— Basketball announcers, after Brooklyn Nets' Yuta Watanabe accidentally dunked into his own net. This one goes out to all the unathletic middle schoolers in gym class.
Yesterday's presidential vote was between Brazil's incumbent right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and the left's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro had unemployment rates going for him — which had reached their lowest levels since 2015. But he'd also alienated some with his deforestation of the Amazon and approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. And with inflation and hunger on the rise, many were feeling nostalgia for the early 2000s. Enter: da Silva (aka Lula).
And he is…?
Brazil's former president. From 2003 to 2010, Lula enacted social welfare programs credited with lifting tens of millions of people out of poverty. He left office with record-high approval ratings. But then came the discovery of a government kickback scheme. Lula got looped in and spent over a year and a half in prison on corruption charges. Those charges have since been tossed and his convictions have been annulled. Now, after a first round of voting weeks ago, he's heading to the presidency.
What will that look like?
We'll see when he's sworn in on January 1st. In the meantime, everyone's waiting to find out if Bolsonaro will concede defeat — something he's threatened not to do after making disproved claims of election fraud. President Biden has already congratulated Lula and said he looks "forward to working together." Once in power, Lula's promised to fight deforestation in the Amazon (which has lost an area bigger than the size of Maryland), bump up the minimum wage, and fix the economy overall. But he hasn't provided a clear plan on how he'll do it — especially with Bolsonaro's allies holding sway in Congress. Stay tuned.
theSkimm
Yesterday marked the first time in over two decades that a Brazilian president lost reelection. But Lula's victory is also the narrowest in that same time frame. So while this was yet another — and perhaps the most influential — Latin American country to move to the left in recent years, it also shows how polarized Brazil has gotten.
COVID-19. Last week, an interim report commissioned by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) says the pandemic was most likely the result of a "research-related incident" in Wuhan, China. Reminder: There are two leading theories that could explain the emergence of the virus in 2019. The first is that it was a zoonotic spread. Aka the transmission of pathogens from animals to humans. The second theory is that the virus infected humans as a result of a research-related incident. But now, after 15 months of research, the report found it "highly problematic" that there was no "critical corroborating evidence" of a natural zoonotic spillover. And says that theory "no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt," but that more evidence is needed to reach a definitive conclusion.
Questions remain: COVID's origins have been widely politicized. And Republicans are vowing hearings and probes on the issue in a potential GOP-controlled Senate.
What people are concerned about in the US...
Political violence. Over the weekend, Paul Pelosi — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) husband — began the road to recovery following what she called a "life-threatening attack." Last week, a man broke into their home in San Francisco demanding "where is Nancy?" before attacking the 82-year-old with a hammer. Pelosi is expected to make a full recovery and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have condemned the assault. It comes after recent threats against figures like Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) — as well as the 2017 attack on House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA). And amid an uptick in threats against lawmakers. Last year alone, US Capitol Police said it investigated nearly 10,000 threats — up more than 100% since 2018.
Where people are mourning…
South Korea. Over the weekend, a stampede in the nation's capital left at least 154 people dead and more than 100 injured. The cause is under investigation, but eyewitnesses and officials say that about 100,00 people — mostly in their 20s — were at a Halloween festival when a large crowd surged into a narrow alley. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who called the tragedy "devastating," has declared a one-week period of national mourning.
While people were bringing out the Viserys mask...
The holidays are just around the corner. And our wishlists (and gift lists) are only getting longer. Whether you're ahead of the gift-buying curve, or need last-minute hosting helpers, Best Buy's Black Friday Deals gotchu. (And they've got tons of ways to get your orders for when you can't wait.) See what we mean:
Today you might let your kiddos have that *extra* piece of candy and brace for the sugar rush. But on days a Kit-Kat bar can't fix everything, we got you. Check out our special edition of SkimmU, Parenting Today. Our expert panelists tackle everything from how to gauge how your child is doing 2+ years into the pandemic, which life milestones to keep an eye on, and how to check in on yourself through it all. Watch the recording now.
Skimm Picks
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
2. Our review of Ruggable's washable rugs. Available in various sizes, and as doormats, bathmats, and runners, these come with a nonslip rug pad. And can easily be folded up and tossed into a washing machine. Score. We tried 'em ourselves, and here's what we thought.
3. Our favorite deals from Amazon's Holiday Beauty Haul. Stock up on moisturizing products ahead of winter and more great finds. Thank us later. Psst...who wouldn't want to find one of these in their stocking this year?
4. Party season essentials for hosts and guests. We're talking festive touches like a set of woodsy scents and a gorgeous cake stand to display your sweet handiwork. We've got gift recs for the party superhost in your life too. Cleanup crew not included.
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
†This is a sponsored post from ANNOVERA® (segesterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol vaginal system). Visit Annovera.com for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning. ANVA-20977 10/2022
On Our Radar
25% off sitewide at Girlfriend Collective. Use code HALLOWEEN25 for one more day to save on our fave high-rise leggings and more. Almost missing this sale? Spooky.
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.
Eye of the beholder…Dr. Roya H (CA). She opened Ojos Del Mar, an optometry clinic, in Costa Rica aimed to provide eye care for local school children in need.
(Some) Birthdays…Kevin Stuczynski (OH), Quinn Cole (WA), theSkimm's Blake Lew-Merwin (NY), Jen Hathaway (MA), Zoe Marx (FL), Natanya Auerbach (MA), Baba Barnett (NC), Genae Randall (NC), Christina Kung (DC), Cathy Sondheim (CT), Sharon Chesler (NY), Stephanie Krumm O'Reilly (RI), Laura Seifert (MD), Mayur Chandriani (PA)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm More
Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers know how to spin a show. (Does Lady Whistledown or Meredith Grey ring any bells?) Listen to the duo on our new ep of "9 to 5ish" discussing how they support one another, setting up an environment for their employees to thrive, and a look at their new book, "Inside Bridgerton."
Skimm'd by Melanie De Lima, Kate Gilhool, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj
On the eve of his delightful sorta-fake, sorta-not biopic, "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story," we sit down with him to talk about the world accordion to Al.
While everyone fretted over stroke survivor John Fetterman's speech problems during his Senate debate, Mehmet Oz handed his opponent the perfect weapon.
Horror movies have always had a dedicated fan base. But as other genres lose their power, scary films have become a much-needed hotbed of creativity and commercial power.
