Good Morning!

It's Friday, January 2, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Swiss ski resort fire kills 40, seriously injures 115. 

• Could we be facing a relationship recession?

• Try “temptation bundling” to keep on track for new year’s resolutions.

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

World

Swiss Ski Resort Fire Leaves At Least 40 Dead

Around 40 people were killed and about 115 seriously injured after a fire broke out during a New Year’s Eve celebration at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss Alps resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said. The blaze was reported around 1:30 am local time. 

Valais police commander Frédéric Gisler called it an “unprecedented tragedy” and said many victims were in critical condition. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said victims included young people, Swiss residents and foreign tourists. Prosecutors ruled out an attack and said investigators are examining the fire’s cause. Follow live updates.

US News

Zohran Mamdani Sworn In As NYC Mayor

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, following the New Year’s Eve ball drop. The private ceremony took place in the long-closed City Hall subway station. Mamdani, 34, placed his hand on two Qurans held by his wife, Rama Duwaji, as New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath. A transcript of Mamdani’s full speech.

About 20 people attended, including family and aides. Mamdani signed the oath, paid a $9 fee, and briefly spoke about public transit’s importance. A public inauguration was scheduled later Thursday at City Hall. What his first orders focused on.

Health

Until Now We Thought Women Were Responsible For Bacterial Vaginosis. That Might Change

A clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine followed 150 heterosexual couples where the female partner had bacterial vaginosis. Women received standard antibiotics, while half of male partners also received oral and topical antibiotics. Within three months, recurrence dropped sharply, prompting researchers to end the study early so all participants could receive partner treatment. 

Researchers concluded bacterial vaginosis can be sexually transmitted. Following the findings, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advised treating male partners, with California and New York City adopting updated treatment recommendations. What do you do when you have bacterial vaginosis?

In the know

DON’T MISS

🏛️ Trump abandons efforts to deploy National Guard in three US cities.

💔 Wait a minute, are we facing a relationship recession?

🚨 Several people killed in Iran as protests spread across the country.

🧠 Taking a look at these hyperspecific Gen Z terms for love, sex, and even bad behavior!

🏥 In another u-turn, Trump now says he got an MRI, not a CT scan.

🤒 US measles cases hit 30-year high, with over 2,000 cases across the country.

📄 Justice Department now says it is reviewing 5.2 million pages of Epstein files.

💃 Why is everyone suddenly scared to dance at concerts and bars?

🖼️ Louvre museum installs heavy metal bars on jewel-heist entry window for security.

🦓 Gen Z is apparently “zebra stripping”their way out of hangovers.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🎯 Now that you have your New Year's resolutions chalked up, how many of those are you promising yourself to follow through on? Well, they are hard to keep, which is why this behavioural scientist suggests using “temptation bundling” to make your goals stick. 

👥 Against popular belief, the secret to living into your 90s isn’t much about diet or exercise, but staying socially connected — and even embracing strangers with an open heart. A researcher found the lessons closer to home: in his parents’ long, vibrant lives.

🍷 Let’s settle this: Is red wine better for your health or white wine? Generally, you’re not better off drinking one while abstaining from the other — but there are nuances you might want to consider. 

📵 In 2026, people just want out after years of being chronically online. Perhaps, a supercharged digital well-being is the answer to all your prayers.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

👔 Nothing stands the test of time — except this classic wardrobe piece that’s been a fashion staple since the 1940s. Good news: it’s being reinvigorated for 2026 to finally shed those “too plain” allegations.

⚠️ Before you try TikTok’s newest fix for fuller eyebrows, know that dermatologists are flagging the serious risks of using this scalp-only formula so close to your eyes.

❄️ It’s no ordinary “puffer” season if you pick the right (and by that we mean Aspen-style) piece — they are about to be everywhere this winter.

🧴 The big deal with this skincare ingredient is that it has been far too overlooked for the benefits it has — until now. If traditional anti-agers have failed you, here’s your alternative.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

👾 The Duffer Brothers are finally answering every burning question in ‘The Stranger Things’ series finale.

⚖️ Will Smith is being sued by his tour violinist for sexual harassment and wrongful termination. 

💍 Zach Bryan tied the knot in a secret wedding right before New Year, and fans are left surprised. 

😏 Did Sabrina Carpenter just subtly shadeher ex in her IG post?

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Phone searches at US borders are rising, and customs agents have broad legal authority to inspect travelers’ devices without a warrant. While only a tiny fraction of travelers are affected, reports of questioning about online speech have fueled privacy concerns. Citizens can refuse to unlock devices but risk seizure, and the noncitizens may be denied entry. The issue sits at the uneasy intersection of national security, free expression, and personal data protection.

“Some endings are not failures. They are mercies.” 

— Elizabeth Strout