Good Morning!

Good Morning! It's Thursday, January 8, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Trump administration’s new food pyramid is drawing questions. 

• Gen Z has its own “Karen”. Any guesses?

• Good news! You can recover from the sleep debt.

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

Health

RFK Jr’s New Food Pyramid Is Meaty And Red

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled new US dietary guidelines on Wednesday, emphasizing whole foods, protein, and healthy fats. The guidelines place red meat, cheese, vegetables, and fruits at the top of a revised food pyramid. Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called for a “dramatic reduction” in highly processed foods, added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. 

Kennedy said, “Protein and healthy fats are essential and were wrongly discouraged in prior dietary guidelines.” The guidelines recommend no added sugar for children under 10, allow full-fat dairy, and set protein intake at 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. So, how does Kennedy’s food pyramid stack up?

US News

Trump Pulls US Out Of More International Organizations

President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Wednesday withdrawing the United States from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and 65 other international organizations, citing waste, mismanagement, and ideological bias, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Why is the US pulling out of UNFCCC?

The US will also exit the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Association, the International Solar Alliance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Trump has previously pulled the US from UNESCO, the WHO, and the UN Human Rights Council. Critics, including Gina McCarthy and John Kerry, said the move undermines US climate leadership and scientific credibility.

US News

ICE Agents Under Fire For Shooting Minnesota Woman

An ICE officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37, in Minneapolis on Wednesday during an immigration enforcement operation. Videos show Macklin Good’s SUV moving as an officer fired multiple shots; she was struck in the head. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called it self-defense, saying the vehicle “attacked” officers. DHS, Minnesota officials share contrasting accounts.

Mayor Jacob Frey and witnesses disputed that, describing her as fleeing. Protests and a vigil followed, with crowds chanting against ICE. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the shooting “predictable” and “avoidable” and said the National Guard could be deployed. The FBI and state authorities are investigating.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🚢 US seizes two Venezuela-linked oil tankers, including Russian-flagged vessel, sparking Moscow backlash

🤫 Gen Z has its own “Karen”. Can you even guess?

🩺 Wait, did OpenAI just launch ChatGPT health. Is that Dr GPT now!

💤 Well, you might be able to recover from sleep debt. But it requires some movement.

🤝 Rubio to meet Denmark representatives next week over Greenland, even as Europe disapproves.

🐻 Did you know RFK Jr dumped a dead bear in Central Park. Well, here’s the bill for it.

🤢 We just came across another reason to not travel in airlines. This one’s a little unhealthy.

💻 Do you use AI at workplace? Well, there might be a downside to it.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

😶 Are you numbing out with “virtuous" habits? From people-pleasing to overworking, these "dimmers" mask our true feelings.

🍅 Those preservatives extending your food’s shelf life might actually be shortening yours. Two new studies from France link common additives used globally to higher risks of several cancers and type 2 diabetes. 

💪 The world’s most popular gym supplement isn't just for athletes anymore. It turns out, creatine supports muscle strength for nearly everyone. Are you missing out?

☀️ Not getting enough vitamin D? Doctors share smart, realistic ways to raise your levels without overdoing supplements.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🏰 The Middle Ages have entered the group chat — and fashion is fully committed. From runways to TikTok, medieval-inspired fashion is rising as people dress for instability, not minimalism.

🚿 Dull hair? Spotty dishes? You likely have hard water (yes, the silent saboteur) running through your taps. Here’s how to stop the scaling before your health pays a price.

👠 Asymmetric heels are having a moment thanks to stars like Jennifer Lawrence, making off-kilter shoes the latest style obsession.

🧐 The LED face mask market is a mess. One new design raises an unexpected question: does it finally work?

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

💉 Bradley Cooper finally weighs in on swirling plastic surgery rumors.

☕ Hilary Duff’s husband enters the mom-group debate with a brutally funny jab.

🏆 How can you watch the Golden Globes 2026?

💔 Jennifer Garner breaks silence on her “hard” divorce from Ben Affleck.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

For decades, knuckle cracking has been treated like a fast track to arthritis. But multiple studies say otherwise. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Fernandez says there’s no scientific evidence linking knuckle cracking to arthritis or joint damage. The popping sound comes from gas bubbles forming in synovial fluid when joint pressure drops, a process called cavitation. Research dating back to 1947, plus a famous 60-year self-experiment by Dr. Donald Unger, found no harm. The main downside? Some mild tissue thickening and social annoyance.

“Above all, be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” 

— Oprah Winfrey