Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• The US sends Iran a 15-point ceasefire plan to end the war.

• “Coffee yogurt boy” is gaining all the traction online.

• The “little” sleeping more that can reap big benefits.

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

World

US Sends Iran 15-Point Ceasefire Plan

The Trump administration has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, as the US prepares to deploy at least 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, adding to roughly 50,000 already stationed. Pakistan and Turkey have been floated as potential venues for talks, with mediators pushing for possible in-person negotiations, potentially in Islamabad. 

President Donald Trump said the US is “in negotiations right now,” involving Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Marco Rubio and JD Vance. Iran has denied direct talks, with a military spokesperson stating, “Not now, not ever,” and has ruled out negotiating on its ballistic missile program, regional militias, or control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Women

Cost Of Unpaid Labor Is Laborious

A typical weekday for working mothers begins around 6 a.m. and runs nonstop through school drop-offs, office hours, childcare pickups, errands, and late-night emails, often ending by 10 pm. Women with children under six spend an average of 8.15 hours daily on caregiving, rising to 10.5 hours on weekends, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This largely unpaid work would be worth $683 billion annually if compensated. 

A Pew Research lays out how men and women differently spend their time. Women are known to perform nearly two-thirds of caregiving and face significant financial trade-offs, including an average lifetime earnings loss of $237,000. As caregiving demands grow, some companies are expanding paid leave and childcare support, though access remains uneven across industries.

Pets

All Hail The Dogs

A group of seven dogs in Changchun, China, went viral after walking nearly 17 km back home following their disappearance. (Watch) The pack, including Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and a Corgi leading them, was filmed on a highway, with the video surpassing 230 million views. 

A witness attempted to guide them to safety, but the dogs continued on their route, even with one injured. They were later seen crossing fields before returning to their village by March 19 and reuniting with their owners. While some reports suggested they were stolen, local authorities later indicated the dogs may have wandered off on their own.

In the know

DON’T MISS

⚖️ A New Mexico state court jury orders Meta to pay $400 million over failing to protect kids from predators.

☕ Would you like to have a “coffee yogurt boy” for breakfast?

✈️ Amid DHS shutdown, airlines allow passengers to rebook flights for free at some airports. While, an airline suspends "specialty services" for Congress. 

📖 You wouldn’t believe Channing Tatum is writing a “very sexy” novel and with who!

🏙️ The best US cities for young professionals aren’t always the obvious ones.

🤖 Everyone’s favorite sweatshirt brand is inducting checkout in AI shopping. How’d that go?

📍 Apple Maps will now show ads — to who though?

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

❤️ Waiting for a massive lifestyle change to get heart health on track, finally? Research shows tiny shifts — like sleeping this many minutes more — can significantly reduce risks.

🏷️ A “plant-based” or “premium label” wouldn’t always clear your pantry items of their ultraprocessed status. A nutritionist lists some healthy staples that beg a second look. 

🌞 Old habits die hard …. but new ones stick even better when you let go of the new year’s resolution pressure and do it when the sun is on your side, aka this spring.

🥣 There’s a fermented delicacy you should be eating more of to potentially shield yourself from heart issues, cancer, and gut ulcers. And no, it’s not kimchi.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🍽️ Welcome back, “kitschens”! The all-white minimalist era is taking a backseat now — designers want you to switch to kitschy kitchens full of thrifted finds and retro pop of colours. 

🚿 Hot water isn’t always the hero. While we’re taught that heat kills bacteria, it can quickly ruin these household items.

🧺 Tired of the guilt trip that comes with tossing things out? Reverse decluttering — or focusing on what you actually want to keep, rather than what you’re losing — turns the chore into a meaningful activity. 

🪴 What does it take to design a room that feels alive — quite literally? The fancy bouquets can go; potted plants are what will make a space breathe and feel nurtured.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

💌 Dearest gentle reader, ‘Bridgerton’ season 5 is officially in the works, and it’s already making history. 

🚔 Tennessee police say star Alan Ritchson won't face charges over the viral physical altercation with his neighbor. 

🎬 A Netflix reboot of ‘13 Going On 30’ has been greenlit! Original star Jennifer Garner is back, too — this time serving as an executive producer. 

🪄 The first look at HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ TV series is here! Say hello to the new trio.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

“Friction-maxxing” is known to encourage people to embrace effort in everyday life — like reading, socializing, or navigating without apps — as a way to counter increasingly frictionless, tech-driven habits. Experts say constant convenience can reduce focus, memory, and real-world connection, while intentional effort can improve engagement and fulfillment. At the same time, they caution against overcorrecting or turning it into another optimization trend. The idea isn’t to reject technology, but to use it more mindfully while reintroducing meaningful effort into daily routines.

“Life is brutal. Life is beautiful. Life is both.”

— Glennon Doyle