What's Happening
International
Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds Amid Lingering Nuclear Questions
What's going on: After the US struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump declared that Tehran’s nuclear program had been “completely obliterated.” But that may not be the case. A preliminary US intelligence assessment suggests the American strikes on Iran failed to destroy its underground nuclear facilities. Officials who reviewed the classified report concluded that while the entrances to two nuclear sites were sealed off, the underground buildings themselves remained intact, according to The New York Times. The report also estimates that the strikes delayed Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon by less than six months. The White House dismissed the “alleged” assessment and spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called it “flat-out wrong.”
What it means: The intelligence report could undercut the framing of the mission. The Wall Street Journal reports that while Iran’s regime has been weakened, it could come back more dangerous than before. While some nuclear sites suffered serious damage, Iran still holds onto a sizable stockpile of highly enriched uranium. (US officials estimate Iran has about 900 pounds of it — enough for more than 12 nuclear bombs.) The problem? No one knows exactly where it is. Some reports suggest Iran moved the stockpile before the strikes — pushing some in Washington to call for direct talks with Tehran. Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears fragile but intact (early skirmishes led Trump to drop an f-bomb on camera in frustration). If it holds, the deal could hand him a rare diplomatic win in the region.
Related: Israel Says Strike Killed 14 Scientists Behind Iran’s Nuclear Program (AP)
Health
Are Health Insurance Companies Finally Doing Something Right?
What's going on: Trying to get an insurance company to approve your care can feel like arguing with a brick wall — even when your doctor says you need it. At a White House event this week, several major insurers promised to “streamline” prior authorizations — a process that requires providers to sign-off on certain tests or treatments before you can get them. It’s a system that can delay care, drive up costs, and leave patients scrambling for a Plan B if they get denied. In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 insured adults said they hit a roadblock with prior authorization. The insurers didn’t specify how the process will change but said they plan to “reduce the scope of claims,” and that the updates will also apply to Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.
What it means: Prior authorization came under intense scrutiny last year after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The internet lit up with frustration, accusing insurers of dragging their feet on approvals and putting profits over patients. While the new changes are voluntary, regulators aren’t ruling out future oversight. The Trump administration said the government could step in if insurers don’t follow through. Don’t expect overnight results — the updates will take at least a year to kick in, with nearly 275 million Americans potentially benefiting. Experts warn the process isn’t disappearing entirely — but for once, insurance companies may be inching in the right direction.
Related: Eric Dane Made a White House Appearance To Talk About ALS (USA Today)
Politics
Welcome to the "Womansphere"
What's going on: Online wellness influencers brought us crunchy moms, and now… a growing “womansphere”? (Think: The answer to the “manosphere” of podcasters like Joe Rogan and Theo Von.) As The New York Times put it, a “political revolution” is taking shape. At Turning Point USA’s recent Young Women’s Leadership Summit, the vibe was “less Prozac, more protein,” along with calls for “less feminism, more femininity.” Attendance jumped by about 1,000 from last year, and many newbies said they were drawn into the rightwing movement via MAHA. The wellness-to-right-wing pipeline was on full display, with influencers like Alex Clark sharing advice. Those tips include: “start dating seriously and stop eating ultra-processed foods, start taking supplements, and stop using birth control,” The NYT reported.
What it means: Young women still lean left overall, but President Donald Trump made gains with them in the last election — and that group is growing. One reason? Wellness influencers are mixing skincare tips with subtle political messages, from anti-vaccine takes to warnings about food dyes. With the midterms around the corner, Democrats may have a problem. The party, often accused of reacting instead of leading — and fresh off pledging $20 million to study young men voters after losing ground there — has said little about this quietly organizing group of conservative young women. Yet, it’s a group that could help shape the national conversation on reproductive rights, wellness, and the future of feminism.
Related: Andrew Cuomo’s Political Comeback In New York Will Have To Wait (Politico)
Highlight Reel
BY SKIMM SPORTS
The week's sports news and culture stories, ranked.
Hang it in the Louvre: At 15 years old, Arisa Trew is now the most decorated teen in X Games history — leaving Shaun White in her (skate) dust.
Mark your calendar: Faith Kipyegon may become the first woman ever to run a sub-four-minute mile. Don’t blink or you’ll miss her.
Grab the mic: The ESPYs tapped an SNL alum to host the annual award show.
Let the marriage games begin: This couple sealed their vows with an intense game to determine whose last name they’d both take. Love is patient. Hyphenation is not.
P.S. Subscribe to our Skimm Sports newsletter for more weekly highlights on and off the field.
Watch Now
Settle This
Another company faces calls for a boycott after pulling back on DEI — think Target déjà vu. Which one is it?
(This poll is no longer available)
Extra Credit
Stream
Sharpen your knives — The Bear is back. After season three of FX's culinary "comedy" left fans stewing over that cliffhanger Chicago Tribune restaurant review, season four will deliver answers to two big questions: Will Carmy's (Jeremy Allen White) once-humble Chicago beef sandwich shop be a smash hit or a massive flop? And, perhaps more importantly, will Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) jump ship? Whatever happens, expect plenty of panicked screaming matches, unresolved family drama (looking at you, Donna), and absolutely no chill. Yes, chef.
For more recs...
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Photos by Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg, Ronald Martinez, and Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images, Brand Partners, and Courtesy of FX
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
†Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age. Please read full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, linked here. This ad does not present a "fair balance" of information about the drug's risks compared with its benefits because the ad does not contain the required Brief Summary of information that includes the boxed warning and the important risks listed in the FDA-approved prescribing information.
‡Based on subject self-assessment. The onset of response at day 1 was 15% (16/105) in GL-1 and 33% (65/200) in GL-3. In the DREAM study, the onset of response at day 1 was 33% (66/200).
§GL-1 and GL-3 evaluated subjects for at least 150 days following treatment. Based on a ≥1-Grade GLSS improvement from baseline utilizing data from 2 double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pivotal studies (GL-1, GL-3) in a post hoc analysis.
References:
1. Dysport prescribing information. Galderma Laboratories, LP; 2023.
2. Schlessinger J, Cohen JL, Shamban A, et al. A multicenter study to evaluate subject satisfaction with two treatments of AbobotulinumtoxinA a year in the glabellar lines. Dermotol Surg. 2021;47(4):504-509.
3. Rubin MG, Dover J, Glogau RG, Goldberg DJ, Goldman MP, Schlessinger J. The efficacy and safety of a new U.S. Botulinum toxin type A in the retreatment of glabellar lines following open-label treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(5):439-444.
4. Monheit GD, Baumann L, Maas C, Rand R, Down R. Efficacy, safety, and subject satisfaction after abobotulinumtoxinA treatment for moderate to severe glabellar lines. Dermotol Surg. 2020;46(1):61-69.
5. Brandt F, Swanson N, Baumann L, Huber B. Randomized, placebo-controlled study of a new botulinum toxin type A for treatment of glabellar lines: efficacy and safety. Dermotol Surg. 2009;35(12):1893-1901.
6. Data on file. MA-35497. Post hoc analysis. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2017.
Important Safety Information
Indication: Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.
WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECTS
What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre‐existing before injection. These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow’s milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), have a skin infection at the planned injection site, under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product and cannot be compared to the dose of any other product you may have used.
Tell your doctor about any swallowing or breathing difficulties and all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert‐Eaton syndrome, which may increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Dysport. Dry eye has also been reported.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, any abnormal facial change, injection site inflammation, droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, wrinkles that can’t be smoothed by spreading them apart, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.
Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), in the last four months or any in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received), have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects include nose and throat irritation, injection site pain, upper respiratory infection, blood in urine, headache, injection site reaction, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus infection, and nausea.
Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‐800‐FDA‐1088.
Please see Dysport Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide at DysportUSA.com.
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