Good morning.
It was a monumental weekend for US-Middle East relations, and we unpack that below. But first, a few things to watch this week. The NATO summit starts Tuesday in the Netherlands against the backdrop of US strikes on Iran and Russia’s war in Ukraine. (It sounds like President Donald Trump wants one thing from the summit, and he’s likely to get it.) Back in the US, New York holds its Democratic mayoral primary, with implications far beyond the Empire State. And much of the country will face a multi-day heatwave. So, here’s how to stay safe outdoors — because as we saw over the weekend, even elite athletes aren’t immune. I’ll be avoiding my oven at all costs and making some of these no-cook recipes (on tonight’s menu: the cucumber-avocado salad, and fingers crossed my kids eat it). Now, let’s get to the news…
— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY
What's Happening
International
The US Launched Strikes on Iran… Now What?
What's going on: The world is on edge after US forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities in the dead of night on Saturday. The mission, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” was a coordinated strike by American B-2 bombers, submarine-launched missiles, and even some decoy planes. It lasted just 30 minutes. President Donald Trump said the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated,” including the heavily fortified site Fordo. But Pentagon officials said it’s too soon to know if Iran’s nuclear abilities are still intact. (There are satellite images of the damage.) Iran brushed off claims of a major blow, per the BBC, and unnamed Israeli officials told The New York Times that it appears Tehran moved uranium and equipment ahead of the attack. Attention is now on Iran as it considers its next move, amid growing fears that US citizens and military personnel in the Middle East could be targeted.
What it means: The American attack marks a massive escalation in the fight between Israel and Iran. It’s the first time the US has directly struck Iranian territory — a red line past presidents have avoided since the Carter era. The White House maintains that the US hasn’t entered a war with Iran, but Trump warned that more strikes could come and declared that Tehran “must make peace now.” The president also seemed to back a regime change in the Islamic Republic. Analysts, meanwhile, say the strikes could motivate Iran to speed up its development of nuclear weapons and have diminished any hope of diplomacy. While some Republicans rally behind the president, others — along with Democrats — call Trump’s actions unconstitutional and warn they risk dragging the US into a war it doesn't want.
Related: US Strikes Sent Oil Prices Soaring. Iran’s Threat Could Push Them Higher (CBS)
Health
RFK Jr. Sets His Sights on Big Pharma
What's going on: You might not know it, but Big Pharma is shelling out big for TV ads. In 2024, drug companies collectively spent $5.15 billion to get in front of viewers’ eyeballs. Bloomberg reports that the Trump administration is weighing two policies that could shake up how drug companies reach consumers in the US — only one of two countries in the world that allow direct drug ads. One would force commercials to list every side effect — no more breezing through them at the very end (as if the announcer could talk any faster). The other would scrap the tax break that lets drugmakers write off ad costs. The policies are still in the works and come as the Trump admin tackles prescription drug prices.
What it means: Legal experts say drugmakers — who have plenty of cash — are likely to sue if the government clips their ad wings. But a change would be a major win for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who often blasts Big Pharma and blames direct-to-consumer ads for America’s dependency on prescription drugs. Supporters say stricter rules could make safety info clearer and give cheaper generics a fighting chance. Analysts note that TV spots often push pricey brand-name drugs when cheaper options exist. But it’s not just Big Pharma pushing back — major networks aren’t thrilled either. They’ve long relied on pharma ad money to keep the lights on.
Related: RFK Jr. Fired the Vaccine Advisory Panel. People Are Forming Their Own (NBC)
US News
Tesla Rolls Out Robotaxis… With Training Wheels
What's going on: Tesla’s robotaxis have finally hit the road in Austin — years after Elon Musk first promised fully autonomous vehicles. Sunday’s invite-only pilot launched with just 10 to 20 Model Ys, chauffeuring a handpicked group of Tesla influencers. Each ride included a Tesla employee sitting shotgun (less robot fun and more driver’s license test proctor energy). Tesla says the extra supervision is for safety, which seems wise given its autopilot crash safety record. During the demo, the robotaxis avoided bad weather and tricky intersections, making yesterday’s rollout seem more like a tightly controlled preview than a real debut. Still, Tesla claims 1,000 robotaxis will cruise Austin “within a few months” — if the timeline sticks, of course.
What it means: This launch isn’t just about tech — it’s about rebuilding trust. Tesla’s stock has plummeted this year, SpaceX’s latest rocket exploded (yes, another), and some Tesla owners have resorted to apology bumper stickers. But after a 2023 fatal crash forced GM to shut down its robotaxi, regulators are taking a harder look at the industry across the board. Texas passed a new autonomous-vehicle law just two days before Sunday’s rollout — it takes effect in September, though lawmakers still urged Tesla to delay its launch. And with Waymo, Zoox, and Volkswagen already operating in Austin, Tesla may be late to the party — but Musk’s still hoping the brand can steer itself back into good favor and open a new revenue stream.
Related: Can Electric Vehicles Make People More Carsick? (The Guardian)
Settle This
Which major grocery store announced that it's shutting down dozens of locations across the country?
(This poll is no longer available)
Extra Credit
Watch
You know the name. You know the voice. Now learn more about the woman behind the trailblazing legacy. In Tell Me Everything, Emmy-winning filmmaker Jackie Jesko traces the life and game-changing career of Barbara Walters — the woman who turned interviews into must-watch TV. The “raw” and “deeply personal” feature-length Hulu documentary dives into Walters’s history-making moments (like becoming the first female anchor of a network evening newscast), her sit-downs with everyone from Monica Lewinsky to Lady Gaga, and the power struggles behind the scenes — including a rivalry with colleague Diane Sawyer.
For more recs...
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Game Time
Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.
Photos by Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies, David Espejo and PhotoQuest/Contributor via Getty Images, Brand Partners
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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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