Good Morning!

It's Tuesday, October 14, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Hostages and prisoners exchanged among Hamas and Israel.

• This fruit is your best friend if you face constipation.

• Is ‘inflammaging’ a part of getting old!

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

World

A Prisoner And Hostage Exchange

On Monday, Israeli authorities released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under a Trump-brokered ceasefire, including roughly 1,700 Gaza detainees and 250 convicted militants. The releases came hours after Israel received the 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas, bringing families in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel to tears. Many prisoners had been held for years, often without charge, and some were subjected to harsh conditions in Israeli detention. Why might Palestinians not see much to celebrate?

President Donald Trump hailed the moment as “a beautiful day is rising” at a peace ceremony in Egypt, calling it “the new beginning for an entire beautiful Middle East.” The deal, facilitated with Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and other world leaders, also involved the transfer of 154 prisoners abroad and the delivery of aid to Gaza, including reopening the Rafah crossing and supplying hundreds of trucks of essential goods. Is the Gaza agreement only step one?

While the ceasefire marks a milestone, challenges remain: Hamas retains control in Gaza, the future governance of the territory is undecided, and Israel demands disarmament. Trump emphasized US commitment to stability and reconstruction, while international leaders praised the deal, noting the fragile path toward lasting peace. Biden and Clinton praise Trump.

Work

Pakistan-Afghanistan Clashes Prompt Border Closures

Menopause is finally moving from taboo to workplace priority. As women in leadership navigate symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and fatigue, employers are stepping in with specialized support. PR firm Bospar’s “Cougar Puberty” meme sparked honest conversations about menopause, prompting a program with flexible hours, access to specialists, and a peer Slack group, Bospar-HotSpot.

This shift mirrors a national trend. Mercer reports that 25% of US employers with 200+ staff now offer menopause benefits, up from 15% in 2023. Companies like Vanguard, Microsoft, and CVS Health provide webinars, medical coverage, peer support groups, and quiet rooms, helping employees manage symptoms while staying productive. Some states, like Rhode Island, now mandate workplace accommodations for menopausal employees, from temperature-controlled workstations to flexible doctor-appointment hours.

Experts emphasize that support isn’t just wellness—it’s retention. Women over 50 are among the fastest-growing workplace demographics, and untreated menopause symptoms can cost US businesses billions in lost productivity each year.

US News

News Outlets Broadly Reject Pentagon’s New Press Rules

Major US news outlets across the ideological spectrum have refused to sign the Pentagon’s new press policy, citing First Amendment concerns. The policy, introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, requires reporters to acknowledge they will not seek or publish any Defense Department information not explicitly authorized. Journalists who don’t sign by Tuesday risk losing their press credentials and access to Pentagon facilities. Pentagon relaxed some rules.

The Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, NPR, Reuters, The Atlantic, and Newsmax, among others, said the restrictions “undercut” constitutional protections and could hinder reporting on military operations funded by taxpayer dollars. Even conservative outlets such as the Washington Times joined the pushback, while One America News is reportedly the only outlet to sign.

Hegseth has steadily restricted press access, removing mainstream outlets from Pentagon workspaces and limiting movement within the building. The Pentagon defends the policy as a clarification of rules, but press freedom groups call it “Soviet-style” and potentially punitive. Editors emphasize that coverage of the military must remain independent, warning that journalists will continue reporting even if denied credentials. The standoff raises the possibility of legal challenges as the Pentagon and media organizations clash over access and transparency.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🚽 Do you often feel constipated? This fruit could be the one-stop solution.

🚫 Venezuela shuts its embassy in Norway after opposition leader's Nobel Peace Prize.

🍏 Did Apple TV really think this subtle rebrand would go unnoticed?

🏢 It’s not just you, most US workplaces are toxic and here’s what keeps employees happy. 

🥕 Who’re you fooling? Now, we actually know how many veggies do adults need for healthy aging!

🧬 No, your genes are not enough to prove how smart you really are.

🔫 Four arrested in deadly Mississippi weekend shooting, pushing US towards 340 mass shootings so far this year. 

🍞 You’re probably storing bread the wrong way.

🤖 How can you possibly avoid ‘workslop’ and other AI pitfalls at work!

🤔 This surprising single trait might be what makes you a great manager.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

📱 Tired of hunching over your phone? This simple yoga pose might be the posture-fixing stretch your spine craves.

🔬 Scientists are rethinking what it means to grow old. Turns out, aging might literally be a slow burn. Scientists call it ‘inflammaging’.

💔 Teen and young adult deaths from drugs, alcohol, and suicide are rising worldwide, sparking urgent health warnings.

💊 Are you using GLP-1 medications? Then, you need to prioritize protein carefully, as insufficient intake could lead to unwanted muscle loss over time. 

🧐 How healthy are lentils? You’ve eaten them for years, but do you actually know why they’re considered a superfood!

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

❄️ Want a wardrobe that looks effortlessly elegant this winter? From standout sweaters to sleek boots — these timeless staples make instant style sense.

❓ What even is hair glossing? Can we literally transform our dull, over-styled hair instantly with this simple gloss treatment!

🍂 This fall, freaky footwear might be here to stay. From Schiaparelli to Tory Burch, everyone’s playing around with fashion’s foot fetish.

🌙 Nighttime is your skin’s power hour. Here’s how the right creams can transform mornings without magic or mystery.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎤 Taylor Swift announces Eras Tour docuseries — packed with Travis PDA and her beauty products!

👀 Eyes are on Alec Baldwin again as the actor rams wife’s car in a tree in the Hamptons.

🤰 Cardi B has the most NSFW response to why she keeps getting pregnant. 

📰 Anna Wintour says CBS News Head Bari Weiss has makings of a ‘great leader’.

🎶 Kylie Jenner raps and sings in her music debut ‘Fourth Strike’ with Terror Jr.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

This fall, middle school classrooms across the US are being overtaken by one of the most baffling memes yet: “Six Seven”. Students erupt with squeals and hand gestures anytime teachers say 6, 7, 67, or anything related. What started on TikTok and in rapper Skrilla’s music has turned into a schoolwide craze, forcing teachers to rethink math problems, group numbers, and even page numbers to avoid triggering the chaos. Some adults find it meaningless, others can’t stop laughing.

“Your life is your message; make it inspiring.” 

– Lorrin L. Lee