Good Morning!

It's Tuesday, October 28, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• ‘Trad sons’ are taking over Instagram.

• Do we all need an “ambition detox”?

• Menstrual blood is now being studied for research!

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Shutdown Has Reached A Breaking Point — For Citizens

The month-long government shutdown has reached a breaking point, with millions of Americans now facing the possibility of losing critical aid. The US Department of Agriculture announced it will halt all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting November 1, leaving about 42 million people, roughly one in eight Americans, without food assistance. What happens next? The Trump administration has refused to use the $5 billion in contingency funds that could keep the program running, arguing the money must remain available for disaster relief. Here are some ways the shutdown is going to get worse.

The standoff between Republicans and Democrats continues, with both sides blaming each other for refusing to reopen the government. Democrats insist on negotiating health care subsidies before funding federal agencies, while Republicans demand reopening first. Meanwhile, other programs like WIC, Head Start, and Essential Air Service are also set to run out of funds, impacting families, children, and rural communities. How private donors are helping keep foreign aid programs running.

State governments are scrambling to respond, California and New York are redirecting emergency funds to food banks, while others warn residents to prepare for benefits to stop. Federal workers are also missing paychecks, pushing many to food banks themselves. “Both parties have made their point,” said Everett Kelley, head of the federal workers’ union. “Now it’s time to end this shutdown.”

Myth: Pet insurance doesn’t cover everything

Many pet owners worry that insurance won’t cover everything, especially routine care or pre-existing conditions. While that’s true in many cases, most insurers now offer wellness add-ons for preventive care like vaccines, dental cleanings, and check-ups, giving you more complete coverage. View Money’s pet insurance list to find plans for as low as $10 a month.

Protect your pet

World

Jamaica Prepares For World’s Strongest Hurricane Storm

Hurricane Melissa, now the strongest storm of 2025 — and even more powerful than Hurricane Katrina — is battering Jamaica with catastrophic force. Packing sustained winds of 175 mph, the Category 5 hurricane has already claimed at least three lives on the island and four more across Haiti and the Dominican Republic. US meteorologists warn it could be the most intense hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica’s history.

Melissa’s slow movement is compounding the crisis, bringing torrential rainfall of up to 40 inches and triggering deadly floods and landslides. “Many of these communities will not survive this flooding,” said Jamaica’s local government minister Desmond McKenzie. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered mass evacuations and urged residents to seek safety, warning, “You have been warned. Stay indoors.” Watch: Lightning inside Hurricane Melissa.

Over 800 shelters have been activated across Jamaica as storm surges inundate coastal towns and power outages spread. The US National Hurricane Center has cautioned that “total structural failure is likely” in some regions. International aid agencies are rushing supplies, anticipating widespread devastation. After Jamaica, Melissa is projected to weaken slightly before hitting Cuba and the Bahamas next — but for Jamaica, the island braces for what could be its worst natural disaster in over a century. See live updates here.

Lifestyle

Mama’s Boys Move Over, ‘Trad Sons’ Are The New Thing

A new kind of influencer is rising online — the “trad son”. Think of them as the male counterparts to trad wives: young men in their 20s and 30s proudly living at home, embracing domestic life, and, in some cases, calling it their “dream job”. Who are these ‘trad sons’. Videos of these self-proclaimed “hub-sons” show them grocery shopping, cleaning pools, and cooking dinner for their parents — often with a mix of irony and pride.

But beneath the humor lies something deeper. “It’s intelligent; it’s efficient,” one man said, explaining that moving back home made sense in an economy where rent and living costs have skyrocketed. Another described it as “a good opportunity to spend time with my parents again.” Experts say the movement reflects both financial strain and shifting gender norms, where traditional masculinity is being redefined through domesticity and care. A personal account of how vacuuming, laundry are doing it for these men.

Critics call trad sons “men in decline”, while others see them as resisting a culture that glorifies overwork. “Kick your son out at 18 and the world raises him,” one woman said. “Keep him home with purpose, and a family raises a man.” Whether it’s a recession survival tactic or a social reset, trad sons are rebranding dependence into a lifestyle statement — and, apparently, an online trend worth watching.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🌍 World's oldest leader was just re-elected in Cameroon at 92!

👑 King Charles heckled over Prince Andrew’s Epstein ties.

🇺🇸 Melania Trump reportedly raised concerns about the East Wing teardown.

🍷 For real, do hangovers get worse as we age?

💼 Fed chair Powell’s term is ending in May – here are Trump’s top picks.

🧠 Trump reveals his undisclosed ‘perfect’ MRI result, refuses to rule out 3rd term.

📉 Amazon will announce largest layoffs in company’s history — cutting off nearly 30,000 employees.

🧘 Should we all be taking an “ambition detox”? It does guarantee peace.

⚠️ 4.9 million pounds of this food was recalled over another contamination issue.

🍭 Candy and soda might be bad but cutting them off could be worse.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🥗 You’ve mastered meal prep and hydration, but your energy’s tanking. Turns out, ‘healthy eating’ might be tricking you.

🧠 Can’t remember what you were doing five seconds ago? You’re not alone, brain fog might just be the latest issue in modern life and it’s rising in those under 40.

🍳 How nontoxic is your ‘nontoxic’ cookware! Well, it sounds that your pans are healthy, but what’s really bubbling beneath those glossy claims?

💪 Well, science says women can hit heart health goals with half the workout men need. Unfair? Maybe. Impressive? Definitely.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

👗 Is the ‘trad wife’ trend spilling onto the runways? Designers are turning homemaker chic into high-style commentary on women and work.

💄 Your makeup wipes might not be as “clean” as you think. The FDA’s latest recall might make you double-check your beauty drawer.

🧣 From fuzzy hats to leg warmers, these chic fall accessories scream quiet luxury without the splurge.

💆‍♀️ Dry ends and brittle strands? A good deep-repair hair mask could be the reset your locks deserve. Let’s find the perfect one for you.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎤 Britney Spears claims she was used, while Kevin Federline says she’s still not okay.

🚔 Sean “Diddy” Combs’ prison date released. When is he getting out?

👠 Kendall Jenner hits the runway at Vogue World: Hollywood 2025. Here’s a list of best dressed stars.

💋 Jennifer Lawrence opens up about the cosmetic procedures she’s gotten done and the ones she wants to.

🔥 Nicole Kidman just showed us what perfect “revenge gown” looks like.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Menstrual blood, once dismissed as waste, is now being hailed as an untapped medical resource. Startups like NextGen Jane are asking women to mail in their used tampons for research, helping scientists detect conditions like endometriosis through non-invasive testing. Experts say menstrual blood holds key molecular clues about the uterus—offering a diagnostic revolution in women’s health long ignored by traditional medicine. But some caution that the science, funding, and public comfort level aren’t quite there yet.

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway.”

 — Eleanor Roosevelt