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“I never walked across any stage”

— Kid Cudi on getting an honorary master’s degree in fashion. He’s on the pursuit of happiness.

Top Story

Gaza

The Story

Humanitarian concerns are mounting in southern Gaza.

What’s the latest?

About 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have reportedly been displaced amid the latest Israel-Hamas war. Already, the World Health Organization has raised alarms about the spread of disease and the territory’s collapsing health system. Now, the UN says half of Gaza’s population is starving and that overcrowding could lead to “mass displacement” into Egypt. Meanwhile, Israel is ordering thousands of Palestinians in Khan Younis — the territory’s second largest city — to a strip of land on the Mediterranean coast, as it continues its ground invasion.

What are people saying?

Yesterday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to boost its efforts to protect civilians in Gaza. It came days after the US vetoed a UN resolution, supported by nearly all Security Council members, calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. There's also growing outrage over images showing Israeli soldiers detaining dozens of Palestinian men stripped down to their underwear. Israel says the men are being questioned on whether they’re with Hamas. Hamas says the detained are civilians. As international calls mount for Israel to end the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said such pressure “would prevent Hamas’s elimination.”

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More than 17,700 Palestinians have been killed during the latest Israel-Hamas war — more than two-thirds are women and children. As humanitarian concerns continue to rise, Israel and Hamas don’t appear any step closer to resolving the conflict.

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And Also...This

Who’s packing up…

UPenn’s leadership. Over the weekend, UPenn president Liz Magill resigned. It comes almost a week after she, along with the presidents of Harvard and MIT, participated in a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. During testimony, Magill seemed unable to confirm that “calling for the genocide of Jews” would violate school policies on bullying or harassment. It led to immense backlash from students, faculty, donors, and alumni. The school’s chair of the board of trustees, Scott Bok, also resigned. Magill will serve as interim president until someone is appointed. Meanwhile, pressure is growing for Harvard president Claudine Gay to also hand in a resignation letter. She’s apologized for her testimony, but hasn’t given any indication that she plans on leaving.

What got the stamp of approval…

Sickle cell treatments. Over the weekend, the FDA approved the first CRISPR gene-editing therapy for the rare blood disorder. Casgevy allows doctors to go into a patient’s DNA and tweak the bits that lead to sickle cell disease. About 100,000 Americans suffer from the genetic condition, which disproportionately affects Black Americans. The FDA also signed off on Lyfgenia, which uses a more common form of gene therapy to treat the disease. Still, the treatments come with hefty price tags: Casgevy will cost $2.2 million per patient and Lyfgenia $3.1 million. The pharma companies behind the treatments say they're working with insurers, which are expected to cover the cost. The FDA estimates that about 20,000 patients will be eligible for both therapies.

What's sparking outrage…

Iran. Over the weekend, a lawyer for Mahsa Amini’s family said Iran barred them from going to France to collect an award honoring Amini. Last year, 22-year-old Amini died after morality police allegedly beat her for failing to comply with the country’s hijab laws. Her death set off a wave of national protests. Earlier this year, the European Union announced it was posthumously awarding Amini its top human rights prize. A lawyer for Amini’s family said officials prohibited them from boarding the plane, despite having valid visas. Only the family’s lawyer will reportedly be able to travel and collect the award. The president of the European Parliament called on Iran to “retract the decision” so the family can attend tomorrow's ceremony.

…Oh and speaking of Iran, activist Narges Mohammadi’s teenage children accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Mohammadi, who's in prison, won the award for decades of human rights activism.

What’s no longer smiling…

SmileDirectClub. Over the weekend, the telehealth orthodontics company shut down after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. For nearly a decade, the company marketed itself as an affordable option for teeth aligners. Now, after seemingly biting off more than it could chew, the company told former customers in the middle of treatment to consult with their local dentists.

While Shohei Ohtani is scoring big off the field…

Bronny James is ready to make a name for himself.

Who's getting ready for more good days...

SZA.

What soared to the top…

Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron.”

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We're building a tool to help you cross off the to-dos keeping you up at night. Meet theSkimm Beta, a space where you can learn how to manage your debt and get more pleasure. Check it out.

GIFT-GIVING BLOCK

Together with

Gift-giving block is basically writer’s block but for when you have no idea what to get someone on your shopping list (it’s totally a thing, just go with it).

Whether it’s for your office white elephant party, the distant cousin you drew from a hat, or a known-for-returning-whatever-they-get recipient, Apple Gift Card has you covered. They can use it to buy Apple products, movies, games, books, music, TV subscriptions, apps…the options are basically endless. Holiday shopping stress, please exit stage left.

The health answers you can't find on Google

Sometimes you have questions you don’t want to ask your doctor…but searching Google only makes you more confused. That's where Skimm Well comes in. In our weekly newsletter, you can submit and vote on questions you want experts to answer. Like, how do I know if anxiety meds are right for me? What’s the best natural remedy for constipation? Or is Botox bad for your health? Sign up now and get the info you need to take charge of your health. No 3 am spiral required.

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A mix-and-match outfit that’s a holiday dress-up dream.

Old Navy’s shiny rib-knit top is perfect for holiday parties and date nights alike. Pair it with denim for a chic casual look, or go for full festive glam with the matching maxi skirt.*

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3. The perfect gift for your friend who’s always on the move.

This brand’s offering free shipping on their brand-new and certified pre-owned e-bikes with code TREE. Even better? They’ll guarantee delivery by December 25 if you order by December 21. Done and done.*

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4. How to get $5K in travel savings.

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5. Your favorite holiday gifts of the year (so far).

Need some gifting inspo? Here are the products from our gift guides that Skimm'rs are checking out the most, from an instant iced coffee maker to an essential oil roller that'd make a great stocking stuffer.

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Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

On Our Radar

Our monthly newsletter for marketers, business leaders, and industry obsessives that digs into how brands think about and talk to women. Expect noteworthy interviews, trending articles, and insights to propel your brand forward. Sign on up.

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.

The gift of giving…Elizabeth K (VT). She’s organizing a community toy swap and re-gifting event that’s open to everyone. Her goal is to help reduce the impact on the environment, save time and money, and connect with other community members.

(Some) Birthdays…Katherine Haves Malitzky (NY), theSkimm's Sam Nicles, Syd Sexton (TX), Natalie Mullen (GA), Lizzie Smith (IN), Kaanan Shah (NY), Lindsay English (CT), Rena Meadows (IN), Rodrigo De La Roca (FL), Christina Bircsak (MA), Alexandra Rizzo (NY), Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez (OH), Darlene Blanchard (FL), Niki DeMaio (FL), Melissa Fischer (MN)

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