Good Morning!

It's Tuesday, September 30, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Government shutdown nears as Congress, Trump locked in standoff.

• A third type of diabetes gets a name.

• Could Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

Politics

Amid Government Shutdown, Who Will Cave First?

The White House and Congress remain locked in a high-stakes standoff, with a government shutdown looming at midnight Tuesday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that permanent layoffs could follow if Democrats reject President Trump’s demand for a clean stopgap spending bill. The Office of Management and Budget has already told agencies to prepare for potential mass firings, an unusually aggressive step since shutdowns traditionally result only in temporary furloughs. A reality check on shutdown economics.

Top congressional leaders met Trump on Monday but left with no deal. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, insist Republicans must accept concessions on health care, including extensions of Obamacare subsidies. What did Vance say? Republicans, meanwhile, accuse Democrats of “hostage taking” and are demanding a short-term extension with no policy riders. How could the shutdown affect federal workers and low-income families?

If funding lapses, millions of federal workers — including military personnel — would go unpaid, though back pay would follow once the government reopens. Economists note past shutdowns have had little impact on GDP or unemployment, but Trump’s threat of permanent cuts could mark a sharp break. With neither side budging, the country faces its first shutdown of Trump’s second term, with both parties racing to shift blame. Which federal benefits would continue during the shutdown?

World

Trump-Netanyahu Meet, Agree On Gaza Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday for Israeli strikes on Doha that killed a Qatari service member and breached Qatar’s sovereignty. The call, brokered by President Trump, came shortly after Netanyahu’s Oval Office meeting with Trump, where the US president pressed for closer Israeli-Qatari ties after years of tension. According to a White House readout, Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” for the strike, pledging it would not happen again, while Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the assurances and reaffirmed Qatar’s role in stabilizing the region.

The outreach came as Trump and Netanyahu jointly unveiled a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. Watch. The proposal calls for Hamas to return hostages within 72 hours in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and gradually withdrawing from Gaza, while reconstruction would be overseen by an international “Board of Peace”. Full text of the Gaza plan.

Next steps hinge on Hamas’ response, which remains uncertain. If the group accepts, the plan could pave the way for Gaza’s rebuilding and long-term stability. Netanyahu emphasized Israel would finish the job against Hamas if the group rejects the deal, while Trump offered full US backing to enforce compliance. Will there ever be permanent peace among Israel and Palestine?

Hollywood

AI Actress Makes Waves And Not Everyone’s Pleased

AI actress Tilly Norwood, created by the new AI talent studio Xicoia, has already drawn attention from multiple talent agents, Eline Van der Velden revealed at the Zurich Summit. A spin-off of Van der Velden’s AI production studio Particle6, Xicoia aims to position Norwood as a high-profile digital performer. Since her debut in the comedy sketch AI Commissioner, Norwood has sparked controversy, raising questions about AI’s role in entertainment. Should we be scared?

Over the weekend, actors and organizations voiced sharp criticism of Norwood and her potential representation. Melissa Barrera wrote, “Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$. How gross, read the room.” Moreover, Mara Wilson said, “Shame on these people. They have stolen the faces of hundreds of young women to make this AI ‘actress.’ They’re not creators. They’re identity thieves.” What Emily Blunt said.

Responding to the backlash, the creators of Norwood emphasized that she is “not a replacement for a human being.” Van der Velden wrote on Instagram, “She is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work — a piece of art. Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity. I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush. Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories.” Can you really call this AI creation an actress?

In the know

DON’T MISS

🪖 Trump, Hegseth to meet top military leaders: What could the meeting entail?

📅 What was happening in the world on the day you were born!

🇺🇸 How US citizens are getting dragged in Trump’s fight against immigrants.

💍 ‘Can I bring drugs?’, and every other guest-etiquette question you should never ask the bride ahead of a wedding.

👯‍♀️ It’s settled, women have better friendships than men. I mean, look at ‘Sex And The City’, right? 

🩺 We’ve long heard about a third type of diabetes, well now it has a name.

❤️ In a grand romantic gesture, Barron Trump shuts down a whole White House floor for a…date!?

📵 Taliban shuts internet across much of Afghanistan in new crackdown.

😂 Jokes aside: Experts say you shouldn’t be funny at work.  

🏅 For real, could Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

✨ Want smoother skin and stronger immunity? Vitamin A helps you glow and grow and for a daily health boost, try these recipes from sweet potatoes to salmon.

👓 Do your blue-light glasses really work or have you been scammed? Here’s a quick test to find out the answer.

❤️ Study shows 99% of heart diseases strike with warning. Can we really spot them early and lower our chances of illnesses?

🤲 Scratching might feel good but it could spark the itch-scratch cycle. Doctors reveal a surprising, gentler trick to finally ease stubborn itch.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

👖 From wide-leg trousers to embellished skirts, Milan Fashion Week’s street style drops trends you can steal right now.

💄 Say goodbye to constant touch-ups: this is the ultimate guide to long-wear lipsticks that combine rich pigment and comfort along with lasting all-day.

🧥 This winter, sweater vests aren’t basic — how to layer, accessorize, and experiment to elevate your everyday outfits.

💅 Effortless nail designsanyone can recreate, turning everyday manicures into eye-catching, conversation-starting statements.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎤 Did Taylor Swift say no to the Super Bowl halftime show?

💔 Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban separate after 19 years of marriage.

💍 Some fans caught this heartwarming detail in Selena Gomez-Benny Blanco’s wedding pictures.

📢 Justin Baldoni gives life update amid the legal battle with Blake Lively.

🤔 Wait what… Jennifer Lawrence is Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Nearly 80% of US workers say they’ve been “catfished” by employers who misrepresented job responsibilities, culture, or benefits, according to Monster’s 2025 Career Catfishing Report. The study highlights how dishonesty in hiring fuels burnout, turnover, and reputational damage. Workers admit playing the game too, with 13% confessing they inflated qualifications. Both sides risk costly fallout, with bad hires draining productivity and misleading offers pushing employees to quit. Transparency, experts warn, is the only way forward.

“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” 

— Tom Stoppard