Former President Biden Diagnosed with Cancer; Gaza Aid Shifts Amid Famine Fears; Global Trade Tensions Escalate

Monday, May 19, 2025 – Global attention is sharply focused today on a series of significant developments spanning health, geopolitics, and international trade, led by news concerning the health of former United States President Joe Biden.

Former President Biden Faces Cancer Diagnosis

Sources confirm that former US President Joe Biden has received a diagnosis of an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The diagnosis, made on Friday, May 16, revealed that the cancer has unfortunately metastasized to the bone.

According to a statement from his office, the diagnosis came after Mr. Biden experienced concerning urinary symptoms that prompted medical evaluation. The former president and his family are currently engaged in urgent consultations with his medical team to review all available treatment options.

Mr. Biden’s physical health and mental acuity were subjects of considerable scrutiny during his four-year term in office from 2021 to 2025. This scrutiny played a role in the context of his political future, culminating in his decision to abruptly end his bid for re-election last July.

Israel Announces Limited Gaza Aid Entry Amid Crisis

In significant world news emerging on Sunday, May 18, Israel announced a decision to ease its stringent blockade on the Gaza Strip. The measure will permit the entry of limited amounts of food into the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The announcement, conveyed through the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, follows extensive military ground operations conducted by Israeli forces in both the northern and southern sectors of Gaza. This move comes amid intense and mounting international pressure over a near-total aid blockade that has been largely in place since March, and against the dire backdrop of the increasing risk of famine across the territory.

Palestinian health officials have continued to report heavy casualties, noting that hundreds of people have been killed in attacks over the past week alone. This includes a staggering 130 fatalities reported overnight between Saturday and Sunday. Concurrently, international experts and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned of a looming and potentially catastrophic famine throughout Gaza.

China Imposes Steep Anti-Dumping Duties on Plastics

Escalating global trade tensions took a new turn yesterday, May 18, as China announced the imposition of steep anti-dumping duties on imports of a specific type of engineering plastic. The duties target shipments originating from the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan.

The Ministry of Commerce in Beijing stated that US shipments of this particular plastic will face the highest duty rate at 74.9%. Imports from European Union countries will be subject to a 34.5% duty. Rates for imports from Japan and Taiwan were also announced as part of the punitive measures.

These findings and subsequent duties conclude a probe that the Chinese Commerce Ministry initially launched in May 2024. The timing of the original investigation and the subsequent announcement are seen in the context of recent trade frictions, notably occurring shortly after the United States significantly increased its tariffs on Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, computer chips, and various other goods.

Singapore Democratic Party Resumes Groundwork After Election Defeat

Turning to local developments in Singapore, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has reportedly moved past the results of the 2025 general election and has resumed its grassroots groundwork. On May 18th, the party launched a petition advocating for substantial changes to the nation’s election system.

The petition specifically calls for six distinct modifications to the current electoral framework. Among the key proposals are demands for a minimum three-week campaign period ahead of polling day and the establishment of a six-month mandatory gap between any changes made to electoral boundaries and the formal dissolution of parliament. The SDP’s renewed activism follows its performance in GE 2025, where the party was unsuccessful, losing in all four contested constituencies.