Good Morning!

It's Tuesday, November 25, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Women are ‘quiet quitting’ marriages. 

• Have you tried “fart walking” after a big meal?

• Melania Trump brings the Chrtistmas vibes. 

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Judge Dismisses DOJ Cases Against James Comey

A federal judge has tossed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James after ruling that the prosecutor who brought the charges, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed. US District Judge Cameron Currie found that Halligan’s elevation to interim US attorney violated federal rules, because the 120-day window for the attorney general to install an interim replacement had already expired. At that point, Currie said, only the district’s judges, not Attorney General Pam Bondi, had the authority to choose a successor. Read the complete transcript of the judgement.

Because Halligan was the sole prosecutor who secured the indictments, Currie ruled that all actions flowing from her appointment “must be set aside,” dismissing both cases without prejudice. The ruling is a major setback for the Trump administration, which has pushed a series of prosecutions against the president’s political critics. For Comey, the expired statute of limitations likely prevents the Justice Department from re-filing charges. Comey still believes the Trump administration will “come after” him. James’s case, however, could theoretically be revived.

The White House maintains Halligan was legally appointed and plans to appeal, while lawyers for both defendants argue the ruling confirms the political nature of the prosecutions.

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Relationships

Women Are Quietly Quitting… Their Marriages

Across marriages today, many midlife women describe a quiet emotional withdrawal that doesn’t immediately lead to divorce. Experts note a rise in women who remain in long-term partnerships while “quiet quitting” intimacy, connection, or shared routines. This isn’t always about finances or fear of judgment; for many, the disruption of separation feels heavier than the strain of staying. Therapists say it reflects a broader trend: women feeling overwhelmed, unheard, or overstretched, yet unsure that ending the marriage is the right next step.

Professionals who work with couples say detachment often builds slowly — through unmet emotional needs, resentment, or years of unspoken frustration. Some women carve out separate bedrooms or semi-independent lives. Others explore therapy, structured decision-making programs, or temporary separations while remaining legally married. A small share choose parallel partnerships or open arrangements, seeking autonomy without dissolving the relationship. Meanwhile, many husbands remain unaware of the extent of the disconnection, interpreting concerns as temporary rather than structural.

The pattern suggests a shifting understanding of partnership. Instead of rushing toward divorce or forcing closeness, some couples choose coexistence, flexibility, or renegotiation. The trend reflects a growing recognition that long-term commitment can take multiple forms — and that emotional distance, when left unaddressed, becomes its own kind of crossroads.

Health

A Week Off Social Media Can Help Your Mental Health

A new study suggests that taking a weeklong break from social media may offer measurable mental health benefits for young adults. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research followed 295 volunteers ages 18 to 24 who significantly reduced their daily use to about 30 minutes. After the short break, participants reported lower symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia, with the biggest improvements seen among those who began the study with more severe depression. Rates of loneliness, however, remained unchanged, which researchers noted may reflect the constructive social role these platforms sometimes play.

Experts caution against viewing a brief detox as a stand-alone treatment. Participants volunteered for the break, had relatively mild symptoms, and responded in highly varied ways. Still, some clinicians say the findings align with what they see in practice: many young people experience relief when stepping back from addictive scrolling or negative social comparison.

Skeptics argue the study’s design leaves room for bias, and broader research on digital detoxes remains mixed. Yet others view it as further evidence that short-term reductions in social media use can be a simple, accessible tool. It might also help complement treatment for young people struggling with their mental health.

In the know

DON’T MISS

✈️ US Transport Department is urging passengers to be on good behavior, dress “with respect”. But would it fix anything?

🧠 Adolescence extends into 30s, revealing that brain matures at four pivotal ages.

🎄 First Lady Melania Trump welcomes White House Christmas tree dressed for the festivities head to toe. 

💊 Weight loss drugs are not working against Alzheimer’s’. 

📉 More Republicans are disapproving of Trump’s economy; President’s approval rating is declining too because of this particular reason.

🔪 For real, are plastic cutting boards really safe?

🛡️ Pentagon probes Arizona Senator Mark Kelly after video urging refusal of illegal orders.

👗 Met Gala faces criticism over billionaire sponsors. Here’s how Anna Wintour is supporting it. 

👶 Toddler shows stunning improvement after pioneering gene treatment for Hunter syndrome.

🤰 Middle-age health risksbeing traced back to overlooked pregnancy complications.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

💪 Want a younger brain? Turns out, you can achieve it with stronger muscles and less hidden fat. Your dumbbells might be doing double duty.

💨 When Thanksgiving bloating strikes, a simple “fart walk” might be the surprisingly effective post-meal trick your gut needs.

🦠 From bread to yogurt, some everyday foods hide mold deep inside, making “just cut it off” a risky move food-safety experts strongly warn against.

🚑 Every Thanksgiving, ERs see a familiar pattern of preventable mishaps. Doctors share the smart tweaks that keep your holiday drama-free.

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

🛍️ Pre-loved shopping feels sustainable but resale habits can quietly mimic fast fashion. So when does “sustainable” shopping slip into overconsumption?

✨ Dermatologists say red light can revive thinning hair but only with consistency and smart add-ons. Is this the next big growth hack?

👠 Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston are giving winter-shoe goals right now, and their go-to picks start at prices you’d never expect.

💅 Nail menus feel overwhelming? This cheat sheet explains every manicure type so you always walk in knowing exactly what to ask for.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🎂 Miley Cyrus marks 33 with intimate dinner and a grateful message.

📺 Kim Kardashian’s ‘All’s Fair’ renewed for season 2 despite brutal reviews.

⛓️ Diddy looks unrecognizable with grey hair and beard in prison photo.

🎬 George Clooney will receive the Chaplin Award at Lincoln Center.

⛳ Justin Bieber photographed peeing in golf course bushes during casual game.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Reports say FBI Director Kash Patel used SWAT teams and government jets to help protect his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins. The protections were active during events and travel including concerts, conventions, and political appearances. Critics inside and outside the administration are questioning whether he stretched taxpayer-funded resources beyond standard practice, especially amid looming budget cuts for the bureau. Patel’s team argues the protection is justified because of credible threats against Wilkins, while others call it misuse of elite tactical teams and government aircraft.

“Give yourself permission to become someone you’ve never met.” 

— Lisa Olivera