Good Morning!

It's Thursday, February 26, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Trump’s surgeon nominee refuses to support vaccines.

• The 30-30-3 viral food trend can fix your digestion.

• Things we got completely wrong about therapy!

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

America’s New Doc Under Scrutiny

President Donald Trump’s surgeon general nominee, Casey Means, told the Senate HELP Committee she supports vaccines but would not directly encourage parents to vaccinate their children against measles, the flu, or whooping cough. She said, “vaccines save lives,” yet emphasized individual consultations with doctors. 

Chair Bill Cassidy pressed her for clear guidance, citing deadly measles outbreaks, while Means repeated her focus on patient autonomy. She also declined to rule out vaccine–autism links, saying “science is never settled,” prompting Senator Bernie Sanders to note the overwhelming evidence disproving such claims. Major takeaways from the hearing.

US News

Trump Amps up Pressure Ahead of US, Iran Talks

The United States and Iran began a third round of nuclear talks in Geneva as President Donald Trump deployed significant military force to the Middle East. Sen. Mark R. Warner said no final decision on military action had been made. Chief negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, the mediator. 

Trump claimed airstrikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program and accused Tehran of pursuing ICBMs, assertions questioned by international inspectors. Iran said it seeks a pledge against nuclear weapon production in exchange for sanctions relief, with adviser Ali Shamkhani saying an agreement was “within reach.”

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Work

Trump’s New Retirement Plans

President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to propose a new retirement account for Americans without employer-sponsored plans, modeled on the federal Thrift Savings Plan. He said the government would match up to $1,000 annually. The White House said the plan expands the Secure Act 2.0, which already offers up to $1,000 in matching funds starting next year. 

Economist Teresa Ghilarducci said the proposal simplifies access by allowing people to opt in through tax forms. She called it “a big deal,” while noting Social Security’s looming 2033 shortfall remains unresolved.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🔥 While the internet is obsessed with trends, the new 30-30-3 viral method might fix your digestion.

⚖️ Bill Gates makes a sincere attempt to apologize for Epstein ties. Whereas, a Nobel laureate and a Harvard professor stepped down.

❄️ Sperms have a weather connection. Apparently, they’re faster in winters.

✨ New research finds “super-agers” have a special ability that apparently none of us others have!

🍺 The most manly drink is now being packaged for girls. Pale and poppy.

💻 The remote work dream isn’t dead. It’s just four times harder to attain!

🌎 Elon Musk made a bizarre claim against Mexican president … so much so that she’s planning to sue him.

🌿 It might sound sad, but here’s the case for why you should do more things alone.

👻 Heard of the new dating trend — “ghostlighting”? It’s worse than ghosting.

🛒 The seven Trader Joe’s shopping secrets that would make you the savviest shopper!

🥣 Plus, the anti-inflammatory yogurt that nutritionists swear by.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🧠 Is therapy only for those “rock bottom” moments? Well, no — and experts are breaking down the other common myths that keep people from getting the support they actually need.

🚶‍♀️ If you think a short walk doesn’t count …. there’s some bad news. Your willpower isn’t the problem — it’s the “all-or-nothing” mindset sabotaging your fitness goals. 

🍳 An egg yolk doesn’t hurt quite like the butter you’re frying it in. Doctors now say we’ve spent decades blaming the wrong breakfast item for our heart health woes.

🚬 Biohackers and wellness influencers are now looking at nicotine as a productivity booster.How many chapters of public health warnings did we miss to reach this stage of rebranding?

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

✨ Rip up the fashion rule book — Style is tipping into joyful disorder, mixing clashing hues and quirky silhouettes that feel rebellious, feminine, and surprisingly effortless.

💁‍♀️ If claw clips ruled your mornings, French pins are the upgrade. It isn’t tricky once you learn the pin technique, giving your hair instant ’90s gloss with zero stress.

👖 Denim’s having a real main-character moment, and the right bag instantly shifts your jeans from casual routine to polished, fashion-girl energy.

💇‍♀️ From towering wigs to soft pearl-pinned braids,NYFW proved 2026 hair is expressive, voluminous, romantic, and effortlessly undone in the chicest way.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎭 Tragic death in ‘Bridgeton’ season 4 sets the stage for next season.

📺 Even after the ‘All’s Fair’ debacle, Kim Kardashian is in talks for another Ryan Murphy show.

🎶 Harry Styles reveals why he inappropriately laughed at his grandmother’s funeral. There’s something musical about it!

💃 Brittney Spears suffers a wardrobe malfunction in newly-uploaded dance video.

🗣️ Donald Trump rips Rober De Nirofor telling Americans to “resist” the president.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

For more than three decades, Hillary Clinton has repeatedly been pulled into political storms tied to her husband. It’s happening again. This week, she’ll sit for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, despite no evidence she had personal ties to him. Democrats argue the move is political, while Republicans insist it’s necessary. Supporters say she’s being unfairly dragged into her spouse’s past; critics say the Clintons should answer together. She maintains she wants full transparency and equal accountability.

“The only way to endure is to keep moving.” 

— Maya Lin