Good Morning! It's Wednesday, April 16, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• More Americans opt for online abortion clinics.

• Trump threatens Harvard’s tax status.

• Millionaires racing sperms.

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Spill The News

U.S. Dept Cuts and Buyouts

Approximately 22,000 IRS employees have accepted the Trump administration’s latest resignation offer, sources say, potentially undermining the agency’s tax collection efforts. Will DOGE’s IRS cuts cost Americans a fortune?

In other news, nearly the entire staff of the Pentagon's Defense Digital Service — its fast-track tech development arm — is resigning over the next month. This comes according to the director, three other current members, and internal emails.

Increasingly, federal workers who initially dismissed Elon Musk’s infamous buyout offer are now changing their tune. As Musk's DOGE is overhauling federal agencies, dismantling some and triggering mass layoffs in others, many are now less certain that resisting is worth the struggle.

More Americans Opt for Online-Only Abortion Clinics

Abortion numbers in the U.S. continue to rise, with more Americans opting for online-only clinics to access medication abortions, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization supporting abortion rights.

The report reveals that fewer people traveled across state lines to obtain abortions in 2024 compared to the previous year, while the total number of clinician-provided abortions in legal states rose by less than 1% from 2023 to 2024. However, the number of individuals crossing state lines for abortions dropped by approximately 9%.

However, Guttmacher’s tally excludes self-managed abortions, such as those involving pills obtained through community networks, foreign pharmacies, or telehealth from providers in states with protective laws.

Joe Biden Attacks Trump in First Speech After Leaving White House

In his first speech since leaving office, Joe Biden criticized the Trump administration's welfare policies. (Watch)

Speaking at a conference in Chicago, the former president said the government had "taken a hatchet" to the social security system, which Donald Trump and Elon Musk — leading the White House's cost-cutting efforts — have claimed is plagued by fraud.

“Fewer than 100 days, this new administration has made so much — done so much damage and so much destruction. It’s kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon,” Biden said.

A Quick Recap

🎓 As Trump threatens Harvard’s tax status, Columbia says it would reject any deal that would erode university’s independence.

🤖 Swipe right on AI: The new age of digital companionship.

👦 Autism rates rise by 3% in school-going kids.

💪🏽 No workout? No problem. Brisk chores may secretly be your healthiest habit.

💧 New study suggests Earth's water formed naturally, challenging old theories.

🧬 Are millionaires hosting sperm races now? Yes — and there's a leaderboard.

🕵️‍♂️ Two senior Pentagon officials placed on leave amid Signal leak investigation.

🥦 Asparagus: Why it's the 'it girl' of veggies, packed with flavor and benefits!

🕊️ Israel proposes a ceasefire deal to release hostages; Hamas demands full withdrawal.​

💻 Nvidia braces for $5.5 billion loss as US tightens chip export rules to China.

Her Hustle

🧾 Forgetting just one tax form could cost you thousands. The IRS isn’t playing—just ask your crypto, your side hustle, or that W-2 you left behind.

🗣️ Calling out bad behavior at work doesn’t have to be awkward. Sometimes resorting to clever lines to keep it classy, calm, and 100% unmessy is the best.

House to Home

🍳 Le Creuset is taking over kitchens with its vibrant, bold new colors. Ready to upgrade your cooking with a pop of fun and function? You won’t want to miss this!

🪑 Milan Design Week 2025 was a playground for bold ideas: glass furniture that dazzles, teapots with surreal flair, and lighting that’s more sculpture than bulb.

The Fame Frame

💍 Jacob Elordi is rocking a new gold accessory, and it’s straight out of ‘Wuthering Heights’!

🎉 Justin and Hailey Bieber threw a private Coachella bash featuring A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio.

🎬 Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick reunite in London for ‘Another Simple Favor’ premiere amid feud rumours.

👽 Zendaya rocks a space-themed activewear campaign with a bold pixie cut and prosthetic alien ears!

🎭 Jesse Tyler Ferguson's search for a ‘Modern Family’ background actor who stole the show!

Go. See. Do.

🎧 Listen | ‘Modern Love’ podcast explores location-sharing in relationships & more.

🍖 Cook | Best sides and condiments with your Easter lamb.

🦁 Travel | South Africa’s new Big Five safari spot!

📺 Watch | From ‘The Boys’ to ‘Jack Ryan’ — best Amazon Prime shows.

"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams."

— Oprah Winfrey