federal police commissioner says they now have plenty of evidence that could solve a number of cold cases. These arrests and seizures are considered a major blow to criminal organizations, but it's not clear what the full impact will be. theSkimm Encrypted messaging apps, cryptocurrency wallets...there's an entire tech industry designed to keep things private. But now, law enforcement is exposing a key vulnerability. The message? FB-I see you. | | |
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What's on the Senate's mind... The US Capitol attack. Yesterday, two Senate committees released a 127-page investigative report into the Jan 6 insurrection. They found failures across the board â including that intel agencies didn't properly warn law enforcement officials about the incoming violence. As one lawmaker said, the attack was planned "in plain sight." Failures included a combination of bad communication, lack of leadership, and faulty equipment. Law enforcement officials did not take threats seriously. Now, there's a bipartisan push for changes in intelligence gathering and better equipment for law enforcement.
China. Yesterday, the Senate overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation intended to address China's growing influence. The bill, called the US Innovation and Competition Act, would invest about $250 billion toward scientific research and technology development to help the US remain competitive. Tens of millions of dollars would go toward manufacturing computer chips â something companies usually source from China. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the bill would protect the US's "competitive edge for generations to come." The bill still needs to pass the House before heading to President Biden for signature. But it's not clear when that will be. | | |
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Who people are talking about... Ratko Mladic. Yesterday, the former Bosnian Serb military leader lost his appeal. Mladic, dubbed "the Butcher of Bosnia," led the Bosnian Serb Army during the Bosnian war in the '90s â which left an estimated 100,000 people dead and displaced another 2.2 million. He's also accused of pushing a campaign of ethnic cleansing against more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica in July 1995. In 2017, Mladic was convicted to life in prison on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity during an international criminal tribunal in The Hague. He appealed. Now, an international UN court is saying 'The Hague was right.' Reactions: The EU said Mladic's life sentence "brings to an end a key trial" in the Balkans. President Biden called it a "historic judgment." Mladic's son, Darko, said his father never got a "chance for a fair trial." | | |
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Where people are mourning... Canada. Earlier this week, a man ran over five members of a Pakistani Muslim family with his pickup truck. A 9-year-old boy is the sole survivor. Officials say it was a "planned, premeditated act" and that the driver targeted them because of their faith. He's been arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau denounced the attack he said was "motivated by hatred" and promised to fight far-right groups in Canada. | | |
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What's a real slap in the face... A slap in the face. Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron took one on the face when visiting a small town in southern France. Two men, reportedly affiliated with the yellow vest movement, have been arrested. They could face three years in prison and a $50,000 fine. | | |
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| | | Good morning, and welcome to a pop quiz. Today's test only has one question.
True or false: Chickpeas are an aphrodisiac.
If you guessed "true," we've got an A+ with your name on it. Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) really do help get you in the mood. Something else to get you going? Toys, vibrators, and accessories from Dame Products. They're designed to help you have an O-some time...whenever you want and no matter what you're eating. Start shopping. |
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| In celebration of Pride Month this June, we're elevating LGBTQ+ voices, allies, and communities. We've got you covered on all the ways to celebrate safely this year â from virtual events to TikTok concerts and live outdoor festivals. Plus, how to support the LGBTQ+ community this month and beyond. |
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| Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter lifeâ¦
1. A chocolatey snack to amp up your morning smoothie. This best-selling super powder boosts your metabolism, eliminates bloat, and keeps you fuller longer. All. At. Once. And it comes in tasty, rich chocolate but without the extra sugar. Plus, Skimm'rs get 20% off. Sweet.*
2. Looks to refresh your summer wardrobe. This brand's chic pieces can take you from vacation to happy hour to everywhere in between. Think: bold stripes, ruffled necklines, and unique prints. Psst...they just launched an activewear line too. And Skimm'rs get 20% off. Score.*
3. Strapless bras you'll actually love to wear. Yes, we're serious. This female-founded company designed wire- and strap-free bras that are comfy, supportive, and actually stay up. Oh, and Skimmr's get 15% off their first purchase. You better bralieve it.*
4. How to prepare for World Refugee Day. Get informed with UNICEF. They've invited experts to discuss the issues facing migrant children during the pandemic. Both in their countries of origin and at the border. Learn more and register for the virtual event here.*
5. Clever Father's Day gifts for all his hobbies. Maybe he loves the outdoors or has a true passion for cooking. Whatever way he enjoys spending his downtime, we've got gifts he'll love (and actually wanna use).
6. Products that'll upgrade your outdoor space. Because it's patio season and your home needs some zhuzhing up. Enter: dreamy string lights, an outdoor rug, and patterned floor pillows. HGTV is knocking.
PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Thursday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more. | | *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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| 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.
Sticking with itâ¦Drew B (CT). He's the founder of Drew's Honey Bees, a company of skin care products that makes sure they're safe for people and the environment. And he does everything he can to take care of the honey bees and donates 20% to fund honey bee research.
Helping hand...Sara N (IN). She is the author of an award-winning fantasy series, and pledged to donate all of her book and merchandise royalties from February â along with a personal donation. Her initiative resulted in more than 10,000 meals being donated to Feeding America as families fight food insecurity during the pandemic. Take a peek.
(Some) Birthdaysâ¦Scott Stanford (CA), Allison Katz (NJ), Shay Kak (AZ), Celeste Zamuner (FL), Olivia Schuler (NY), Heidi Cochran (IL), Mollie Jiang (DC), Digisha Bhavsar (NJ), Veronica Rybicki (MI), Taylor Thomas (WI), Dawn Carey (VT), Georgia Meyer (NC), Erika Ennejjar (CT), Phil Cobucci (TN), Erin Taylor (AR)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| What not to expect when you're expecting: guaranteed paid parental leave. Our guide breaks down how to financially prep before you go OOO.
And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time⦠Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week. Tune in to our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume. Subscribe to our "Skimm Money" newsletter to keep up to date with your wallet. Sign up for our "Skimm Your Life" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs. Follow us on the gram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Download our app to get it all in one place. |
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| Friends don't let friends get bogged down in headlines. So click that share button to send theSkimm to your network. Because, as they say, sharing is caring. | | | | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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| Skimmâd by Rashaan Ayesh, Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain |
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