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Skimm for July 29th

Skimm’d after a late-night grocery run

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I have asked Hermes to debaptize the Birkin Croco” - Jane Birkin. The actress wants her name removed from Birkin bags made with crocodile skin. She’s not happy with how the animals are killed to make the bags. Leading many to wonder how one debaptizes a handbag.

I SPY

THE STORY

Yesterday, Jonathan Pollard — a convicted spy for Israel — was granted parole after 30 years behind bars.

WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT THIS?

It’s been a controversial issue since he was sentenced to life in prison in 1987. Pollard, who worked for the US Navy, pleaded guilty to giving classified docs to Israel. His supporters, including Israel, said the sentence was too harsh and have been fighting for decades to get him released. The US always said ‘nope’...until yesterday, when it was announced Pollard would be freed from prison this November.

WHAT CHANGED?

Some think this has something to do with a little thing called the Iran nuclear deal – which Israel is not on board with. Releasing Pollard could be the US trying to smooth things over with Israel. But the US says the two issues aren’t connected.

theSKIMM

The US and Israel’s friendship has had some awkward moments recently, and the release of Pollard could ease some of the tension.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP TO A FULL INBOX...

Overwhelmed. The Eurotunnel knows this problem well. You know it as where the Eurostar runs, or the Chunnel, or the easy way to get from France to Britain. #AbroadProblems. Yesterday in France, more than 2,000 migrants – many from Africa and the Mideast – tried to storm the tunnel’s entrance to get into Britain. This is the second night in a row this has happened. One man was killed, likely by a truck, and the others were blocked by police. For months, thousands of these migrants have been camped out near the tunnel trying to make a move. That’s because the Brits have a rep for being more generous with asylum than the French, and for having more job opportunities for low-wage and illegal workers. Refresher: Africa and the Mideast have been more of a mess than usual lately. That’s made a lot of people desperate to leave and seek asylum in Western countries. Europe has been trying to figure out how to deal with a huge increase in migrants coming from these areas. Britain and France have been blaming each other for failing to deal with this crisis. Good job, team.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO’S ALREADY PLANNING A FOOTBALL KICKOFF PARTY...

Don’t hold your breath for Tom’s RSVP. Yesterday, the NFL upheld New England Patriots QB Tom Brady’s four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate. Deflategate: when the Patriots were accused of intentionally deflating game balls to make them easier to grip. Because size matters. Brady’s always claimed he knew nothing about this case of shrunken balls syndrome. But then a few months ago, the NFL released a report that said Brady probably knew about it, citing texts between two Pats employees who allegedly did the deed. Problem is, the NFL couldn’t see the texts on Brady’s phone. Yesterday, it came out that he had the phone destroyed, and the 10,000 texts that could’ve easily been accessed from it. Next level digital detox.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR CO-WORKER WHO WEARS YOGA PANTS TO THE OFFICE…

Maybe you need a fitness closet.

THING TO KNOW

Cecil the lion: A popular lion from Zimbabwe, well-known for his black mane. He was killed recently by an American dentist. As if you needed another reason to avoid a root canal.

SKIMM SHARE

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SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

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