Monday morning news: May 19, 2025

Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer » Former President Joe Biden is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer that’s spread to his bones. Biden’s personal office put out a statement announcing the news Sunday… saying urinary symptoms triggered medical tests, which led to the cancer diagnosis on Friday.

The statement goes on to say the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management… and the former president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.

Former Biden White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield…

BEDINGFIELD: It is incredibly sad. It’s heartbreaking. I’ve… I’ve heard from a lot of folks… people who have worked for him for a long time who are sad, who are sending their best to him, who are feeling devastated by this news.

Veteran political consultant David Axelrod notes this news comes as Biden’s mental acuity near the end of his term, along with his initial decision to run for a second term, are under intense scrutiny.

AXELROD: I think those conversations are going to happen, but they should be more muted and set aside for now as he’s struggling through this.

In a social media post… Biden’s successor, President Trump, says he and First Lady Melania Trump are saddened by the news, adding -quote- “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

Cleanup underway in MO/KY/VA as tornado death toll climbs » People in the Central U.S. are digging through rubble and wondering when life might get back to normal… after a round of devastating tornadoes claimed at least 28 lives in Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia over the weekend.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer…

SPENCER: This is going to be a long recovery because the destruction is truly phenomenal.

At least five people were killed in the St. Louis area, where the mayor estimates the property damage total to thousands of buildings at $1 billion dollars.

Most of the deaths were in Kentucky: at least 19 there. That state’s governor says a federal disaster declaration is in the works… and he’s gotten all the helped he’s asked for from the feds so far.

Forecasters say more severe weather could be in store for the country’s mid-section this week.

Russia drone strike ahead of Trump/Putin call » President Trump is hoping his direct intervention can break the logjam in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

The president is expected to hold a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin today, followed by calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of various NATO countries.

White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff tells ABC’s This Week…

WITKOFF: The president is determined to get something done here, and hopefully, um… If he can’t do it then nobody can.

Witkoff adds he thinks the president’s call with Putin will be very successful.

But for now, the reality on the ground is still grim. On Sunday, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, destroying homes and claiming at least one life.

Israel steps up Gaza offensive » Israel has launched a new offensive in Gaza, saying it needs to apply military pressure to secure the release of all the hostages Hamas is holding from its October 7th, 2023 terror attack.

Over the past few days, since the start of the escalation, the Associated Press reports hundreds have been killed in Gaza.

White House Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler tells Fox News Sunday…

BOEHLER: If they want this barrage of attacks to stop, which all Palestinians do at this point, then they need to release the hostages.

Israel and Hamas are holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but reportedly appear far apart. Israel says it’ll keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile.

CA fertility clinic bomber expressed anti-life views » Investigators say the 25-year-old who bombed a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California over the weekend authored what they call “anti-pro-life” writings.

Guy Edward Bartkus left behind writings professing a sentiment that the world should not be populated.

Bartkus died when he detonated a car bomb outside the clinic. Four others were hurt. But all the embryos at the clinic were saved… thanks to a speedy response from firefighters, police, and FBI bomb techs, according to the FBI’s Akil Davis.

DAVIS: We were able to save all of the embryos at this facility. Good Guys one, Bad Guys zero.

Investigators say Bartkus tried to livestream the bombing, but the video didn’t upload. The explosion gutted the clinic, though clinic leaders say staff were safe and there were no patients inside.

GOP holds Sunday night session to get tax bill on track » House Republicans held a rare Sunday night committee meeting… trying to get their so-called big, beautiful tax bill back on track.

The House Budget Committee failed to advance the bill Friday. Despite the setback, House Speaker Mike Johnson tells FOX News he’s confident the full House will meet his goal of passing the measure by the end of the week.

JOHNSON: We’re on track, working around the clock, to deliver this nation-shaping legislation for the American people as soon as possible.

The bill would extend the tax cuts from President Trump’s first term plus add several new ones. But several House Republicans are concerned it spends too much money and doesn’t enforce new work requirements for Medicaid soon enough.

I’m Mark Mellinger.

Straight ahead: Legal Docket. Can a single judge block the president’s move on birthright citizenship?

Plus, the seismic importance of the Council of Nicaea for Christianity… in today’s World History Book.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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