Good Morning!

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

• U.K. Supreme Court defines ‘woman’.

• Scientists find strong evidence of life on distant planet.

• Women being nice at work is hampering their growth.

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Spill The News

California Sues Trump Administration over Tariffs

​California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's recent tariffs, marking the first state-level legal action against the administration's trade policies. 

The suit, filed in federal court, argues that the tariffs — ranging from 10% on most imports to up to 245% on Chinese goods — exceed presidential authority and violate constitutional limits on executive power. California, the fifth-largest economy in the world, contends that the tariffs have disrupted global trade, threatened recession, and caused significant economic harm to the state, particularly affecting its agriculture and technology sectors. ​

This comes as the World Trade Organization forecasted on Wednesday that President Trump’s trade policies would reduce global trade in goods by nearly three percentage points this year.

U.K. Supreme Court’s Key Ruling on Definition of ‘Woman’

In a potential landmark decision, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that in the 2010 civil rights law, the Equality Act, the word "woman" refers to someone's biological sex. (Watch)

The five judges on the court emphasized that their ruling was specific to interpreting the 2010 law in relation to women and stated that "it is not the role of the court to adjudicate on the arguments in the public domain on the meaning of gender or sex, nor is it to define the meaning of the word 'woman' other than when it is used in the provisions of" that legislation.

The case focused on whether trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), which legally recognizes their female sex, are protected from discrimination as women under the Equality Act 2010.

What does the ruling mean for sports?

RFK Jr. and Autism

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the rare step of publicly contradicting one of his own agency's autism studies on Tuesday, suggesting at a press conference that "environmental factors," including drugs, rather than improved screening, were driving the rise in confirmed cases.

He announced that the agency will launch a series of new studies to identify the environmental toxins he believes are contributing to the rising rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Autism rates among children have risen nearly fivefold since 2000, when the C.D.C. first began tracking the condition’s incidence. The C.D.C.'s latest report attributes part of this increase to improved screening. Researchers also point to other factors, including heightened awareness of autism, better access to services, older parental age, and broader definitions of the disorder.

A Quick Recap

⚖️ Federal judge finds probable cause for criminal contempt against Trump over defying deportation halt to El Salvador.

🧦 Socks to bed? Turns out, they might be the secret to better sleep!

🤝 Europe pins trade hopes on Italy’s Meloni, Trump’s trusted whisperer for big deals.

🧬 Scientists find ‘strongest evidence’ of life on a distant planet.

👩‍💼 Women still soften the work talk to be “nice” — but it’s costing them big.

📢 Maryland Senator meets El Salvador's VP amid ongoing rift, demands release of wrongly deported man.​

📈 Trump claims “big progress” in U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations.

🧘‍♀️ Menopause market booms as women demand better solutions. What actually works?

🏜️ Ancient humans may have benefited from sunscreens!

🏃‍♀️ Trump administration sues Maine over participation of transgender athletes in girls' sports.​

She’s Got Game

🏆 The 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics semifinals are beginning. Top teams, high stakes, and jaw-dropping routines — here’s when and where to catch all the action.

🏀 Meet the rising stars of the 2026 WNBA Draft! Olivia Miles, Flau’jae Johnson, and more top prospects are set to shake up the league with their incredible talent!

The Style Edit

🌸 Dior's Pre-Fall 2025 runway unfolded beneath cherry blossoms in Japan, showcasing kimono-inspired silhouettes and rich textures in a serene, minimalist palette.

👗 From Chanel's romantic boho styles to Gucci's micro minis, this season's top picks include floral prints, bubble hems, and chic slip dresses.

The Fame Frame

✈️ Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are embracing low-key travel time, keeping it private and special!

💔 ‘Gossip Girl’ ​actor Michelle Trachtenberg died due to complications from diabetes mellitus; revealed two months after death. ​

🎤 Drake files defamation lawsuit, claiming Kendrick Lamar's Grammy wins and Super Bowl performance damaged reputation.

🏆 Blake Lively celebrates TIME 100 honor amid ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

👰🏾‍♀️ Rihanna stuns in sheer bridal lingerie for Savage x Fenty, sparking engagement rumors with A$AP Rocky.​

Weigh In

"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

— Confucius