Good Morning!

Good Morning! It's Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Grok AI under fire for creating sexualised images of women, children. 

• This health trend is all about tracking your pee. 

• Is “catching a chill” really a thing?

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

World

Iran Protests Worsen As More Citizens Die

Protests have erupted across at least 17 of Iran’s 31 provinces since December 28, following a sharp currency devaluation. BBC Verify confirmed unrest in more than 50 cities using geolocated videos. Demonstrations spread beyond Tehran, including in Qom and Mashhad. Verified footage shows increasing force by security services after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “rioters must be put in their place.” 

Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said authorities would hear legitimate grievances but act firmly against unrest. BBC confirmed at least 11 deaths. However, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported at least 35.

Tech

Elon Musk’s Grok Faces Backlash Over Sexualized Images Of Women, Children

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is under scrutiny after users generated sexualized images of women and children without consent. The issue stems from Grok Imagine, launched last year, which allows image creation and modification, including adult content. 

Britain’s technology secretary Liz Kendall urged X to act urgently, while officials in Poland, the European Union, France, India, Malaysia, and Brazil called for investigations or enforcement. AI Forensics reported that 2% of 20,000 analyzed Grok images depicted minors. X said it removes illegal content and cited Musk warning users against misuse.

US News

Trump Administration Freezes $10 Billion in Child Care and Welfare Funds Across Five States

The Trump administration froze about $10 billion in federal funding for five Democratic-led states on Tuesday, citing alleged widespread welfare fraud. The Department of Health and Human Services halted $7.3 billion for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, $2.4 billion for child care subsidies, and $870 million for social services in Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado. 

HHS said states must submit additional documentation before funds are released. Spokesman Andrew Nixon said the action followed fraud cases in Minnesota. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called the move political retribution.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🍹 As people dial back their drinking, whatever happened to happy hour!

🧪 Guess the newest health trend, it’s tracking your pee.

✨ Tomorrowland announces first-ever Asia edition, set for Thailand this December.

👛 US Mint releases new coin to honor 250th anniversary celebration.

🥗 Holiday eating hangover? Dietitians share their favorite ways to reset!

🗓️ Not sure how to navigate your new year resolutions? Well, start with the habits to embrace and ditch in 2026.

⚖️ Trump claims he would be impeached if this one thing happens.

✈️ This airline is rolling out a free feature, well for some at least. 

🧠 Can the “good enough” mindset really stop you from overthinking everything?

🏛️ The NRA is (kinda) suing itself.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🔬 There’s little research on biological markers that can predict a child’s risk of developing autism — but that hasn’t stopped companies from marketing unproven, expensive diagnostic tests to parents. The demand is even higher. 

💤 A packed nighttime routine is doing you no favour. If better sleep is what you seek, cut these habits from your schedule immediately! 

👟 You hit your 10,000 steps every day — now what? Know whether walking counts as a "real" workout or if your fitness routine is missing a crucial piece.

🌡️ Is "catching a chill" a real thing? The answer is not what you think; perhaps your indoor habits might be the real culprit!

Decor & More

HOUSE TO HOME

🏠 Just like detox diets, “low-tox” living is what the internet is swearing by to cleanse the environment they live in — and the means are…extreme. Is your home really trying to kill you? 

🖼️ Is your room feeling gloomy? The fix isn't a lamp — it’s your window trim. These 11 frame styles can make any space look brighter, bigger, and significantly more expensive.

📦 Why do you keep walking past that pile? Some common clutter spots are hiding in your home — you’ve stopped noticing many already. Well, it’s time to say goodbye!

🧩 One simple design choice is the secret to instant room balance, yet almost everyone overlooks it. Your space might be missing the thing that ties it all together.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

☕ Ashley Tisdale’s “mom group exit” has been heard around Hollywood. Hilary Duff’s husband just took a dig at the actress’s “self-obsessed” essay. 

💔 Amy Schumer has filed for divorce from her husband, Chris Fischer, after 7 years of marriage. 

🎶 Taylor Swift’s "The Fate of Ophelia" just became her longest-running No. 1 ever. See which 13 hits it beats. 

Interactive

WEIGH IN

In 2026, young adults are redefining nightlife through “soft partying” — early-evening dance events, sober-friendly meetups, fitness clubs, bookish bar nights, and offline communities designed for connection without hangovers. Driven by Gen Z’s sober-curious habits, dating app fatigue, and post-pandemic loneliness, startups are hosting daytime clubbing, run clubs, cold plunges, and intellectual salons. Founders say the goal isn’t quitting nightlife, but reshaping it to feel safer, more inclusive, and more meaningful.

“Not everything that wounded me was violent. Some of it was slow.”

— Roxane Gay