102 Days and Counting

Iran War

102 Days and Counting

What’s going on: On Sunday, what President Donald Trump initially described as a short war with Iran reached its 100th day. The big question now is when it will end. Trump, not exactly known for his patience, says the answer is soon because Iran is desperate for a deal. But that doesn't square with what’s happening on the ground. The latest word from Trump was that he'll work with the country to destroy its uranium used to build weapons. And if they say no thanks to that, he'll "take them out militarily very harshly." Shortly after, Israel and Iran traded fire for the first time since reaching a ceasefire in April. Although they agreed hours later to temporarily stop fighting, both warned they'd retaliate if attacked. Since the war began, the fighting has killed thousands of people, wounded tens of thousands, and forced millions from their homes.

What's next?: Even if the war ends tomorrow, grocery and gas prices likely aren’t going down anytime soon. Many major economies — including the US’s — are struggling with inflation driven by reduced access to oil, and the economic effects will probably continue into at least 2027. While the president attempts to make a deal to end the war, backlash grows among Republican politicians and voters alike. Last week, four Republicans sided with Democrats to pass a resolution limiting Trump’s war powers, and polls show that Trump’s public approval is plummeting even lower than it already was. All this could mean bad news for Republicans when the midterms come later this year, and maybe in the 2028 election, too.

Related: Trump Says He “Didn’t Guarantee No War.” He Did. (CNN)

The News in 5

🗞️ North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and China’s president Xi Jinping got together for a boys’ trip. But is their mutual friend tagging along?

🗞️ President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals and drew plenty of reactions from the crowd before tipoff. Meanwhile, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters about his slightly different plans...

🗞️ Simone Biles posted a hospital photo and said "almost dying" wasn’t on her bingo card. The Olympic gymnast offered few details, but said it was one of the scariest experiences of her life.

🗞️ According to TIME, Democrats have their own redistricting plan underway, and it spans more than a dozen important states. Talk about tit for tat.

🗞️ This beloved Italian coffee brand saw your latest Nespresso post and said, “Hold my cappuccino.” Now, it plans to launch a proprietary home brewing system. Perfetto.   

Dystopian Vibes

The iOS Update We Didn’t Ask For

What's going on: Earlier this year, US birth rates hit a new low after decades of decline. Researchers have pointed to plenty of possible reasons: higher costs, delayed marriage, more college degrees, better access to contraception, and even MTV’s 16 And Pregnant. Now, two new studies suggest another factor may have played a role: smartphones (which you’re probably reading this on). The timing is hard to ignore. US birth rates began a long decline in 2007 — the same year Apple launched the iPhone. One study suggests that the iPhone may explain as much as half of the fertility decline between 2007 and 2011, largely among the 15 to 24 crowd. Another analyzed 128 countries, from Mexico to Turkey, as well as US broadband networks, and found teen birth rates fell where the devices and WiFi were widely available.  

Did iPhones kill the vibe?: Early smartphones were so bare-bones, we probably didn't realize yet that we were on the way to replacing human connection with a handheld device. Since then, we spend less time in person and more time online — that means fewer relationships form, and naturally, fewer pregnancies happen. Smartphones also put everything from pornography to contraception information a tap away, changing how people approach intimacy. The result? Gen Z reports less sexual activity than previous generations at the same age. Some yearn for more, but they might just be more wary of gray areas around dating and sex. This is a generation that grew up through #MeToo, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It's understandably made them more cautious — but thoughtful — daters.

Related: India Is Facing a Baby Bust That Could Threaten Its Future (The Economist)

Healthcare

The Conversation Women Can’t Afford To Avoid

What’s going on: We live in an undeniably sexist world, but women do get one apparent biological win — they tend to outlive men. But many of those extra years come at a cost: poorer health. Maybe that’s because nature has a misogynist streak. Or maybe it’s the chronic lack of women’s health research. Either way, women are more likely to need long-term care as they age, and about a quarter require the support (like bathing and dressing) for more than five years, according to 2022 data. What’s worse? For heterosexual couples, women tend to need care second, potentially after most assets have been used to cover the husband’s health needs, experts say. That’s especially painful because Medicare doesn’t cover most long-term care costs, which can be steep. As of 2025, a private nursing home room costs an average of $129,575 a year. And those rooms aren’t anything like The Ritz…

That’s a lot: It is, so it pays to plan ahead. If you’re not already saving for retirement, try to set something aside (even $5 a month helps), and take advantage of employer 401(k) matches if you can. Long-term care isn’t one size fits all. Some people rely on unpaid caregivers or private nurses. Others move into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. If their assets are low or depleted, they may qualify for Medicaid, though the application process can be complex and eligibility isn’t guaranteed. Those with more financial resources often pay out of pocket or use long-term care insurance, which you can buy ahead (the sooner, the better). Some companies offer hybrid life insurance with long-term care benefits. That means your policy will cover you if it’s needed — if not, your beneficiaries typically still receive a death benefit. The downside: Women often pay more for coverage than men, because, of course.

Related: What To Know About Nursing Home Debt (CBS News)

Quick Hits

😋 Nutritionists shared seven reasons why you should choose this nut for your afternoon snack. Do ice cream flavors count?

🖼️ From abandoned malls to hit movies, everyone’s talking about the “liminal aesthetic” trend. Cottagecore is so over.  

🍴This popular lunch option isn’t always as healthy as it seems. Dietitians shared what to look for when choosing yours.

📺 A peak millennial comfort watch could be leaving Netflix, and fans are so upset they could steal a yacht.

🍫 This sweet treat is actually good for your heart. Willy Wonka was onto something.

🎁 Gift idea he’ll actually use: ridiculously soft joggers that make him look effortlessly cool.*

On Our Calendar

Tuesday, June 9

🗳️ Primary elections in four states 

Voters in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina head to the polls. See who’s on the ballot. 

👩‍🚀 Announcement of the new Artemis crew 

Meet the next names headed for the history books. NASA announces the Artemis III crew at 11 am ET.

🎾 Serena Williams returns to tennis 

The tennis icon plays in a doubles match at London’s HSBC Championships — and her reason for coming back is "aww"-worthy.

📚 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was published 150 years ago 

The Mark Twain classic has been adapted for TV, Broadway, and movies — including the one starring this millennial heartthrob. 

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to the full Skimm+ calendar and never miss a moment.

Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, Jessi Prois, Marina Carver, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.