eNewspaper | Crosswords | Horoscopes

The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed May 14 2025

Jane Onyanga-Omara | Audience Editor

Good morning!👋🏾 I'm Jane, Daily Briefing author. The expiration date for the universe is sooner than previously thought, researchers say. But there's no need to cancel your summer vacation.

Quick look at Wednesday's news:

•	The Menendez brothers are eligible for parole, a judge ruled.
•	President Trump is set to meet with Syria's president.
•	Sports betting is an out-of-control craze among young men.

Menendez brothers closer to possible freedom

The Menendez brothers are significantly closer to possible release from prison after a Los Angeles judge resentenced them in the August 1989 shotgun deaths of their parents.

Erik and Lyle Menendez, held in custody since 1990 and originally sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, were each resentenced to 50 years to life by Judge Michael Jesic on Tuesday, making them eligible for parole.

•	The brothers were convicted of murdering their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, after unsuccessfully arguing that they acted in self-defense following years of physical and sexual abuse.
•	A wave of public attention and support fueled recent attempts to reconsider their sentences and get the brothers released from prison.
•	State parole officials will now review the case and decide whether the brothers should be released from prison.

Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle Menendez, reacts while leaving the Van Nuys West Courthouse on May 13, 2025 in Van Nuys, California.

Eric Thayer, Getty Images

Trump to meet with Syrian president on Middle East trip

President Donald Trump will meet Wednesday with the new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the White House said. It comes the day after Trump said he will order the end of sanctions against Syria to "give them a chance of greatness." Trump made the pledge during remarks Tuesday in Riyadh as he makes his first presidential visit of his second term. The White House announced billions of dollars in arms deals and Saudi investments during Trump's stay. The U.S. agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion. Read more

President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrive for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Leaders' Summit at The Ritz-Carlton on May 14, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Win McNamee, Getty Images

More news to know now

•	Cassie Ventura, ex-girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs, gives emotional testimony during his trial.
•	'SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!': Atmospheric river slams Southeast.
•	Federal grand jury indicts Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan in ICE case
•	Small businesses call Trump's tariffs "unlawful," urge federal trade court to block them.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Takeaways from House hearings on Republican Medicaid, tax proposals

House Republicans defended a bill that would enact sweeping tax cuts, raise the debt ceiling and add restrictions to benefit programs during a heated marathon day of committee hearings on Capitol Hill. Three separate panels reviewed the legislation that would become part of a massive package to implement President Donald Trump's agenda Tuesday. Democrats repeatedly slammed the package as a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of benefit programs like Medicaid and food stamps. As the hearing on Medicaid kicked off, protesters began chanting: "No cuts to Medicaid!" They were escorted out, and 26 people were arrested. Read more

Protesters demonstrate outside of a meeting with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce committee on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025.

Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images

RFK Jr. to defend massive HHS budget cuts before two key committees

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has some explaining to do. Nearly four months into his new job, he is set to testify Wednesday before a pair of Congressional committees who are expected to grill him on a range of controversial topics – from proposed budget cuts to his flip-flop on vaccinations as a preventative tool during the nation's measles outbreak. It comes after more than 100 Congressional Democrats signed a letter urging Kennedy to scrub planned budget cuts that would eliminate crucial mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth. Read more

Today's talkers

•	Cavaliers' fantastic season ends in NBA playoffs disappointment. What now?
•	"SNL" star Sarah Sherman speaks out about controversial Aimee Lou Wood impression.
•	Reading doesn't have to be solitary. Here's how to connect with fellow book lovers.
•	Here's how to cook bacon without making a mess.

How sports betting is gripping young men

It was Game 5 in the Western Conference 2018 finals, and with just over a minute left in the game, Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon hit a clutch shot. Rockets win, 98-94 against the Golden State Warriors. When Gordon scored, the room erupted in Saul Malek's suburban Houston home. But the 20-year-old, a lifelong Rockets fan, was panicking. He had bet $1,500 on the Warriors to win, and he now owed money he didn't have to his bookie. It would be the first of many times he went into debt due to a sports gambling addiction that ruled his life for two years. Read more

Photo of the day: The best red carpet looks at Cannes

Get ready for glam! Some of the biggest names in Hollywood stepped out on the famed red carpet at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival in the south of France, which began Tuesday. See the best looks, from Halle Berry to Bella Hadid to Leonardo DiCaprio.

Cannes jury members step out for the opening ceremony (from left): Hong Sang-Soo, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, jury president Juliette Binoche, Alba Rohrwacher, Dieudo Hamadi, Payal Kapadia, Leila Slimani and Carlos Reygadas.

BERTRAND GUAY, AFP via Getty Images

Sign up for the Daily Briefing email here.