Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, November 19, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Epstein files release bill overwhelmingly passed in the House. 

• Downside of being a morning person.

• Are we all just bloated?

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Epstein Files Closer To Getting Released

The House overwhelmingly passed a bill directing the Justice Department to release all files tied to its Jeffrey Epstein investigation, a stunning outcome after months of Republican efforts to block it. The 427–1 vote reflected deep fractures within the GOP, as Democrats and a handful of Republican defectors forced the measure to the floor despite fierce opposition from President Trump and party leadership. Who is the only Representative who voted no?

Hours later, Senate leaders signaled they would pass the bill by unanimous consent, clearing the way for President Trump’s signature, an abrupt reversal after he worked aggressively to derail the effort. Lawmakers backing the bill argued that only full transparency could restore public trust, while Republican leaders dismissed it as a political stunt. Even supporters acknowledged uncertainty about whether the Justice Department would release the documents. 

The vote followed months of internal pressure, with some Republicans accusing the party of shielding the president and others resisting what they saw as attempts to intimidate them. What Epstein’s brother said about evidence on Trump. Epstein’s victims and advocates rallied outside the Capitol, urging Congress to act and pushing Trump to follow through. With overwhelming bipartisan support and the Senate poised to approve it, the bill now tests whether the promised transparency will materialize. Is Epstein a story that wouldn’t leave Trump?

Related Read: What the new mails reveal about Trump’s treatment of Maxwell.

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US News

Trump Welcomes Saudi Crown Prince With A Red Carpet

President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington on Tuesday with one of the most elaborate welcomes of his presidency, featuring a horseback honor guard, military band, and a flyover of F-35 fighter jets. 

The visit included Oval Office talks, a luncheon with senior US and Saudi officials, and a black-tie dinner attended by top political, business, and tech leaders. Even Elon Musk was there! Trump also announced a new strategic defense agreement, moves to ease weapons transfers, and support for designating Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, steps that follow Riyadh’s pledge to increase investments in the United States to nearly $1 trillion. How the Saudi Prince reset relations with US even after being designated a pariah.

The visit also revived long-standing controversies. Trump forcefully rejected questions about the crown prince’s alleged role in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and claims of Saudi links to the September 11 attacks, insisting his guest “knew nothing” about either matter. The crown prince expressed sympathy for 9/11 families, said bin Laden had tried to damage US–Saudi ties, and called Khashoggi’s murder a painful “mistake” that the Kingdom had investigated. What the CIA investigation revealed? Despite these unresolved issues, the visit underscored the administration’s desire to deepen security, economic, and technology partnerships with Riyadh at a moment of heightened regional instability. Five major takeaways from the meeting.

Health

Peptide Therapy Has Taken Over The Internet And Our Lives

Peptides are having a moment, touted by influencers as shortcuts to younger skin, stronger muscles, and longer lives. In reality, they’re simply short chains of amino acids that help regulate key functions in the body. Many are naturally produced, while others — from creatine to medications like Ozempic and insulin — are made synthetically. But the “peptides” dominating social media usually refer to experimental treatments used in skin care, fitness, and biohacking, delivered through creams, pills, or injections. Some are safe and FDA-studied; others, like the tanning-promoted “Barbie peptide”, carry serious risks.

In beauty, peptide creams promising collagen boosts and smoother skin have surged. Dermatologists say they can offer mild benefits, especially newer formulas designed to penetrate the skin more effectively, though expectations should stay modest and sunscreen and retinoids remain the real heroes. Fitness peptides such as sermorelin are marketed as legal ways to raise growth hormone levels, but evidence of improved strength is limited, and long-term risks mirror those of synthetic HGH, including diabetes and certain cancers.

Biohackers lean into more extreme claims, from injury repair to longevity boosts, despite many of these peptides lacking human studies or regulatory oversight. Experts warn that stability, safety, and ingredients are often impossible to verify, urging consumers to approach the trend with caution and prioritize proven treatments instead.

In the know

DON’T MISS

⚖️ JD Vance, not that one, to spend two years in prison for threatening the Vice President.

🤔 Can you really gain weight from one meal?

🚨 A potentially severe flu is spreading across US, these are the symptoms to watch out for.

🐷 Trump berates one reporter for Epstein question, tells another “quiet piggy”.

📱 Cambridge dictionary’s word of the year for 2025 is an unhealthy phenomenon — ‘parasocial’.

🏛️ Trump administration unveils major dismantling plan for Education Department,

🚿 Could taking a cold shower be good for you, or have we just been told lies?

🎀 This is the new status symbol for teen girls, it isn’t new at all.

🚀 Is Musk really back in politics? Do we know if he’d stay this time!

💨 We might all be bloated but no one solution can make everyone feel better.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

💡 Winter blues hitting hard? SAD lamps could be the answer for seasonal depression — offering a small burst of science-approved engineered light that might gently nudge your mood back on track.

🍊 Before grabbing a vitamin C gummy this winter, dietitians say skip the supplement aisle for these vitamin C–rich foods and try these superfoods to add years to your life.

💊 A worrying Gen Z trend sees teens downing extreme Benadryl doses for terrifying hallucinations and the internet keeps fueling the obsession.

💉 Wonder why people swear the flu shot made them sick? It can’t give you the flu, but your body’s reaction might fool you. Here’s why experts say the myth persists.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🛏️ Want a bed that feels hotel-level dreamy? Experts reveal the simple layering tricks that change everything.

🏡 From thicker drapes to plush textiles, designers share effortless tricks to help bedrooms feel cocooned for colder months.

🍳 Cramped kitchen woes? Designers share smart fixes that maximize storage, boost style, and create space you didn’t know you had.

🎨 Quirky color palettes, clever layouts, and unexpected furniture choicesshow how small kitchens can still pack major character.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

⚖️ New sexual assault allegations against Diddy being investigated by LA County sheriff.

❤️ Jennifer Aniston cozies up with boyfriend Jim Curtis at Elle’s Women in Hollywood event.

❌ Elon Musk might just have entered into a feud with this pop star.

📺 ‘Let’s hear it for the boys’: Vanity Fair’s 2026 edition is all about men in Hollywood.

🚫 Why is Eminem suing this Australian company?

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Many people swear by early mornings for focus, calm, and productivity. But shifting your best energy to sunrise often means having less to give at night, when partners unwind, kids open up, and friendships usually thrive. As evening conversations stretch later, early risers can find themselves fading fast, missing moments that matter. Is embracing the morning worth the social and emotional cost that comes with it?

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” 

— Maya Angelou