Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, July 23, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Trump withdraws U.S. from UNESCO. 

• Could cancer drugs cure Alzheimer's?

• Reusable menstrual products contain ‘forever chemicals’.

Love this newsletter? Don’t keep it all to yourself—share it with your friends!

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

SPILL THE NEWS

Trump Withdraws U.S. From UNESCO For The Second Time

The United States will once again withdraw from UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency, by the end of 2026. The move reflects President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to disengage from multilateral organizations. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, “Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States,” accusing it of promoting “divisive social and cultural causes” and a “globalist, ideological agenda.” She also cited “the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.”

UNESCO, headquartered in Paris with 194 member states, is best known for designating World Heritage sites and promoting cultural, scientific, and educational initiatives. Director General Audrey Azoulay said, “However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it,” noting that reforms and diversified funding have reduced reliance on U.S. contributions, which account for 8% of its 2025 budget.

The U.S. previously withdrew in 1984 and again in 2017 under Trump, before rejoining in 2023 under President Biden. Critics warn the exit will undermine key efforts, including Holocaust education. “Once again, this administration is undermining U.S. global leadership,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised the move, calling it “a necessary step” for Israel’s fair treatment in the U.N. system.

Amid Epstein Uproar, U.S. House Breaks Early For Summer Recess

The U.S. House of Representatives will break early for its five-week summer recess, sidestepping a political clash over demands to release government files on Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the decision Tuesday, saying, “What we refuse to do is participate in another one of the Democrats' political games. This is a serious matter. We are not going to let them use this as a political battering ram.”

The move blocks a bipartisan resolution led by Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna calling for the Justice Department and FBI to disclose all documents related to Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019. The House Rules Committee had been targeted by Democrats to force a vote, but Republicans suspended its meeting, halting further floor action. Instead, votes will be limited to minor bills on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, facing pressure from Trump supporters, has asked a judge to unseal grand jury records in the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases. A House Oversight subcommittee also voted to subpoena Maxwell. Despite earlier promises, the Trump administration backtracked on releasing documents, creating a rare rift with some in his base, who widely believe details are being hidden.

Related Read: Are Trump’s attacks on Obama, Clinton a distraction?

US Olympic Committee Bans Trans Women from Women’s Sports

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has quietly updated its eligibility rules to bar transgender women from competing in women’s Olympic sports, aligning with President Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”. All you need to know about it. The policy, referenced only as “Executive Order 14201,” is listed under the USOPC’s “Athlete Safety Policy” and lacks detail on enforcement. 

In a letter to the Team USA community, USOPC leaders Sarah Hirshland and Gene Sykes wrote, “As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations,” and added that they would work with national governing bodies (NGBs) to implement the change. U.S.A. Fencing, one of the first NGBs to respond, stated its new policy — effective August 1 — would allow trans women to compete only in the men’s category.

“I’m not going to try to oppose the U.S.O.P.C. because I understand that they’ve been put in an impossible situation by the administration,” said Phil Andrews, CEO of U.S.A. Fencing. He added that states like California and Minnesota may defy the policy, and its full rollout remains uncertain. The USOPC said it would work with the IOC, IPC, and other governing bodies to “ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment”.

CLICK-WORTHY

🇺🇸 Trump asks DOJ to probe Obama, former president calls it “attempt at distraction”.

🤝 White House reaches trade deals with the Philippines and Japan.

🍌 Duct-taped banana art worth millions — hungry museumgoers keep eating them!

📉 Trump’s tariffs push Europe towards China; Euro speeds up as Dollar slides.

☕ Gen Z’s hottest brunch spot? Cozy home cafés serving lattes, playlists, aesthetics.

🧑‍💼 AOC’s campaign office vandalized with anti-Israel message.

♻️ Reusable menstrual products found to contain “forever chemicals”.

🧱 Trump to build biggest immigrant detention center in U.S.; videos of current ICE holdings spark concerns.

😮‍💨 Millennials, it might be time to take a break from your managerial era!

🍽️ Over 30 people have died in Gaza in last 48 hours due to malnutrition.

IN GOOD HEALTH

😊 Turns out, you can sneak in happiness daily by “joy snacking”.

🧴 Metal bottle caps may be sneaky sources of microplastic contamination.

🧬 Genetic test may predict obesity risk and enable early interventions.

💊 Could cancer drugs be the cure for Alzheimer’s?

🥤 Coca‑Cola to launch U.S. cane‑sugar Coke this fall, after Trump push.

HOUSE TO HOME

🪞 From modern to minimal to vintage, mirrors that double as decor goals.

🏠 Under-$35 smart home items you didn’t know you needed.

🛏️ Chic attic room designs that elevate unused under-roof spaces effortlessly.

🧶 This kitchen trend feels like your favorite cashmere sweater.

THE FAME FRAME

🏈 Travis Kelce surprises fans with rare reply to Taylor Swift’s Jelly Roll comment.

🎸 Godfather of heavy metal Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76.

👠 ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ brings backs the high-stakes wardrobe.

🎶 Justin Bieber, Travis Scott face music’s closest chart battle in years.

📺 After ‘Late Night Show’ cancellation, Trump says Kimmel and Fallon are “next to go”.

WEIGH IN

“I don’t want life to imitate art. I want life to be art.”

— Carrie Mae Weems