October 14, 2025

What's Happening

International

Trump Declares Victory in the Middle East — but What's Next?

What's going on: When President Donald Trump arrived in Israel yesterday, he received a warm welcome marked by both elation and relief. From the “Trump, Trump, Trump” chants in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square to the standing ovations during his speech before the Israeli parliament, the president’s major diplomatic success was on full display. In his address to Israeli lawmakers, Trump declared the war was over and called the ceasefire deal “the historic dawn of a new Middle East.” He later met with regional leaders in Egypt for a signing ceremony to commemorate the deal. Meanwhile, thousands cheered as Israeli hostages and Palestinians reunited with their families. Now, as the region enters a new phase, many are asking: What’s next?

What it means: Trump says his plans to reshape the region are just getting started. But some analysts warn that while the ceasefire is no small feat, the deal and Trump’s negotiation skills will be tested. Hamas and Israel remain far apart on vital points, with no new details about plans to rebuild Gaza and who will take charge — all of which were noticeably absent from Trump’s speeches. Other analysts say the president’s public pressure campaign and personal relationships with Gulf and Israeli leaders could bring stability — something former President Joe Biden couldn’t pull off. It’s a similar strategy Trump is now using to try to end the war in Ukraine. 

Related: Qatar Plans To Build an Air Force Base in This US State (CNN)

Health

More Employers Want To Support the Change. Yes, That Change 

What's going on: Over the years, celebrities like Halle Berry and Drew Barrymore have helped reduce the stigma around menopause. Now, it seems more employers might be catching on — recognizing insomnia, hot flashes, and brain fog as concerns in the workplace. The share of US companies with 200 or more employees offering menopause support benefits rose to 25% this year, according to HR consulting firm Mercer. That’s compared to 15% in 2023. Some of the benefits are quick fixes, like in-office quiet rooms with air vents and comfort closets stocked with fans and deodorant. Others offer more long-term support, like access to menopause specialists and coverage for medical treatments, and social opportunities like designated menopause discussion Slack channels.  

What it means: Menopause support isn’t just a nice thing for employers to do — it’s good for business. Women aged 50 and older are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the workplace, according to the Labor Department, and companies want to prevent women from scaling back or dropping out of the workforce completely. The cost of missed work due to menopause-related symptoms is an estimated $1.8 billion, according to the Mayo Clinic. One HR leader said it’s important that menopause is addressed because it “affects well-being, productivity and retention.” It’s also considered a natural next step for companies that have prioritized other benefits like expanded fertility coverage, pre- and post-natal care, and parental leave.

Related: More States Look To Help Cancer Survivors With Fertility Costs (Axios)

Culture

Another Win for KPop Demon Hunters: Representation This Halloween

What's going on: The runaway success of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is expected to take over the streets this Halloween. The film’s lead characters — Rumi, Zoey, and Mira, who make up the demon-hunting K-Pop girl group HUNTR/X — are poised to be the “it” costume, according to Google search data. Two other characters from the animated film are also ranking high. Now, retailers are scrambling to mass produce costumes in time for Halloween, while parents clamber to get their hands on the precious few that are available.

What it means: Kids typically want to dress up as the characters in their favorite films (last year, it was Descendants and Inside Out 2), so it makes sense that costumes from Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time would resonate. For many Asian Americans, this moment is particularly meaningful as they see themselves represented in pop culture in a massive way, according to NBC. Some analysts caution that young fans drawn to the brightly colored fashion and catchy (we mean extremely catchy) songs might not understand the complexity of the Korean characters or the accurate portrayal of South Korean life. But for people who’ve struggled to find representation in the media, KPop Demon Hunters offers a breath of fresh air.

Related: More Parents Are DIY’ing Halloween (and Not Just To Save Money) (Parents)

Your Political Briefing

The week in political chaos.

Tariffs tiff: Wall Street rebounded after the US and China appeared to hit pause on their new trade war. Meanwhile, a new report from Goldman Sachs revealed how much Americans are really paying for President Donald Trump’s tariffs. 

New record?: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) must have looked into his crystal ball because he warned, “We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history.”

A face-off: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is no stranger to the 2028 presidential contender rumors…but the competition might’ve just ramped up. Keep your friends close.

The last laugh?: Attorney General Pam Bondi is tapping DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for help after Tina Fey and Amy Poehler spoofed them on SNL. Noem might be too busy trying to get airports to play her government shutdown PSA video, though.

Walk In Ready, Walk Out Heard

We’ve all been there — sitting in the exam room, trying to put tricky symptoms into words, only to leave feeling like you didn’t quite say what you meant. It’s hard to advocate for yourself when you’re flustered or unsure where to start.

That’s why Skimm+ teamed up with menopause expert Tamsen Fadal to create a step-by-step script for talking about perimenopause symptoms. It walks you through what to share, what to ask, and how to feel more confident in the moment — so you get the answers (and support) you need.

Settle This

At what height does a hill officially become a mountain, according to new data?

Extra Credit

Watch

Nothing says “vacation” like a luxury cruise gone horribly wrong. In Netflix’s The Woman in Cabin 10 (out now), Keira Knightley stars as Lo, a journalist whose assignment takes her aboard a glittering super yacht. But when she swears she sees a passenger thrown overboard, she’s told it’s all in her head. So Lo launches her own investigation — one that could sink her. Based on Ruth Ware’s bestselling novel, the psychological thriller also stars Guy Pearce and Hannah Waddingham. Ready to unravel the truth? Watch The Woman in Cabin 10 now, only on Netflix.*