Good Morning!

It's Friday, August 8, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at: 

• Israel plans to occupy Gaza to dismantle Hamas. 

• The hottest summer accessory has taken over. 

• Could cosmetic acupuncture be the next botox?

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SPILL THE NEWS

Netanyahu Confirms Israeli Plan To Occupy Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, saying the move is necessary to dismantle Hamas and secure Israel’s future. Watch. In a Fox News interview, Netanyahu said Israel "intends to" take control of all of Gaza but does not plan to govern it long-term. Instead, he said the goal is to eventually hand over control to Arab forces capable of governing without threatening Israel. What do the satellite images reveal? 

The Israeli security cabinet has since approved the plan, outlining five principles for ending the war: defeating Hamas, returning hostages, disarming Gaza, demilitarization, and establishing a new civil administration. The move comes amid mounting international criticism over Israel’s military offensive, with humanitarian agencies warning of famine and widespread destruction. Over 61,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed. Mideast analysts on consequences of the occupation.

Hamas accused Netanyahu of abandoning ceasefire negotiations for political gain, while hostage families urged the government to resume talks instead of escalating the conflict. Despite growing global pressure, Netanyahu has remained defiant, stating that Israel must “liberate ourselves and the people of Gaza” from Hamas. The US has not publicly endorsed the plan but maintains Israel has the right to make its own decisions. US brokers meeting for food aid in Gaza. 

France Contains Worst Wildfire In 75 Years

A devastating wildfire tore through the Pyrénées-Orientales region of southern France this week, scorching over 17,000 hectares of land and marking the country’s largest blaze in 75 years. The fire, fueled by scorching heat and strong winds, forced the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents and destroyed several homes and buildings in the rural areas surrounding the village of Saint-André. What it looked like. 

At least one person died, and several firefighters sustained injuries battling the flames. “It’s the apocalypse,” one evacuee said, describing walls of fire closing in on neighborhoods. Hundreds of emergency personnel were deployed, with planes and helicopters working through the night to contain the blaze.

Authorities said the fire is now fully under control, though smoldering hotspots remain and fire risks across the region are still high. France, like many parts of southern Europe, is increasingly vulnerable to such extreme weather events, with scientists linking their growing intensity and frequency to climate change. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the situation “a national tragedy,” and pledged more support for affected communities. Officials also emphasized the need for stronger disaster preparedness and climate resilience policies as the country faces another summer of record-breaking heat.

What Life Without Men Looks Like — Ask these Women

In East Texas, eleven retired women have built a quiet revolution: The Bird’s Nest, a women-only village of tiny homes where they’ve chosen to age together — with no men, little drama, and lots of dogs. Most are single, in their 60s to 80s, and have faced life’s hardest turns: illness, addiction, divorce, infertility, layoffs. Now, they’ve found comfort in community. They cook, garden, laugh, and support one another through surgeries, heartbreak, and even porch repairs. Their shared space, called “the kitchen,” isn’t a kitchen at all — it’s an open-air gathering spot strung with lights and honesty.

Founder Robyn Yerian started the village to avoid nursing homes and financial strain. What emerged is something deeper: a model for aging with dignity and mutual care. The rules are simple — respect one another, clean up after your pets, and if you’re inside your house, you’re left alone. Outside? Expect company.

Politics are off-limits, differences are respected, and while disagreements arise — say, over free-roaming cats — they’re handled directly. No sulking. No whisper campaigns. Just grown women showing up for each other. As one resident put it, “We’re not here forever. But we are here, right now — together.”

DON’T MISS

📈 Trump’s tariffs take effect from today. What all could get more expensive?

🦸‍♂️ This ‘Superman’ actor is set to become an ICE agent!

🤖 OpenAI launches ChatGPT-5 — boosts AI to ‘PhD levels’.

💼 As unemployment benefits reach Pandemic levels, how to navigate jungle of online postings!

👮‍♂️ Trump moves more federal officers to D.C. after staffer assault.

🤔 Can we ever decipher why people cheat?

💊 Next-gen weight-loss pills promising, but questions on performance remain.

🏆 After Pakistan and Israel, Cambodia nominates Trump for Nobel Prize.

🧢 The hottest summer accessory right now will leave you super cool.

⚰️ Japan saw nearly a million more deaths than births last year.

IN GOOD HEALTH

🥔 Potatoes are healthy, but french fries are the real culprit — linked to higher diabetes, obesity, and heart disease risk over time.

💉 In the age of #notox, could cosmetic acupuncture be the next botox? That’s a lot of needles — but Gen Z is into it.

💊 A daily weight-loss pill helped users drop 12% body weight. It is an emerging needle-free option in the booming world of weight-loss medications.

😴 Struggling to sleep? Well, no supplement can cure insomnia, but some may help you fall asleep a bit faster, if used wisely.

🧬 Genetic evidence now supports chronic fatigue syndrome as a biological condition, identifying immune and neurological pathways as possible causes.

IN STYLE, IN BEAUTY

🌸 Rare Beauty’s first-ever fragrance is here. Selena Gomez fans, this scent will surprise you.

☀️ From Hailey Bieber to TikTok, Pucci Girl Summer is everywhere. It might not be too late for you to hit fashion nostalgia in full swing.

🧴 Derms swear by this clever trick to replace dry shampoo and it might work even better for oily roots.

👠 The best fall shoes? The ones that look like power and feel like sneakers. Good news, these three 2025 shoes are trending hard right now.

THE FAME FRAME

🎬 Alicia Silverstone shares promising new update on ‘Clueless 2’.

🎤 Lizzo calls out Sydney Sweeney’s American ad in song.

🙅‍♂️ Justin Baldoni denies involvement in leaking Blake Lively’s deposition details.

❌ Why was Jennifer Lopez denied entry into a Turkey Chanel store?

🎭 Josh Brolin offers Stephen Colbert a post Late-Night Show job.

WEIGH IN

“The way we talk to ourselves becomes the way we live.”

— Yung Pueblo