"There were a lot of male professors and by God you held your own"
— Emma Watson, paying tribute to Dame Maggie Smith. Raising our wands.
What's Happening
International
Israel Assassinated Hezbollah's Leader…Now What?
What's going on: The assassinations of senior Hezbollah commanders, including the militant group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, have escalated tensions in the Middle East and sparked fears of a possible ground invasion. Israel killed Nasrallah in an airstrike on Friday, making him the seventh Hezbollah leader targeted in just over 12 days. In the past two weeks, Israel has intensified its operations, including targeted assassinations. Israeli strikes — and the detonation of Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies — have been aimed at key leaders, in an attempt to weaken the group. At least 1,000 people have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah's command is also “nearly decimated,” according to a White House spokesperson. The big questions now are whether the Iranian-backed militant group can recover from the losses and whether Iran will be forced to get more involved.
Tell me more: Hezbollah is one of Iran's most valued militant groups in its “Axis of Resistance,” which is made up of Iranian-backed groups aligned against Israeli and American influence in the Middle East. So far, Iran has restrained itself from engaging directly with Israel. These latest attacks on Hezbollah leaders are equally a setback to the militant group as they are to the Iranian government, which might now urge proxy groups to ramp up their attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region. While the Iranian embassy in Lebanon stated that the strikes have changed “the rules of the game,” many experts believe Iran is cautious and will avoid direct military retaliation, which would likely draw the US into the conflict. Israel’s strike on Nasrallah also raises questions about communication between Tel Aviv and Washington. US officials said they were not given advance notice of Israel’s plans. Still, the US characterized Nasrallah's death as “justice” for heading a terrorist organization that killed hundreds of Americans.
Hurricane Helene Devastates the South, Leaving 90 Dead, Hundreds Missing, Thousands Without Power or Water
What's going on: Hurricane Helene left behind "biblical devastation" in the South, killing more than 90 people, leaving hundreds missing, and causing thousands struggling without basic necessities like water, food, gasoline, and cell service. The hurricane made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm on Thursday evening, causing flooding and devastation as it moved through the South and Appalachia over the weekend. It quickly moved along the Florida coast, through Georgia and into Tennessee, swallowing entire communities in its wake. The storm left four million people without power in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. The hurricane was particularly devastating for North Carolina's mountain regions, as the area experienced unprecedented flash flooding and mudslides. At least 37 people died in the area, as bridges collapsed, roads were demolished, power lines went down, and water treatment facilities were damaged. Almost half a million people still didn’t have power there as of Sunday night, with over a thousand taking refuge in shelters. At one point, helicopters were swooping in to drop food to folks… where they could.
What it means: Hurricane Helene is being described as one of the most extensive and devastating storms on record in the Southeast. In the coming days, officials will begin to understand the full extent of the storm's damage, which could have lasting physical and psychological effects. This storm shows how the brutality of hurricanes — and the extent of the damage they cause — is getting worse, in part, thanks to climate change and because the federal and state governments aren’t as prepared as they could be. It also is one more example of how many climate-influenced storms involve “rapid intensification.” These swiftly evolving storms complicate forecasting and crisis response for governments, leaving communities with little time to prepare for their devastating impacts.
WNBA's Historic Season Brings Bigger Spotlight, New Fans — And Racist Comments
What's going on: Following the WNBA's thrilling regular season (with record-breaking viewership, viral pre-game looks, and arguably one of the most exciting rookie classes), viewers are eagerly tuned in for the playoffs. However, off the court, racist and homophobic attacks against the players are in the spotlight. WNBA players have said the hate has reached new levels this season. After the Connecticut Sun knocked Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs last week, Sun player DiJonai Carrington faced backlash. Carrington said she received messages filled with racial slurs and hateful threats following an accidental collision with Clark on the court. Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, who is often pitted against fellow star rookie Clark, has received similar online hate. Clark has condemned fans using her name to spew hate. And she had words for those whocontinue to do so: “Those aren’t fans. Those are trolls.”
What it means: The WNBA is experiencing explosive growth in part due to players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Many new fans are ready to embrace and support all players in the league — where the majority of the players are Black and many identify as LGBTQIA+. But at games and online, not everyone has been supportive. The WNBA has previously faced criticism for not directly addressing the racism and abuse its athletes endure, raising questions about its responsibility to protect and support all players. The WNBA released a statement last week saying it “will not tolerate” this behavior and will “work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate measures.” Other sports organizations have attempted to curb fans’ racist behavior with varying degrees of success; for instance, FIFA implemented stricter disciplinary responses for fans who engage in hate, though those measures haven't always been effective.
These days, it feels like everyone knows someone taking a GLP-1 medication. But too few people realize that these meds work best when combined with a balanced diet and regular fitness regimen.
That’s where our friends at Noom come in. They’ve developed a program that leverages technology, human coaches, and psychology to help users build healthy habits for life. Studies show that Noom helps people lose 48% more weight than just medication alone. Plus, 9 out of 10 doctors recommend pairing Noom with GLP-1 treatments. Head here to start your own journey.
Skimm Picks
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
With this card’s groundbreaking unlimited cash-back match, you could earn up to 10% back on qualifying purchases in your first year — while enjoying a generous 0% intro APR period.*
Can we talk? Babbel helps you speak a new language in just three weeks by focusing on real conversations from day one. PS: Skimm’rs get 60% off right now.*
Stop settling for bras that don’t fit. Understance’s sizes range from A to N, and their sizing resources make it easy to find your perfect match. Psst…buy three, get 20% off.*
These are the Levi's jeans that changed our minds about low-rise jeans (aka, they're not scary to wear). It's our new go-to weekend pair.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Settle This
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is shining a spotlight on “dirty soda,” which is mixed with syrup, creamer, or fruit. Would you try it?
Rumaan Alam has a knack for examining the intersection of money, race, and status (see: the bestselling book-turned-Netflix-movieLeave the World Behind) and his fourth novel is no exception. Entitlement follows Brooke, a 33-year-old Black former public school teacher who takes a job that she believes will make a real difference: working for an 83-year-old white billionaire’s charitable foundation, tasked with giving away his fortune. But it isn’t long before Brooke gets swept up in her boss’s world of decadent meals, classical music performances, and Fifth Avenue apartment views — resulting in some questionable decisions.
For more recs...
Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well.
Game Time
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.
But first: a fresh new standard for baby food — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today September 29, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image Together with little spoon But first: a fresh new
But first: save up to 90% on flights to Europe — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today September 28, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image Together with dollar flight club But first: save
But first: the fall bag we're seeing everywhere — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today September 27, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser But first: the fall bag we're seeing everywhere Update
But first: what you really need during your baby's first year — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today September 26, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image But first: what you really need
But first: the easiest way to eat healthy – 30% off — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today September 25, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image Together with hungry root But first: the
But first: a solve for stubborn strawberry skin — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today October 6, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image But first: a solve for stubborn strawberry skin
Hello people ! I'm Alex, the author of the Rabbit Ideas Newsletter. Every week I find useful resources online and share them with you. ---------------------------------------- Before we continue I
There is twilight grey and gloomy / Where the sea its velvet trails; Facebook Twitter Instagram Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to
In a sterile NATO Command Centre, young Americans gather. They're not soldiers, but a new kind of warrior. General Scott Rutledge stands before them, his chest heaving with medals and his heart
It's the new butter yellow. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 10.5.2024 The It Girl Color Of 2025 Will Be... (Runway) The It Girl Color Of 2025 Will Be... It's the new butter yellow. Read