U.S. and world news for May 19

Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, one that has spread to his bones. Biden, 82, and his family are reviewing treatment options with his medical team. In response to the news, well-wishes came from across the political world. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. Former President Barack Obama, who tapped Biden, his then-vice president, to lead the White House task force aimed at curing cancer, shared his thoughts on X as well: “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace.”

Trump and Putin’s planned phone call

Even with the planned phone calls today between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, Russia over the weekend battered Ukraine with its largest drone attack since the Russian invasion began in 2023. Russia launched 273 drones in one night, the Ukrainian Air Force said, predominantly targeting the central Kyiv region. More strikes hit overnight, killing at least two people and injuring 13 others, local authorities said earlier today. “I think Ukraine has done a lot to demonstrate that they are interested in ending this war and ending it however it needs to be ended,” US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said in a Fox News interview on Sunday. He also said Russia needs to show it is serious about peace.

Severe weather hits several states

A violent storm system cut a path of destruction through several states resulting in fatalities over the weekend. At least 18 fatalities were reported in Kentucky after a “large, extremely dangerous” tornado swept east. “I’ve now been governor for at least 14 federally declared disasters, 13 of them weather. And this is one of the worst,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference. “It’s one of the worst in terms of the loss of human life. It’s one of the worst in terms of damage.” Significant destruction was reported in Grinnell, Kansas, where homes were flattened, roads blocked and vehicles overturned. Houses and buildings in three counties were also damaged or lost in storms that produced at least two tornadoes in Colorado. Residents of St. Louis experienced an EF3 tornado, which had winds up to 152 mph. At times stretching a mile wide, the twister traveled at least 8 miles, claimed at least seven lives and damaged about 5,000 buildings.

Brooklyn Bridge appears OK after being hit by ship

A Mexican training ship called the Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night. Two people died after falling from its masts and 19 others were injured. Known as the “Ambassador and Knight of the Seas,” the ship had just spent five days docked at the South Street Seaport Museum. It was on a global goodwill tour and en route to Iceland at the time of the incident. According to the NYPD, a preliminary investigation has determined that the ship “experienced a mechanical malfunction.” Although the bridge was temporarily closed after the collision, it sustained no visible damage and appeared to be left structurally intact. The collision of the Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge comes just 16 months after a massive cargo ship plowed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Manhunt continues for escaped prisoners

A massive manhunt is underway for a group of inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail on Friday. Ten men fled after breaching a wall behind a toilet, and so far, only three have been recaptured. Now, authorities are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the remaining seven escapees. Both the governor of Louisiana and the FBI are offering rewards for information leading to their apprehension. “Unfortunately, they have friends and family members who are helping them and concealing them and helping them move, which makes law enforcement’s job more challenging. We end up getting there just a little too late,” Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges said. The inmates, who range in age from 19 to 42 years old, face a wide array of charges, including aggravated assault, false imprisonment, armed robbery, domestic abuse and murder.

Republican budget bill clears House committee in Sunday night vote

The House Budget Committee voted Sunday night to advance President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. GOP leadership spent the weekend racing to get the president’s tax and spending cuts bill back on track after hardliners on the Budget Committee dealt it an embarrassing setback late last week. It next moves to the House Rules Committee, where it could face more opposition from hardliners during an expected vote midweek. The measure passed Sunday by a vote of 17-16, with four hardline Republicans on the Budget Committee voting present: Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Chip Roy of Texas, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Andrew Clyde of Georgia. The passage out of the Budget Committee comes after the failed attempt on Friday night, when hardline conservatives revolted over certain provisions in the bill regarding Medicaid and tax credits.