Good Morning!

It's Monday, April 14, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Instagram and WhatsApp's future at Meta uncertain. 

• Lab-grown human teeth.

• Women are recession-proofing their lives.

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Spill The News

The Latest Tariff Spin

President Donald Trump’s administration is exempting electronics like phones and computers from the "reciprocal" tariffs imposed on other countries, including China.

Customs and Border Protection guidance revealed that about 20 products, including smartphones, computers, routers, and semiconductor chips, will be exempt from tariffs. This benefits companies like Apple, which manufactures in China. However, Trump has hinted at imposing sector-specific tariffs on products like semiconductor chips, potentially shortening this reprieve.

While China has expressed relief at this “small step” taken by Trump, Beijing has urged the U.S. to "completely cancel" these reciprocal tariffs. This comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit South Asian countries — Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia — which have been worst hit by tariffs in order to position China as a stable and reliable partner in contrast to the United States.

States With Higher Birth Rates to Get More Government Funding. Where Does Yours Rank?

While the average American woman is having fewer children than ever before, some prominent figures are advocating for a reversal of this trend. The US fertility rate dropped by 12% between 2016 and 2023, reaching historic lows, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At the same time, a growing pronatalist movement is encouraging people to have more children. US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, a father of nine, recently prioritized infrastructure funding for communities with higher birth rates. This has sparked concerns in states with lower fertility levels, while gaining praise from pronatalists who view it as a sign that the government is taking their cause seriously.

The CNN reviewed fertility trends from the past eight years, comparing state-level rates to the national average. South Dakota has the highest fertility rate at 65.64 live births per 1,000 women aged 15–44, while Vermont has the lowest at 42.1.

Instagram and WhatsApp’s Future Seems Uncertain

The trial against Meta, led by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, begins Monday in Washington, DC. The tech giant is fighting to prevent the forced spinoff of Instagram and WhatsApp, which the FTC claims Meta acquired illegally to stifle competition.

The case will test U.S. antitrust laws by addressing what regulators describe as a “buy or bury” strategy. The FTC argues that Meta violated the law by acquiring emerging competitors to maintain its monopoly in social networking. As a result, regulators are pushing to compel Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp.

Meta, earlier known as Facebook, acquired the photo-sharing app Instagram for $1 billion in 2012. Two years later, the company purchased the messaging platform WhatsApp for approximately $22 billion.

Will Meta survive the case?

A Quick Recap

🦷 In a first, scientists just grew human teeth in a lab.

☢️ ​U.S. and Iran to continue nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday, Axios reports.

🧠 Are we treating ADHD right or just medicating a misunderstood diagnosis?

🚀 Katy Perry heads to space with Blue Origin's celebrity-laden rocket launch this Monday.

🪖 President Donald Trump authorizes military control over federal lands at the U.S.-Mexico border.

🧬 23andMe's genetic data is up for grabs — what happens to your DNA next?

⚖️ Harvard professors sue Trump over a move that threatens $9 billion in funding.

🏥 ​Idaho judge expands abortion exceptions, allowing doctors to act on serious health risks.​

🤫 Tired of endless chatter? Learn how to gently hush overtalkers without losing your cool.​

🐖 A woman lived 130 days with a pig kidney before her body finally rejected it.

Her Hustle

💼 Laid off and leveled up — she turned her 9-to-5 exit into a dream career within months. Is losing your job the best thing that can happen?

💅 Women are recession-proofing their lives with fewer manis, less Ubers, and more side-eyes at price tags. The vibe? Cautious, but we’re still clutching that oat milk latte.

The Glow Guide

💉 Tweakments are the new fast fashion but for your face. While quick fixes might be trendy today, they are likely to be regrettable tomorrow. Women want glow-ups, but is the cost more than just skin deep?

👄 Ready to sculpt your lips like a pro? The latest beauty trend’s got everyone contouring their way to fuller, flawless pouts without any injections!

The Fame Frame

🎭 ‘​The White Lotus’ star Aimee Lou Wood criticizes SNL's “Mean and Unfunny” parody; confirms receiving an apology.

🍄 ​'The Last of Us' Season 2 introduces new faces: Who’s who?

🎤 Coachella 2025 surprised with secret performances from Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, and more!

⚖️ Diddy accuser revises lawsuit, removing Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

🎬 Tom Hardy dives into the mob world with 'MobLand'; shuts down rumors of a "Venom" and "Spider-Man" crossover.

Go. See. Do.

🍝 Cook | Edamame pasta is the low-carb, high flavor meal your dinner needs.

📚 Read | “Mad House” explores Capitol Hill's wild dysfunction.

💦 Explore | Thailand’s epic water fight festival ‘Songkran’.

🎧 Tune In | Giggly Squad podcast: two women talking about fashion, horoscopes, dating, and more!

"Power’s not given to you. You have to take it."

— Beyoncé