theSkimm - You can't surprise a Gemini

Update location or View forecast

“The Parrot”

— The name of a Lady Whistledown-style pamphlet from 1746. It was the squawk of the town.

Top Story

ean "Diddy" Combs attends the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022

Caught on Camera

The Story

The fallout continues days after a video of Sean “Diddy” Combs emerged showing him beating his ex-girlfriend. The details are disturbing and can be triggering for some readers.

Catch me up.

A 2016 surveillance video shows Combs dragging, kicking, and throwing a vase at R&B singer Cassandra Ventura, known as Cassie. The recording, obtained by CNN, appears to match some of the claims of physical abuse Ventura made in a lawsuit she filed against the music mogul last year. They settled the suit the next day. It didn’t end there as others filed lawsuits against the rapper in the following months, and he currently faces a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation. Combs denied Ventura's allegations of abuse until yesterday.

What happened?

In a video apology, Combs said he was “truly sorry” and called his actions “inexcusable.” He added that he went to “therapy and rehab” after the incident. Ventura’s attorney said Combs only apologized “once his repeated denials were proven false.” Still, Combs cannot be criminally prosecuted for the assault due to the statute of limitations expiring years ago. Ventura received supportive messages on social media after the video surfaced, with many noting her courage in speaking up.

theSkimm

It took a video for Combs to own up to his alleged misconduct after months of denying his assault on Ventura. Though he won’t face legal repercussions for this 2016 incident, his actions could push federal investigators to put him under closer scrutiny.

Related Stories:

And Also...This

What people are talking about…

Iran. This morning, Iranian state media reported that their president, Ebrahim Raisi, and other officials died after a helicopter crashed. This comes after state media reported bad weather forced the helicopter to make a “hard landing” on Sunday. The incident comes at a precarious time for Iran amid the Israel-Hamas war and high tensions in the region. Since becoming president in 2021, Raisi has squashed anti-government protests and tightened morality laws. He has been widely viewed as a possible successor to the country’s supreme leader, who sits at the top of the Iranian government. With Raisi's death, Iran’s first vice president will take control and an election would be held within 50 days.

Who was behind the podium…

President Biden. Yesterday, the president gave a commencement speech at Morehouse College. It’s a historically Black men’s college in the key swing state of Georgia. The speech gave the president an opportunity to pitch himself to young Black voters as he looks to keep the White House in November. Biden reiterated his calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, and told the graduates he heard their protests over the Israel-Hamas war. As he spoke, some students turned their backs or held Palestinian flags, but there weren't any noticeable interruptions. Biden also made democracy a key part of his speech saying, “in a democracy, we debate and dissent about America's role in the world.”

What’s under a microscope…

The Las Vegas Aces. The WNBA said it’s investigating the two-time defending champions’ sponsorship deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Every player on the team’s roster agreed to a two-year deal with LVCVA and will get $100,000 annually. The deals don't violate the WNBA's salary cap since they were brokered directly with the players' agents and not through the team. The league did not specify why it is investigating, but the deal could reportedly be seen as a financial advantage that other teams couldn't offer. This comes amid a larger conversation around pay disparity in the WNBA, with Aces’ rookies reportedly earning $67,000 a year.

Good For You, You Look Happy and Healthy

products from theskimm good for you awards

…Because you took our advice and shopped the winners from our 2024 Good for You Awards. Check out the very best products that are:

KEEP AN EYE ON…

Your inbox this week. Starting Tuesday, the Daily Skimm will have a new look. We won’t say much more now, except that we worked hard and think it’s really good. We hope you will, too.

Skimm Picks

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

How to handle a sky-high credit card balance.

Introducing: an expert-recommended card that lets you transfer your balance and pay zero interest for 15 months. Giving you until well into 2025 to pay off debt. Psst…you’ll also earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases.*

Get the deets

A filter pitcher that’s a major H2O upgrade.

This sleek, hand-blown glass water pitcher filters out 30+ contaminants including bacteria, microplastics, and PFAS. Plus, each purchase provides a year of safe water to a child in need. Use SKIMM20 for 20% off.*^†

Drink up

Our favorite everyday white sneakers.

Like platform sneakers from a comeback brand and the classic Nikes that always look cool.

Try them on

One editor tested Emma Stone's go-to leave-in conditioner.

And her hair has never looked better.

Check it out

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

Flipart

Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.

Meet Us On The Leaderboard

Flipart | Spelltower | Crossword | Typeshift

Subscribe to Skimm Well

21% of women say they can't find a doctor who explains things in a way they can understand according to the 2022 kff women's health survey

Put your health first

So… this stat isn’t good. You shouldn't have to take a course on medical terminology to understand your health. We can help.

Every week, Skimm Well delivers the latest health news, wellness trends, and expert-backed tips to your inbox so you're prepared for your next doctor's appointment.

PS: We also have pre-written scripts so you know what to say when the doctor-speak starts.

Subscribe now

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.

(Some) Birthdays…Rosemary Musial (IN), Sarah Morris (TN), Corinna Rogers (GA), Kristin Dantagnan (MT), Sarah Corradino (AZ), Tara DaChemin (DC), Mikki Wood (TX), Gergana Droumeva (CA), Stefani Hawkins (IL), Olga Urman (FL), Rosalind Smith (PA), Dorothy K Light (CO), Zoe Schwartzman (NY), Michele St. Pierre (CT), Tara Davis (DC), Arpita Mehta (NY)

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