Weekend: A thread connecting me to you

Skimm’d while preparing for Amazon Prime Day — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today July 9, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm WEEKEND Skimm’d while [preparing for Amazon Prime Day]( “One last ride” — US women’s soccer legend [Megan Rapinoe]( announcing her retirement after this year’s NWSL season. Talk about a ballin’ career. Eyes On Threads The Story A [new social media app]( could lead to Twitter’s unraveling. I figured this wasn’t about eyebrows... Yup. Here’s the stitch, err, sitch: Last week, Meta hard launched [the new app](, which many are calling a Twitter dupe. Some [common threads]( include the ability to share photos, videos, and text-based posts, which other users can like, repost, or reply to. But unlike Twitter, there’s no way to order your feed chronologically. And it [doesn’t have]( DMs, hashtags, the ability to search posts, or a desktop version, at least for now. Still, in just under 48 hours, [more than 70 million]( users flocked to the app — making it the [most rapidly downloaded app]( ever. Which is why some are calling it a “[Twitter killer](.” Haven’t we heard this before? True. It’s not the first app trying to rival Twitter (see: Mastodon, [Bluesky](). But since it’s [backed by Meta](, Threads has access to its massive user base, including more than 2 billion active IG users worldwide, who can directly [import their profile info and followers](. That makes it very easy to get started — and it might explain the app’s impressive momentum. (For comparison, Bluesky reportedly just hit the [1 million mark](.) It might also explain why Twitter was so quick to [threaten a lawsuit](, accusing Meta of hiring former employees with access to its trade secrets and intellectual property — all of which Meta dismissed as “[not a thing](.” Plus, it comes as Twitter’s own turmoil continues: Ever since Musk purchased Twitter, it’s been riddled with challenges, like [glitches](, [erratic decisions]( (most recently, [imposing limits]( on the number of Tweets people can read), and a reported nearly [60% drop]( in advertising spending. theSkimm While other apps have tried to replace Twitter, many former users are still looking for a place to land. Threads could be the most promising, but it’ll have to overcome concerns surrounding its parent company, like [data privacy]( and [financial stability](. TBD if it’ll eventually leave Twitter hanging by, well, a thread. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Threads is weaving its way into social media dominance #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening 📰 In news… On Friday, the Biden admin [announced]( it’ll send controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package. That’s as President Biden prepares to head to this week’s [NATO summit](, with Ukraine’s potential membership bid likely on the agenda. Meanwhile, back in the states, two WNBA stars are starting [a women’s basketball league]( that’ll provide fellow players with an alternative to going abroad during the offseason. --------------------------------------------------------------- 📈 In business… Last month, US employers added a lower-than-expected [209,000 jobs]( — a sign the economy is continuing to cool. It comes as new data from the Labor Dept suggests the Great Resignation [may be over](. Meanwhile, ChatGPT [lost users]( for the first time, raising questions about whether interest in AI is short-circuiting. Oh and if you still send snail mail, don’t be surprised when [the price of stamps]( is higher than usual. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🩺 In health... According to a new study, the number of Americans dying from pregnancy-related causes has [more than doubled]( over the last 20 years. But some help could be on the way, now that the FDA approved the first test [to detect preeclampsia](. Also, apparently, our bodies [may stop functioning optimally]( once temps reach 104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Good to know as the Earth hit its [hottest day ever]( recorded. Forward this to a friend. [Click here](mailto:?&subject=Check out this Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter&body=Check it out . Bookmark'd Here’s a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends… [The Battle of Fishkill](…the “IHOP kingpin of the Bronx” didn’t have a battle with Revolutionary War reenactors in his business plans. --------------------------------------------------------------- [The Doll Mommies Are Fighting](...inside the growing community of collectors who are raising extremely elaborate (and expensive) faux babies. --------------------------------------------------------------- [The Return of Rude](…how Hollywood is trying to reinvent the raunchy comedy. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. Our favorite breathable white sneakers for summer. From New Balance to Reebok, [these kicks]( are made for walking. [Lace them]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. The best bathing suits just in time for summer. We've been working overtime to bring you the [best bikinis]( you can't live without (or shouldn't have to). [Let’s go]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. 20% off sitewide at Loops. Grab our favorite [eye masks]( and a [variety pack]( of face masks. The sale ends today, so don't miss out. [Run, don't walk]( Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes [here](. Sunday Scaries, Who? Here’s one tip for a better start to your week. If you want to craft a calmer week — and honestly, who doesn’t? — consider taking matters into your own hands with an art project. Not only does making art offer a break from the screen (and scrolling), but it’s also been shown to [lower stress and anxiety]( and spark [a state of flow](. Plus, you don’t have to be a museum-worthy artist to experience the benefits. Get started with one or more of these creative ideas... - Bracelets. Relive easy, breezy summer camp days by making your own bracelets. If you’ve got some embroidery floss, you could [go old school]( with a simple spiral staircase, before working your way up to chevrons, diamonds, and diagonals. Or, for those with a bit less patience, stick to [beads and charms](, which are particularly trendy [this summer](. - Totes. With room for almost everything, tote bags are, well, tote-ally [perfect for summer](. To avoid getting carried away with all the different colors, fabrics, and styles, [start with a plain cotton or canvas](. Then decorate with [pins](, [patches](, [paint](, even [embroidery](. - Pottery. If it feels like everyone is indulging in some clay time, you’re not wrong. Across the country, people are getting their hands dirty at [pottery classes and workshops](. Of course, you could join them — or, you could make your own vases, plant hangers, or candlestick holders [right at home](. - Dried flower arrangements. Sure, you could try your hand at arranging fresh flowers. Or, you could try your hand at a dried bouquet and admire your work for months, even years, to come. All you need is a variety of dried grasses and blooms (which you can buy or [dry yourself](), a stunning vase, and [a spare hour](. Save the Date Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about... Root, root, root for the [2023 MLB All-Star Game](. [Amazon Prime Day](. So many deals, so little time. Grab [a Pimm’s Cup]( and see who aces the Wimbledon women’s singles final. Then repeat the next day for the men’s singles final. The [2023 WNBA All-Star Game](. Hoop, there it is. PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it [here](. News Quiz Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here's the answer. B. “[Real Housewives of Beverly Hills](” Skimm'd by: Macy Alcido, Rasheeda Campbell, Melissa Goldberg, and Clem Robineau --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by SOPA Images / Contributor via Getty Images, Oliver Helbig via Getty Images Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to the Daily Skimm](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Update Your Preferences or Unsubscribe](esource=ds&date=20230709) --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2023 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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