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“Offshark and Sharki B”

— Offset and Cardi B's stage names in the “Baby Shark” movie. Doing it for Kulture.

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Get Your House in Order

The Story

The House isn’t shutting down the government after all.

Oh no?

Not this week. Yesterday, most Democrats joined House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to pass a bill keeping the government lights on until early next year. It marked the first test of Johnson’s leadership — and he, like former speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) last month, went the bipartisan route. The bill apparently funds the government at rates Democrats had set under Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), so they’re fine with it. The House Freedom Caucus, which includes Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), isn’t. As they put it, there are not enough budget cuts, money for border security or “a single meaningful win for the American people.”

So does that mean Johnson will go the way of McCarthy?

He could — but so far the conservative flank is holding back. That might be because they didn’t like McCarthy on a personal level. And it showed: yesterday, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) — part of the House Freedom Caucus — accused McCarthy of intentionally elbowing him in a hallway. McCarthy reportedly said, “If I’d kidney punched him, he’d be on the ground.” Gaetz is calling for an ethics investigation. But that’s not the only place things got tense: a fistfight almost broke out in the Senate.

Excuse me?

During a Senate hearing about unions, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) — an actual former MMA fighter — was ready to enter the ring with the president of the Teamsters union, Sean O’Brien. Mullin confronted O’Brien over past tweets calling the senator a “greedy CEO” who should “quit the tough guy act,” adding “#LittleManSyndrome.” Mullin told O’Brien, “you wanna run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here.” Mullin then told him “stand your butt up” before 82-year-old Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) broke it up. Mittens off.

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Congress seemed to take all that pent-up shutdown tension and channel it into whatever yesterday was. Now, it’s up to the Senate to pass the shutdown bill by Friday and for everyone to get their tempers in check.

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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

Raid at Shifa Hospital

Israel said it began “a precise and targeted operation” in Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest hospital, where it says Hamas has an underground command center. The news comes after Israel said it gave Hamas 12 hours to cease military activity there. Over the past week, fighting near the hospital compound has raised concerns about the hundreds of patients and thousands of civilians seeking shelter at Shifa. Doctors have reported worsening conditions, including performing operations without oxygen or anesthesia. Palestinian health officials also say they are digging mass graves, as the hospital continues to run out of fuel and medical supplies. More than 40 patients have died since last week. Hundreds of other patients — and thousands of civilians taking shelter — are at risk. The Palestinian Health Minister reportedly said the raid could have “catastrophic consequences.”

The announcement comes amid competing claims over the role of hospitals. Israel says Hamas is using Shifa and other hospitals as cover for its military activities. Hamas denies the allegations. It all comes as Israel released a video earlier this week allegedly showing weapons and explosives stored under a children’s hospital in Gaza. Gaza’s health ministry acknowledged the video was taken at the hospital but said “we don’t know” where Israel got the weapons shown. Meanwhile, the US backed Israel’s claims yesterday, citing a “variety” of intelligence sources. Still, the Biden admin urged Israel not to carry out airstrikes. Israel says the operation inside Shifa is taking place “in a specified area.”

And Also...This

Who’s having a 1:1…

President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jingping. Today, the two leaders are meeting for the first time in a year amid concerns over everything from spy balloons to military tensions on water and in the sky. Expectations for the California meeting — taking place during the annual APEC summit — are low. Though, the two have apparently signed off on a climate agreement ahead of today's meeting. Biden and Xi could also find consensus on a few other things: that it’s time to reopen military-to-military communications and to take AI software out of nuclear command systems. They may also agree to crack down on fentanyl, which is created with chemicals primarily sourced from China and part of an uptick of overdose-related deaths in the US. Ahead of the meeting, Biden said the goal is “to get back on a normal course” with China.

What’s cooling off…

Inflation. Yesterday, the Labor Department released new data that paints a not-so-scary picture of the economy last month. Overall, the consumer price index (CPI) didn’t change much month to month — which is the lowest it’s been since July. That’s thanks to stuff getting a little cheaper, including gas. Still, it rose from the same time last year by 3.2%. Wall Street was happy about the news, with the Dow jumping almost 500 points — the best day it’s had since April. Economists think inflation will continue to drop — and that the latest report could sway the Federal Reserve from raising interest rates this year.

…Oh and if inflation has your wallet or credit card hurting, we have tips to bring your debt down.

What could turn that frown upside down…

Micro-acts of joy. Yesterday, scientists found that doing even one small act of joy each day can boost your mood by over 25% each week. It's based on an analysis of surveys involving at least 11,000 people. According to the study, anything from a gratitude list to doing something kind for others had a sizable impact on mood each week. As one researcher put it, it could lead to “greater well-being, better coping, less stress, more satisfaction with relationships.” It’s the little things.

...Oh and speaking of joy: let’s discuss the pleasure gap.

Who’s putting their foot down…

The UK’s Supreme Court. Today, Britain’s highest court decided that the government’s polarizing plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda was unconstitutional because they would be "at real risk of ill-treatment.” The decision is a severe setback to some conservative government plans that drew international attention.

Who's saying ‘so what’...

Pink, who's giving away banned books.

Who's making their solo debut...

André 3000.

ADD TO CART

Together with

Got a calendar full of holiday parties and nothing exciting to wear? Enter: Old Navy. They’ve got everything you need to turn heads all season. We’re eyeing their…

Sequin pants that’ll put a twinkle in your eye and on the dance floor ($44.99). We're entering our disco ball era and taking these pants with us.
Green velvet blazer that’ll dress up your jeans ($69.99). And instantly add some festive flair to any outfit.
Metallic cami that’s a holiday twist on the going-out top ($19.99). With a smocked waist, adjustable straps, and plenty of shimmer and shine.

BREAKING THE CYCLE

Together with

For each year that a student is chronically absent from school (aka misses around 18 or more days), their odds of dropping out nearly double.†

If you want to learn more about chronic absenteeism, tune in to our three-part podcast series created with Whirlpool. In the newly released second episode, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, explores how chronic absenteeism can affect a student’s social-emotional learning experience and mental health. She also reveals the signs you should look for in your own child. Headphones in.

†Based on, “Research Brief: Chronic Absenteeism” from the University of Utah Education Policy Center

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. The iconic kitchen staple you need this holiday season.

Le Creuset’s cast iron Dutch Oven is what cookware dreams are made of. With French artisan craftsmanship and 25+ gorgeous color options, it’ll be the centerpiece of your kitchen for years to come — guaranteed.*

Stir things up

2. A (very) limited-edition makeup set you’ll want to get before it’s gone.

With two exclusive holiday items plus mini versions of your favorite essentials, this set makes it easy to get your glow on — and bring it with you wherever the season may lead.*

Add to cart

3. How to make mental health a priority without leaving home.

This service helps you meet your therapy match from the comfort of…basically anywhere. So you can talk to someone wherever the holiday season takes you. Plus, Skimm’rs get 25% off their first month.*

Take the questionnaire

4. The tea on proposed legislation that could impact anyone with a credit card.

If the Credit Card Competition Act becomes law, it could affect the future of points — including cash back and travel rewards. The Points Guy has thoughts, and can help you take action.*

Learn more

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

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.

Accelerating accessibility…Hadley Clark (NY). She’s raising money for Bridge to Mobility, a nonprofit organization working to increase access to wheelchair accessible vehicles for people with disabilities.

(Some) Birthdays…Dan Mason (WA), John Reese (IL), Sue Hurley (IL), Shade Quailey (NY), Caroline Miller (CA), Elizabeth Stallard (CT), Rebecca Duberman (WI), Mindy Davidoff (PA), Elle Milkes (TX), Lee Pepper (NY), Jenny Aldridge (IN), Sarah Delaney (NJ), Brett Chinn (CA), Meaghan Sullivan (DC), Michelle Weisblum (NY)

PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.