Weekend News Recap
Keeping you up to date on pressing news from May 16 – 19.
Welcome back to Ghost Reader – a publication to help you stay informed when you don’t have the time, access or energy to keep pace with today’s news cycle.
Here’s what you can look forward to this edition:
High-Impact Events: The latest efforts to end the war in Ukraine; and news that former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Executive Orders & Legislative Impacts: Two Supreme Court decisions related to the deportation of Venezuelan migrants.
Federal Government Operations: The latest on President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and a credit rating downgrade for the U.S.
Human Experience & Rights: The first FDA-approved blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s; and a spotlight on how “side hustles” are increasingly common.
Good for the Soul: A pet rescue in the Washington, D.C. area that creates mutually beneficial outcomes for the animals it serves and recently fired federal workers.
But, first…
We want to highlight a recent New York Times / Siena College poll that relates to why Ghost Reader exists.
In the poll, respondents were more likely to approve of President Trump’s job performance if they had not followed major news stories from his first 100 days in office.
Here are a few things the poll found:
42% of respondents said they approved of Trump’s job performance as president. About half of those respondents said they had not heard about at least some of his administration’s actions.
Respondents were more likely to approve of how Trump is handling immigration if they had not heard about the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia – a Venezuelan man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March.
Respondents were also more likely to approve of Trump’s performance if they weren’t aware of recent stock market fluctuations or cuts to the federal workforce prompted by the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ (DOGE).
Respondents who said they had not heard about major events also had something in common – they were more likely to get their news from social media.
As this newsletter often emphasizes, an important part of finding clarity in the chaos is being informed. For many, it can be difficult to keep up with the pace and volume of today’s news cycle. Ghost Reader aims to help our readers do that – because as this poll shows, staying informed matters.
And with that, let’s get into the news.
High-Impact Events
The latest with Russia & Ukraine
Last Friday, the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 lasted about two hours and resulted in a decision to swap prisoners, but no ceasefire.
Since then, the two sides reportedly agreed to begin negotiations to end the war following a phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What should I know?
About the Friday talks: For a reminder on what led to the talks, check out last Friday’s edition of Ghost Reader. The talks occurred in Istanbul and resulted in Russia and Ukraine agreeing to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war in what would be the largest swap since the war began. While both sides agreed to provide detailed ceasefire proposals, a Ukrainian official walked away from the talks saying the Russian delegation had introduced new “unacceptable demands” that Ukraine would not agree to.
What happened next: Saturday night into Sunday morning, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war. Ukraine’s air force said that as of 8 a.m. Sunday, Russia had launched 273 drones at Ukrainian cities. So far, reports say at least three people were killed, with 16 additional wounded (including a 4-year-old child).
About Trump’s call with Putin: While details are still being released, both Trump and Putin called the phone call “productive” and “very informative.” Following the call, Trump said he also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders; and that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” begin negotiating a potential ceasefire deal.
Some specifics: In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the tone and spirit of the conversation with Putin were “excellent,” and that Putin wants to work toward “large-scale TRADE” after the war. Trump posted, “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country.”
What comes next: We’ll see. If the announcement that Russia and Ukraine will begin negotiations to end the war sounds like déjà vu, it’s probably because we’ve been here before … several times in the past few months.
Former President Biden’s cancer diagnosis
Sunday, the former president’s office shared that Biden had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
This announcement comes amidst an already challenging week for the former president, with the release of audio recordings from 2023 that depict significant memory lapses as well as tomorrow’s release of “Original Sin,” a new book about Biden’s cognitive decline written by Axios’ Alex Thompson and CNN’s Jake Tapper.
What should I know?
First, about the diagnosis: Last week, Biden was seen by doctors who found a prostate nodule after the former president experienced increasing urinary symptoms. Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
What that means: Metastasis is when cancer spreads from its primary site (in Biden’s case, the prostate) to other tissue in the body. A Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) means the cancer is more likely than others to grow and spread.
The preliminary prognosis: The statement released by Biden’s office said while he was diagnosed with a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which should allow for effective treatment and management.
Some context: According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer; but most men who are do not die from it. It’s common in older men and despite most recovering, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that for U.S. men, prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death and most common other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
How Biden responded: He thanked well-wishers for their support via social media and said, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Some relevant background: Throughout the later parts of his career, one of Biden’s personal focus areas was cancer prevention. As president, he aimed to prevent millions of cancer deaths through the (re)launch of his public-private Cancer Moonshot initiative, which funded research for treatment, expanded no-cost screening programs, and is reported to have resulted in nearly 8 million people being screened for prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and skin cancer since its establishment in 2016. The initiative was started about six months after his eldest son, Beau, died of brain cancer.
Other news Biden faces this week: The audio recordings - obtained and released by Axios - are from October 2023 interviews with special counsel Robert Hur during an investigation into Biden’s possession of classified documents. While transcripts of the interviews were previously released, the audio paints a starker picture of cognitive decline Biden experienced throughout his presidency. In the recordings, Biden struggled to recall when his son died, when he left office as vice president, what year Donald Trump was first elected, and why he had classified documents.
What it all means: The combination of the former president’s diagnosis, audio recordings, and tomorrow’s release of a book detailing his cognitive decline hits at a time when Democrats continue to grapple with their decision to support Biden’s re-election campaign, accusations that party leaders hid issues, and outcomes of that choice.
Executive Orders & Legislative Impacts
Tell me about Friday’s Supreme Court decision re: Venezuelan migrants
Friday, the Supreme Court barred the Trump administration from resuming deportations of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act – an 18th century wartime law intended to be used in times of national emergency.
What should I know?
A reminder on the background: At least three federal judges have ruled that Trump improperly used the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations of people the administration said are Venezuelan gang members. In ruling on one emergency appeal in April, the Supreme Court said people must be given “reasonable time” to file a challenge to their deportation. In the Supreme Court’s decision Friday, it said 24 hours is not enough time for that challenge but did not elaborate on how much time is sufficient.
About the ruling: This particular case centers on the opportunity people must have to contest their removal from the U.S. It does not aim to determine if Trump’s invocation of the law was appropriate or constitutional. In a 7-2 vote, the court indefinitely extended the prohibition on deportations from a north Texas detention facility under the Alien Enemies Act. In an unsigned opinion the court wrote, “We recognize the significance of the Government’s national security interests as well as the necessity that such interests be pursued in a manner consistent with the Constitution.”
An interesting separate opinion: While Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed with the majority, he wrote that he preferred the court to jump in definitively, rather than returning the case to an appeals court. In referencing the slew of cases on the Supreme Court’s docket related to this issue, he wrote, “The circumstances call for a prompt and final resolution.”
How Trump responded: He posted on Truth Social, “THE SUPREME COURT WON’T ALLOW US TO GET CRIMINALS OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!”
What happens next: The case goes back to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for continued litigation.
… and about today’s Supreme Court decision re: Venezuelan migrants
Today, in a separate (but related) decision, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end protections of Venezuelan migrants under the Temporary Protected Status program.
What should I know?
About the program: The Temporary Protected Status program was enacted by Congress and signed into law by former President George H.W. Bush. It allows migrants from nations that experienced national disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary instabilities to live and work legally in the U.S.
About the case in question: It started in February when Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated an 18-month extension of the program granted to Venezuelans by the Biden administration. People impacted by the change filed a lawsuit saying the move violated administrative procedures and was influenced by racial bias. In March, a federal judge in San Francisco blocked the administration’s efforts to remove protections while the case moved forward, saying the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing Noem’s actions were unauthorized by law. The judge also found terminating the initiative would cause “irreparable harm” to “hundreds of thousands of persons.” The Justice Department then made an emergency appeal, emphasizing executive branch power and calling into question the issue of nationwide injunctions. For a reminder on why the topic of nationwide injunctions is relevant right now, check out last Friday’s edition of Ghost Reader.
About today’s ruling: It was brief, unsigned, and gave no reasons (which is typical when justices rule on emergency applications). No vote count was listed. The justices announced they would allow the Trump administration to end the protections pending appeal of the case. They clarified, however, they would preserve the ability of individual immigrants to bring legal challenges in some instances, including if the government tries to cancel their work permits.
What it means: The Trump administration can revoke special legal protections for nearly 350,000 Venezuelan migrants, which could pave the way for deportation.
Federal Government Operations
Catch me up on the latest with the “big, beautiful bill”
After a failed vote Friday, Republicans advanced their budget legislation out of the House Budget Committee Sunday night.
What should I know?
A reminder on what happened Friday: The House Budget Committee rejected the bill with five Republicans voting “no” based on a desire for deeper spending cuts and concerns about the U.S. budget deficit. Those who voted against the bill said its new spending and tax cuts are front-loaded, while the measures to offset the costs are back-loaded. Check out Friday’s edition of Ghost Reader for more context.
About Sunday’s vote: The fact that it occurred over the weekend is surprising. Four of five legislators who originally voiced concerns about the bill’s impact on the deficit voted “present” so the measure could advance by a vote of 17-16.
What changes allowed the bill to move forward: Aside from the legislators who changed their votes, Medicaid work requirements were moved up (to kick in prior to 2029) and the availability of future subsidies related to green energy tax breaks from the Inflation Reduction Act were reduced.
What comes next: House Speaker Mike Johnson wants the bill on the House floor for a final vote by end of the week. If the bill passes out of the House, it would then move to the Senate, where Republican lawmakers are likely to make changes that could make final passage more difficult.
An important caveat: The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget – a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group – estimates the House bill is shaping up to add roughly $3.3 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade.
I heard the United States’ credit rating went down
Friday, financial ratings firm Moody’s Ratings downgraded the U.S. government’s credit rating, citing its rising debt and ballooning federal budget deficit. Moody’s is the last of three big firms to downgrade the government’s credit in the past 15 years.
What should I know?
The details: Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit score from Aaa to Aa1, lowering the designation from “prime” to “high grade.” The firm said the downgrade reflects “the increase over more than a decade in government debt and interest payment ratios to levels that are significantly higher than similarly rated sovereigns.”
The broader context: The U.S. lost its triple-A credit rating from Fitch Ratings in 2023 and S&P Global Ratings in 2011.
A caveat: Despite the downgrade, Moody’s also changed its outlook from negative to stable, referencing “exceptional credit strengths” in the U.S. and the role of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.
What this means for the average consumer: The downgrade put immediate pressure on bond prices, with the 30-year U.S. bond yield trading above 5% and 10-year yield reaching over 4.5%. Treasury bonds influence rates for a wide array of consumer loans, like 30-year fixed mortgages, and to some extent, auto loans and credit cards. Due to this, downgrades can raise borrowing costs over time. With that said, Moody’s was the last of the major credit rating agencies to make the move, meaning Americans have been through something like this before.
Human Experience & Rights
Let’s talk about a new way to diagnose Alzheimer’s
Friday, the first blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning the laboratory test can now be marketed and sold in the U.S.
What should I know?
About the test: It was developed by Japanese biotech company, Fujirebio. An FDA study found the blood test can “reliably predict” the presence of protein conditions associated with Alzheimer’s at the time of the test in cognitively impaired patients.
How it’s different: Unlike this diagnostic device that tests blood, current FDA-authorized or cleared Alzheimer’s tests use cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients collected through spinal taps. The testing method requires invasive procedures involving puncturing the lumbar.
What this means: With clearance of the new blood test, top FDA official Michelle Tarver said it will make Alzheimer’s diagnosis “easier and potentially more accessible for U.S. patients earlier in the disease.”
Why this is significant: Currently, Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be a lengthy process consisting of memory testing, lab tests, brain-imaging exams, and more. The Alzheimer’s Association said the increase in bloods tests could make for earlier and more accurate detection and diagnosis, potentially taking precedent over other methods that are more expensive, invasive, and not always accessible. Blood tests could also help recruitment for Alzheimer’s clinical trials and cut down wait times for disease assessments.
The broader context: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate 6.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers expect that number to double by 2060, attributed to an aging population and improved diagnosis methods.
Tell me about an increase in “side hustles”
A new survey from LendingTree shows nearly half of Americans – 44% – have a side hustle, with many relying on it as a financial lifeline rather than discretionary income.
What should I know?
What a “side hustle” is: A job or business undertaken in addition to one’s primary job, typically to earn extra income, pursue a passion, or experiment with a business concept.
Some data: Here’s what the survey found:
Of those with a side hustle, 43% say they need the extra income to cover daily expenses.
71% of those who said they have a side hustle reported earning less than $500 monthly, with nearly a quarter making less than $100 monthly.
Younger generations are more likely to take on additional work, with 60% of Gen Z respondents and 55% of Millenial respondents reporting they have a side hustle. That compares to 39% of Gen X and 24% of Baby Boomers.
While 18% of side hustlers report earning at least $1,000 monthly, most report being in the lower income brackets.
36% of respondents said they worry their side hustle could disappear if demand drops or economic conditions worsen.
Nearly one-third (32%) reported working at least 20 hours per week on their side hustle, essentially holding down a second job.
An emerging misconception: A LendingTree representative speaking about the survey drew attention to how “side hustle” was historically viewed as something for people passionate about something outside of their day job. Instead, this survey found that’s not most people; and rather, many Americans take on side hustles to help them stay financially afloat or manage debt.
The impact of AI: With AI continuing to evolve, many are also worried about losing their side hustles, such as how driverless cars could replace Uber and Lyft drivers; or AI programs that write stories, design websites, or create art being deployed to avoid hiring human writers, designers, and developers. Due to this, some are seeking “AI-proof” side hustles such as in the beauty industry, in building and repairs, or in human-centered areas such as caregiving, counseling, nursing, and tutoring.
The broader context: With the cost of living continuing to rise, 26 million more Americans are expected to join the side hustle economy by 2027.
Good for the Soul
As of May 12, The New York Times’ tool tracking federal workforce cuts estimates 134, 856 federal workers were either fired or voluntarily took buyouts since President Trump resumed office. While each of those individuals’ stories are different, some in the Washington, D.C. area have found help navigating the aftermath by volunteering with a local pet rescue specifically targeting former federal workers for animal fostering.
What should I know?
About the program: Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, VA started the program in February. Mirah Horowitz, Lucky Dog’s founder and chief executive, said her already overflowing rescue became more crowded when the federal government cuts led some fired workers to give up their pets because they were moving or could no longer afford veterinary care. To help counteract this, Horowitz started a program that provides free pet care resources for fired federal workers and contractors who foster dogs or cats. Horowitz said it’s great for the pets who get a temporary home, as well as for the foster volunteers, who might find solace in caring for a pet.
About the offer: It’s simple – the fired worker provides a safe, loving space for fostering; and Lucky Dog provides the supplies including food, toys, bowls, leashes, collars, treats, and crates. While the program is for fired workers, former federal employees who accepted buyout offers have also fostered pets with their spare time (although they don’t receive the free resources).
It’s a win-win: Horowitz described the program as a “mutual rescue mission.” She said, “During times of loss or hardship, the unconditional love a pet provides – whether it be a foster pet or a forever pet – can make all the difference.” And that, “Former federal employees can save the lives of at-risk dogs and cats who can only be saved from overcrowded shelters if they have a foster willing to take them in. And in return, these pets might just do a little saving of their own.”
Not a recently fired federal worker in the D.C. area, but want to help? You can donate supplies through Lucky Dog’s Amazon or Chewy wish lists. If you’re in the metro D.C. area, you can drop items off in person Monday through Friday at their Arlington office (5159 Langston Blvd.).
And with that, we kick off another week. Until Wednesday, let’s keep creating clarity in the chaos.
Did you find this newsletter helpful? If so, please subscribe and share.