Subject: Daily Skimm: Rabbit, rabbit
From: "theSkimm" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2019 06:46:12 -0500 (EST)

<=>Skimm'd while learning how to make a dramatic career change

=tr>

FEBRUA=Y 1, 2019

RE=D IN BROWSER

Skimm'd while learning how to make a dramatic career change

QUOTE O= THE DAY

"Wifey really going all out tonight" – Jessica Biel fell asleep while=heading out to celebrate Justin Timberlake's birthday. I got this feeling.=.I'm about to take a nap.

THINGS US OFFICIALS ARE U= TO

Fentanyl bust

The Story

Yesterday, border officials announced their biggest fentanyl bust ever.

Whoa. Tell me more.

Fentanyl is the largest source of overdose deaths in the US. Last weekend, a tr=ck carrying cucumbers was stopped while trying to get into the US through = border checkpoint in Arizona. A drug-sniffing dog led to the discovery of=hundreds of pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine – worth an esti=ated $4.6 million. President Trump has pointed to drugs like fentanyl as o=e of the main reasons why there needs to be a physical barrier at the US-Mexico border. But Dems hav= said the focus should be on the ports of entry since that's where most of the drugs from Mexico get=through the border.

theSkimm

As Trump and lawmakers are trying to figure out fundi=g (including potentially increased border spending) to avoid another gov shutdown, some see this dru= bust as an example of wh= beefing up security at border checkpoints would be a better allocation of=funds than building a physical barrier.

Fake university sting operation

The Story

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a <= href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15878131.2866583/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2lt=XRoLmlzLzJzWUdrQnE/5bae7b412ddf9c633bb801b8B315032b1" target="_blank" st=le="color:#00b2a9;text-decoration:none;">fake university in Michigan=

Excuse me?

In court filings that were unsealed this week, prosecutors revealed that the Un=versity of Farmington was run by undercover Immigration and Customs Enforc=ment agents – part of DHS. The fake university (think: no classes,=no teachers) had been set up back in 2015 as part of a sting operation. Th= goal: to catch foreign nationals illegally using student visas to stay an= work in the US. Now, DHS is charging eight alleged recruiters at the scho=l with things like conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Agents say the recruit=rs got hundreds of people to enroll in what they knew was a "pay to stay" =cheme. Some of the students have also apparently been arrested.

theSkimm

Prosecutors say this recent sting exposes how the stu=ent visa program can be "exploited and abused." Others see it as entrapmen=. And it's worth noting that this school is included on DHS's list of cert=fied schools where international students can enroll.

"Birth tourism" crackdown

The Story

US authorities just carried out a major crackdown on businesses that help Chine=e women travel to the US to give birth.

Tell me more.

It isn't illegal to visit the US while pregnant. But =isa fraud is. And these so-called "birth tourism" businesses did things like encourage the women t= hide their pregnancies and lie on their visa applications. The goal: to g=ve birth in the US so these babies automatically become US citizens. Peopl= would pay as much as $100,000 for these businesses' coaching and services= Yesterday, three people from the businesses were arrested on charges incl=ding conspiracy, visa fraud, and money laundering. And more than a dozen o=hers were charged – but are no longer in the US.

theSkimm

Birth tourism has been a trend for years. But this is=the first time the feds have filed charges against birth tourism businesse=. And authorities warn that it's not just immigration fraud – it's=a national security risk.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are watching very very closely…

Venezuela. Officials there have reportedly arrested <= href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15878131.2866583/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2lt=XRoLmlzLzJzWDJLNmw/5bae7b412ddf9c633bb801b8Bb71e5273" target="_blank" st=le="color:#00b2a9;text-decoration:none;">at least 10 journalists in =he past week, expelling four. These sorts of detentions have become common=in the country. And they come as President Nicolás Maduro is facing t=e biggest challenge to his rule since he rose to power in 2013. Last week,=opposition leader and head of the country's parliament Juan Guaidó in=oked the constitution to act as interim prez. Yesterday, the European Parliament joined the US, UK, =anada, several Latin American countries, and others in backing Guaidó= And the EU spoke out against the attacks on the press. Six journalists ha=e apparently been released.

Skimm More: H=re's your backgrounder on how the situation in Venezuela got to this point=

What people are talking about…

These se= trafficking arrests. Earlier this week, officials said they've arrest=d 33 people for sex trafficking in Atlanta in the lead up to Super Bowl LI=I this weekend. They also rescued four survivors. You might have heard tha= the Super Bowl is an especially big hub for sex trafficking each year bec=use of the extra foot traffic. That may or may not be true. This year, Atlanta – which is ho=ting the big game �=93 is apparently using its time in the spotlight to raise awareness of the=issue. Atlanta is one of the top cities known for human trafficking. And i='s been plastering airports, gas stations, and convenience stores with pos=ers to flag warning signs and distribute a hotline number. Here's the numb=r if you or someone you know needs it: 1-888-373-7888. And here are more ways you can help.

What to say when you hear about this new report on heart disease…

In other alarming numbers...a new report shows the nu=ber of military students experiencing unwanted sexual contact went up nearly 50% in the last two yea=s. The Pentagon has been working to get these incidents down by doing thin=s like raising awareness and encouraging students to report their claims. =his info was gathered before these initiatives may have made an impact, bu= officials still say there's a lot of work to be done to change the cultur= at military academies.

What to say to your friend living in the UK…<=b>

Careful with the fish and chips. A new study found th=t many of those shops are actually selling endangered shark meat.

What to say when you try to get a red wine stain out =ith warm water…

You're m=king it worse.

=/a>

SKIMM READS

"Grit" by Angela Duckworth

If you've ever wanted to know what makes people succe=d, this is the book for you. Spoiler: it's not talent. There's research, a=alysis, and reflection from famous psychologist Angela Duckworth. Perfect =or a career slump or the next time you need some motivation. Get it here.

<=>PS: Need help getting your career in order? Our upcoming book,="How to Skimm Your Life," can help. It will give you resume and interview =ips, negotiating tactics and more. Pre-order here.

SKIMM PICKS

For when your V-day gifts come from the impulse ai=le every year...

Here's something just as easy but way more thoughtful= This company has art prints, mugs, blankets, and m=re to gift for Valentine's Day. So you can avoid the last-minute pharmacy =un for bad chocolate.*

For when you want to watch The Big Game but don't have cable...

Meet your MVP. Sign up for this streaming service to get in on the game, without=the commitment of cable.*

*PS This is an affiliate post, which means =f you purchase or sign up, theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

SKIMM'RS

Cheers to...Brittany M (UT), who's always want=d to narrate books. Now, after hustling (think: buying a mic, taking class=s, networking), the offers are rolling in. Congrats, (ear)bud. And to S=ephanie and Isabelle D (MO), the mom-and-daughter duo who are a=out to take classes together as part of Harvard Extension School. Paging L=relai and Rory...

S=otlight on...Mary L (NY), a professional photographer who came up with=More Good. The mission: to collect and profile stories of compassion and h=man kindness. She's traveled to 34 states, been profiled in the news, and =iven a TEDx talk. Now, she's been listed by her local paper as 2018 Suffol= Times Person of the Year.

(=ome) Birthdays…Fran Schechter (NY), Chris Steadley (OH), Emma =ales (CA), Ashlynn Dey (CA), Lauren Conrad, Natalie Martinez (FL), Catarin= Daltro (IN), Ina Garten, Carter Bell (IA), Kelli Dawson (ID), Nina Udeshi=(VA), Jacob McCourt (ON), Kyoshi Robinson (MS), Michele Corigliano (UT), M=nelle Rougeau (TX)

*=elcome to a new section we're testing with members of theSkimm. Want to ta=e it to the next level? Reach out here for a chance to be featur=d.

SKIMM SHARE

Skimm HQ is catching up on Oscar-nominated movies this=weekend. Share theSkimm with your friend whose movie recs you trust.

Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r==b66f6bb

Skimm'd something we missed?

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