Good Morning!

It's Friday, June 20, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Marijuana’s direct link to heart attacks is increasingly becoming clear. 

• One of Ozempic’s clear indications is being recognized — it’s the face!

• Taylor Swift’s texts are critical in Baldoni case.

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Spill The News

European Ministers Host Nuclear Talks With Iran In Geneva

Germany, France, and Britain will hold nuclear talks with Iran's foreign minister on Friday in Geneva, a German diplomatic source told Reuters. The meeting will follow consultations with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas at Germany’s permanent mission. Where will the war end?

The effort comes amid escalating tensions after Israel launched major strikes on Iran last week, prompting retaliatory missile attacks. Israel maintains it seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. However, Iran insists its nuclear activities are strictly non-military. President Donald Trump has not clarified whether the U.S. will back Israel militarily, raising fears of wider conflict. 

The talks, coordinated with Washington, aim to secure Iran’s commitment to a purely civilian nuclear program. “The talks are to be followed by a structured dialogue at the expert level,” the source said. How the conflict broke out.

Plastic Bag Bans Limit Shoreline Litter

Banning or charging for plastic bags is cutting their presence on U.S. shorelines, a new study shows. Analyzing over 45,000 cleanups from 2016 to 2023, researchers found that areas with plastic bag policies saw litter from bags drop by 25–47% compared to areas without. State-level policies proved more effective than local ones, especially in regions already struggling with litter. 

Plastic bags remain the fifth most common item found on shorelines. The study, the largest of its kind, underscores the role of legislation in tackling pollution. But lead author Anna Papp warned, “Plastic bag policy addresses just one part of the problem… More comprehensive solutions are needed.”

Still, overall plastic bag pollution is rising nationwide, just at a slower pace in places with policies. The findings come ahead of August’s global plastics treaty talks, where 175 countries aim to finalize the world’s first coordinated plan to curb plastic waste.

Marijuana’s Direct Links To Heart Attacks, Strokes

While most Americans believe marijuana to be safer, a new research published in the journal Heart finds marijuana use linked to higher risks of heart attack, stroke, and even death from cardiovascular disease — including among younger adults. 

The analysis reviewed data from 24 studies and showed that marijuana use was associated with a twofold increase in cardiovascular death risk. While the findings show correlation, not causation, experts say the drug’s known effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm likely play a role. Though older adults with existing health conditions face the greatest risks, the average patient age in the study was just 38, indicating younger users aren't immune either.

“There may be good reasons for people to take marijuana, including for stress and anxiety,” said Emilie Jouanjus, senior study author and pharmacologist at the University of Toulouse. “But patients can’t assume that it is harmless.” Dr. Ersilia DeFilippis, a cardiologist at Columbia University, added that earlier studies have echoed the same concerns.

Click-Worthy

📞 Thailand’s ruling party in crisis after a leaked call.

💉 We’ve all seen it and now it has a name — ‘Ozempic face’.

🧬 EU planning to put sperm donor cap in place to avoid accidental incest.

🎉 As Juneteenth goes uncelebrated at White House, Trump says ‘too many’ holidays.

❤️ In the age of AI, people are still preferring, um, people.

🔥 Heat dome is set to cover most of the U.S.; worrying temperatures in Midwest.

🧃 Is Kombucha really healthy?

👮‍♂️ Memphis mayor targeted in kidnapping plot, suspect caught with taser.

🚀 Watch: SpaceX Starship explodes in a fireball.

🧠 Inflammation gets blamed for numerous diseases. Is it that bad?

The Style Edit

👗 Stripe hype is real. These trending dresses prove you don’t need prints to make a scene this summer.

🏖️ Cute, breezy, and effortlessly cool — these beach cover-upsdo all the work while you just vibe in the sunshine.

The Fame Frame

⚖️ Judge orders Blake Lively to hand over Taylor Swift texts to Baldoni’s legal team.

🌸 Gigi Hadid shares cute spring adventures with daughter Khai!

🦈 Celebrating 50 years of ‘Jaws’ and shark attacks.

🧠 ‘Mindhunter’ might return — not as series but three chilling feature films!

🪶 Miley Cyrus turns heads in feathers and leather!

The POV Club

“The remote work revolution is here to stay,” writes Gleb Tsipursky.

“The smartphones haven’t defeated us, yet.”

Go. See. Do.

🍽️ Try | 100 best restaurants in New York City.

🌿 Get | Plants to make your backyard sweet-smelling.

🏞️ Explore | Hotels with most gorgeous views across the U.S.

📚 Read | Best fake dating novels.

“Don’t measure your life with someone else’s ruler.”

— Zadie Smith