Thursday, May 14, 2026 • 3 min read

Wake up with The Yodel

by Natasha Frost with Alan McGuinness

Good morning, everyone. If you loved Spotify Wrapped, head down memory lane with the new Your Party of the Year(s) feature. Here’s how to access it. Now, the news.

Need to know

President Trump stands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. | Mark Schiefelbein/AP

President Trump arrived in China for two days of talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. Here’s the latest.

On the agenda: The leaders have “a lot of things to discuss,” even as the Iran war is “very much under control,” Trump said. Topics are expected to include trade, technology and Taiwan, though experts say a massive investment deal is unlikely. Here’s where U.S.-China relations stand. [Yahoo News]
Xi’s Taiwan warning: In their first meeting, the Chinese leader told Trump that the stability of the U.S.-China relationship hinges on Taiwan, according to Chinese state media. Trump last year authorized an $11 billion arms package for the self-governed island. See what else the leaders discussed. [AP]
Musk in China: Elon Musk is traveling with the president, defying a judge’s order to remain available to testify in his ongoing OpenAI trial. The SpaceX founder is one of 17 executives, including Tim Cook of Apple and Jensen Huang of Nvidia, participating in the state visit. [NBC News]

In case you missed it

Alex Murdaugh listens in court during a 2024 hearing. | Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Murdaugh convictions overturned

The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the murder convictions and life sentences of Alex Murdaugh and ordered a new trial. The disgraced personal injury lawyer, who was found guilty in 2023 of killing his wife and younger son, maintains his innocence. [Yahoo News]

New Fed chair

The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, succeeding Jerome Powell. The financier and attorney takes over a divided central bank wrestling with the fallout from the Iran war. Powell plans to remain on the board indefinitely. [AP]

Whole milk in schools

Drink up! For the first time in over a decade, school cafeterias can serve children whole and 2% milk, after a legislative change at the USDA. Officials said it reflected the latest research, but some experts warned about the risks of diets high in saturated fats. [USA Today]

‘Survivor’ finale lineup

Just five contestants remain after two brutal eliminations on Survivor 50, and one player seems to be getting a pretty big winner’s edit. Here’s what went down. Ahead of the May 20 finale, fans can vote on who they’d like to win the $100,000 prize. [Entertainment Weekly]

Cavs take the lead

The Pistons are on the edge of elimination, after Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to an overtime Game 5 victory. Cleveland’s now just a win away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals — though Detroit isn’t out of it just yet. See the schedule. [Yahoo Sports]

What’s happening today

Prime Video

Now streaming

Ben Kingsley stars as Moses in Wonder Project’s three-part Old Testament special, The Old Stories: Moses, on Prime Video. Creator Jon Erwin said it’s “epic and personal.” Watch the trailer. [People]

On the course

The first round of the 108th PGA Championship begins at 7 a.m. ET on ESPN+, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returning as defending champion. [Yahoo Sports]

On the diamond

After the Red Sox snapped Kyle Schwarber’s Phillies home run streak to tie the series at 1-1, the finale starts at 6:45 p.m. ET on MLB.TV. [AP]

Now spinning

Shakira drops “Dai Dai,” her official World Cup 2026 single featuring Burna Boy, at 8 p.m. ET. The Colombian icon is set to headline the first ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, along with Madonna and BTS. [Variety]

In the WNBA

Sarah Ashlee Barker snuck in a buzzer-beater to give Portland its first victory since returning to the league, with a 98-96 win over the Liberty. The teams tip off again at 10 p.m. ET on Prime Video. [Yahoo Sports]

And don't forget to...

Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword. Check the forecast in your area.

Today in history

Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Gino Misfud/Castle Rock Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection

In 1998, the NBC sitcom Seinfeld aired its series finale to an estimated 76 million viewers. The show starred Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards, and it led to what some critics called the “Seinfeld curse.” Here’s what it is, and why Louis-Dreyfus found it “moronic.” [People]

Feel-good moment

A little girl and her father; and, the same little girl and her grandfather.

Chelsea Thomas

As the only girl among three brothers, Maycee Thomas is the princess of the house. Before a school daddy-daughter dance, she gave her family a "first look" at her pink gown, leaving her grandpa in tears. Mom Chelsea said the moment was “so much bigger than the outfit or the event itself.” [People]