Good Morning!

It's Friday, July 11, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:  

• The first-ever Birkin bag sold for over $10 million.

• What is the new obsession with vibration plates?

• Which U.S. cities offer the best job markets and at par incomes!

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SPILL THE NEWS

Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented parents and foreign academics. Judge Joseph N. Laplante of the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire certified a class-action lawsuit brought by the ACLU and ruled that the order could not be enforced nationwide for children born on or after February 20. 

The decision, paused for seven days to allow for appeal, comes in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling limiting lower courts from issuing nationwide injunctions — making class actions the only effective workaround. Judge Laplante called the decision “not a close call”, noting the children affected faced potential statelessness and stating, “citizenship was the most foundational benefit the government could extend… It is the greatest privilege that exists in the world”. What it means.

The ACLU’s Cody Wofsy said, “This ruling is a huge victory… We are fighting to ensure President Trump doesn’t trample on the citizenship rights of one single child.” Trump border czar Tom Homan criticized the ruling, calling the judge “radical” and accusing him of ignoring the Supreme Court. It is critical to note that the 14th Amendment has long protected birthright citizenship, and courts have consistently rejected efforts to exclude children born to undocumented immigrants.

DOJ Whistleblower Claims Top Dept Official Defied Courts Over Deportations

A whistleblower has provided text messages and emails supporting claims that senior Justice Department official Emil Bove encouraged defying court orders related to deportations. Erez Reuveni, a former DOJ lawyer fired earlier this year, submitted the communications to the Senate Judiciary Committee, backing his allegation that Bove once said lawyers might need to “consider telling the courts ‘fuck you’ and ignore any such court order”.

Emails also show Bove authorized deplaning immigration detainees on foreign soil, despite an oral court order from Judge James Boasberg to turn the planes around. Bove argued the detainees could be released because the planes had exited U.S. airspace before Boasberg’s written order was docketed. One message from Reuveni read: “Guess we are about to say fuck you to the court.” A colleague replied: “Well Pamela Jo Bondi is,” referencing the current U.S. Attorney General. In another exchange, Reuveni wrote: “At this point why don’t we just submit an emoji of a middle finger as our filing.” What did the former CIA Director say?

At a Senate hearing, Bove denied instructing anyone to violate court orders. Bondi later dismissed Reuveni’s claims, calling him a “disgruntled employee” and asserting, “there was no court order to defy”. Reuveni had previously defended the DOJ’s stance in multiple legal briefs.

The Original Birkin Bag Sells For $10 Million

Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag, the first ever created, sold for $10.1 million at auction on Thursday, setting a new record for the most valuable handbag ever sold, according to Sotheby’s. The iconic black leather accessory, now a global symbol of luxury, was born from a chance encounter between Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a 1984 flight. Birkin reportedly told Dumas she couldn’t find a practical bag for a young mother, prompting him to sketch what would become the legendary design. Watch.

While Birkins usually retail between $20,000 and $30,000, their resale value can skyrocket depending on rarity, color, and material. The bags are notoriously difficult to purchase, available only in select Hermès boutiques and often by invitation. The true worth of the first Birkin.

Although the bag carries her name, Birkin distanced herself from it in later years, saying in 2017, “Now I fill my pockets like a man, because then you don't actually have to carry anything.” She sold the original bag at a 1994 auction for a French AIDS charity and often decorated her handbags with stickers supporting UNICEF and Médecins du Monde. Birkin, who died in 2023 at 76, once said: “I never considered myself as a fashion icon… We just wore exactly what we wanted.”

CLICK-WORTHY

📉 Canada hit with steep 35% tariffs from Trump amid trade talks.

🌀 Why is everyone obsessed with vibration plates?

📺 Liberians angry after Trump said this about their President | Watch

☢️ Some of Iran’s enriched uranium survived U.S.‑Israel strikes, as per official.

👩‍💼 Women are choosing self over success — and loving the shift.

📦 Brazil-Trump tariff threats to affect trade from coffee to beef.

💻 Nvidia makes history as world’s first $4 trillion company.

💰 Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim for ICE-detention, says an apology could work too!

💼 Which U.S. cities offer best job markets and high income!

🥣 Nutella maker Ferrero acquires cereal giant WK Kellogg in $3.1 billion deal.

IN GOOD HEALTH

👩 Why are so many women being diagnosed with ADHD?

💊 New study says antidepressant withdrawal is much milder than we thought.

✈️ Can you really heal your gut one travel adventure at a time!

⚠️ Fungal infections might be getting harder and harder to treat.

IN STYLE, IN BEAUTY

👗 The summer skirt that makes basic flip-flops look fashion-week ready.

🌸 Forget "your scent" — we’re moving to blendable fragrance wardrobes.

🎭 Glenn Martens resurrects Margiela — surreal masks and sculptural drama.

💅 Striped beach towel nails make every manicure feel like vacation.

THE FAME FRAME

🎤 Justin Bieber (finally) launches his new brand — Skylrk and a surprise album. 

💍 Why haven’t Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco begun wedding planning (yet)?

🌞 Tom Brady and Sofia Vergara are currently having a hot European summer. 

📰 ‘The Office’ spinoff ‘The Paper’ to be released on Sept 4, 2025!

WEIGH IN

“You can't be committed to your dream and your comfort zone.”

— Lisa Nichols