Daily Skimm: 'Cause we're living in a world of fools

"Cardboard" – What Olympians have to sleep on, apparently so they don't have sex with each other. Just another obstacle for the world's finest to over...come.

DACA

The Story

Dreamers are facing new challenges.

Catch me up.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is an Obama-era program that protects nearly 650,000 young undocumented immigrants – known as Dreamers – from being deported. And gives them ways to legally study and work in the US. But throughout his term, then-President Trump fought to get it canceled, saying Congress should've established this, not the president. And SCOTUS said 'you can't just end it without giving a reason.' But the ruling allowed Trump to try again to shut it down with a better explanation. This year, President Biden signed an executive action directing DHS to look into ways to protect the program. But now, a Texas federal judge is saying 'maybe Trump had a point.'

What do you mean?

On Friday, the judge ordered the Biden admin to stop approving new DACA applications – affecting tens of thousands of young immigrants. After reviewing a lawsuit brought on by Texas AG Ken Paxton and several other state AGs, the judge agreed that then-President Obama didn't have the power to stop deportations. Or to give work permits to Dreamers. Or set up DACA in the first place. So he put an end to new applications...for now. And sent the matter back to the Dept of Homeland Security to figure out. The order doesn't affect those already enrolled in DACA. But the decision is getting mixed reviews.

Go on...

Paxton called it a "great win for the rule of law." The other AGs agreed, reportedly arguing DACA recipients take away from state resources for health care and education. Dreamers have had enough of the back-and-forth. And are calling for legislation to protect them. Biden agrees. He called the judge's decision "deeply disappointing" and said the Justice Department would appeal. He and other Dems are pushing for Congress to pass the Dream Act – granting a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.

theSkimm

Many Dreamers have only known life in the US after arriving at a young age. Now tens of thousands face an uncertain future as politicians and courts keep debating their fate.

And Also...This

What's giving us 'Big Brother' vibes…

This report. Last week, a report (released by a Senate committee) found that a unit within the Commerce Dept racially profiled several department employees, illegally surveilling them. Founded during the Bush years, the department's Investigations and Threat Management Service (ITMS) has reportedly since gone "rogue." More than two dozen whistleblowers say the ITMS disproportionately targeted people of Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern descent. Some described the unit as a "gestapo" that opened "frivolous investigations" without any evidence. Now, the committee is suggesting a full review and possible structural reform of the unit.

Pegasus. Dozens of governments reportedly use the Israeli military-grade spyware to track terrorists and criminals. But a recent media investigation found that it was used to hack smartphones belonging to politicians, reporters, human rights activists, and Arab royal family members. As well as two women that were close to murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pegasus can bypass iPhone and Android security, steal passwords, photos, recordings, data, and activate the microphone. It's unclear who ordered the hacks, or why. The firm denied what it called "uncorroborated theories" including that its tech was used against Khashoggi. But it said it would look into it.

Where people are mourning…

Europe. Last week, Germany and Belgium were hit with record rainfall and flash floods – devastating towns, submerging roads, and destroying homes. At least 188 people have died. And authorities worry the death toll will rise as hundreds are still missing. Yesterday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited a flooded village, calling it "terrifying." And pledged quick financial aid. The German finance minister said more than $354 million will be needed in recovery efforts.

• Time for change: Merkel and other officials say the floods are just another example of climate change at play. And governments need to act fast before extreme weather leads to more disasters like this one.

• Getting flak: Germans will be voting for who they want for their new chancellor in September. And conservative front-runner Armin Laschet was caught laughing while visiting a town hit by the flood. Critics are calling his behavior "lacking in decency and appalling."

Who's got something to celebrate…

Collin Morikawa. Yesterday, the 24-year-old golfer won the 149th British Open – his second major championship victory. Tee-rific.

Who Cannes't wait...

Julia Ducournau and Spike Lee.

Thing to Know

34%

The percentage of women in the US who have decided to either put off having kids or have fewer kids because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Guttmacher Institute survey. Oh, baby.

If you're choosing to put off pregnancy for now, there are several birth control options. Think: pills, patches, rings, condoms, etc. But if your plan A falls through, Plan B One-Step® emergency contraception is there. As in, right in the family planning aisle. It temporarily delays ovulation (hint: the part where your ovaries release eggs). And it won't affect your future fertility. Because your body, your timeline. Learn more.

Introducing our refreshed career pod: "9 to 5ish with theSkimm" (formerly "Skimm'd from the Couch"), presented by Saks OFF 5TH. Each week, our co-founders and co-CEOs Carly Zakin & Danielle Weisberg are talking to some of the smartest women they know and digging into the topics that influence how we work. Think: finding your confidence or turning an idea into a biz. Tune in each week for the As to your biggest career Qs and walk away with the info you need to live your smartest work life.

Follow wherever you get podcasts and catch the first ep dropping this Wednesday, 7/21.

Psst: We're sitting down with Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd for our first episode. You won't want to miss it.

1. An easy way to get your daily dose of endorphins. You know, the ones that make you happy. This company lets you stream over 2K expert-led workout classes for all levels. Oh, and Skimm'rs get free access for 60 days. What, like it's hard?*

2. A few of your absolute favorite things of 2021 (so far). We'd give these products the 'best all around' prize. Aka the stuff that you couldn't have made it through this year without.

3. 22 self-care products that Skimm'rs are loving this year. Shoutout to 2021 for being slightly less stressful than 2020. Keep up the great work. And add these coveted products to cart while ya do.

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

1. A credit card with all the right perks. Like a $200 bonus after spending $500 within three months. This card's got a $0 annual fee, and gives you unlimited 1.5% cash back on basically every purchase. Is that a cha-ching we hear? Learn more.*

2. Socks you'll want to show off. This brand's latest collection includes colorful and bright floral designs (which, yes, are in fact groundbreaking for summer). They're breathable, lightweight, and en route to becoming your new staple accessory. Psst… Skimm'rs get 20% off with code SKIMM.*

3. How to be your own personal chef. Hold the stress. This brand sends you everything you need to make delicious, curated meals at home. You can choose from 50+ menu and market items. And Skimm'rs get 14 free meals across five boxes plus free shipping.*

4. Golden hour-inspired cookware for your vibey summer evenings. This cult-favorite brand just released a brand new color, Zest, for their best-selling pan. It's non-toxic, non-stick, and light enough to carry from potluck to picnic. And Skimm'rs get $30 off with code SUMMERSKIMM. Chef's kiss.*

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 doctor's in...Priyanka J and Laine B (NY). They launched a new women's health startup called Evy. Their Vaginal Health Test is an at-home vaginal microbe test, a biomarker often overlooked. It's part of their mission to close the gender health gap. Check it out.

Getting the bag...Jessica S (FL). She co-founded umama, a microfinance non-profit in Uganda. Which extends loans to entrepreneurial women, provides financial literacy training, scholarships, and savings matching. She's helping small businesses survive the pandemic and lockdown. Learn more.

(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Ashley Stern (CA), Alex Burstein (RI), Cassidy Butera (NY), Suzi Falk, Allie Diamond (FL), Rachel MacWhorter (CO), Annette Wehrli (IL), Chelsea Jackson Jones (MA), Rachel MacWhorter (CO), Annette Wehrli (IL), Ramey Dallimonti (CA), Molly Proffitt (KS), Hannah Culp (OH), Alexandria Bennett (CA), Olivia Knox (TN)

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

We rounded up our fave shoes to wear this summer. Think: sandals with lots of toe room, flexible sneakers, and flip-flops with foam cushioning.

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 podcast "9 to 5ish with theSkimm" for tips to navigate your career.

• 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.

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• Download our app to get it all in one place.

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Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain

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