Daily Skimm: Rose-colored glasses all distorted

Skimm'd while getting our window safety sorted October 17, 2022 [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Coffee Pour]( [Together with]( [The Hunter Douglas logo]( Skimm'd [while getting our window safety sorted]( “Burping” — [What astronomers]( say a black hole is doing. Excuse you. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Apparently this black hole needs a refresh on manners #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story Getty Images China The Story [Chinese President Xi Jinping]( is set to get a third term. Talk to me. Yesterday, the Chinese Communist Party kicked off its [20th National Congress](. The event takes place every five years to determine China’s next leader and who will surround them. By the time it wraps up at the end of the week, leaders are expected to select Xi for an unprecedented third term (since China’s legislature voted in 2018 to get rid of presidential term limits in the country’s constitution). Now, the world is bracing for at least another five years — and likely many more than that — with Xi at the helm. Remind me what he’s like? Since Xi seized control of the Communist Party a decade ago, he has [changed the country]( and its position on the international stage. For starters, he made China a more closed, authoritarian, and repressive place. Under Xi's leadership, Hong Kong turned into a [police state](. China is reportedly committing [human rights violations]( against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities. And the state built up its [censorship, propaganda, and surveillance systems](, making it harder for Chinese citizens to protest and voice their discontent. And let’s not forget escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, where China has performed a series of military drills around the island and provoked fears of an invasion. Those moves added to China’s tensions with the West — but it still has a number of diplomatic relations. Such as? Russia. A third term could mean more time for Xi to strengthen his relationship with his “[best friend](,” Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Especially since Xi is now poised to remain in power for the rest of his life — and Putin appears to be [pursuing the same](.) As for Xi’s support within China, that’s hard to determine, since it’s nearly impossible to speak freely against the Communist Party. His fight against corruption has garnered support, but the country’s “[zero-COVID](” policy has resulted in a lot of discontent because its rolling lockdowns have slowed the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, the US depends heavily on China by importing billions of dollars worth of goods — from [ibuprofen]( to machinery to toys and sports equipment. But that hasn’t stopped President Biden and Xi from [trading threats]( over an invasion of Taiwan. theSkimm Xi’s goal has been to establish China as a global powerhouse. With Xi set to take his third term at 69 years old, China — and the world — could be seeing decades more of him. Related Stories: - [Photos: Rare Protests Against Xi Jinping]( - [Here’s What Americans Think About China]( - [One China Correspondent on How Xi Changed the Country]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Chinese President Xi Jinping is looking for a historic third term #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) And Also...This Where people are mourning… [Iran](. On Saturday, a fire broke out at Tehran’s Evin Prison killing at least eight inmates and injuring a reported 61 others. The prison has been accused by the US of "serious human rights abuses" and is currently holding hundreds of anti-government activists and political prisoners — including at least one Iranian-American. State media says prisoners burned a warehouse of uniforms, sparking the fire. And that there was conflict between inmates and officials. In videos shared online, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area. The incident comes as the country enters its fifth week of anti-government protests following the death of 22-year-old [Masha Amini](. But Tehran’s prosecutor claims everything is under control and that it’s unrelated to the nationwide protests. Meanwhile, some say they’re still waiting to hear from loved ones who were inside. [Turkey](. On Friday, an explosion at a state-owned coal mine killed at least 41 people and injured more than ten others in a town near the Black Sea. About 110 people were working hundreds of meters below ground at the time of the blast, with 58 able to make it out safely. Prosecutors are investigating, but initial indications show that the explosions may have been caused by a firedamp (when flammable gasses found in coal mines form an explosive mixture). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the site and vowed to end “deficiencies or unnecessary risks” in mines. But also said “[fate](” was to blame. Meanwhile, some wonder if safety measures like monitoring rising heat and dangerous gas levels in mines were ignored in favor of profitability. --------------------------------------------------------------- Where people are protesting… [France](. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Paris to protest rising living costs. Organized by left-wing opponents of French President Emmanuel Macron, the demonstrations come amid a [weekslong strike]( at oil refineries that are causing fuel shortages across the country. Workers at the refineries are calling for higher wages to keep up with inflation and to get a piece of the pie from the huge profits made by energy companies. Next up: protestors are calling for a general strike tomorrow — which could disrupt transportation and prompt some government offices to close. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who’s making headlines… [These climate activists](. On Friday, two fossil fuel protesters threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh's “Sunflowers” painting and glued themselves to the wall in London's National Gallery. Earlier this month, the UK gov offered up new North Sea oil and gas exploration licenses. The activists say their goal is to get the gov to end new licensing for the “exploration, development, and production of fossil fuels in the UK.” --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s got us crossing our fingers... [BioNTech](. Yesterday, the company’s co-founders said a vaccine targeting cancer could be available by 2030. Currently in development, the hope is that the vaccine could recognize and attack cancers using mRNA technology — the same breakthrough approach used in some COVID-19 shots. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who’s taking a break… [Megan Thee Stallion]( and [some BTS members](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s got everyone saying ‘you gotta see it to belieb it’... Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber — [together](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=People are mourning a prison fire in Iran and a coal-mine explosion in Turkey. BioNTech says it could have a cancer vaccine by 2030. And Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber looked picture perfect — together. #theSkimm %0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Rent vs. ‘Rents [Together with]([Goldman Sachs Logo]( When it comes to the economy, no one has a crystal ball. So we partnered with [Marcus by Goldman Sachs]( to bring you perspectives that can help you stay ahead. With rising mortgage rates and limited home inventory, the spotlight has been on homeowners. But we couldn’t help but wonder…how are renters faring these days? Spoiler alert: not well. Demand and prices are rising for them, too. So moving back in with the ‘rents is a legitimate money-saving technique some people might be trying. Seriously. A Goldman Sachs report states that 33% of 18-34-year-olds are shacking up with theirs. Home-cooked meals anyone? PS: Head [here]( for more smart money insights from Marcus. Happening tomorrow: SkimmU Parenting theSkimm Our kids are back in school but things are not back to normal. And we get it — we’re still trying to figure out the impact of 2+ years of a pandemic and the challenges that came with it. Tune into [SkimmU Parenting: Parenting Today](, presented by [Danone North America](, tomorrow at 1:00 pm ET. Board Certified Psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, Board Certified Pediatrician Dr. Natasha Burgert, and Happy Family Organics’ Anne Laraway will give us tools to support our child through it all — from entering daycare for the first time to transitioning to in-person learning. You don’t want to miss this. [Sign up now](. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. Something that’ll make going with your gut a little easier. Secret time: [This microbiome-nourishing probiotic]( can boost your metabolism and improve digestion with a special ingredient you can’t find anywhere else. Oh, and Skimm’rs get 20% off their first month’s supply with code [SKIMM20](.* 2. A headstart on holiday shopping. Because why not? From PJs to party looks, [Old Navy]( has everything you need to turn October into Giftober. And check off everyone on your list in plenty of time. [Yourself very much included](.* 3. A cordless vacuum that’ll make chores easy. Like a Sunday morning. [This 8-piece dust bunny finder]( works on carpets, hardwood, and upholstery. It also shapeshifts into a handheld for those hard-to-reach spots. PS: It’s on major sale right now. [Shop on](.* 4. A kitchenware sale worth fall-ing for. Rake up your old pots and pans and pile [this brand](’s chic, long-lasting cookware onto your cart. With so many bestsellers 25% off, you won’t regret diving in. [You better be-leaf it](.* *PS: This is a sponsored post. 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. Paw-some…Jen D (DC). After the recent damage from hurricanes in Puerto Rico, she adopted her own furry friend from the island through [The Sato Project](. (Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Hannah Gold (NY), Tom Dubois (IL), Celeste Stuczynski (OH), Caroline Mehl (NY), Zoe Lobel (NJ), Caitlin Dodd (TX), Elizabeth MacAulay (NY), Kelsey Rothhouse (CA), Lauren Fong (FL), Kayla Merritt (AL), Abinaya Kunarathnam (NY), Charlotte Ruppel (TN), Rachel Schor (LA), Sarah Flessas (VA), Kate Scalzi (MI) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm More Charli D’Amelio may be dancing with the stars this season, but we’re here texting with them. Charli and Dixie D’Amelio sat down with us to talk about their dream Hype House, love for Billie Eilish (same), and season 2 of “The D’Amelio Show.” [Check it out.]( theSkimm Loyalty Program theSkimm Join now – engage with our [content](, start earning points, and use those points to unlock rewards. Think: swag, exclusive content, sweepstakes, and more. Starting earning and get in on it [here](. 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