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It's Monday, September 22, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Charlie Kirk’s memorial invokes patriotic emotions. 

• Kissing can boost gut health?

• The ‘zero-zero’ fitness trend is taking over. 

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SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Brings Patriotic Emotions On Forefront

Tens of thousands gathered on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to honor Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist killed earlier this month. Turning Point USA, the organization he founded, asked attendees to wear patriotic red, white, and blue rather than traditional black, creating a strikingly political atmosphere. In photos. The service blended elements of a megachurch revival, campaign rally, and memorial, with worship music, voter registration drives, and speeches from top Trump administration officials. Is there a national day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk’s death?

President Donald Trump headlined the event, calling Kirk a “martyr” and declaring, “The gun was pointed at him, but the bullet was aimed at all of us.” While Kirk’s widow, Erika, tearfully forgave her husband’s accused killer, Trump openly disagreed, saying, “I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them.” Key takeaways from the service.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior officials praised Kirk’s role in mobilizing young conservatives and embedding faith into Republican politics. Who all attended the funeral? Erika Kirk, named Turning Point’s new CEO, pledged to expand its reach, saying, “The world needs Turning Point USA.” The memorial reflected not only grief, but also the political energy Republicans hope to harness ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Elon Musk and Trump meet after messy split.

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US News

A $100,000 Fee For Immigrants

President Donald Trump’s abrupt order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas jolted both Silicon Valley and India this weekend, unleashing panic before a partial White House climbdown. Initially framed as a sweeping hike, the order sparked confusion as companies urged employees abroad to rush back and immigration lawyers scrambled to interpret the rules. What are H-1B visas?

By Saturday, officials clarified the fee would apply only to new applicants, sparing current visa holders. Still, the impact is seismic. Indians dominate the H-1B program, making up more than 70% of recipients, with many filling vital roles in medicine, tech, and academia. Experts warn the steep cost could choke off the talent pipeline that has long fueled U.S. innovation, while Indian students—one in four of America’s international intake—face fresh uncertainty about their futures. Tech companies warn employees against leaving the US.

The Indian government criticized the move as disruptive with “humanitarian consequences,” while U.S. business leaders cautioned that only corporate giants could absorb the cost. Start-ups, hospitals, and universities may bear the brunt, heightening risks of shortages and offshoring. Lawsuits are expected, but for now, Trump’s fee signals a dramatic stress test for the decades-old program that has intertwined American growth with Indian aspirations.

World

Four Major US Allies Recognize Palestine

Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognized Palestine as a state on Sunday, marking a major diplomatic shift among U.S. allies traditionally aligned with Israel. Leaders framed the move as essential to reviving prospects for a two-state solution amid deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said recognition was meant to “revive the hope of peace” and insisted it was not a reward for Hamas. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called it a step toward a “peaceful future” for both states, while Australian leader Anthony Albanese emphasized that Hamas should play “no role” in Palestine’s governance. 

Israel responded angrily. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the recognition as a “reward for terrorism,” vowing a Palestinian state would “not be established west of the Jordan River.” Israel’s foreign ministry argued the declarations would destabilize the region.

Palestinian leaders welcomed the recognition, with President Mahmoud Abbas saying it brought them closer to living “side by side with the State of Israel.” The move aligns these nations with more than 140 U.N. members that already recognize Palestine, as France and other European countries prepare to follow suit at the United Nations this week. What would the move mean?

In the know

DON’T MISS

💰 Trump aide Thomas Homan allegedly took $50,000 bribe in sting.

🤝 What can you possibly do when you’re a difficult co-worker’s only friend?

💻 How can you check what your teen boy is doing online?

🔗 Not able to find the right job? How can you best look for one through old connections (nicely).

📱 Are the Murdochs joining the U.S. TikTok deal?

🧐 Are you looking for a new job or just some validation?

🏥 New York and other states come together to form a health bloc against Trump’s policies.

🍔 One week of eating fatty foods can literally fog your memory.

🏢 It’s official — the rish to return to office is not going anywhere.

💋 Kissing? Humming? Are these really the ways to boost your gut health!

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🧘‍♀️ How good is a workout that feels effortless to do? The ‘zero-zero’ fitness trend, which promotes low-intensity movements like walking or chores, is on the rise. What it can and can’t do for you!

🧠 Alzheimer’s research in 2025 delivered curveballs this year — five breakthroughs that could transform diagnosis, treatment, and maybe even prevention.

🛌 Are you sleeping in high-stress positions? Your favorite pose might secretly reveal how tense your body feels.

🧁 Wrinkles from cupcakes? Could sugar actually damage collagen, speeding visible aging. Science suggests yes, but there’s hope.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🪒 Wait, does shaving really make hair growth thicker? Experts reveal which grooming habits actually affect hair growth and the answer might surprise you.

👓 The future of fashion is wearable and smart. AI is transforming glasses, watches, and more. What’s truly fashionable and what isn't?

💧 Do you have dull and dry skin? The real trouble might be that you’re washing your face wrong. Try these subtle shifts, which could make your skin finally feel alive.

🎒 From street style to runways, belt bags are dominating this season, proving they’re more than a trend, but a wardrobe essential. This could be your new go-to accessory for 2025’s cooler months.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎶 Taylor Swift’s new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is coming to theaters near you!

🚤 Newly single Nina Dobrev seen on a yacht in Italy and you wouldn’t believe with who!

🇺🇸 Angelina Jolie says she ‘loves’ but doesn’t ‘recognize’ US anymore.

💑 Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper do ‘see a future together’.

📺 ‘Last Week Tonight’ hostJohn Oliver defends Jimmy Kimmel amid late-night show suspension.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Does saying “sorry” the fancy way make it better? A new study suggests longer words make apologies sound more sincere — “remorseful” feels weightier than just “sorry.” But history shows apologies can fall flat: from Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s over-scripted video, to Boris Johnson’s lockdown backtracks, to Weinstein’s tone-deaf “sorry, but…” excuses. Others, like Liam Byrne, have leaned into public self-flagellation, while Florence waited 700 years to apologize to Dante. Whether it’s too little, too late, or too theatrical, saying sorry remains complicated.

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”

– Will Rogers