Daily Skimm: Let's keep it awkward

"It is not reasonable for the state to regulate people's dance"

— Sweden, on allowing people to dance without a license. Scand-alous.

Top Story

Time's Ticking

The Story

The clock could be ticking for one of the world's most popular social media apps.

Talk to me.

For years, TikTok — which is owned and developed by a Chinese company called ByteDance — has had lawmakers and experts sounding the alarm over national security concerns. They worry that the Chinese government can gain access to personalized data on US citizens through a Chinese law that could require ByteDance to turn it over. We're not talking just names and email addresses — but data like "faceprints and voiceprints." Essentially, everything from the objects and scenery in your videos to keystroke patterns that could create a very specific user behavior profile.

So what's being done?

In 2020, then-President Trump signed an executive order aimed at banning TikTok — something President Biden revoked and replaced in 2021 when he called on the gov to review apps controlled by foreign adversaries. That review could come within the next few weeks. Meanwhile, Biden last month banned TikTok from nearly 4 million federal devices. That's after Maryland, South Dakota, and Nebraska took things into their own hands. But now, two years into negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, ByteDance reportedly has a plan it hopes will convince critics it's not a national security threat.

Let's hear it.

For months, TikTok has been housing its American users' data in a California-based cloud software company. Now, it's reportedly offering to spend $1.5 billion to build out a unit that would oversee all the data — as well as its scary accurate algorithm. The reported plan is to hire 2,500 people, none of whom would be Chinese nationals. A spokesperson for TikTok says the company looks forward to putting "concerns to rest." No word yet from the Treasury Department. The Chinese government will also likely need to clear the deal.

theSkimm

TikTok has at least 100 million users in the US alone — and is the first social media giant from outside the US. But the race is on to prove to US lawmakers it's safe — otherwise the US government is threatening to unfollow.

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And Also...This

What keeps on piling up…

The Biden papers. On Saturday, the White House acknowledged five more pages of classified docs found in President Biden's Delaware home from his time as VP. That's in addition to the two other batches of docs we learned about last week: one in DC and the other in his garage. Both were flagged to the Justice Department weeks ago but were not made public until CBS broke the news. The DOJ has appointed a special counsel to look into this. But House Republicans aren't waiting around. Over the weekend, the House Oversight Committee asked the Biden admin to hand over a list of all the visitors at the president's home since he took office. They also demanded any and all documents related to the search of Biden's home, the names of the aides that located the docs, and who else may have access to the area where the docs were found. The White House's response: "his personal residence is personal." Meanwhile, former President Trump — himself the subject of a classified docs investigation — criticized the garage the docs were found in as "flimsy, unlocked, and unsecured."

Who may be thinking 'just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in'...

Matteo Messina Denaro. Yesterday, Italy's most wanted fugitive was arrested after 30 years on the lam. The Cosa Nostra Mafia boss has been accused of dozens of murders in the '90s — including allegedly killing two anti-Mafia prosecutors and an informant's son. He was also personally implicated in deadly bombings in Milan, Florence, and Rome. But on Monday, Italian police arrested him in a Sicilian clinic where he was reportedly undergoing colon cancer treatment. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called his capture a "great victory."

Where there are updates…

Nepal. Yesterday, investigators said they recovered flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the country's deadliest plane crash in 30 years. On Sunday, a Yeti Airlines flight carrying 72 people crashed en route from Kathmandu to a new airport in the popular tourist destination Pokhara. 68 people have been confirmed dead, while the other four are missing. The latest tragedy comes to a country with a history of deadly crashes, many attributed to unpredictable weather and difficult terrain. But experts point out there were clear skies at the time of the crash. Now, the data could help authorities determine what caused it.

While the Miss Universe pageant was Little Miss Controversial…

Glee comes with a price.

Who's apparently married again...

Kanye West.

Skimm Life

It's hibernation season, so make the most of your time indoors and get comfy with our recs for a cozier space. Check out:

Skimm Picks

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2. How to keep your skin hydrated during winter. Achieve that baby-soft feel with hand lotions, lip masks, and unscented creams. Lather up.

3. Our review of Laughland's teeth-whitening kit. We tested this customized kit, and here's why we think it's your best bet for pearly whites. Psst...check out more dentist-approved tips for a brighter smile.

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On Our Radar

30% off desk essentials at Ban.do with code DESK30. The new year is in full swing — make sure your workspace is ready to tackle it.

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.

Teamwork…Johnny V (TX). Ten years after their high school graduation, a group of friends co-founded a scholarship fund to help underprivileged students at their alma mater. A+.

(Some) Birthdays…Sydney Eason (NY), Debbie Wagner (WI), Elaine Michaels (IL), Keisha Parker (DC), Meghan McCarthy (CT), Lisa Fentress (CO), Kennedy Stovall (TX), Tim Pagliaro (MA), Stephanie Schwendinger (NJ), Kathleen Marsh (CT), Joan Gilboy (IL), Madeline Boskey (NJ), Gracie Hamlin (OR), Tammy Armstrong (SC), Valerie Blassey (PA)

PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Watch 2022’s top directors in conversation

Los Angeles Times - The Envelope Roundtable | Actresses - Presented by Amazon Studios

The year's most acclaimed directors, unscripted.

WATCH NOW

We were lucky enough to sit down with six directors of this
year's most original and talked-about films for a uniquely
candid roundtable discussion about their craft.

Watch The Envelope Oscars Roundtable - Directors
and get a peek behind the award-worthy work of:

Rian Johnson

"Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery"

Jordan Peele

"Nope"

Gina Prince-Bythewood

"The Woman King"

Maria Schrader

"She Said"

Charlotte Wells

"Aftersun"

Florian Zeller

"The Son"

Movies Update: Oscar Voting Continues

View in browser|nytimes.com

Continue reading the main story

January 16, 2023

By Kyle Buchanan

After a hectic few days of guild nominations and awards shows, the academy started voting on Oscar nominations last week. What will wind up on the ballot when it's unveiled on Jan. 24? I'll have predictions in my column on Wednesday, but here are some takeaways now that we've seen the Golden Globe winners (remember, it never hurts to win a televised award) and nominees from the even more important actors, directors and producers guilds:

— Only three films earned nominations from all three of those guilds: Steven Spielberg's autobiographical "The Fabelmans," the sci-fi hit "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and the dark feuding-friends comedy "The Banshees of Inisherin." That trio should be considered the strongest Oscar contenders as voting for the Academy Awards continues until Jan. 17.

— But after taking the Globes for best director and best drama, "The Fabelmans" was dealt the most significant Screen Actors Guild Award snub when its star, Michelle Williams, failed to make the powerhouse best actress lineup. As a predictor of eventual Oscar success, the SAG Awards can be hit or miss: A few snubbed actors could still break through with Oscar voters, but your eventual Oscar winners were almost certainly SAG nominees.

— None of the titles nominated for the top DGA or PGA prizes were directed by women. If "Women Talking" (from Sarah Polley), "The Woman King" (Gina Prince-Bythewood) or "Aftersun" (Charlotte Wells) fail to make the Oscars best-picture list, it will be the first time the category has excluded female filmmakers in four years.

— Typically, four of the five Directors Guild Award nominees are also nominated for the best-director Oscar. This year, the DGA field includes Steven Spielberg, who also won the best director Golden Globe for "The Fabelmans," along with Todd Field ("Tár"), Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert ("Everything Everywhere All at Once"), Joseph Kosinski ("Top Gun: Maverick") and Martin McDonagh ("The Banshees of Inisherin").

Stay tuned!

Ryan Pfluger for The New York Times

THE PROJECTIONIST

Is Stephanie Hsu the 'Dark Horse' of Award Season?

The "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actress may not be as well known as her co-stars, but her role is crucial enough to deserve consideration.

By Kyle Buchanan

Ariel Fisher for The New York Times

Bill Nighy, Master of Misdirection

Though his turn in the drama "Living" is the subject of Oscar chatter, just try getting him to talk about his art. He prefers self-deprecation instead.

By Sarah Lyall

Petra Börner

CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK

Breaking Out of the #MeToo Movie Formula

How "Women Talking" and "Tár" make the discourse around the movement feel thrillingly unfamiliar.

By Amanda Hess

Continue reading the main story

NEWS & FEATURES

Rich Polk/NBC, via Associated Press

CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK

The Golden Globes Were Too Big to Fail

Did the awards get their legitimacy back? You can't regain what you never had.

By James Poniewozik

Rich Polk/NBC, via Getty Images

Golden Globes Winners 2023: The Complete List

The winning films, TV shows, actors and production teams at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards.

By Gabe Cohn

Rich Polk/NBC, via Associated Press

Jerrod Carmichael quickly addresses the elephant in the room.

Noting that the group that gives out the Golden Globes had no Black members until recently, Jerrod Carmichael, the show's host, said: "I'll tell you why I'm here. I'm here 'cause I'm Black."

By Julia Jacobs

Rich Polk/NBC, via Getty Images

Michelle Yeoh wins her first Globe.

The actress won her first Golden Globe for her performance in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." "It's been an amazing journey, an incredible fight to be here today."

By Sarah Bahr