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Signalgate saga, AI boyfriends, & Forever 21’s fall

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Good Morning!

It's Friday, March 28, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at: 

  • Trump is frustrated with Michael Waltz as Signalgate continues to spiral;

  • AI boyfriends are increasingly taking over; &

  • Forever 21’s fall might be a wakeup call for fast fashion brands.

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Spill the News

Signalgate: Trump is Frustrated With Michael Waltz (But in Private)

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly frustrated with national security adviser Michael Waltz for his mishandling of the Signal group chat meant for senior national security officials. Screenshots published by The Atlantic revealed that a user under Waltz’s name mistakenly added Jeffrey Goldberg, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, sparking a controversy for the White House.

In the meanwhile, U.S. military pilots are outraged not just by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s security lapse—revealing details about U.S. fighter jet attacks in Yemen—but by his refusal to admit fault. Across air bases and carrier ready rooms, frustration is mounting as aviators question whether the Pentagon truly prioritizes their safety and mission security moving forward.

On Thursday, Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to preserve all Signal messages exchanged in the chat. The temporary restraining order mandates Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to retain their texts from March 11 to 15.

What are the top Trump administration executives in the Signal chat saying?

Earthquakes Jolt Southeast Asia

Powerful earthquakes struck Southeast Asia on Friday, shaking buildings in Bangkok and neighboring Myanmar, triggering evacuations. The first one was measured as 7.7 on the Richter scale in Myanmar and was followed by four smaller shocks ranging between 4.5 and 6.6 in magnitude.

Home to over 17 million people, the greater Bangkok area is densely packed with high-rise apartments. In Bangkok, a skyscraper under construction collapsed, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. (Watch) A major hospital in Myanmar was overwhelmed with casualties, while trading on Bangkok’s stock exchange was temporarily halted.

Water from rooftop pools in Bangkok high-rises spilled over the edges as buildings swayed during the quake, sending debris falling onto the streets below. (Video)

When the earthquake struck around 1:30 pm, alarms blared across the city, sirens echoed through central Bangkok, and traffic came to a standstill. The elevated rapid transit system and subway were shut down amid the chaos.

NYC Court Blocks Texas From Summoning Doctor Prescribing Abortion Pills

A New York county clerk invoked the state’s shield law to block Texas from penalizing an NYC doctor for prescribing and mailing abortion medication to a woman in Texas.

The move marks the latest escalation in the ongoing legal battle between New York and Texas over their conflicting abortion laws—and the fate of Margaret Carpenter, a New York doctor working for a telemedicine abortion provider.

The acting clerk of Ulster County Taylor Bruck said in a statement, “In accordance with the New York State Shield Law, I have refused this filing and will refuse any similar filings that may come to our office. Since this decision is likely to result in further litigation, I must refrain from discussing specific details about the situation.”

In the meanwhile, major anti-abortion groups convened in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to launch a lobbying push urging Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration to defund Planned Parenthood. Some activists even called on Elon Musk to target the organization as part of his cost-cutting efforts.

A Quick Recap

🏛️ Federal officials are planning for government agencies to cut 8% to 15% of employees.

🌍 Russia’s Vladimir Putin might be nodding to President Trump’s plans to acquire Greenland. What gives?

🤖 AI boyfriends are on the rise but can a chatbot really replace human connection?

🇨🇦 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns that the old US-Canada relationship might be “over”.

📧 With burner emails on the rise, having a decoy emailing address might be the road to security.

🌌 Alaska to Michigan, these northern-most U.S. States would be able to witness northern lights.

🚗 President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on automobiles are a huge blow to European car makers.

🐜 Ever wondered how ants invade your home, even on the top floor?

🇨🇳 Chinese President Xi Jinping urges top world executives to ‘uphold global order’ as the trade tensions with the U.S. continue.

❤️ Situationships: the Gen Z love story that’s neither here nor there but always complicated.

Her Hustle

Her Hustle

🌀 Is your wardrobe predicting a recession? Some say the return of peplum tops and skinny jeans signals economic doom but is fashion really that deep, or is it just its usual cyclic nature?

💸 You get a raise, promise to save, and then—somehow—your cart is always full, your dinners are fancier, and your budget? Gone. Lifestyle creep is sneaky like that, turning treats into habits before you even notice. So, how do you stop it before it drains your wallet?

She’s Got Game

Beauty Trends

⚽️ Chelsea staged a remarkable comeback, defeating Manchester City 3-0 in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals on Thursday, overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate.

​🏀 As UCLA's women's basketball team gears up for their March Madness clash against Ole Miss, they've taken a moment to send well wishes to rival JuJu Watkins.

The Glow Guide

Beauty Trends

💅 Lavender milk nails are taking over this spring—soft, dreamy, and effortlessly chic. Think a milky pastel purple that’s just the right mix of cute and classy. Perfect for when you want a little color and it's Selena Gomez approved!

🪒 Finding the perfect razor can feel like a never-ending quest, but there’s scoop on the best ones out there. From Billie’s cult-favorite to the ultra-luxe Flamingo, these razors promise a smooth, nick-free shave because your legs (and sanity) deserve it!

The Style Edit

Fashion Trends

👗 Forever 21’s fall from fashion grace is a warning sign that fast fashion is moving even faster! With Shein and Temu running the show, old-school brands need to keep up or be at the risk of fading out. The question is: Can they survive the digital takeover?

🌴 Swimsuit season is calling, and not all bikinis are created equal! From classic one-pieces to barely-there string styles, these brands are serving looks that’ll have you feeling like the “it girl” at the beach. Ready to find your perfect summer match?

House to Home

Home Decor

🏡 Your outdoor cushions survived the BBQs, the spilled margaritas, and maybe even a little unexpected rain—now it’s time for a refresh! Here’s how to clean them up and keep your patio looking chic all season long.

🌟 Giorgio Armani’s Upper West Side apartment is the definition of quiet luxury, being timeless, elegant, and effortlessly chic. Take a peek inside the designer’s perfectly curated space, where every detail whispers sophistication.

The POV Club

“Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing the U.S. President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff like a Stradivarius,” writes Max Boot.

Read More

“With its spotlight on the ‘manosphere’, Netflix’s Adolescence begs the question: how do we raise good men,” writes Michael Flood.

Read More

This or That?

A new study involving over 24,000 participants suggests that people in non-monogamous relationships are just as happy in their love lives as monogamous couples. However, they aren’t significantly more sexually satisfied.

What are your thoughts?

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'Don't wait for someone to tell you you're ready. Do it on your own.' 

- Serena Williams

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