Good Morning!

It's Friday, December 12, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• FDA approves new sunscreen ingredient, first time in 25 years.

• Another reason why you should eat dark chocolates.

• Food items that might be making your life more stressful.

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Senate Rejects Two Health Care Bills As ACA Subsidy Deadline Nears

The Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday rejected both Democratic and Republican health care bills as enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies near expiration. The Democratic plan to extend the subsidies for three years failed 51–48, with four Republicans joining Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill was a political exercise. 

The GOP alternative, written by Sens. Mike Crapo and Bill Cassidy, also failed 51–48, with Sen. Rand Paul voting no. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Republican plan as inadequate. President Donald Trump said he liked the “concept” of the GOP bill but did not endorse it. List of Republicans voting to make Obamacare more expensive.

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Tech

Most US Teens Use TikTok Daily “Almost Constantly”

Most US teenagers use YouTube and TikTok daily, according to a Pew Research Center report released Tuesday. Among 1,458 teens ages 13 to 17 surveyed, about one in five said they used the platforms “almost constantly”. 

Pew researcher Michelle Faverio said roughly a third of teens were on at least one major platform almost constantly, with Black and Hispanic teens reporting higher usage rates. Sixty-four percent said they had used an AI chatbot, and 28 percent used one daily. ChatGPT was the most commonly used, followed by Gemini and Meta AI.

World

US To Intercept More Venezuelan Oil Ships After Seizure

The United States is preparing to intercept more ships carrying Venezuelan oil after seizing a tanker this week, according to six sources familiar with the matter. The Skipper seizure marked the first interdiction of a Venezuelan oil cargo since US sanctions were imposed in 2019 and followed a wider US military buildup in the southern Caribbean. 

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the US would continue enforcing President Donald Trump’s sanctions policies. Venezuela’s government called the seizure “theft”. The US Treasury also sanctioned six supertankers and four Venezuelans linked to recent crude loadings.

Related Read: How the tanker, which was seized by US, hid true locations.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🌞 In a first in 25 years, FDA approves a new sunscreen ingredient, which is already used in Asia and Europe.

💼 One in five Americans have jobs that didn’t exist in 2000s.

🍫 Not like we needed it, but here’s one more reason why we should eat dark chocolates!

🎭 Kristi Noem’s Capitol Hill hearing interrupted by one of ‘The Exorcist’s quotes. 

🤖 San Francisco woman gives birth mid-ride in a Waymo robotaxi.

🌍 Want to move? These are the best countries to live in in 2026.

⚠️ ByHeart in trouble as over 50 children sick due to Botulism.

✨ Disney inks a $1 billion deal with OpenAI to bring characters to Sora.

🔥 Bulgarian government collapses as PM Zhelyazkov resigns amid mass protests.

⚖️ Judge frees Kilmar Abrego Garcia amid fight against wrongful deportation.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🍟 Stress doesn’t always come from your email inboxes or your relationships; some of it sneaks right into your pantry. Here are 6 food items that might raise your cortisol levels and what to swap in instead.  

⏰ Eight hours of sleep won’t save you if your schedule is all over the place. Science shows that a consistent sleep-wake cycle does more for your health than the number of hours you doze off.

🥤 Your daily energy drink might jolt you awake, but researchers say excessive consumption can increase your risk of a stroke. How much is too much?

🌿 Everyone’s treating cannabis like a miracle fix. Are we buying into this pop-culture mythology without any basis? A new review of research shows starking difference from the common belief.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

✨ We are always yearning for a sunkissed glow, even if winters keep the sun out of sight. Here’s a way to achieve the radiant look indoors with bronzing drops.

🧥 Dua Lipa is making Penny Lane coats look absolutely cool and warm for the season! Take inspiration from the singer and style it your own way.

🏥 Breakout trend or a fading fad? Plastic surgeons predict the procedures that are set to dominate (or disappear into obscurity) in 2026. The picks are controversial! 

👖 A t-shirt and jeans at a holiday party? Ayo Edebiri and Chanel just delivered the ultimate “yes, absolutely”.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎤 Bad Bunny slips and falls during his concert but spirited fans keep the show going.

🎬 Jamie Lee Curtis says her viral aging comment was “a total lie”. 

🎶 NPR just named this as the best album of the year.

🎥 Director Carl Erik Rinschconvicted of defrauding Netflix of $11 million.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Celebrity gossip this year felt powered by “divorced dad energy”, with famous men embracing chaotic reinventions. Ben Affleck cycled between exes and Dunkin’ appearances, Justin Trudeau debuted a headline-grabbing pop-star romance, and David Harbour moved on with a much younger model. Orlando Bloom leaned into his newly single status with hard-partying antics and bold tabloid hints. And topping the list, Jeff Bezos staged a massive second wedding in Venice packed with A-listers. The debate: who embodied “most divorced” energy best?

“You will break open again and again until the light finds you.” 

— Mary Oliver