Good Morning!

It's Thursday, May 15, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Young men are falling behind, and not just in schools. 

• Alzheimer's starts affecting people at 20s, 30s. 

• People are eating more sugar than they realise!

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Spill The News

Trump Meets Syrian President

President Donald Trump met Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday, a day after announcing plans to lift sanctions, in a move that could ease pressure on the war-torn nation. It marked the first U.S.–Syria leadership meeting in 25 years and a major step in Syria’s push to rejoin the global community after nearly 14 years of civil war. The two spoke for about 30 minutes ahead of a Gulf summit in Saudi Arabia, according to the White House. Is the new Syrian leader an ally or enemy to the U.S.?

How Ahmad al-Sharaa transformed over the years.

Following the meeting, Trump traveled to Qatar (watch), where he secured over $243.5 billion in agreements, laying the groundwork for a broader $1.2 trillion economic partnership. The deals encompass a $96 billion order for up to 210 Boeing aircraft, significant defense procurements, and potential investments in infrastructure and security initiatives. A closer look at Trump’s Middle East deals.

Speaking in Qatar, Trump said Iran has “sort of” agreed to U.S. terms for a nuclear deal, calling recent talks “very serious negotiations” aimed at “long-term peace”. 

In related read: US approves $304 million missile sale to Turkey. 

U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Fell Sharply in 2024

Overdose deaths in the U.S. fell by about 30,000 last year — a nearly 27% drop — marking the clearest sign yet of progress in battling the nation’s drug crisis, according to new CDC data. Deaths declined across all major drug categories and in every state but two — Nevada and South Dakota. Public health experts called it the most encouraging update so far. Can Trump’s cuts reverse this?

The CDC says this was the largest one-year drop in overdose deaths ever recorded. Experts aren’t yet sure why, but cite factors like expanded treatment, shifting drug use, and opioid settlement funds. Fewer Americans may also be at risk as usage trends change. However, deaths continue to remain higher than pre-pandemic levels and overdoses are still the leading cause of death for adults aged 18-44, the CDC warned, “underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress”. 

Among 2024's victims: a 17-month-old in LA who overdosed on fentanyl during a supervised visit, a 15-year-old who fatally overdosed at her Georgia high school, and nine people who overdosed in one day in Austin.

Boys and Young Men Are Falling Behind, And Data Shows It

Boys and young men across the U.S. are falling behind — in school, mental health, and work — while their female peers continue to surge ahead. Data shows a consistent pattern: boys are entering kindergarten less prepared than girls, both academically and behaviorally, and that gap persists. Boys have a lower high school graduation rate — 83% compared to 89% for girls, according to a Brookings Institution analysis. College trends show a wider divide. Today, 66% of recent female high school graduates enroll in college, up from 38% in 1960. Among males, only 57% enroll — barely above the 54% rate from 1960. College is closely tied to better jobs and higher wages, and men are steadily falling behind.

In terms of mental health struggles, 28% of boys ages 3 to 17 have a mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental issue, compared to 23% of girls. Once transitioned to adulthood, the share of men aged 25 to 54 who are working or looking for work has dropped from 94% in 1975 to 89% today. For women, it’s risen from 55% to 78% in the same time frame, reflecting broader shifts in work that now favor traditionally female-dominated sectors.

These trends don’t affect all boys equally. Black boys and those growing up in poverty face even steeper obstacles, with worse outcomes across education and employment.

Click-Worthy

🕛 GOP pulls all-nighter to push Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill.

🧠 Alzheimer's may begin affecting brains in 20s and 30s.

🐟 Turns out, there’s not plenty of fish in the sea.

👶 Even in 2024, Liam, Olivia are top baby names. Plus, some shockers.

👂 Aging quietly? Your ears might be, too.

🤝 Putin to skip Ukraine peace talks, sends low-level deputies instead.

💼 Long work hours might be altering your brain.

📱 Your thoughts could soon navigate your iPhone.

👠 Are Barbie’s feet tied to empowerment?

🍭 Most people are eating more sugar than they think. Take a quiz!

She’s Got Game

🎾 Serena Williams’ husband just dropped £20M to back Chelsea Women with family kits and big goals for American fans in mind.

🏆 Arsenal and Barcelona women are crushing it in Europe — skip the hype, bet smart, and back the real Champions League contenders.

The Style Edit

👗 When clothes tell stories, it’s not just fashion — it’s magic. Miu Miu just changed the runway game with this thoughtful immersive show.

☀️ Sun’s out, style’s on. Chicest sun hats are serving shade, sass, and serious summer energy that your beach selfies demand.

The Fame Frame

😱 Influencer shot dead mid-livestream — what we know.

💃 What is Sofía Vergara’s post-divorce dating rule?

⚖️ Diddy Trial: $20 million settlement, and more.

🔥 Blake vs. Baldoni gets messier, and Taylor Swift's in the mix.

💍 Anna Camp’s 7-year-long marriage or a long one-night stand.

Weigh In

"You don’t become what you want. You become what you believe."

— Oprah Winfrey