Podcast Summary: Apple News Today – "Joe Biden has prostate cancer. Here is what we know."

Episode Details:

• Title: Joe Biden has prostate cancer. Here is what we know.
• Host: Shemitah Basu, Apple News
• Release Date: May 19, 2025
• Description: Join Shemitah Basu every weekday morning as she guides you through some of the most fascinating stories in the news — and how the world’s best journalists are covering them.

1. Joe Biden's Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Overview: In a significant development, former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The announcement has sparked reactions from prominent political figures and raised discussions about Biden's long-standing commitment to cancer research.

Details:

• Diagnosis Information: Biden's office released a statement indicating that he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that is hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. Specifically, he was diagnosed last week after being examined for a newly found prostate nodule. The cancer has metastasized to his bones. (00:05)

• Family and Team Response: The Biden family is currently reviewing treatment options. Former President Donald Trump expressed his sentiments by stating he is "saddened by the news and wished him a fast and successful recovery." (00:35)

• Support from Kamala Harris: Biden’s former Vice President, Kamala Harris, commented, saying, "Joe is a fighter and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership." (00:57)

• Medical Insight: CNN’s medical analyst, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, provided context on the diagnosis, explaining the severity of Biden's condition. He stated, "The bad news is that his Gleason score... was quite high. So a very aggressive form." Furthermore, he elaborated on the metastatic nature of the cancer: "it's no longer contained in the prostate" and has spread to the bone. (01:32)

• Biden’s Commitment to Cancer Research: Biden has a personal history with cancer, having lost his son Beau to brain cancer, which galvanized his dedication to cancer research during his presidency. In a recent State of the Union address, Biden reiterated his commitment: "Our goal is to cut cancer death rates by at least 50% over the next 25 years. I think we can do better than that." (02:56)

• Former President Obama's Endorsement: Responding to the news, former President Obama praised Biden’s efforts, stating, "Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe. And I'm certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace." (03:27)

2. Israel Resumes Aid to Gaza Amid Ground Offensive

Overview: Amid escalating tensions and military actions, Israel has agreed to resume basic aid to Gaza while continuing its ground offensive. The situation remains dire as Palestinians grapple with dwindling supplies and mounting casualties.

Details:

• Resumption of Aid: Following 78 days of blockade, Israel's Cabinet approved the entry of a "basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop." (03:27)

• Humanitarian Crisis: The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 100 people were killed due to airstrikes over the past weekend. The UN relief chief characterized the events as a "21st century atrocity," highlighting the severe humanitarian impact. (03:45)

• Military Operations and Reservist Decline: Despite large-scale ground operations and airstrikes initiated over the weekend, Israel faces challenges in recruitment. According to CBS, attendance rates among reservists are declining, with more soldiers refusing to participate in the conflict. (04:15)

• Personal Accounts from Reservists: Ruth Margalit from The New Yorker shared insights from reservists like Iran Tamir, who initially joined the fight promptly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks but later withdrew. Tamir criticized Israel's war rhetoric, questioning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's goals of "returning the Israeli hostages and destroying Hamas." (05:23 - 06:06)

  "He published an open letter calling Israel's rhetoric around the war deceptive," explains Margalit. (05:44)

• Increasing Disillusionment: Margalit noted a growing sentiment among military personnel questioning the war's objectives. A military commander expressed profound disillusionment, stating, "He doesn't believe in the war. He doesn't believe in what the country is doing... ashamed of his country of where it's heading." (06:30 - 06:37)

3. US Manufacturing Jobs Shortage

Overview: Despite bipartisan efforts to revive domestic manufacturing, the United States faces a significant shortage of workers to fill nearly half a million open manufacturing positions.

Details:

• Current Job Openings: As of March, there are approximately 500,000 open manufacturing jobs in the U.S., with expectations of more vacancies emerging. (07:03)

• Government Initiatives: Both the Biden administration's Chips and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act, as well as Trump's tariff policies, have aimed to bolster the manufacturing sector. Projections suggest that Biden's policies alone could generate millions of jobs over the next decade. (07:08)

• Recruitment Challenges: Greg Rosalski from NPR’s Planet Money investigated why these positions remain unfilled despite the high number of openings. According to a survey by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, 65% of manufacturing firms cite recruiting and retaining workers as their primary challenge. (07:19)

• Perception Issues: The president of the Manufacturing Institute highlighted a major public relations problem, explaining that modern manufacturing is often misunderstood. "When people think of manufacturing, they picture like a Charles Dickens novel... They're dirty, they're dangerous or monotonous," she stated. In reality, contemporary manufacturing is "clean, it's high tech, it involves problem solving." (08:20 - 08:33)

• Educational Barriers: The technological advancement in manufacturing means that many roles now require higher education. While manufacturing once welcomed high school graduates, about half of the current open positions demand a college degree. (08:33 - 08:49)

• Wage Dilemma: Manufacturers have increased wages to attract workers, but this introduces a paradox. Historically, higher U.S. wages contributed to the offshoring of manufacturing jobs. With rising pay, manufacturers must find ways to remain globally competitive, a challenge exacerbated by a slowdown in U.S. productivity growth. (08:49 - 09:40)

• Future Prospects: For American manufacturing to thrive, companies must enhance productivity to justify higher wages, a goal complicated by recent productivity declines. Without significant improvements, maintaining global competitiveness remains uncertain. (09:21 - 09:40)

4. Other News Highlights

a. Bombing of Palm Springs Fertility Clinic:

• Incident Overview: An intentional bombing targeted a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, causing extensive damage. The FBI is investigating the attack as terrorism-related.
• Suspect Details: The suspected bomber, a 25-year-old from 29 Palms, is believed to have perished in the explosion. Authorities described him as holding nihilistic and antinatalist ideologies, viewing procreation as unethical. (09:40 - 10:30)

b. Kentucky Tornado Devastation:

• Impact: A severe tornado struck Kentucky, resulting in at least 19 fatalities, with numbers expected to rise. Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency, citing widespread power outages affecting tens of thousands.
• Governor's Appeal: Beshear emphasized the need for national and international support, stating, "We will not abandon the people that have been impacted." (10:30 - 11:13)

c. Mexican Navy Ship Crash into Brooklyn Bridge:

• Incident Details: A Mexican Navy sailing ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, leading to two fatalities and at least 22 injuries. The ship, en route to Iceland on a goodwill tour, unintentionally veered under the bridge due to mechanical issues. Crew members were seen hanging from sails in social media footage. An investigation is ongoing. (11:13 - 11:40)

Conclusion: This episode of Apple News Today delves into a mixture of high-profile health news involving Joe Biden, ongoing geopolitical tensions in Gaza, critical domestic economic issues in manufacturing, and a series of impactful incidents across the United States. Each segment is enriched with expert opinions, personal accounts, and authoritative quotes, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current events shaping our world.