Good Morning!

It's Friday, August 29, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at: 

• Adding to cart is not going to be as easy as it seems. 

• Could she really trademark ‘gold digger’?

• You might be swallowing wrong, what’s the right way!

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

20 Years Of Hurricane Katrina

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans stands at a crossroads. The city has always taken pride in its resilience — surviving floods, blackouts, storms, even a pandemic. But as residents reflect on two decades since the levees broke, survival no longer feels like enough. For some, the milestone is less about the storm itself than about what lies ahead. “We’re still here,” one resident said. “Believe that”. The question, as the city faces rising seas, economic pressures, and political uncertainty, is whether endurance can finally give way to renewal. Why Trump’s policies at FEMA face scrutiny.

Many locals remain frustrated by crumbling infrastructure, unaffordable insurance, and a shrinking population. Black homeownership has slipped, tourism dominates the economy, and faith in leadership has weakened amid political scandal and dysfunction. “Traffic lights aren’t working, the pumps aren’t working, and City Hall is not working,” one resident said, summing up the unease. What were the 10 deadliest hurricanes in US history?

At the same time, progress exists. Drainage systems are stronger, violent crime has eased, and communities continue to push for change. Artists and photographers mark the anniversary with exhibitions that honor loss but also imagine a future where New Orleans can thrive. An interactive timeline.

Retail

Adding To Cart Just Got More Complicated

The U.S. has officially ended its “de minimis” tariff exemption, which had allowed packages under $800 to enter duty-free. As of early Friday, all small-value shipments from abroad are now subject to tariffs, a move the Trump administration says will generate $10 billion in annual revenue and curb the flow of counterfeit goods, narcotics, and weapons. All you need to know.

Previously, the exemption fueled the rise of low-cost e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu, with more than a billion such packages entering the U.S. in 2024 alone. Officials argue that the system had become a “deadly loophole,” with many illicit or unsafe items slipping through due to minimal screening.

To ease the transition, shippers have a six-month option to pay flat fees of $80–$200 per package depending on origin country. Major carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL say they’re prepared, but dozens of national postal services in Europe, Asia, and Latin America have suspended shipments, citing unclear rules. For consumers, the change could mean noticeable price hikes: a $30 item from China may now cost $45, while a $240 Japanese knife could jump to nearly $300. Economists warn the policy will hit budget-conscious households hardest, with higher costs and potential delays as the global system adjusts.

Work

How Have Women Paved the Way for Shorter Workweeks In This Country

Workers in Europe are proving a 40-hour grind isn’t the only path to productivity. In 2024, employees there averaged just 32.1 hours a week — the shortest in the region — with women’s entry into the workforce decades ago driving the cultural and policy shift.

The transition began in the 1980s, when more women joined the labor market through part-time roles. Over time, this reshaped household earning structures and led to a “one-and-a-half” income model, where one parent worked full-time and the other part-time. Tax breaks and workplace benefits reinforced the arrangement, and men also began using flexible schedules to balance family life. The result: shorter workweeks became the norm across genders.

The impact extended beyond family life. In the 1990s, unemployment rates fell sharply and have remained among the lowest in Europe, with more people staying employed thanks to flexible options. The U.S., by contrast, still averages nearly 43 hours a week, and women are increasingly leaving the workforce under return-to-office mandates. Advocates say a shorter week could help keep American women from being pushed out.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🔪 Minneapolis attacker “obsessed with the idea of killing children”, investigators say.

🏷️ Wait, whose that trying to get the trademark for ‘gold digger’!

⚖️ Why are European nations want to reimpose harsh sanctions on Iran?

👦 JD Vance reveals what his son thinks of Trump’s gold-splashed Oval Office.

🔥 Israel declares Gaza City combat zone, begins initial attack stages.

😈 Dealing with narcissists is everyone’s worst nightmare, there are approaches to do it right.

🏦 Lisa Cook sues Trump, challenging her firing as Fed governor.

🙅‍♂️ Bosses have had enough with all the office activism.

💻 Hate groups are flourishing online and profiting from extremist crowdfunding.

📉 Entry-level job market worsens as postings fall and applications surge.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

📈 You think only dessert spikes blood sugar? Turns out “healthy” favorites might be fueling hidden crashes.

🚶‍♀️ You don’t have to run to meet your cardio goals. Apparently, walking at a moderate pace can deliver real benefits, too.

🍔 Study finds ultra-processed diets lower male fertility hormones and increase body fat, despite equal calorie intake.

😮‍💨 Never thought we could be swallowing wrong, apparently the correct way can save your life! Are you doing it right?

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

👖 Wear it buttoned, layered, or tucked — your denim shirt is the effortless star of fall dressing.

💅 This fall’s nail trend proves you don’t need flashy designs to make a statement, it’s chic in the simplest way.

👗 The newest dress trends are anything but basic, blending cozy textures with bold details you’ll want in your closet now.

🌊 Got wavy hair? This roundup offers inspiration and easy styling tips to make your waves look salon-fresh at home.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎨 Miley Cyrus becomes Margiela’s first-ever celebrity face, wearing only body paint.

🎤 Ariana Grande confirms 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour dates in US and UK.

👩🏽‍🎤 Cardi B's court testimony has become an online spectacle, along with her wigs!

💍 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are all-smiles in first appearance since engagement.

🎭 Michael Longfellow exits SNL after three seasons amid big cast shake-up.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Many of us know the spiral — hours lost to doomscrolling, anxiety climbing with every headline. When the news feels overwhelming, many are swapping doomscrolling for hobbies like painting, knitting, journaling, even scrapbooking. The shift is simple but powerful: less anxiety, more focus, more calm. But are hobbies really a cure for digital overload, or just a temporary escape?

“The process is small and humble, but it’s ultimately unbeatable.” 

— Ryan Holiday