Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, October 15, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Instagram goes PG-13 for teens. 

• What is fibermaxxing now!

• Are you washing those bananas?

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Trump’s GOP Shows Signs Of Cracks

As President Donald Trump savors a diplomatic win in the Middle East, small but notable fissures are appearing inside the Republican Party over domestic priorities. Disputes over National Guard deployments, free speech and the federal shutdown have produced rare public pushback as the 2026 midterms approach. 

A handful of Republicans have spoken out. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has demanded release of the Epstein files and criticized GOP leaders over the shutdown, writing on X, "I'm carving my own lane" and that she is "absolutely disgusted" about rising health insurance costs. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt called the National Guard deployment to Illinois a states rights violation, warning "Oklahomans would lose their mind" if roles were reversed. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox condemned the cancellation of a major solar project. Vivek Ramaswamy objected to pressure on ABC. Sen. Ted Cruz compared FCC chair Brendan Carr's tactics to the mafia and said he will push legislation to ease suits over government censorship. Sen. Susan Collins criticized budget director Russ Vought for laying off federal workers.

Polling shows Trump at about 40 percent in a Reuters/Ipsos survey, and the White House dismissed internal dissent as minimal, saying the party is "more united than ever under President Trump's leadership" and "working in lockstep". 

Moreover, a leaked Telegram chat among Young Republican leaders, dubbed the “RESTOREYR WAR ROOM,” revealed months of racist, antisemitic, and violently misogynistic messages. Members, spanning New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont, discussed harming political rivals, praised slavery, and shared white supremacist symbols, while some joked about finances and Trump endorsements. See full list of the members. The messages, some from Young Republicans holding government positions, prompted resignations, job losses, and widespread condemnation from GOP leaders, including Rep. Elise Stefanik and state party chairs, highlighting a toxic culture amplified by extreme rhetoric and the normalization of aggressive discourse among emerging GOP activists.

World

Madagascar’s Military Takes Control Of Country

Madagascar’s military has seized control of the country, dissolving major government institutions while leaving the lower house of Parliament, which voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, effectively ending his rule. Col. Michael Randrianirina, commander of the elite CAPSAT unit, announced a transitional civilian government to lead for up to two years, promising a referendum to draft a new constitution. The High Constitutional Court invited Randrianirina to assume the presidency after Rajoelina went into hiding, rejecting calls to resign despite weeks of deadly youth-led protests.

Protests began on September 25 over water and power shortages and escalated into broader demonstrations against corruption, poor governance, and economic hardship, particularly among Gen Z activists. The unrest turned deadly, with over 20 killed and 100 injured, and gained momentum as segments of the military, including CAPSAT, joined demonstrators, refusing to suppress them.

Rajoelina, who first came to power in a 2009 coup, condemned the takeover as illegal while fleeing for safety. Analysts warn the military’s intervention risks undermining the civil uprising, urging a return to civilian rule and elections. Madagascar now faces a precarious transition amid deep poverty, political instability, and growing international concern.

Social Media

Instagram Goes PG-13

Instagram is rolling out stricter content controls for users under 18, aligning teen accounts with a PG-13 standard, Meta announced on Tuesday. By default, teens will see posts and AI experiences free of sexual content, drug use, extreme stunts, or material that could encourage harmful behaviors. Teens cannot follow accounts that regularly post age-inappropriate content, and if they already do, interaction, including messages and comments, will be blocked. The platform will also widen the list of restricted search terms, including “alcohol” and “gore.”

Parents can enable an even stricter “Limited Content” setting that blocks more material and restricts commenting or messaging entirely. Meta says teens must now get parental approval to opt out of these restrictions, addressing concerns about teens misreporting their ages. The changes also affect AI chatbots, which will no longer give age-inappropriate responses.

Despite the update, safety advocates remain skeptical. Critics argue Meta’s announcements often prioritize PR over real protection and call for independent audits and stronger accountability. Still, the company frames the PG-13 approach as a familiar guide for parents while aiming to limit exposure to harmful content, marking its most significant teen account update since last year.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🥇 Trump posthumously awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal.

👻 Apparently TikTok thinks these are the spookiest US towns.

🤰 Listening to mothers’ voices in the womb helps babies develop language skills quicker.

👍 These are the things Americans can (and clearly can’t) do.

📰 Trump thinks this magazine cover of him might be the “worst of all times”.

🍌 Wash that banana! There’s a gross reason why you definitely should.

💥 US military strikes a boat near Venezuela leaving six dead.

🍎 Okay, what is fibermaxxing? The hot new nutrition trend!

💔 Does a man’s compliment make or break your week? You might be too dependent on male validation, here’s how to fix it!

🧪 Most protein powders carry lead, a new study reveals. So, what should you trust?

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🥤 What’s clear protein? TikTok swears by it — the see-through shake with 20 grams of hype. Should you buy it or skip it?

🧘‍♀️ Curious how long it takes Pilates to sculpt and strengthen! The answer might surprise you.

☕ Milk? Sugar? What you put in your coffee has a significant impact on your health. There definitely are ways to give your morning cup of coffee a healthy makeover.

🧠 That colorful workout tape everyone’s wearing? Turns out it may help your brain more than your muscles — here’s what science says.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🏠 Want to reclaim real estate in your home? Murphy beds hide in plain sight and maximize space.

🧘‍♀️ A calm kitchen isn’t about emptiness. If you want serenity at home, start by editing your kitchen to reflect only what matters most.

🪴 Big décor vibes don’t need big budgets. The next wave of interiors? Warm minimalism, biophilia, comfort that doesn’t break the bank.

🪑 Forget back pain. The right seat pad can transform even the most awkward chair into something cozy.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🪔 Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas steal the spotlight at NYC Diwali bash.

👙 Kim Kardashian’s Skims is making “hairy underwear” now and its selling out!

🎬 Netflix is partnering with Spotify to bring video podcasts to its platform in 2026.

🎤 D’Angelo, whose albums shaped neo-soul, dies at 51.

👸 Paris Jackson reportedly receives $65 million from Michael Jackson’s estate.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Scientists say the Earth has crossed its first climate tipping point: coral reefs. Rising ocean temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and pollution are driving widespread coral bleaching and die-off. Experts warn this marks the start of a cascade of tipping points that could transform ecosystems, intensify extreme weather, and strain food and water systems globally. While renewable energy adoption and green technologies offer hope, urgent action is needed to prevent further irreversible environmental changes.

“What you allow is what will continue. Set boundaries.” 

– Brené Brown