Good Morning!

It's Friday, March 20, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• The 2026 World Happiness Report is, well, depressing. 

• The fruits and vegetables to be eaten without peeling them.

• Trump’s Pearl Harbor joke to Japanese PM faces criticism.

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

World

Oil, And Blood, Continues To Spill

Escalating strikes between Israel and Iran have hit key energy facilities across the Middle East. Israel targeted Iran’s South Pars gasfield, prompting Iranian retaliation on sites in Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility sustained extensive damage, impacting about 17% of output capacity, with repairs expected to take 3–5 years. Abu Dhabi shut operations at the Habshan gas facility and Bab oilfield following attacks.

Oil and gas prices surge: Brent crude rose to $119 per barrel before settling near $110, marking a 60% increase since the conflict began on February 28. Gas prices have reached four-year highs. Disruptions to LNG supply, particularly from Qatar, have raised concerns over availability, especially in Europe.

Military and political developments: President Donald Trump warned of further US action if Iran attacked Qatar again. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would avoid further strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure after the latest escalation. The strikes on South Pars were carried out by Israel independently, Netanyahu clarified. Tulsi Gabbard says Israel and the US have different goals in Iran war.

US funding: The Pentagon is preparing to request additional funding from Congress, potentially exceeding $200 billion, to replenish weapons and sustain operations. Separately, the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Iranian oil to increase supply and reduce rising fuel prices. Did State department cuts affect war efforts?

World

The World Happiness Report Is Sad

The World Happiness Report 2026 ranks Finland as the happiest country for the ninth year, with Nordic nations continuing to dominate due to strong welfare systems, stability, and life expectancy. Costa Rica rose to fourth, driven by strong social and family ties.

However, the finds a decline in well-being among young people, especially teenage girls in English-speaking and Western European countries, linked to heavy social media use. Life satisfaction among under-25s has dropped significantly over the past decade, with higher usage tied to lower well-being.

Dating

The Rise Of Micro-Cheating

“Micro-cheating” is blurring the lines of modern relationships. It refers to subtle, often digital actions — likes, follows, or messages — that some see as disloyal despite no physical cheating. With no fixed definition, boundaries vary widely. 

As relationships move online, everyday interactions are increasingly treated as signals of intent, leading people to track and interpret partners’ activity more closely. But these digital cues are often unclear and open to interpretation. The trend reflects a shift in dating culture, where small online behaviors are scrutinized more than ever, raising questions about trust, boundaries, and what actually counts as cheating today.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🏛️ House Democrats walk out of Attorney General Pam Bondi hearing on Epstein files and the reason wasn’t surprising.

💔 Men in their mean girl era? What even is the rise of “alpine divorces”!

😬 Trump hands the Japanese PM a warm welcome and then a Pearl Harbor joke.

🤖 Not sure if AI’s gonna take your job but this startup is hiring for you to bully it.

🕵️‍♂️ Top counterterrorism official Joe Kent, who resigned this week in protest of Iran war, being investigated by FBI over leaked classified information.

🚤 Southern Command head says US boat strikes “aren’t the answer” to America’s drug problem.

🦷 Fluoride bans could mean more cavities for kids, and a costly spike in Medicaid dental care, new study warns.

💉 FDA approves higher Wegovy dose, boosting semaglutide to 7.2 mg for weight loss treatment.

🧹 Tidying up is lazy girls’ worst nightmare. This trick could actually make you like it.

✍️ AI might just be changinghow we, as humans, write. And, it ain’t no fun.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

😴 One bad night leads to another? Experts say insomnia is a “vicious cycle”, and it could potentially start with just a single stressful event. 

🍱 This microwave habit might seem harmless, but oncologists are not on board with it. Time to toss out some plastic shortcuts …. 

🎧 A million reasons to love the music we used to blast in our teenage years — here’s one more: It could be a mental health booster too. 

🍎 Uh-oh! If you’re peeling these 7 fruits and veggies, you're tossing out the best (aka fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins-rich) parts.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🌿 Call it fashion’s “touch grass” era. Moss-filled runways are turning high fashion into something softer, stranger, and unexpectedly grounding.

🧴 Spicules are trending as “liquid microneedling”. But do they actually work, or just irritate sensitive skin? Derms weigh in.

🧥 Move over trench. The car coat is making a strong case as spring’s smartest, most wearable outerwear upgrade.

🎃 This fall favorite is now a haircare contender.Pumpkin seed oil shows promise for growth, but results aren’t guaranteed.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

💪 Natasha Lyonne says she’s “back on her feet” after relapse.

💰 Miley Cyrus says every dollar she earned went to her, shutting down the rumors that family needed her money.

💖 Olivia Rodrigo shuts down Sabrina Carpenter feud rumors, says it’s “all love”.

📺 Taylor Frankie Paulspeaks out after ABC pulls ‘The Bachelorette’ overleaked violence footage.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Gen Z’s spending habits are shifting, and brands are paying attention. At a recent retail summit, experts said younger consumers are overwhelmed by uncertainty, constant content, and digital noise. Instead of big splurges, they’re turning to “little treat culture” — small, affordable purchases that bring comfort and joy. From lip balms to stackable jewelry, brands are leaning into this shift, marketing everyday indulgences as self-care. With Gen Z’s spending power expected to hit $12 trillion by 2030, this mindset isn’t just a trend — it’s shaping the future of retail.

“Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams.”

— Lady Gaga