Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

"I’m either playing Scrabble or I’m out"

— Nicole Kidman revealed that her social calendar has two settings: triple word score or international raves while in disguise. Name a woman with better range.

Sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have been at sea for more than 250 days.

News

Distress Call

What's going on: The USS George Washington will soon replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East, several news outlets reported Thursday. News of the switch comes with reports of rapidly deteriorating conditions aboard the Lincoln. The aircraft carrier was deployed last November and was redirected to the Strait of Hormuz after the US attacked Iran. Family members are raising alarms, saying that their loved ones are suffering from exhaustion and neglect. One military spouse told officials that she’d received a message from her husband saying, “he hopes he doesn’t wake up tomorrow.” At least one sailor allegedly attempted to jump from the ship, and a US official has confirmed that another sailor was rescued after he went overboard.

Tell me more: The Navy has denied an uptick in suicide attempts onboard the Lincoln and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed conditions have been “completely misrepresented.” But what’s not disputable: Lincoln sailors expected to come home in May. They have now been at sea for more than 250 days. This isn’t an isolated incident, either. The USS Gerald Ford recently returned home after about 330 days at sea after participating in operations in Venezuela and Iran. Despite President Donald Trump insisting that the US has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, mixed reports of missile shortages and fleet readiness are raising questions about how prepared the US military is for this conflict –– and the toll it is taking on service members in the field.

Related: In a (Simulated) War of Drones vs. the US Military, the Machines Win (The Wall Street Journal gift link)

The News in 5

🗞️ In what US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called a "horrific act of terror," a group of Israeli settlers in a West Bank village have surrounded Palestinian households, and previously cut off three houses’ water and power supplies.

🗞️ Rep. Max Miller’s (R-OH) ex-wife sued him after his legal team allegedly inadvertently uploaded a nude image of their child while posting evidence meant to rebut domestic abuse allegations against him.

🗞️ The company behind Flock security cameras is promising changes amid concerns about law enforcement allegedly using the tech to stalk and harass citizens.

🗞️ Selena Gomez and her mom are being sued for fraud by investors who said they “falsely represented” their mental health startup, Wondermind.

🗞️ The White House gave Secretary of State Marco Rubio the only appropriate birthday gift: 68 versions of the meme he once hated. Of course, the frame is golden.

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Analog is so back. Swap DMs for greeting cards to show how much you care. Whether it’s a workiversary, a promotion, or just because, they deserve a memory to hold onto.*

Found: a pair of supportive sneakers that won't ruin your outfit. They're ideal for traveling, commutes, or if you deal with any kind of foot pain.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

Full-Court Mess

Who’s Running Point Here?

What’s going on: The WNBA spent decades trying to get more people talking about women’s basketball. Mission accomplished — but lately, the game itself has taken a back seat. Amid unprecedented growth, online abuse, and player safety concerns, a fight over transgender athletes has repeatedly hijacked the conversation. The latest debate took off after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN she opposes transgender girls and women in girls’ and women’s sports, prompting protests at Fever games. Two former NBA players later inserted themselves into the debate by claiming they identify as women and declaring themselves eligible for next year’s draft. On Wednesday, a league task force met to address the issue but stressed a key detail: This is all hypothetical. There is no such eligibility case before the WNBA. And no known transgender woman has ever gone pro.

Playing defense: The frustrating part? This should be the WNBA’s victory lap. The league is expanding, its stars have crossed into the mainstream, and a blockbuster media deal has put more money behind the game than ever. Yet it has exposed real gaps around player safety and leadership, with players demanding less talk and more action from the league when it comes to threats and harassment. That puts even more pressure on Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (already battling the strongest of currents) and the league to show they can lead through the growing pains, not just react to them. Debates over race, gender, sexuality, and politics have surrounded the WNBA throughout its 30-year history — but never with this big an audience or this much at stake.

Thank You Very Munch

We Came, We Saw, We Bought Snacks

What's going on: Onigiri in Tokyo. Pistachio ice cream in Barcelona. The trendiest local fare in top travel destinations all seems to come from the same place…the local supermarket. We’re not just popping into the mercado to refuel; we’re making it a destination in the age of “grocery store tourism.” A 2026 report from Hilton says 77% of travelers enjoy supermarketmaxxing, and back in January, Condé Nast Traveler predicted it would be one of the year’s biggest trends. These days, our feeds are filled with 7-Eleven hauls in Tokyo and Bangkok, while Americans brag about what they can find at Costcos abroad (which rival ancient Japanese temples, apparently). And it’s not just travelers leaning in: Finland’s K-Supermarket supposedly became the first major food-retail chain to officially list itself as a tourist attraction on Tripadvisor, with locations touting everything from fresh honey to craft beer. Your move, IKEA.

A one-stop shop: Why spend precious vacation time under fluorescent lights stocking up on cheap snacks? Because it’s what the locals do: And now more than ever, we want to see places through their eyes. Grocery stores are a low-key way to experience a culture without major language or cost barriers, and discovering globalized snacks (like matcha KitKats) makes the world feel a little smaller and more whimsical. Wandering the aisles is pretty straightforward, allowing us to appreciate the differences, like an entire aisle devoted to fish. And “tasting the sights” is a real thing: Our surroundings influence how we perceive flavor, so that $2 French wine becomes a memorable part of the journey. This may be more than a passing trend, especially since it caters to Gen Z tastes: It’s affordable, authentic, and very online. If you partake, just don’t make a scene — when in Rome, scan and go as the Romans do.

TOGETHER WITH GOODRX

What’s draining your healthcare budget the fastest?

💊 Endless prescription refills

🦷 Last-minute dental emergencies

👁️ Another box of contacts

⌚ Pricey copays and long wait times, just for a quick diagnosis

Whichever one you picked, GoodRx Companion’s got you covered. For $14.99/month (or $9.99/month if you pay annually), get 250+ generic meds for free^† (yes, free) and hundreds more for less than $10 — plus savings on telehealth, dental, vision, and lab work.^‡

Quick Hits

💗 On her talk show, Drew Barrymore reunited with a flight attendant who was there for her during an especially tough moment in her sobriety journey.

❄️ You might be feeling the heat right now, but the Farmers’ Almanac predicts a stormier winter. You can send your thank-you note to El Niño.

🏈 Rob Gronkowski spent the wedding of the year doing what any good former teammate would: scouting the singles table for Julian Edelman. Patriotism.

🎤 The must-collab artist for Gen Z singers is…Shania Twain? Mother is mothering.

🏋️ Apparently people are "dry scooping" protein powder in their mouth and chasing it with water before a workout. Another reason to avoid the gym.

🎙️ Michelle Obama says Megan Thee Stallion's personality reminds her of daughter Sasha, which makes being around the rapper feel “like family.” Thee First Family just got bigger.

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“When your friend is on a first date and you promised not to snoop.”

Earlier this week, we asked you to skimm what Mariska Hargitay was doing in this Ferris wheel photo.

The truth? She was filming for Law & Order: SVU. But according to Corry L. from Atlanta, GA — this week's Skimm This winner — she was snooping in the name of friendship. Honestly, we all deserve a friend like that.

Your next Skimm This drops on Tuesday. See you then.

On Our Calendar

Friday, August 14

😋 National Creamsicle Day

This two-ingredient creamsicle cake is the kind of no-effort recipe we need in the middle of August.

🍿 Nimrods out in theaters

Green Day’s early touring years inspired the coming-of-age comedy about a teenage band chasing its big break all the way to Los Angeles. Tiny problem: The gig isn’t real.

Saturday, August 15

🥤 Starbucks’s viral Unicorn Frappuccino returns

The catch: You can only get the mango-flavored, color-changing drink today and tomorrow. Some baristas aren't exactly thrilled.

Sunday, August 16

⚽ NWSL: Angel City vs. Washington Spirit

Sarah Gorden (who swears by this pregame meal) and Angel City FC take on Trinity Rodman and the Spirit at home. Catch it on ESPN at 9 pm ET.

🎢 National Roller Coaster Day

It’s the day the looping version of the iconic ride was patented. Fast forward 128 years, and lots of amusement parks are celebrating with discounts and perks.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

TOGETHER WITH GOODRX

Things to Know

1 billion

That’s roughly how many prescriptions go unfilled at the pharmacy every year due to cost. Luckily, GoodRx Companion can help. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or juggling multiple medications, it’s worth it.

For $14.99/month (or $9.99/month if you pay annually), get 250+ common generic medications for free,^† plus hundreds more for less than $10 at nearly any pharmacy. There’s no need to delay dental cleanings, eye exams, or lab work anymore, Companion’s got savings there too. Need care fast? Book a $19 telehealth visit for stuff like UTIs or the flu.^‡

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Tommy Bahama is taking 25% off sitewide until August 16. This coastal-chic linen sweater will take you right through fall.

This clear stadium bag is perfect for concerts or sporting events, and it's actually pretty cute.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

KNOW IT ALL

Which Matthew McConaughey movie does he say still makes him the most money?

A. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”

B. “Dazed and Confused”

C. “The Wedding Planner”

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

theSkimm's Amanda Duberman (NY), Kyle Kuhlmann (CA), Meredith Guarino (TX), Katherine Weinberger (MA), Erika Eskenazi (NY), Gaelle Walrave (Germany), Mallory Ütebay (IA), Kallie Domogalla (MN), Seema Samawi (NH), Javiera Cubillos (Chile), Giselle Tejada (NJ), Lindsey Taulbee (KS)

Together with

Quote of the Day

"I’m either playing Scrabble or I’m out"

News

Distress Call

The News in 5

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Full-Court Mess

Who’s Running Point Here?

Thank You Very Munch

We Came, We Saw, We Bought Snacks

TOGETHER WITH GOODRX

You Tell Us

What’s draining your healthcare budget the fastest?

Quick Hits

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“When your friend is on a first date and you promised not to snoop.”

On Our Calendar

Friday, August 14

😋 National Creamsicle Day

🍿 Nimrods out in theaters

Saturday, August 15

🥤 Starbucks’s viral Unicorn Frappuccino returns

Sunday, August 16

⚽ NWSL: Angel City vs. Washington Spirit

🎢 National Roller Coaster Day

TOGETHER WITH GOODRX

Things to Know

1 billion

✴︎

In Our Rotation

KNOW IT ALL

Which Matthew McConaughey movie does he say still makes him the most money?

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Marco Rubio got framed for his birthday