Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, September 10, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Gen Z gender gap is real and affecting life choices of men and women.

• We finally know why Americans are eating more sugar!

•  ‘Performative male’ dressing trend is real.

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

World

Israel Bombs Qatar In Strike On Top Hamas Officials

Israel carried out a rare strike in Qatar’s capital on Tuesday, targeting Hamas’s political leadership in Doha as the group’s negotiators considered a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza. Watch the moment of the attack. The Israeli military said it used “precise munitions and intelligence,” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.” Hamas said senior leaders survived but confirmed the deaths of five members, including the son of top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, as well as a Qatari security officer. How many countries has Israel bombed since 2023?

Qatar condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation of all international laws,” with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warning Israel was “dragging the region to a place where it unfortunately cannot be repaired.” Saudi Arabia and the UAE pledged solidarity with Doha. Five takeaways from the strike.

For Washington, the strike complicates both diplomacy and security interests. Qatar hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East and has served as a key mediator in Gaza talks. Alienating Doha could undermine American leverage in negotiations and disrupt regional stability at a time when President Donald Trump is pressing for a ceasefire deal that would also bring home American hostages held in Gaza. An analysis. Trump distanced Washington from the strike, calling it an “unfortunate incident” that did not advance peace. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump told Netanyahu he was “very unhappy” with the operation and assured Qatar it “will not happen again on their soil.” How has the GOP responded to the attack?

Related Read: Hamas claims responsibility for Jerusalem bus stop attack.

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Health

RFK Jr.’s New Health Report Puts (Some) Focus On Muscle

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a new “Make Our Children Healthy Again” report on Tuesday, outlining strategies to address childhood chronic disease. The 20-page document echoes Kennedy’s familiar rhetoric about overmedication, sedentary lifestyles, and corporate influence, but offers few concrete policies and avoids direct clashes with the food and agriculture industries.

The report highlights actions already underway, such as reintroducing the Presidential Fitness Test, studying the effects of artificial food dyes, and drafting a definition of ultra-processed foods. It also proposes reviewing the childhood vaccine schedule, investigating potential vaccine injuries, and launching public campaigns on screen time, vaping, and nutrition. Still, it does not address food insecurity or gun violence, two leading threats to children’s health.

Critics say the report lacks clarity on implementation and conflicts with Trump administration policies, such as recent cuts to SNAP nutrition funding and rollbacks of pollution regulations. Public health experts argue it leans heavily on further research instead of regulatory action. Kennedy described the plan as a “historic collaboration,” but many observers say it reflects the ambitions — and limits — of the administration’s health agenda. Here’s the TLDR.

US News

Gen Z Gender Gap Is Like Never Before; Reflects Political Polarisation Too

The gender divide in U.S. politics is sharpest among Gen Z, with young men and women expressing strikingly different political and social views. A new NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey highlights how these gaps extend far beyond party preference.

Overall, 64% of Gen Z disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance. But the split by gender is stark: 74% of women disapprove compared to just 53% of men. That divide carries into policy views, particularly on immigration, where nearly half of young men approve of Trump’s handling compared to just one in five young women. Differences also appear in personal outlook. Gen Z women report higher levels of anxiety about the future, with one-third saying they feel anxious almost all the time — nearly double the rate of men. Views on workplace dynamics diverge too, as women are more likely to believe men hold an advantage in career advancement.

Despite these divides, both genders share common ground in valuing communication, reliability, and adaptability at work, as well as financial independence and fulfilling jobs as markers of success. Still, their visions of family, emotional stability, and spirituality differ sharply, reflecting a generation deeply split by gender.

Related Read: Gender pay gap is getting wider too.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🇺🇸 It’s proven, Americans are eating more sugar and there’s a reason behind it.

🇫🇷 France’s Macron names ally Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister.

📱 From the thinnest iPhone ever to watches and Airpods — everything announced at Apple event.

👔 Dressing like a ‘performative male’ is on the rise. There’s literally essentials that make or break your look.

⚖️ Federal judge halts Trump’s attempt to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook.

🤔 Cracker Barrel just cracked under conservative pressure, again.

🇵🇱 NATO member Poland says it shot down waves of Russian drones.

🤝 Have you ever had what TikTok calls an ‘errand friend’? Here’s why you should!

🇳🇵 Nepal army steps in as Gen Z protests leave at least 22 dead.

☕️ Starbucks is trying really hard to perfect your drinks in under 5 minutes, but at what cost?

Interactive

WEIGH IN

AI is changing the luxury industry, from predicting hot sellers to curating personalized shopping experiences. Some believe it makes indulgence more accessible, while others see it as preserving exclusivity through smarter customization. As luxury brands embrace AI, the real question is whether innovation will inspire more people to spend at the high end of fashion. Could AI intervention convince you to buy luxury products?

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

💤 When do restless nights become a medical issue? Trouble sleeping isn’t always normal. Sleep experts outline three key warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.

🦪 Oysters are a delicacy, but thinking they’re safe to eat year-round might be a stretch. Scientists warn there’s more behind that briny bite than most people realize.

🏃‍♀️ Missed a good night’s rest? Sleep-deprived mornings don’t have to mean skipping movement. Here’s the workout experts actually recommend.

💊 A future weight-loss miracle? Scientists are engineering a single drug to hit four appetite-controlling hormones.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🛋️ Looking to level up small spaces in your home? Who knew benches could do the trick. These game-changing ones are statements you’ll actually want to use.

☀️ Letting light in isn’t just aesthetic, it deeply impacts how you feel, sleep, and thrive at home. Maximize natural light peeping through your home!

💰 Want bougie decor without the price tag? Your home can look cooler than ever, and you don’t need to splurge. Discover the budget picks making waves.

🏡 Choosing between laminate and vinyl flooring? Here’s a breakdown of how each handles water, heat, style, and everyday wear.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

💍 Selena Gomez tells us what she wants in her “new season of life”.

🎸 Ed Sheeran is moving to the US, and he has a good reason to do it too.

💖 Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding will be private, not a public spectacle.

🧛‍♀️ Nina Dobrev spills beans — from pay parity to Ian Somerhalder relationship — on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ set.

📖 Charlie Sheenrecounts addiction, redemption, and so many mistakes in raw new memoir.

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

— Muhammad Ali