News Above the Noise—Week of May 17, 2026
1. President Trump Wants to Suspend the US Tax on Gas
A gas tax suspension sounds like straightforward relief at the pump, but the reality is more complicated. Questions remain about how much of any savings would actually reach drivers, and what happens to the programs that depend on that revenue. And with oil prices now topping $100 a barrel, some analysts say the problem runs deeper than any domestic tax policy can fix. Read more here.2. Top Takeaways From Trump and Xi’s Talks in China
Trump spent his two-day summit in Beijing barely speaking to reporters and largely off social media before unloading on the flight home. The visit covered more ground than expected, yet Trump left without formally announcing any concrete agreements. Though he suggested significant deals could still be coming. Read more here.
3. The Surprising Effect Ingredients in Coffee Have On Aging
Scientists may have finally figured out why coffee keeps showing up in healthy-aging research. A new study found that certain compounds in coffee—not caffeine—switch on a receptor the body uses to manage stress, aging, and disease. Researchers say the findings are promising, but more work is needed to understand just how significant the connection is. Read more here.
4. Roughly 20% of New Lung Cancer Cases Occur in Nonsmokers—and Most Are Caught Too Late
Susan Wojcicki was 54, healthy, and had never smoked when she was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in 2022. Her family has since committed $150 million to launch the Susan Wojcicki Foundation, focused on changing who gets screened for the disease. The goal: catch lung cancer earlier in people who fall outside the current guidelines that have remained almost exclusively focused on heavy smokers. Read more here.
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