Good Morning!

It's Friday, April 17, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Israel-Lebanon agree to a 10-day ceasefire. 

• Is ‘ozempic personality’ really a thing?

• A song on skinny jeans!

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. 

Paywalled articles ruin a seamless experience. We hear you, going forward, here’s a link that you can use to access all the locked articles to bypass the paywall. It is safe and we hope to deliver nothing but the best experience for our readers.

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

Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

How An Online Network Of Women Ended Swalwell’s Political Trajectory

Eric Swalwell’s political collapse was driven by a rapid chain reaction led by women sharing allegations publicly. It began when Democratic strategist Annika Albrecht accused him of sexual harassment in 2019, including inappropriate messages and pressure to meet privately. She partnered with attorney and creator Cheyenne Hunt, who posted a video on March 31 accusing him of predatory behavior.

The post spread quickly online, prompting multiple women to come forward with allegations ranging from unwanted advances to rape. Hunt, Albrecht, and creator Arielle Fodor coordinated accounts through online networks, bypassing traditional reporting channels. Within days, major outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published the most serious claims. Two days later, Swalwell exited the California governor’s race, and the following day, he resigned from Congress.

World

Israel And Lebanon Agree to 10-Day Ceasefire, But Caveats Remain

President Trump announced on Truth Social that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, following the first direct talks between the two countries in decades. The deal came after Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors met in Washington earlier this week, with the US facilitating negotiations. The State Department said the 10-day window could be extended if both sides demonstrate progress toward a longer-term agreement.

The agreement leaves several key issues unresolved. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the ceasefire but said Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon — a position that directly conflicts with Hezbollah's core demand of a full withdrawal. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group and significant political party in Lebanon, was also not a direct party to the talks. 

Since hostilities that erupted last month (triggered by the broader US-Iran conflict), over 2,100 people have been killed in Lebanon and more than 1 million displaced, as per the Lebanese authorities.

Workout

Why Is The Manosphere Suddenly Obsessed With Pilates?

Pilates is not new to internet conversations, but right now, it has less to do with the workout and more to do with who is perceived to be doing it. For instance, one social media video encouraged men to “wife up” any woman who goes to pilates — sparking a significant debate online. Researchers say it reflects the classic pattern of the manosphere (or the online communities that promote traditional gender roles), funneling mainstream trends and appropriating them into patriarchal ideas. 

It fits neatly into a pre-existing template, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Mariel Barnes tells USA Today. For men, the “Pilates girl” is slim, ultra-feminine, and is likely under 30. Pilates instructors, on the other hand, say the stereotype bears little resemblance to what's actually happening in studios. They say the workout is widely considered inclusive and modifiable, and has little to do with the aesthetics that the online discourse centers on. Some say the biggest irony of all is …. the workout’s origin story.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🗞️ Utah reports 602 confirmed measles cases as of Wednesday. Data shows 85% of those infected (513 people) had not received the MMR vaccine. 

🥕 Strangest food trend on TikTok is almost creepy. Why’re those vegetables talking!

🏛️ Trump’s White House ballroom construction just hit another legal snag. 

💥 Russia launches 700-plus drones, missiles at Ukraine, killing 18 in deadliest attack months.

📰 Condé Nast is shutting this award-winning women’s magazine after nearly 50 years.

🚨 Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shoots and kills wife, then dies by suicide, police say.

🚗 Guess, who bought one in five Tesla Cybertrucks? Urm, it was SpaceX itself.

🥦 Finally, here are the best sources of protein if you’re a vegetarian.

🥭 If your mangoes go bad within days, science is stepping in to save them.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🧠 “How can anyone hate the rain?” Personal preference aside — we’re scientifically wired to like it. Even better, the benefits are biological.

🧑‍⚕️ Is there such a thing as “Ozempic personality”? Well, doctors and patients across social media are reporting some sort of emotional change while on GLP-1 drugs. 

🚶‍♀️ Daily walking is cool in itself, but might we suggest two things that will take its benefits even further? 

⏰ This one sleep habit might matter more than the hours you sleep if we’re talking about cognitive health.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🌸 Spring outfits should feel effortless, but the wrong colors ruin everything. These are the shades that might be quietly letting you down.

🧴 Glowy skin without splurging? Time to skip the pricey facials as this one ingredient quietly does the heavy lifting behind your best-face days.

👠 That “fashion mistake” you were warned about? It’s suddenly the chicest color combo dominating closets right now.

🌼 This season’s glow-up isn’t just outfits,it’s the scent quietly doing all the flirting for you.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🔍 Wait, who’s the real-life Emily from ‘Devil Wears Prada’? A Vogue investigation reveals.

💔 ‘American Pie’ actress Shannon Elizabeth opens up about divorce amid her announcement to join OnlyFans.

🚗 Platinum-selling singer D4vd arrested for alleged murder of 14-year-old found in his impounded Tesla trunk.

🎤 Demi Lovato's new song is on this controversial piece of clothing. 

🎬 Cate Blanchett is set to play Martha Stewart in her upcoming biopic.

💬 Victoria Beckham finallyopens up on family drama and son’s estrangement.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

How To Navigate Wealth Gap In Friendships?

Money has a sneaky way of showing up in friendships that once felt untouchable. One friend earns more, another spends differently, someone starts keeping mental tabs. Suddenly, dinners feel loaded, generosity feels awkward, and silence replaces honesty. The tricky part isn’t money itself, it’s what it represents: value, effort, care, even power. So when finances start shifting the dynamic, what actually matters more, keeping things “fair,” or keeping the friendship intact?

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” — Abraham Lincoln