I'm in my own Matrix

Skimm’d with gifts that’ll keep kids entertained — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today December 18, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Header Image]( Skimm’d with [gifts that’ll keep kids entertained]( [Update location]( or [View forecast]( [Teal Quotes] “I'm gobsmacked” — [Sarah Rafferty]( on "Suits" being popular on Netflix. Everybody wanna know how it feel. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Sarah Rafferty is a little surprised by “Suits” fans #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story [ Protesters demonstrate outside Habima Square on December 16, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel.] Israel The Story Israelis are [protesting](. About? The killing of three Israeli hostages. Over the weekend, the Israeli military confirmed it [mistakenly killed]( them in Gaza. Military officials said the men had been shirtless and carried a white flag in Shejaiya — an area in Gaza City that’s seen intense fighting. The three men were reportedly unarmed. It’s not clear how they escaped or if they were abandoned by their captors. The Israel Defense Forces said the killings violated their [rules for engagement]( and that it's investigating. The news of their deaths outraged many Israelis, with hundreds of people taking to the streets. It’s also led to renewed protests calling on the government to secure the release of more than 120 hostages still in Gaza. Tell me more. Many Israelis have [criticized]( Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to bring them home. Netanyahu said the killing of the three hostages “broke the entire country’s heart” but didn’t signal that Israel would make changes to its current war tactics. Meanwhile, critics of Netanyahu and the military have said this incident is an example of Israel’s disregard for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Israel also faces growing [international pressure]( for a cease-fire. It comes as Israel’s lead negotiator [reportedly met]( with Qatar's prime minister over the weekend, but no details have been shared. theSkimm The death toll continues to mount in the Israel-Hamas war, and countless people are waiting for news of their loved ones who were taken hostage or are missing under the rubble. Now, pressure is mounting within Israel and internationally for a diplomatic end to the violence. Related Stories - [Israel Said it Uncovered the Biggest Hamas Tunnel Yet — 2.5 Miles]( - [UN Aid Has Crossed Into Gaza to Meet Desperate Crowds]( - [Many Are Mourning Al Jazeera Journalist Samer Abudaqa]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Israeli military shot and killed three Israeli hostages #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) And Also...This Who’s saying ‘one down, more to go’... [Rudy Giuliani](. ​​He plans to appeal the $148 million in damages that a federal jury ordered him to pay to two former Georgia election workers. The figure wrapped up a lawsuit [brought forward]( by Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. They accused Giuliani of defamation and emotional distress after he [repeatedly alleged]( they rigged the 2020 election against former President Trump. A federal judge had [determined]( that Giuliani was liable for defaming Freeman and Moss and left it up to a jury to decide what Giuliani owed in damages. Freeman said she felt “thankful” to the jury, and Moss said her "greatest wish" is that no election worker “ever experiences anything like what we went through.” Meanwhile, Giuliani still faces [other lawsuits]( related to baseless claims about the 2020 election. --------------------------------------------------------------- Why many are mourning... [The shipwreck](. Over the weekend, a UN organization reported at least 61 people drowned after their boat sank off the coast of Libya ​​while migrating to Europe. The org said the boat carried 86 people and left during the night sometime last week from Libya’s northwest coast. Most of those who died were women and children and came from Nigeria, Gambia, and other African countries. The org also said 25 people had been rescued and transferred to a Libyan detention center. The incident is the latest in a string of deaths — more than 2,250 people this year — tied to people migrating to Europe through the Mediterranean. --------------------------------------------------------------- What had a scare… [President Biden’s motorcade](. Yesterday, a car accidentally struck a Secret Service SUV as Biden and first lady Jill Biden left their campaign headquarters in Wilmington, DE. Nobody got hurt, and the Bidens made it home safely. The Secret Service confirmed the collision wasn’t intentional. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who people are sending ‘feel better’ notes to… [NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](. The former Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers player is recovering from a surgery over the weekend. It comes after the 76-year-old broke his hip in a fall at an LA concert on Friday, according to Abdul-Jabbar's representative. --------------------------------------------------------------- While the “Jeopardy!” answer is ‘Who is [Mayim Bialik](?’... [Ziwe]( has some questions for George Santos. --------------------------------------------------------------- While [Demi Lovato]( is saying ‘this is real, this is me’... [Bad Bunny]( could be saying ‘vete.’ --------------------------------------------------------------- While [Nicki Minaj]( had a pink weekend… [Willy Wonka]( had a sweet one. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Rudy Giuliani has to pay up. Migrants on a boat from Libya drowned. And “Wonka” had a sweet weekend #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) theskimm beta We're building a tool to help you cross off the to-dos keeping you up at night. Meet [theSkimm Beta](, a space where you can learn how to [manage your debt]( and [get more pleasure](. Check it out. The Best Holiday Gifts [Child reading a book and children in numbered and crayon pajamas]( Say hello to the final stretch; just a few days left before the big day. You bought something for your mom, dad, and siblings…but wait — you have nieces and nephews. Enter: - [A giant floor banner for endless coloring]( - [Magnetic building blocks for open-ended play]( - [And more things that’ll make you their favorite aunt (or uncle)]( Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. An expert-fave card your wallet will love. Got a high credit card balance? Don't panic. [This card]( will let you roll it over with no interest due for 18 months. So you can shop stress-free. Phew.* [Get started]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Something delicious to help with your post-meal slump. Pair [these viral greens]( (which are the #1 best-selling supplement at Target) with any of your holiday feasts to help alleviate bloat, promote energy, and support gut health. Skimm’rs get an exclusive 15% off their first purchase.* [Get your greens]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. How to save time and $1.2K on every vacation…for life. [This concierge service]( provides a dedicated planner for trips to France, Greece, or…anywhere else. And Skimm’rs get lifetime access for $99 (usually $2,850) with a five-day money-back guarantee for the next 12 hours.* [Don’t wait]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. A Facebook “Like” that’ll go a long way. If you “like” Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s [Alumni & Friends Facebook page](, The Coca-Cola Company will donate $5 (up to $25K) to help build great futures for youth around the country. And you’ll show your support.* [Go on]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Cult-fave skincare products that work while you snooze. [This derm-approved holiday kit]( comes with an award-winning, patented retinoid serum that works 11x faster than retinol and a best-selling moisturizer packed with barrier-supporting ceramides and cell-repairing peptides. Did we mention it’s 30% off?* [Add to cart]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Gifts of the Day This [chunky ring](, these [hand warmers](, and a [fan-fave gift card](.* 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. Cool beans…Ranie P (CA). She and her family started a local coffee roasting company, and now they’re opening a coffee shop. (Some) birthdays…In Memory of Ashley Loquercio (IL), Sam Lane (AUS), Karin Cole (WA), Emily Wilkins (MI), Dusti Harrell (VA), Kiley Cowley (TX), Lauren Casnovsky (MN), Ellen Prague (FL), Katie Goldberg (IL), Daksha Patel (NC), Kristian-Lyn Meyer (NC), Johanna Silver (IL), Heather Brooke Jones (FL), Amanda Torres (NY), Melanie Blanchet (CA) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Chantal Vaca, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Julie Shain --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Alexi J. Rosenfeld via Getty Images, Brand Partners, Hannah Andersson Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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