Daily Skimm: It's a small world after all

December 27, 2022 [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Header Image]( The Year in News 2022 has been...a lot. We had everything from [midterms]( and the [war in Ukraine]( to [West Elm Caleb]( and “[Wednesday](.” Now, before we ring in the New Year, theSkimm is taking a week to reflect on some of the biggest stories of the year. Let’s hop right into it... President Biden…#46’s second year was marked by a [record-low approval rating](. Sky-high inflation didn’t help. But there were legislative Ws: He signed the [Inflation Reduction Act](, taking steps on climate change, health care, and tax reform...though it’s not clear it actually reduces inflation. He also signed the [Respect for Marriage Act](. And put pen to paper on the most significant [gun control legislation]( in nearly 30 years (just as SCOTUS [expanded]( gun rights). Speaking of the Supremes, Biden ushered in the high court’s first Black female justice, [Ketanji Brown Jackson](. He also helped bring [Brittney Griner]( home. And [pardoned]( some federal marijuana convictions. He also gave the go-ahead to kill [ISIS’s]( and [al-Qaeda’s]( leaders. But under Biden’s watch, the US saw one of the [deadliest human smuggling incidents]( in recent US history. And the [deadliest year]( for migrants at the southern border. His [fist bump]( with the Saudi crown prince triggered backlash. And so have his [many gaffes](, [hot mic moments](, and the ongoing investigation into his son, [Hunter Biden](. His student loan forgiveness plan is in [limbo](. But despite all that, Biden’s party [defied history]( in the midterms. Now, many — [including Biden]( — are looking at what it means for 2024. --------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of elections…The midterms took over 2022. The [economy]( dominated headlines. But with abortion rights on the ballot, women turned out to vote. So did younger voters ([shoutout to Gen Z](). And the red wave that many [predicted]( didn’t happen. Senate Ws in Pennsylvania and Georgia kept the chamber in Dem's hands. But then Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) [dipped]( from the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Republicans took the House — with their [slimmest majority ever](. Speaking of firsts, there were a bunch — including the [first Gen Z House member]( and the country’s [first openly lesbian governor](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Abortion…SCOTUS hit ‘[undo](’ to Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion. The move triggered a [wave of reactions]( from all sides of the debate — with emotions ranging from fear and anger to joy and hope. Now, it’s all up to the states to decide when and whether the procedure is allowed. [More than a dozen]( now crack down on abortion — restricting or banning it entirely. [Seventeen states and DC]( protect the procedure. And when put directly to a vote, Americans in [all five states]( that had ballot initiatives chose the pro-abortion rights option. Companies [pledged]( to cover abortion-related travel expenses. Some Republicans are [calling]( for a 15-week nationwide abortion ban. Democrats want to codify Roe. But that’s not expected to happen in a divided Congress. --------------------------------------------------------------- Jan 6 hearings…For the first time ever, Congress referred a former US president for criminal prosecution. The news came after 18 months of a Democratic-led House committee [investigation](. And included [proposed charges]( against former President Trump including inciting an insurrection, conspiracy to defraud the federal gov, and obstructing the certification of the 2020 election. Now, it’s up to the American public to decide how to digest this information. And the [DOJ]( to decide whether to pursue charges. But they have their own [special counsel]( looking into his role on Jan 6. Meanwhile, Trump is the only Republican to officially announce [a presidential run]( for 2024. And is the subject of quite a few [legal issues]( and [criminal investigations](. And has been called out for dining with antisemites. Oh, but there were [NFTs](. --------------------------------------------------------------- LGBTQIA+ issues…A gunman killed [five people]( at an LGBTQIA+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The attack came as more than 300 anti-LGBTQIA+ laws were intro’d this year — many specifically targeting trans youth. That included: blocking gender-affirming care, banning trans athletes from sports, and restricting bathroom access. Florida passed a bill that critics have dubbed the “[Don’t Say Gay](” law. And states from [Arizona]( to [Texas]( worked to crack down on gender-affirming care for kids. The world governing body on swimming [updated its policy](. Meanwhile, Biden signed the “[Respect for Marriage Act](.” [California]( became a safe haven from legal action for trans youth and their families. [Gender X]( is now an option on US passports. On the international stage, [Cuba]( legalized same-sex marriage. And [Singapore]( decriminalized gay sex. --------------------------------------------------------------- Antisemitism...was on the rise, continuing the trend over (at least) the last five years. A gunman held four people hostage at a Jewish congregation. [Kanye West’s comments]( brought antisemitism to the forefront by threatening to go “death con 3 on Jewish people” on Twitter. And then posting a swastika and [complimenting Hitler]( during an interview. Brooklyn Nets point guard [Kyrie Irving]( jumped in to share a film with antisemitic tropes. Both faced backlash and repercussions (loss of partnership deals and game suspension). But the high-profile comments left many Jews in the US shaken. --------------------------------------------------------------- More from across the US…A [baby formula shortage]( had parents scrambling. California banned the sale of [gas-guzzling cars]( and blocked [rap lyrics]( from being used in court. Lynching is now a federal hate crime. NYC mourned the death of [Michelle Go](. Mass shootings are still a national crisis — rocking [Buffalo](, [Uvalde](, [Tulsa](, [Highland Park](, [Colorado Springs](, and many other towns. And social justice is still at the forefront of everyone's mind. Police killed [Amir Locke]( during a no-knock raid. A jury found [Ahmaud Arbery’s]( three killers guilty. Kim Potter was sentenced for [Daunte Wright’s]( death. The federal gov charged four officers in connection with [Breonna Taylor’s]( death. And a Michigan officer was charged with killing [Patrick Lyoya](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Iran…[chanted]( “Women, Life, Freedom” after morality police arrested 22-year-old [Mahsa Amini]( for allegedly violating the country’s hijab law. Days later, she was dead. [Tens of thousands]( of Iranians took to the streets as her death became a rallying cry for the [women-led movement]( to change leadership and laws. Police arrested more than 18,000 people and [opened fire]( on thousands. At least 300 people have died amid protests. [Elnaz Rekabi]( rock climbed without a hijab in South Korea. And [Iran’s soccer team]( skipped on singing their national anthem during the World Cup. But despite mixed messaging on the status of Iran’s morality police, no formal changes have been confirmed. --------------------------------------------------------------- Things beyond the US borders...Boris Johnson [partied too hard](. [Liz Truss]( and the [lettuce]( came and went. And everyone said ‘good day’ to the UK’s new-new PM [Rishi Sunak](. [Queen Elizabeth II]( left her 70-year mark on the throne. King Charles III took the helm while the pound took the [plunge](. [Chinese President Xi Jinping]( secured another term. And the country[rolled back]( its strict zero-COVID policy after [protests]( spread across the country. [Brazil]( threw out Jair Bolsonaro. [Israel]( brought back Benjamin Netanyahu. Japan's former Prime Minister [Shinzo Abe]( was assassinated while campaigning for the election of a new PM. Sri Lanka went through a [political]( and economic crisis. So did [Pakistan](, and historic [floods]( made things worse. A deadly earthquake destroyed homes in [Afghanistan]( — all while the Taliban [reinstated Islamic law](. And record and deadly [heat waves]( swept across Europe. [“Freedom Convoy” protests]( blocked Canadian highways over the country’s COVID-19 mandates. And India expanded [abortion rights]( for women. Ethiopia and Tigray reached a [truce](. [South Korea]( mourned hundreds killed in a Halloween crowd surge. Peru got their [first female president]( after the previous one was given the boot. And [Bali’s]( governor said its law banning sex outside of marriage won’t affect tourists after many feared the rule would rub visitors the wrong way. --------------------------------------------------------------- We don’t know about you, but there was a lot to cover in '22. Stay tuned this week for everything on health and business...to the biggest in pop culture and entertainment. Yes, including the [spray-on dress](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Here's a recap of the year in news #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. Crazy-comfy, incredibly stylish sneakers you'll wanna wear everywhere this winter. [These sneaks]( are making (literal) waves with skaters, surfers, aaaand celebs. They've even racked up a 77K waitlist. Psst...they're never on sale. But Skimm'rs [get 20% off with code SKIMM20](.* 2. Dash kitchen appliances that are so, so good. Think: compact, [efficient](, and ideal for anyone who loves a stack of waffles or crispy fries. Yum. 3. The best products our guest editors recommended in 2022. From entrepreneurs to authors to actors, we’ve had some amazing Skimm Her Life guest editors this year. [Here's everything]( they couldn’t live without. Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes [here](. 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. Fashion forward…Jacqui J (NY). In September, Jacquie traveled to Paris for Fashion Week with 30 amazing women of color from all over the US. Their goal was to enjoy not just the fashion shows, but also explore Black culture in Paris like visiting Josephine Baker’s chateau outside of the city. Keeping busy…Noelle H (NY). She recently completed her masters in Global Health and Development at the University College London with distinction. And then she made the move to NYC to start a grant writing job for an organization that provides free health care across New York. (Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Clem Robineau (NY), Jason Bjorgo (WA), Pete Scherr (NV), Jessica Lichtenstein (NY), Clare O'Donnell (FL), John Hicks (SC), Lindsay Aleshire (GA), Patricia Deuel (MI), Meredith Keeler (IA), Jordan Staus (IN), Melissa J Eddy (TX), Chelce Scaturchio (GA), Monica Krishnan (FL), Elizabeth Brauer (NY), Carly Roman (NY) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Maria del Carmen Corpus, Melanie De Lima, Kate Gilhool, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj Design: Diana Chau Hu | Photos: Getty Images, iStock, WHYY *PS: This is a sponsored post. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2022 theSkimm, All rights reserved. TheSkimm, Daily Skimm, and all Skimm-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of TheSkimm, Inc. 50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B, New York, NY 10010