Good Morning!

It's Friday, October 17, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Trump unveils new IVF plans. 

• Addiction to lip balms, could make your lips dry.

• Joy feels out of reach? This is what it’s called!

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.

Help us be better, write at: [email protected]

Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Trump Unveils New IVF Plan

President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a plan aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise to make fertility treatments more affordable. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump highlighted a deal with EMD Serono, a major fertility drug manufacturer, to offer steep discounts on key IVF medications, with prices adjusted based on patients’ income.

The administration also plans to issue guidance allowing employers to offer IVF coverage as a stand-alone benefit, similar to vision or dental insurance, without mandating participation. While this could make treatment more accessible, critics note it stops short of requiring insurers to cover IVF, leaving gaps for many Americans. The White House says the initiative will save eligible patients $1,200 to $1,900 per IVF cycle, with medications available through the planned TrumpRx website in early 2026. Do these plans fall short of Trump’s campaign promises?

Trump framed the initiative as part of a broader “pronatalist” effort to raise the US birthrate, emphasizing the joy of parenthood and signaling support for millions facing infertility. The announcement drew mixed reactions, praised by reproductive medicine advocates for increasing access, but criticized by some religious conservatives and fiscal conservatives for ethical or budgetary concerns.

Politics

John Bolton Indicted Over Mishandling Classified Information

Former national security adviser John Bolton, a vocal critic of President Trump, was indicted on Thursday in Maryland on 18 counts for allegedly mishandling classified information. The indictment claims Bolton shared more than 1,000 pages of “diary-like” notes about his 2018–2019 White House activities with two family members, including material marked top secret. Prosecutors say some of the emails were later hacked by a group linked to Iran, exposing sensitive intelligence. The case marks the third high-profile indictment of a Trump critic in recent weeks, alongside former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. What’s the case against Bolton?

Bolton’s notes reportedly included information from intelligence briefings, meetings with foreign leaders, and US government plans, some detailing covert operations and potential threats. He is accused of using personal email and messaging apps to share the material, intending to compile it for a book. None of the classified information was published in his memoir, ‘The Room Where It Happened’.

Bolton, 76, is expected to surrender Friday in Greenbelt, Maryland. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized accountability for anyone jeopardizing national security. Bolton called the charges part of an effort to intimidate critics of Trump, insisting he acted lawfully and only shared unclassified diaries with family.

Health

Clinical Trials Might Have A Gender Problem

Clinical trials are essential for determining whether medical treatments are safe and effective, guiding FDA approvals and patient care. Participants are randomized to different treatments, and outcomes are measured. Ideally, trial participants should reflect the diversity of the population likely to use the treatment, but in practice, women, the elderly, and minorities are often underrepresented.

This underrepresentation can have serious consequences. For example, when Ambien (zolpidem) was approved in 1992, early trials underrepresented women, who metabolize the drug more slowly. It wasn’t until 2013 that the FDA mandated lower doses for women, after hundreds of adverse events, including traffic accidents, were reported.

A recent study of over 10,000 clinical trials found that trials led by women investigators enrolled more women, 54% compared to 47% in male-led trials, even after accounting for the diseases studied. Trials led by women were also more likely to include women staff and avoid unnecessary exclusion of pregnant participants. These findings suggest that increasing female leadership and staff in clinical trials could improve representation, helping ensure treatments are safe and effective for everyone. Representative trial teams may be key to achieving truly equitable medical research.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🌕 Turns out, the moon really affects your sleep. But, how?

🍟 How did America get hooked on ultraprocessed food? How did we get here!

🙅‍♀️ For real, it’s time we stop using these emojis in work chats.

🏛️ Trump’s building a triumphal arch in DC dubbed the “Arc de Trump”.

✈️ These probably are America’s most budget-friendly tourist destinations.

⚖️ The Chamber of Commerce is suing Trump over new $100,000 H-1B visas.

♠️ This billionaire Governor won big in Vegas playing blackack. 

👽 Marco Rubio has a wild UFO theory. Could is be true?

💼 NYC Mayor Adams tells staff he’s been offered an “amazing job”. 

🇨🇳 After Trump’s backlash, China clarifies that alleged real reason over rare earth controls.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🍫 Move over, protein shakes. A new study finds this “unhealthy” snack may actually help build muscle faster after workouts. Surprising, right?

☀️ From heart problems to depression, low vitamin D quietly fuels serious health issues you might overlook.

💪 Are you as healthy as an 80-year-old elite athlete? Well, these two tests might be the perfect way to find the answer.

😶 Ever felt like joy is out of reach, no matter what?Psychologists have a word for that and it’s more common than you’d think.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

👄 Frequent balm application may backfire. Could making lips reliant on moisture actually worsen the dryness over time?

🦋 From the runway to the after-party, Victoria’s Secret 2025 stunned with luxe lingerie, floral details, dramatic wings, and eye-catching styles.

🔬 More than just strands, hair quietly reveals hints about your body, offering insights few might notice at first glance.

✨ Matching setsturn everyday dressing into a seamless experience, balancing comfort, cohesion, and chic aesthetics for versatile wear.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

💋 JLo reveals this costar was her best onscreen kiss and the answer might surprise you!

💔 Taylor Swift and Blake Lively have had no-contact since Justin Baldoni lawsuit drama.

🎭 Keanu Reeves once briefly changed his name to this as a young actor.

🚨 Man accused of stealing Beyoncé’s music charged with criminal trespass.

🦢 Bella Hadid says her Victoria’s Secret angel wings weighed a staggering 50 pounds on the runway.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

AI may finally help you pick the perfect avocado, and cut food waste along the way. Researchers at Oregon State University developed a deep learning program that analyzes iPhone photos to predict an avocado’s ripeness and internal quality with impressive accuracy. The goal: help shoppers, retailers, and distributors make smarter choices, reduce waste, and potentially apply the same tech to other fruits and vegetables.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

— Aristotle