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| | | Quote of the Day | | "Haunted Victorian child in the body of a small dog" â The description a foster parent gave of a 2-year-old Chihuahua. Honesty can be scary. | | |
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The Story Amazon employees in Alabama aren't adding 'union' to cart. Back it up. In February, warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama began casting ballots for or against forming a union. On Friday, the results came in, showing workers rejected joining a union. It was a win for the tech giant, surviving the largest union push in the company's history. And a defeat to labor advocates who hoped the Alabama warehouse would serve as an example for others. But that didn't happen. Why were they pushing for this? Activists said Amazon has a long history of intentionally working against unions. In 2000, it closed a 400-employee call center after a campaign to unionize. In 2014, 21 workers voted against unionizing following alleged "intense pressure" from their managers. Labor officials have also called out the tech giant's unfair labor practices. Last month, Amazon settled a case involving a worker who staged a walkout in Queens, NY, to decry working conditions amid the pandemic. Last week, labor officials said Amazon illegally fired employees who were advocating for the company to reduce its impact on climate change. Advocates had hoped a union would help workers deal with these kinds of issues. But Amazon had allegedly pressured workers to vote against it. What do you mean? Workers accused Amazon of requiring them to attend anti-union meetings. Also, of placing anti-union posters all over the warehouse and emphasizing the cost of union dues. The union president says this was out of line and plans to challenge the vote. But Amazon said it didn't do anything wrong. And that its employees heard "far more anti-Amazon messages" from advocates and the media. theSkimm In Amazon's decades-long history, not a single one of its warehouses is unionized. Amazon workers were given another opportunity to join one, but advocates say those efforts were thwarted by the tech giant. | | |
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Where people are talking about police use of force... Virginia. US Army Lt. Caron Nazario has sued two Virginia police officers for using excessive force and violating his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit stems from a Dec 2020 incident at a gas station in Windsor, Virginia. Video shows two officers pointing their guns at Nazario, who's Black and Latino, during a traffic stop. Nazario â wearing his Army uniform â tells police he's "afraid" to get out of the car. An officer replies "yeah, you should be" and pepper sprays Nazario four times. Nazario claims that police, who didn't file charges against him, allegedly threatened to ruin his military career if he complained about the officers' conduct. Now, Nazario's seeking $1 million in damages. And Virginia's governor has called for an independent investigation. The officers haven't responded to the suit. Virginia Democratic lawmakers say it points to the need for police reform.
Minnesota. Yesterday, the family of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, said he died after a police officer shot him during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, a Minneapolis suburb. As of this morning, police have not officially identified the victim as they wait for a preliminary autopsy. The department said a man was stopped for a traffic violation but had an outstanding warrant. And shot him when he got back into the car and drove away after an attempted arrest, then hit another car. Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest another police shooting of a Black man in Minnesota â while former police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial for killing George Floyd less than a year ago. The Minnesota National Guard, who were already there for the Chauvin trial, were sent to quash the protests. The city's mayor declared a local emergency amid the "growing civil unrest" and enforced a 6am curfew. And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he was praying for Wright's family as Minnesota "mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement." The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating. | | |
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Who people are remembering... Prince Philip. On Friday, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband to Queen Elizabeth II died at age 99. The two had the longest marriage in British royal history. And Prince Philip was also known for his charity and environmental work â in addition to making racially insensitive remarks. But he retired from public duties in 2017 after a number of health issues. Most recently, he had been hospitalized in February for an infection. The palace said Prince Philip died "peacefully" at Windsor Castle and announced eight days of mourning ahead of a private funeral on Saturday. Flags around the UK are flying at half-staff in his memory.
DMX. On Friday, the Grammy-nominated rapper and actor died at age 50 after suffering a heart attack. DMX, whose birth name was Earl Simmons, became one of rap's biggest stars in the late '90s and 2000s with hits like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Party Up (Up in Here)." And he moved into acting, appearing in several films including "Cradle 2 The Grave" and "Romeo Must Die." DMX struggled with addiction throughout his life. His family remembered him as "a warrior who fought till the very end." | | |
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What's raising alarms⦠Iran. Yesterday, the Natanz nuclear facility in the country suffered a blackout reportedly caused by an explosion. It happened just one day after the facility launched new advanced centrifuges (which speedily enrich uranium â a product used for nuclear weapons). Officials reportedly called the attack a "terrorist action." Nobody's claimed responsibility yet, but suspicions are on the Israeli intelligence agency. The reason? Israel has been suspected of attacking the facility in the past, and is not a fan of the Iran nuclear deal â something several countries (including the US) are trying to reinstate to keep Tehran's nuclear program in check. Iran is investigating and says it'll take action against the perpetrators. Israel has yet to respond. | | |
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Who's putt his name in history⦠Hideki Matsuyama. Yesterday, he won the 85th Masters â making him the first Japanese man to win a major golf championship. Tee-rific.
...Oh and speaking of making history, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National horse race. Ride on. | | |
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What has Linked In to the fact that parenting's a full-time job⦠Guess. | | |
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| | | 129 That's the number of studies a British research group called the Economic and Social Research Council analyzed before publishing an uplifting finding: people are more likely to change their behavior for the better when they think positively vs. when they focus on emotions like fear, regret or guilt.
Psst...those Brits aren't the only experts that believe in the power of positivity. Noom, a wellness program that can help you build and stick to healthy habits, was developed by behavior change psychologists. It's all about giving support and motivation instead of forcing you to follow strict rules. Btw, Skimm'rs can try Noom free for 14 days. Good vibes only, people. |
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| Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter lifeâ¦
1. A plant-based powder that can keep your sweet tooth in check. This female-founded brand's best-selling metabolism booster can help curb sugar cravings. And keep you full for longer. Did we mention Skimm'rs get 20% off? 'Cause they do.*
2. Straight leg jeans that'll get you excited to wear denim again. Yes, really. These ones have a vintage look, minus that rigid vintage feel. And they're perfect for dressing up or down. Try 'em on for size.*
3. Smart products that'll reenergize your sex life. This list has a flexible vibrator, a water-based lube, and a hydrating massage oil for you and your partner. Psstâ¦Lelo is offering 20% off select vibrators until April 14. Time to start exploring.
4. An SUV that truly has it all. The first-ever Buick Envision Avenir is packed with all of the tech you could dream of. We're talking massaging seats, wireless phone charging, front park assist, and more (yes, really). Enjoy the ride.*
PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every week. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more. | | *PS This is a sponsored post. |
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| 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.
Stopping Hate withâ¦Members of Wieden+Kennedy's Asian-American Affinity group (USA). They created a powerful short movie to show how the AAPI community has been affected by hate crimes during the pandemic. And how language that translates to violence is rooted in racism. They want to remind everyone that words are important, and that people should #callitcovid. Watch and share.
(Some) Birthdaysâ¦Rita Haves (NY), Brooklyn Decker (TX), Kaleigh Cronin (NY), Ralph Finizio (PA), Hanna Handler (IL), Laura Mersman (KS), Caroline Hale (NC), Ellie Selanders (KS), Wendi Douglas (MO), George Pickel (NY), Sam Danovich (CA), Katie Johnson (DC), Shana Vono (NY), Ann Withun (PA), Asa Dillard (CA)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Questions around how much you need to retire? Our guide breaks down how to figure it out. Plus, tips to help speed things up. Think: automating transfers to your 401(k) or IRA.
Oh, and we've got more where that came from during our final SkimmU course: Investing 101 with financial author and "So Money" podcast host Farnoosh Torabi. Sign up and join us on Thursday, April 15, at 8:00pm ET. You won't want to miss it.
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 career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume. Subscribe to our "Skimm Money" newsletter to keep up to date with your wallet. Sign up for our "Press Pause" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs. Follow us on the gram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Download our app to get it all in one place. |
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| Friends don't let friends get bogged down in headlines. So click that share button to send theSkimm to your network. Because, as they say, sharing is caring. | | | | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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| Skimmâd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain |
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