Good Morning!

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

• Menendez brothers resentenced to 50 years in prison. 

• Broken hearts are likely to kill more men. 

• Healthy frozen pizzas do exist!

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Spill The News

Trump’s Day 1 in Middle East

President Donald Trump on Tuesday secured a $600 billion investment pledge from Saudi Arabia following a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The deal includes a $142 billion defense agreement supplying advanced U.S. military equipment to Saudi Arabia and spans key sectors such as energy, technology, infrastructure, and critical minerals.

Following the investment deal, Trump announced he would consider lifting of all sanctions on Syria, presenting himself as a historic peacemaker and proposing a Middle East future rooted in “commerce, not chaos”. Praising Syria’s new government, he said the move — encouraged by Turkey and Saudi Arabia — was meant “to give them a chance at greatness.” He added, “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” as Mohammed bin Salman smiled from the audience. How the Saudis greeted Trump.

Turning to Iran, Trump declared it “will never have a nuclear weapon”, but extended “an olive branch” offering eased sanctions in exchange for a nuclear deal. “Iran can have a much brighter future,” he said. “The choice is theirs to make.” Still, he warned the offer “will not last forever,” promising “maximum pressure” if talks failed. “Things are happening at a very fast pace,” he added. “So they have to make their move right now, one way or the other. Make your move.”

Trump is set to visit Qatar next, where Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will host him for a lavish palace dinner in Doha on Wednesday. The visit marks the peak of Qatar’s charm offensive, which now appears poised to include the gift of a luxury jetliner to Trump—reportedly with no strings attached.

Menendez Brothers Resentenced

A Los Angeles judge has reduced the sentences of Erik and Lyle Menendez — convicted of murdering their parents in 1989 — making them eligible for parole. Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, with a state parole board hearing set for next month to decide on their potential release.

Nearly 36 years after killing their parents in a case that gripped the nation, the brothers appeared via video before the judge who would decide their future. “I killed my mom and dad,” said Lyle Menendez, now 57, during Tuesday’s resentencing hearing. “I make no excuses. I take full responsibility.”

The brothers fatally shot their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989. At the time of the murders, Lyle and Erik were 21 and 18. They initially told police the mafia was responsible, citing their father’s business ties. But suspicion mounted after they spent $700,000 in the months following the killings. Their arrests came in March 1990, after police obtained a taped therapy session in which Erik confessed. Both brothers pleaded not guilty at trial — one of the first nationally televised cases — claiming they acted in self-defense after enduring years of physical and sexual abuse by their father. They said their mother knew but did nothing to stop it. All you need to know.

Inflation Rises 2.3%; Egg Prices Fall 1st Time in Months

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.3% in April compared to a year ago, slightly below economists’ expectations but still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target. Tuesday’s CPI report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed annual inflation down from March’s 2.4%, according to Bloomberg estimates. However, prices rose 0.2% month-over-month, reversing March’s 0.1% decline. Understanding the data.

Egg prices, one of the more volatile categories in the index, fell sharply in April, dropping 12.7% to $5.12 per dozen. It marked the first monthly decline since October 2024, according to CPI data. Still, prices remain historically high, up 79% from a year ago, as bird flu continues to devastate egg-laying hen flocks.

Building on broader inflation concerns, the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP) report shows that the gap between Americans’ earnings and the cost of a basic standard of living is widening. It analyzed not just necessities like food and housing, but also access to work-related tech, education, healthcare, and childcare. Its stark finding was that for the bottom 60% of U.S. households, even a “minimal quality of life” remains out of reach.

Click-Worthy

💔 ‘Broken heart syndrome’ is more likely to kill men. Literally!

🌊 Underwater volcano near Oregon coast shows signs of eruption.

💳 Debt piling up? Discover expert-approved relief methods.

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ users say social media just isn’t feeling safe.

💊 Breakthrough drug slashes risk of inherited breast cancer.

👶 With Trump’s bonuses, women ask, have babies? In this economy?

🏠 Airbnb gets a major makeover with luxe touches.

🤖 AI takes on Botox debates.

🍕 Yes, healthy frozen pizza exists!

🐒 Wild chimps use plants to heal, study finds.

Her Hustle

💰 That cushy salary? It’s raising eyebrows. Companies are now rethinking your “worth” — and your salary might be headed for a trim.

🌍 A high-powered MNC job, a 12-week break, and a mindset shift. When she returned, everything changed, especially how she defines success and peace.

House to Home

🌿 From edible gardens to elegant lighting, today's patios are personalized havens merging comfort, style, and sustainability effortlessly

👋 Say goodbye to clunky lawn chairs; hello to sculptural teak and rope masterpieces transforming outdoor spaces into stylish retreats.

The Fame Frame

📺 ‘The Bear’ Season 4 to air on June 25 — all you need to know.

🎥 Cannes red carpet goes modest.

⚖️ Cassie details abuse, coercion, and control in Diddy trial.

🎶 Halle Bailey alleges abuse by ex DDG, seeks restraining order.

💎 Donned in $7M jewels, Kim Kardashian testifies at Paris trial.

Go. See. Do.

🌄 Explore | Locations for travellers who don’t love the beach!

🍽️ Eat | At toughest-to-reserve restaurants across America.

🍸 Try | Gin-based cocktail that won at a tasting event.

🎧 Listen | From Lana Del Ray to SZA — songs taking over in May!

"Sometimes you just have to jump and grow your wings on the way down."

— Les Brown