Eighty and Ready To Rumble

Good morning. 

Who doesn’t love a good celebration? This weekend had plenty of them. On a personal note, my son's baseball team advanced in their playoffs (go Wolves). On a citywide note, the Knicks’ NBA Finals win has added a noticeable spring to New York’s step. I loved OG Anunoby's accidental locker room Instagram live celebration. Meanwhile, some Knicks fans have started thanking a stylish bag that accompanied the team throughout the postseason. Every championship run needs a hero. And not to get ahead of ourselves, but the US Men's National Soccer Team had a great World Cup opener, defeating Paraguay. Gio Reyna used the moment to make a very special announcement, props and all. Not to be outdone, President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday yesterday (more on that in our top story below), and it turns out, the "Claw" could become a permanent White House fixture. More places to hide the Easter eggs? Now, let’s get to the news…

— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY 

Politics

Eighty and Ready To Rumble

What’s going on: Most people celebrate their 80th birthday with cake and family. President Trump opted for UFC cage fights on the White House’s South Lawn (complete with a dramatic walkout and American flag-themed uniforms), before jetting off to France for the G7 Summit. Critics say his rigorous schedule seems intended to combat concerns about aging sparked by dozing off at important events, late-night social media sprees, and bruised hands (the White House blames too much hand-shaking for the latter and insists the president is in “excellent” health). But, a recent poll found that less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively. In 2024, he became the oldest person elected president; if he completes his second term, he’ll surpass former President Joe Biden to become the oldest president in US history. 

That’s a lot of candles: It’s not just Trump. Twenty-four members of Congress are 80 or older. Some Americans would like to see octogenarians barred from public office, particularly after reports said that President Biden hid signs of his physical and cognitive decline. Rahm Emanuel (D), former mayor of Chicago — and a potential 2028 presidential contender at a youthful 66 — has called for a mandatory retirement age of 75 across the three branches of government. A 2023 Pew Research Center poll showed that 79% of Americans support maximum age limits for elected officials in DC and 74% want them for Supreme Court justices. But others say that’s just ageism — and some people can maintain great cognitive health into their 80s. President Trump clearly sees himself as capable; “I don’t feel old,” he said earlier this month. “I feel the same as I did 50 years ago.”

Related: Meet One of the World’s Youngest Elected Politicians (The Guardian)

The News in 5

🗞️ The US and Iran say they have reached a deal to end fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump added, “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

🗞️ A plane carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot crashed Sunday soon after takeoff near Kansas City, Missouri, killing everyone on board. 

🗞️ British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK will ban social media for those under 16.

🗞️ Second Lady Usha Vance just clarified how Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika, influenced her decision to have another baby. 

🗞️ Analysts believe this World Cup squad could give us a Cinderella storyline after an impressive draw against a tournament favorite. Get ready for the ball.

Cancer

Stage 4 Limbo

What’s going on: Stage 4 is cancer in its most advanced form, but survival rates are much higher than they used to be. In the mid-90s, only 17% of people with stage 4 cancer — when the disease has spread to other organs — lived five years beyond their diagnosis. By 2021, that climbed to 35%. And some “super-responders” even live for more than a decade. Gene-targeted therapies and drug treatments have dramatically improved outcomes, but they don’t always lead to a cure. Which leaves some people in a kind of stage 4 limbo: The cancer doesn’t advance, but it doesn’t disappear, either. And while that means it’s no longer always an immediate death sentence, it can become a period of prolonged uncertainty. 

The waiting game: One woman with lung cancer called it occupying "the long middle." The future might be measured in months or years, making ordinary decisions feel impossible: Do you plan that big trip or update your LinkedIn? Sell the house or assume you'll still be living there in five years? Patients often describe a "survivorship gap" — people know how to celebrate remission and mourn a death, but not how to support someone who remains seriously ill but continues to live. In the same season of life, people may attend weddings, pray for miracles, and schedule oncology appointments. One woman told The New York Times she met with a death doula and planned her own funeral to "give some known to the unknown." But as she sorted through her belongings, she grew angry at the idea of giving them away because she was "still alive." Some things, she decided, could wait.

Related: Pulse Pressure Is Often Overlooked in Blood Pressure Readings, but Here’s Why It Matters (NBC News)

Your Ovaries on Tech Support

There's an App for That — but Do We Want One?

What's going on: The capitalists finally noticed that women age, leading to what analysts have called the “menopause gold rush.” Now, big tech wants in. Apple just announced its Health app will add menopause and perimenopause support to its cycle-tracking feature. As you log symptoms, you may receive a nudge if your cycle patterns suggest perimenopause. It’ll also prompt you with educational material to chat through with your doctor. The feature lands amidst a national wearables blitz. Health Secretary RFK Jr. wants every American strapped into a wearable within the next few years as a pillar of the MAHA agenda. Meanwhile, the FDA just eased oversight of certain wearables as they get better at reading us. But such developments could also lead to more exposure of your intimate health data. 

Is this data even helpful?: Privacy concerns are alarming, even if companies like Apple swear by their encryption. In a best-case scenario, your phone is a tool, not a physician. The risk with FemTech apps and wearables in general is that we might start trusting the device over our own understanding of our bodies, ignoring what we feel until an app cosigns it. Plus, in the wrong hands, in a post-Roe landscape, there are real risks (especially with lesser-known cycle and menopause tracking apps or apps that store data on shared servers). Apps can’t necessarily track the broad constellation of menopause and perimenopause symptoms, which can impact sleep, mood, brain fog, achy joints, and the works. Remember: Pen and notebook or a paper calendar can still work for monitoring broad trends, and you and your doctor are better authorities on your health than your phone. 

Related: Does Your Doctor Actually Want Your Wearables Data? (ZDNet)

PS: Let your group chat know the real health story behind the headlines. Every Wednesday, we break down the stories and trends to give you the need-to-know in health, nutrition, and fitness in our weekly Well + Good newsletter. Sign up here.

Quick Hits

🧁 Costco has a new baked good that could be the next cronut. Is chocolate included?

🦟 Doctors revealed how to stop mosquito bites from itching like crazy. Your summer is saved. 

🍴If your kids can’t stop eating this expensive yet delicious healthy snack, you aren’t alone. And you might actually need to make a budget for it.

👑 Eight-year-old Prince Louis stole the show at Trooping the Colour again. If you needed proof that birth order affects personality, this is it.  

💅 Finally, a nail trend that nail biters can try. No length, no problem. 

🎤  No Doubt brought out this artist for their final show at the Sphere. I'm just a girl, watching on repeat.

On Our Calendar

Monday, June 15

🌎 G7 Summit kicks off in France 

Seven world leaders — including Trump — will meet in Évian-les-Bains, along with one slightly unexpected guest.

⚖️ Hearing in Buffalo supermarket mass shooting case 

Payton Gendron, who is serving life for killing 10 people in the racially motivated attack, could now face the death penalty.

🦞 National Lobster Day 

Celebrate with this lobster roll option that only takes 15 minutes to make. Or, hang with your lobster à la Phoebe Buffay.

⚽ Your chance to see women’s sports history

Enter to win two tickets to The Queens Classic, where Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit take over Citi Field for one night only. Plus, the winner scores signed merch from USWNT stars Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw. Terms apply.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

Securing the Bag

If you’ve ever wondered what bags our shopping team swears by, you’ve come to the right newsletter. Today we’re launching Securing the Bag, an inside look into our favorite 52 going-out purses, totes, luggage, and more. Check out:

• The Lands’ End tote we preach about for everyday use

• A scarf bag that’s so chic for weddings and formal events

• A weekender bag that’s perfect for summer travel

• And every other bag we debated over in the pursuit of greatness

Skimm'd by: Anna Davies, Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, Mallory Simon, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.