Key Updates
Biden's Health Takes a Serious Turn: Aggressive Cancer Diagnosis Announced
Well, this one lands with a thud. Former President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has, unfortunately, metastasized to the bone. The diagnosis was made on May 16, 2025, after he experienced increasing urinary symptoms and a new prostate nodule was found earlier in the month. His office went public with the news on May 18. We're talking a Gleason score of 9 (which is Grade Group 5, for those keeping score at home – and it's not good). The silver lining, if you can call it that, is the cancer is reportedly hormone-sensitive, which might offer some avenues for effective management. Still, with bone metastasis, the prognosis is described as "guarded."
Reactions have poured in, as you'd expect, with many, including Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, offering well-wishes. It's a stark reminder of human fragility, even for those who've walked the world stage.
Analytical Take: Beyond the obvious human element, this news effectively closes the book on any lingering, highly improbable whispers of a future political role for Biden. The focus will now be purely on his health and legacy. While he's no longer in office, the specifics of his condition – particularly the "aggressive" and "metastasized" aspects – will undoubtedly lead to quiet discussions about how long this might have been developing and whether earlier screenings could have caught it sooner. For now, though, expect a period of bipartisan sympathy, which is a rare commodity these days.
Speaking of Biden... The Hur Audio Drops, and Autopen Questions Flare Up
Just when you thought the Robert Hur saga was yesterday's news (literally, as we noted its "resolved" status), Axios decided to liven things up by releasing audio recordings from Biden's interview with the Special Counsel. This, predictably, has thrown gasoline on the already smoldering embers of debate about his cognitive state during his presidency. The recordings are amplifying Hur's earlier description of Biden as a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."
Compounding this, there's now intensified scrutiny on a raft of last-minute pardons and official documents Biden signed before leaving office, particularly those authenticated via autopen. Critics, led by figures like James Comer, are alleging a Democratic Party cover-up of his cognitive abilities and questioning the validity of these final acts, with Merrick Garland also accused of obstructing Congress by previously withholding the recordings.
Analytical Take: The timing of this audio release is, shall we say, chef's kiss for those looking to undermine Biden's legacy and the tail end of his administration. The autopen issue, while a legitimate question of process and transparency (especially for significant actions like pardons for family members, Mark Milley, and Anthony Fauci), is being expertly wielded as a political cudgel. It feeds a narrative of an administration potentially operating without full presidential engagement. Expect more performative outrage and calls for investigations, which will generate headlines but likely little substantive change, given he's out of office. The "political viability ended" assessment from yesterday now looks like it needed a significant, noisy asterisk.
Palm Springs Clinic Bombing: Terror Act Confirmed, Suspect Identified
The investigation into the car bomb explosion at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on May 17 has moved quickly. As reported yesterday, the FBI swiftly declared it an act of terrorism, and they've now identified the deceased suspected bomber as Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms, California. Four other people were injured in the blast. The current thinking points to potential anti-natalist motivations, a particularly grim ideology.
Thankfully, it's reported that the clinic's embryos were successfully preserved, a small mercy amidst the destruction and violence. Authorities are, of course, digging into Bartkus's background and any potential manifesto or online footprint.
Analytical Take: Identifying the suspect is a critical step, but the "anti-natalist" motive, if confirmed by further evidence, is profoundly disturbing. It steps beyond typical political or religious objections to reproductive services into a darker, more nihilistic space. This incident will inevitably heighten security concerns for similar facilities nationwide and fuel debates about the rise of extremist ideologies and the ease with which individuals can become radicalized. The FBI's quick terrorism designation was the right call, signaling the seriousness with which they're treating this.
Trump's Diplomatic Offensive: Ukraine Peace Push and Mideast Maneuvers
The Trump administration is actively trying to steer several international situations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was on 'Face the Nation' on May 18 discussing their Middle East trip, efforts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the intensified war in Gaza under Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Simultaneously, Vice President JD Vance and Rubio met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome on May 18, during Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass – a symbolically rich setting. This comes as President Trump himself is planning to speak directly with both Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy by phone, aiming to broker a ceasefire. The Vatican has even offered to host peace talks.
This flurry of activity follows earlier direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey which, while yielding a prisoner exchange agreement (a small win), failed to achieve a broader ceasefire. And, as a backdrop to all this, Moody's has downgraded the US credit rating, which never helps when you're trying to project strength. Former Ambassador Brink has also criticized the administration's approach to Ukraine, advocating for more pressure on Russia, while former Defense Secretary Gates noted Iran's weakening as an opportunity for a nuclear deal, alongside the ever-present "growing threat" from China.
Analytical Take: This is a full-court press on the foreign policy front. The Vance/Rubio/Zelenskyy meeting in Rome is clearly designed to project seriousness and perhaps leverage some moral authority, or at least the optics of it. Trump's desire for direct talks with Putin and Zelenskyy is classic Trump – positioning himself as the indispensable dealmaker. Whether he can cut through the immense complexities and entrenched positions is another matter entirely. The prisoner exchange was a tangible, if limited, success from the Turkey talks, but a full ceasefire remains elusive, with Russia continuing drone attacks on May 18. The differing opinions from Brink and Gates highlight the ongoing debates within the US foreign policy establishment. The Vatican's offer is a wildcard; a neutral venue is always useful, but the will for peace needs to come from the belligerents.
GOP's "One Big Beautiful Bill" Limps Out of Committee
President Trump's signature "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a hefty budget reconciliation package, managed to advance from the House Budget Committee on May 18, but not without some drama. It initially failed to pass on May 16 due to internal Republican opposition. The bill, which aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts and implement other conservative priorities like changes to Medicaid and SNAP, alongside increased border security and defense spending, is facing a pincer movement. Fiscal hardliners like Chip Roy and Ralph Norman want deeper spending cuts and faster Medicaid work requirements, while some moderates are antsy about the impact on their constituents, particularly concerning the SALT deduction and green energy subsidies.
House leadership, under Speaker Mike Johnson, is now aiming for a full House vote by the end of this week, but it's clear the party is not singing from the same hymn sheet.
Analytical Take: The name might be "One Big Beautiful Bill," but its journey so far has been anything but. The fact that it required some Republicans to vote "present" (a procedural sidestep to avoid a 'no' while still signaling discontent) to even escape committee tells you everything about the tightrope Johnson is walking. This is a microcosm of the broader challenge for Republicans governing with a slim majority: balancing the demands of various factions is like herding cats. Expect more arm-twisting and horse-trading before this even hits the House floor, and its prospects in the Senate, in anything resembling its current form, are dim.
Tragedy in New York: Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge
A somber incident in New York City on May 17, where the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The collision tragically resulted in the deaths of two naval cadets, identified on May 18 as América Yamilet Sánchez and Adal Jair Marcos, and multiple injuries. The ship was in New York on a goodwill visit.
Preliminary investigations point towards a mechanical failure, possibly a loss of steering, as the primary cause. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a 'go-team' and is leading the investigation. As is often the case, the incident has sparked some political debate regarding potential impacts of budget cuts on maritime safety and infrastructure monitoring, though it's very early days for such conclusions.
Analytical Take: This is, first and foremost, a human tragedy for the Mexican Navy and the families of the deceased cadets. The NTSB investigation will be crucial in determining the precise cause. The "goodwill visit" turning into such a disaster adds a layer of poignancy. While some will rush to politicize it by linking it to infrastructure funding or oversight, it's prudent to wait for the facts. The immediate impact on U.S.-Mexico relations will likely be one of shared sorrow and cooperation in the investigation, rather than diplomatic friction.
WNBA Spotlight: Clark's Foul, Reese Targeted, League Investigates Fan Abuse
The on-court rivalry between Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky continues to draw eyeballs, and their latest matchup on May 17 (a 93-58 win for the Fever) added another chapter. Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese, an incident both players subsequently downplayed. However, a more serious development emerged on May 18: the WNBA has launched an investigation into alleged hateful comments directed at Reese by fans during the game.
Analytical Take: The Clark-Reese dynamic is already a significant storyline, injecting new energy and viewership into the WNBA. While on-court physicality is part of the game, the allegations of hateful fan comments targeting Reese are a different matter entirely. The league's decision to investigate is the correct and necessary response. It underscores a persistent problem in sports: as athletes, especially women and minority athletes, gain prominence, they can become targets for unacceptable abuse. How the WNBA handles this will be closely watched.
Noteworthy Items
Scheffler Continues Golf Dominance, McIlroy's Driver Woes
In the world of golf, Scottie Scheffler just keeps on winning. He secured his third major title at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on May 18, finishing at 11-under par. Jon Rahm made a run but faltered on the back nine. Perhaps more talked about, though, was Rory McIlroy, who had a poor finish and then notably avoided the media. This came amidst a swirl of controversy surrounding his driver, which was reportedly found to be non-conforming.
Analytical Take: Scheffler's current run is genuinely remarkable; he's clearly the dominant force in golf. The McIlroy situation, however, is a bit of a mess – a disappointing performance compounded by equipment issues and then a media dodge is never a good look. This will inevitably spark more debate about equipment regulations and how strictly they're enforced at the pinnacle of the sport.
Preserving Character: New Orleans and Hawaii Lean into Tradition
A couple of interesting cultural notes: In New Orleans, there's a continued focus on preserving the city's unique historical elements, from the intricate ironwork being restored by artisans like Darryl Reeves, to the iconic streetcars kept running by folks like Lona Edwards Hankins and Anthony Maggio, and even the tradition of seersucker suits. World-famous clarinetist Doreen Ketchens continues to be a fixture in the French Quarter. It’s all part of what defines the city's soul.
Meanwhile, in Hawaii, the ancient tradition of lei-making, a profound expression of "aloha," is facing modern challenges. Suburban sprawl and climate change are leading to flower shortages. Lei makers like Meleana Estes and Andrew Mau are adapting, sometimes using alternative materials to create "forever leis." The annual Lei Day Celebration in Waikiki remains a vibrant showcase of this enduring art form.
Analytical Take: These stories are a good reminder that amidst the geopolitical chess games and economic anxieties, cultural heritage is a living thing that requires active effort to maintain. For New Orleans, it's about tangible craftsmanship and a distinct urban identity. For Hawaii, it's about adapting a deeply significant tradition to environmental and societal pressures. Both highlight a resilience and commitment to what makes these places unique, though the reports could benefit from exploring the economic realities and challenges behind these preservation efforts.