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| “Like trying to sell snow in the North Pole”— One take on why Domino’s had to close its pizza stores in…Italy. Italian pizza just can't be topped. | |
The PACT Act | Getty ImagesThe StoryA new law will protect veterans exposed to burn pits. What are those?They're located on US military bases where trash is dumped and burned. The burn pits emit toxins into the air. And some are located near where soldiers sleep and eat. They’re pretty common — especially in places where trash infrastructure is limited (think: during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars). But yesterday, President Biden signed the PACT Act — a $400 billion, bipartisan law to expand health care coverage to those veterans. Don’t veterans already have coverage?Yes — but to access health care benefits, veterans sometimes need to prove their symptoms (think: coughing, throat irritation, rashes)result from military service. Some symptoms from burn pit exposure can be immediate. But others are long-term...and can be tough to trace. Now, this legislation is intended to help veterans who need health care coverage for certain respiratory illnesses and multiple forms of cancer. That includes brain cancer, which Biden’s son Beau diedof in 2015, years after deploying to Iraq. In signing the legislation, Biden said he wanted to pass the law “come hell or high water.” theSkimm The PACT Act is the largest expansion of health benefits for veterans exposed to toxins in decades. As many as 3.5 million veterans may have been exposed to burn pits. Now, the burden will be lowered for them to access care. | |
And Also...This | Who’s saying ‘my lips are sealed’...Former President Trump. Yesterday, Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment rights (aka pleaded or took the Fifth). And refused to answer questions from New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) at a scheduled deposition. To be clear, this is separate from the unprecedented Mar-a-Lago raid earlier this week. This case is about a multi-year investigation into whether the Trump Org misled lenders and tax authorities by increasing the value of certain assets like golf courses and hotels...you know, the usual. Trump had criticized people who pleaded the Fifth before, including when aides of then-candidate Hillary Clinton refused to testify about her private email server. Now, he says the “Witch Hunt” left him “absolutely no choice” but to take the Fifth. PS: What does it actually mean to 'plead the Fifth'? Here's your explainer. | | | | What’s slowing down, slowly...Inflation...maybe. Yesterday, the Labor Department found that the average prices of things like food, clothes, and housing went up last month. But it didn't go up as much as it did the month before. This was not “0% inflation” as President Biden stated. Prices were still up 8.5%, with groceries jumping at the highest rate since the ‘70s. The reason for the slowdown? A slump in energy prices and gas — with the average dipping below $4 for the first time since March. But we’re not out of the woods yet: inflation could still keep ramping up. Still, Wall Street’s taking the news as a clear W. Yesterday, stocks closed at a three-month high with the Dow jumping more than 500 points. Score. ...Oh and some other good news: Americans who receive Social Security benefits could get a $159 per month bump around October. Because, inflation. PS: Keep your bank account safe while you wait for prices to (hopefully) keep coming down. | | | | What's taking names...The Justice Dept. Yesterday, the DOJ charged a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps with plotting to kill former National Security Advisor John Bolton. The Dept said a member of the terrorist organization had attempted to pay $300,000 for people to carry out Bolton's assassination. And that those plans began late last year. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also targeted. The DOJ said the planned killings were “likely in retaliation” to the US killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani — the Iranian commander who worked with Iraqi Shiite militias and had been accused of planning attacks on US officials. While the White House reportedly says the revelations won’t be derailing plans for the US to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal, Bolton says Iran's nuclear weapons and terrorist activities are "two sides of the same coin" and that re-entering would be an "unparalleled self-inflicted wound." | | | | Who's the favorite child...One of the galaxy’s youngest planets. | | | | While Angela Yee left The Breakfast Club…Jennette McCurdy entered the chat. | | | | What’s getting a little too creative…Dreamworld. | |
Save Your Seat: SkimmU Career | If you've set your sights on the top floor of your company, it might be time for a career check-in. Tune into SkimmU Special Edition: Career on August 18 at either 8:00am or 11:00am ET (two options because summer schedules get busy). Career and leadership expert Kimberly Brown will show us how to network at our current companies in our interactive event. Register now. |
Skimm Picks | Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. A digital program that’ll help you get to know a VIP. Spoiler alert: It’s you. Noom uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other psychological techniques to help you understand why you do what you do. And set you up for lasting change. Ready? Start here.* 2. How to combat sun-damaged skin this summer. Droplette’s award-winning device infuses ingredients 20X deeper than creams and serums. And their latest formula helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and redness. Btw, Skimm’rs get 20% off devices with code SKIMMDEEP.* 3. A crisp white button-down that feels like athleisure. Classic structure, meet stretchy, silky comfort. This boyfriend shirt was made for travel, but works for everything. No wonder it keeps selling out. PS: Skimm’rs can get something off the price tag with code AdayxSkimm15.* 4. The home reno inspo you didn’t know you needed. But definitely don’t wanna miss. In our new vid, we chatted with Sharleen Joynt about updating her NYC apartment. Plus how she used Pay Over Time from American Express to pay for it.† Watch now.* | *PS: This is a sponsored post. †Terms apply. This post is a sponsored advertisement by American Express® |
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. The best companion…Kathy M (SC). She raised Maya, a puppy who recently graduated as a skilled companion dog. Now, Maya will use her skills to help someone with a disability live with independence and confidence. You had us at woof. (Some) Birthdays…Jack Harrison Bayer (NY), Liza Amling (NY), Kaleb Swanson (CA), theSkimm's Jackson Cohen (NY), theSkimm's Michael Mackiney (IL), Ariane Anusbigian (MI), Stefani Snow (CO), Mary Konopacki (OH), Bill Klosterman (OH), Liz Schinsky (MO), Lou LeTourneau (MI), Annie Estock (MI), Liz Cernadas (AL), Liz RW (MN), Lauren Loughnane (NY) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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