- Rise & Recap
- Posts
- Strait of Hormuz – Open or Shut? | Trump’s Contentious AI-Jesus Post | Habit Reducing Stress Cortisol
Strait of Hormuz – Open or Shut? | Trump’s Contentious AI-Jesus Post | Habit Reducing Stress Cortisol
Plus, draw your own constellation!
Good Morning!
It's Saturday, April 18, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:
The Strait of Hormuz finally shut or open?
President Trump’s contentious AI Jesus post.
A small habit can help reduce stress cortisol.
Love this newsletter? Don’t keep it all to yourself — share it with your friends!
Reading for the first time? Join over 50,000 intellectually curious women.
Paywalled articles ruin a seamless experience. We hear you, going forward, here’s a link that you can use to access all the locked articles to bypass the paywall. It is safe and we hope to deliver nothing but the best experience for our readers.
Help us be better, write at: [email protected]
Top news
IN THE SPOTLIGHT

World
Iran Takes Over Strait’s ‘Strict Control’ Day After Declaring It ‘Completely Open’
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was back under “strict control” despite declaring it “completely open” a day earlier, citing a continuing US blockade of its ports. “Until America allows full freedom of navigation… the situation… will remain under strict control,” a military spokesperson said. The strait, which carries about 20% of global oil, saw limited movement, though a convoy of tankers began transiting on Saturday. How the Strait powers significant part of global economy.
President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to end its nuclear program “forever”, adding talks “should go very quickly”, while insisting no money would be exchanged. Iran denied any new agreement.
Oil prices fell about 10% after reopening news. Disputes remain over uranium stockpiles, sanctions, and navigation rules, with Iran warning the strait “will not remain open” if the blockade continues.
Smart starts here.
You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.
Out of 150 stories we covered through Monday, this is
WHAT EVERYONE READ THIS WEEK
🧑⚕️ Is there such a thing as “Ozempic personality”? Well, doctors and patients across social media are reporting some sort of emotional change while on GLP-1 drugs.
👵 Why haven’t we tried “nonnamaxxing” yet? Turns out, living like a European grandmother is the secret to longevity!
📦 Gen Z does have a smart tool to deal with stress — enter, panic pouches!
☕ Love your morning coffee? Science says when you drink it could be the real reason you feel happier daily. So wait, when's the perfect time to have my espresso!
🚫 President Donald Trump deleted a Truth Social post showing an AI-generated image of himself appearing like Jesus Christ after it drew widespread backlash.
😴 Ladies, science says you really do need that extra snooze.
🥗 The food to eat to help you recover from sore muscles. So, every day is leg day?
⚖️ This actress is accusing Katy Perry of sexually assaulting her two decades ago.
🥗 If your protein routine feels repetitive, small tweaks in sources could make it way more effective and less boring. Here’s over 10 best sources of protein that go beyond eggs.
🧘♂️ A small habit can help you reduce your stress cortisol levels?
Astrology
THE ZODIAC CLUB
♈ Aries (March 20 - April 18) Action is your natural language, but today it pays to be a bit more strategic. A calm pace helps you see which efforts deserve your full commitment and which were just noise. | ♉ Taurus (April 19 - May 19) Luck is on your side today as stalled projects or financial matters finally begin to clear. Trust your ability to build something lasting; your practical charm is attracting all the right opportunities. | ♊ Gemini (May 20 - June 19) Your intuition is sharp, especially regarding family or shared resources. New ways to increase your comfort are emerging. Stay open to unconventional ideas — they might just lead to a lucky breakthrough today. |
♋ Cancer (June 20 - July 21) The pieces of the puzzle are finally fitting together. You’re choosing peace and security over unnecessary drama, and it feels wonderful. Trust your gut; it’s leading you toward a very solid future. | ♌ Leo (July 22 - Aug. 21) Fresh information comes your way through a casual meeting or chat. While you love to lead, today you’ll gain more by listening. Your reputation for reliability is growing in very profitable ways.. | ♍ Virgo (Aug. 22 - Sept. 21) Your dedication is being noticed. Whether it's a new job offer or a simple “thank you”, the rewards for your hard work are arriving. Accept new responsibilities with your signature grace. |
♎ Libra (Sept. 22 - Oct. 21) Fortune favors the bold! It’s a great day for making travel plans or diving into a new subject. A little faith in your own dreams goes a long way toward making them real. | ♏ Scorpio (Oct. 22 - Nov. 20) Detail-oriented work brings the most satisfaction today. While you might feel a bit restless, sticking to a practical plan for your home or office will bring you a deep sense of relief. | ♐ Sagittarius (Nov. 21 - Dec. 20) A breakthrough in how you view your commitments is here. You’re realizing that staying consistent actually gives you more freedom in the long run. Small, purposeful steps lead to big emotional wins. |
♑ Capricorn (Dec. 21 - Jan. 18) Your resilience is your greatest asset today. You can see exactly what’s working in your life and what needs a tweak. Trust the foundation you’ve built — it’s stronger than you realize. | ♒ Aquarius (Jan. 19 - Feb. 17) Honest communication is your superpower right now. Expressing your ideas clearly, without overthinking them, opens doors you didn't even know existed. A small change in your routine sparks big inspiration today. | ♓ Pisces (Feb. 18 - March 19) Your energy is high, and your mind is full of vivid ideas. You’re finding a beautiful balance between your personal dreams and your daily duties. Trust that you are exactly where you need to be. |
What’s hot
GO. SEE. DO.
“Movement is a fantastic privilege, but stillness is sometimes even more so.”
— Pico Iyer
Thank you for your time! Rise & Recap works towards delivering a daily newsletter to keep America informed — covering everything from coast to coast and beyond — all in one well-curated newsletter!
How do you feel about this edition of Rise & Recap? |

