Open up the dirty window

Skimm'd while snuggling up — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today January 8, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm Skimm'd while [snuggling up]( [Update location]( or [View forecast]( [Teal Quotes] “Welcome to the world my halo” — [Halle Bailey](, introducing her baby boy. He’s part of her world. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Halle Bailey has a new special someone in her life #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story [U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at the Pentagon] Private Mode The Story Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is being pressed to [answer]( for his hospitalization. What do you mean? Over the weekend, the Pentagon said its leader started off 2024 in [intensive care]( after experiencing severe pain following an “elective medical procedure” in December. That would normally earn ‘get well’ cards — but in this case he waited days to tell the White House and Congress about it. Austin said he “could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed.” Even the person who stepped in for him, Kathleen Hicks, [wasn’t briefed]( about his hospitalization until late last week. Why is this a problem? Because the WH didn’t have a clear understanding of US military leadership for three days. The Pentagon still doesn’t have word on what Austin was being treated for, if he lost consciousness, and when he will be released. As a result, Republicans are calling on Austin to [testify or be ousted]( over failing to communicate. Meanwhile, President Biden said he still has “full confidence” in Austin. Pentagon officials reportedly maintain that Austin’s hospitalization didn’t put [national security at risk](. theSkimm Concerns over Austin’s hospitalization come amid tensions with [Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea](, [attacks on troops]( in Iraq and Syria, and conflicts in [Ukraine]( and [Gaza](. Now, Biden has to answer for how his admin is navigating US military leadership, just as his [campaign]( gears up for the upcoming election. Related Stories: - [SCOTUS Will Decide Whether Former President Trump’s Name Will Be on the Ballot]( - [Who Else is in Biden’s Cabinet?]( - [Blinken Is Visiting the Middle East Amid High Tensions]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=There’s a lot of questions about Defense Sec Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) And Also...This What Congress is looking at… [An agreement to fund the government](. Yesterday, congressional leaders reached a $1.66 trillion deal to keep the government’s lights on. It earmarks $886 billion for defense and $772.7 billion for non-defense spending. Still, it’s not clear if the same [congressional drama]( over funding from 2023 will carry over until the deadline next week. The far-right House Freedom Caucus called the deal a “total failure” and “totally unacceptable,” so it’s not clear if they’ll sign off. They’ve demanded deeper spending cuts and greater border security. That means the rest of the House Republicans and Democrats will need to support it in order to get the deal through. --------------------------------------------------------------- What no one wants to see when they’re flying... [A hole in the middle of the plane](. Over the weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration [grounded]( about 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes. That announcement comes after a door on the side of the plane blew out midair on an Alaska Airlines flight, forcing an emergency landing. None of the passengers or crew onboard were seriously injured. Still, this latest incident has Boeing [under the microscope]( again. The company was under intense scrutiny after its planes crashed in [2018]( and [2019]( — killing more than 340 people. Now, the FAA ordered “immediate inspections” of all 737 Max 9 planes used by US airlines. Meanwhile, at least [23,000 passengers]( have been left stranded as their flights were canceled as a result. Officials are still investigating what led to the incident on the Alaska Airlines flight. They said a Portland school teacher found a "key missing component" of the door in his backyard. Coupled with a [winter storm]( in the Northeast, it wasn’t an easy travel weekend for some. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s as good as gold… [The winners at the Golden Globes](. Yesterday, "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie" took home wins, and served as a reminder that Barbenheimer never really left. No one’s saying poor thing about ["Poor Things"]( — or [Jennifer Lawrence](. [Ali Wong and Steven Yeun]( became the first actors of Asian descent to win for their roles in "Beef." Timotheé Chalamet and Kylie Jenner got [close and comfy](. Jeremey Allen White's Calvin Klein's ad was [in the room](. Jo Koy reminded everyone about Barry Keoghan’s [full frontal](. [Taylor Swift]( didn’t like the jokes. Kieran Culkin told Pedro Pascal to "[suck it](." --------------------------------------------------------------- What else Taylor Swift is not pleased about… [The New York Times](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s shooting to make history… [A US lunar lander](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who’s sitting out the Australian Open… [Rafael Nadal](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=There might be a plan to avoid a government shutdown. Boeing planes are being investigated. Taylor Swift has her eyes on a NYT op-ed piece #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. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. A science-backed wellness program that can help you stay motivated. No matter how busy things get. [This app]( uses psychology to help you build healthier habits, then actually stick to them. Plus, Skimm'rs can try it free for 30 days.* [Get started]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. The best winter skincare products, according to dermatologists. Glazed doughnut skin is possible when it's cold and dark out. These are the [products]( you need to get it, per the experts' advice. [Check them out]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Winter dresses for any occasion under $150. Do you have somewhere nice to be? Is it too cold to put any effort into getting dressed? Here's [what you should wear](. [Try them on]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Clothes that'll keep your kids warm this season. Yes, your baby needs [a pair of Ugg slippers]( to match [your own](. [Get them cozy]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). 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. Lights, Camera, Acting...Anais C (DC). Today she kicks off her acting conservatory program — a bucket list item she can now Chekhov. (Some) Birthdays…Candace Arnold (IL), Madeline Tamagni (DC), Danielle Poulin (CT), Uma Sudarshan (MI), Dylan Ottemiller (NM), Arielle Purcell (CT), Danielle Hampy (FL), Judi Laskodi (NJ), Mark Farber (FL), Anna Ashai (CA), Britt Bohrer (KS), Dawn Plumitallo (NY), Jocelyn Monahan (MD) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Chantal Vaca, and Julie Shain --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to the Daily Skimm](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [theSkimm']( 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=syl&date=20240108) --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2023 theSkimm, All rights reserved. TheSkimm, Daily Skimm, and all Skimm-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of TheSkimm, Inc. 53 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010