Good Morning!

It's Monday, August 18, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Ukraine-US talks to feature European leaders too. 

• Gen Z lingo added to Cambridge dictionary. 

• Ever been ‘zombied’ in a relationship?

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SPILL THE NEWS

Ukraine Talks Continue, Europe Chimes In

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to arrive at the White House on Monday flanked by Europe’s top leaders, an unusual show of unity meant to keep trans-Atlantic resolve intact as President Donald Trump edges closer to Vladimir Putin’s negotiating line. Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland are joining Zelenskyy after his exclusion from Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin, where Trump unexpectedly abandoned earlier insistence on a ceasefire before peace talks. Watch live updates.

European officials fear Trump may pressure Ukraine into concessions that could fracture the country and weaken NATO. The delegation plans to press Trump to support concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, including long-term training, funding, and an allied reassurance force on Ukrainian soil. How Trump and Zelenskyy’s relationship evolved since last Oval Office meeting. French President Emmanuel Macron said such commitments must go beyond “theoretical articles” and focus on building a robust Ukrainian military.

Trump has signaled willingness to explore U.S. participation, though largely through intelligence support rather than troops. Still, his reversal has unsettled allies, reviving concerns that Washington could drift from its role as Europe’s security anchor. With Putin emboldened by battlefield momentum, Monday’s high-stakes meeting may determine whether Ukraine secures meaningful Western backing or faces a peace deal tilted toward Moscow. Trump’s three-step strategy in Russia-Ukraine war.

Related Read: White House asks Ukraine officials if Zelenskyy would wear a suit.

Learn from this investor’s $100m mistake

In 2010, a Grammy-winning artist passed on investing $200K in an emerging real estate disruptor. That stake could be worth $100+ million today.

One year later, another real estate disruptor, Zillow, went public. This time, everyday investors had regrets, missing pre-IPO gains.

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Over 10,000 Air Canada Workers Go On Strike

Air Canada’s operations remain in turmoil after the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants instructed members to defy a government order to return to work. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) declared Sunday it would remain on strike, calling the federal directive “blatantly unconstitutional” and accusing Ottawa of siding with corporate interests. Federal Labor Minister Patty Hajdu intervened on Saturday, ordering binding arbitration under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code and instructing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to direct staff back to work. 

The walkout began early on Saturday over pay and scheduling disputes, including demands for flight attendants to be compensated for time spent working on the ground before takeoff and after landing. Within 48 hours, the strike forced more than 1,000 flight cancellations, affecting an estimated 100,000 travelers at the height of the summer travel season. All you need to know.

Air Canada said the defiance forced it to delay restarting flights until Monday evening and warned it could take up to 10 days to stabilize schedules. Customers are being offered refunds, credits, or rebookings on other airlines.

First Footage Of Human Embryo Implant In Uterus Captured

For the first time, scientists have captured real-time, 3D footage of a human embryo implanting into a uterus-like environment, revealing a process far more dynamic and forceful than previously understood. The research, conducted by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), used embryos donated from fertility treatments and a lab-created platform mimicking uterine tissue. Published in Science Advances, the findings have been hailed by experts as a significant advance in uncovering one of reproduction’s long-standing mysteries.

The study shows that human embryos actively burrow into the uterine lining, releasing enzymes to break down surrounding tissue while exerting physical forces to embed themselves. Researchers noted this “surprisingly invasive” process could explain why many women experience pain or light bleeding during implantation. By contrast, mouse embryos remain largely passive, highlighting key differences in reproductive biology across species.

Implantation occurs roughly six to 12 days after ovulation and is one of the most critical steps in early pregnancy. Failures in this process are believed to cause about 60% of miscarriages. Understanding how embryos interact with uterine tissue may therefore improve infertility treatments and lead to better outcomes for patients struggling to conceive.

DON’T MISS

📖 From ‘skibidi’ to ‘delulu’ — the Gen-Z slangs added to Cambridge Dictionary.

❤️ Happy couples are likely to discuss these five things on a daily basis!

💎 Thieves steal $2 million from Seattle jewelry store in 90 seconds.

👻 We’ve all been ghosted in relationships, but have you been ‘zombied’?

🎶 Multiple suspects sought after three killed, nine injured in Brooklyn club shooting.

💊 Weigh-loss drugs have a surprising enemy!

✊ Mass protests erupt in Israel demanding hostage deal and an end to Gaza war.

🎂 Like millennials, their favorite brands are also having a mid-life crisis.

🍽️ Washington diners suffer as National Guard patrols city streets.

🧠 Okay, what really is trauma-bonding and can we recognize it?

IN GOOD HEALTH

📱 Think blue light exposure due to high screen time ruins your sleep? The real culprit might be how you use it and what you do with it!

🧴 Whipped sunscreen looks trendy, but the FDA just issued warnings saying mousse formulas aren’t approved and could even pose ingestion dangers.

🩺 From fatigue to heart disease, chronic inflammation wreaks silent havoc — experts explain why this hidden health risk demands urgent attention.

👶 The most powerful child lifesaver? Researchers say direct cash — cutting deaths almost in half where traditional health programs fell short.

IN STYLE, IN BEAUTY

🎨 In fall 2025, designers swapped safe tones for dramatic and mood-shifting hues. Fashion’s color palette just got more adventurous than ever.

💋 Want your makeup to stay flawless? The secret isn’t more product, it’s how you finish. Beauty pros swear by this final step. 

👖 Blue denim steps aside this fall as this colored jeans claim the spotlight — ushering in a sleek, versatile shift in everyday style.

🌍 Facelifts abroad are booming but plastic surgery brokers are quietly shaping who gets them, and what really happens.

THE FAME FRAME

👗 Best dressed stars stunned this week, redefining glamour.

🧡 Why is 'The Life of a Showgirl' era orange?

🎬 ‘Weapons’ dominates weekend box office; ‘Nobody 2’ debuts.

💄 Kylie Jenner quietly shuts down breakup rumours.

📸 Hailey Bieberhas hilarious reaction to Justin’s photo with her BFF.

WEIGH IN

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase — just take the first step.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.