In our news wrap Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC, FAA officials are investigating an incident involving President Trump’s helicopter and a commercial aircraft, Iran says it’s in the final stage of drafting a deal with Oman that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and UK authorities arrested a woman after four people were stabbed in Covent Garden.
Amna Nawaz:
In the day’s other headlines: The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today.
Man:
On this vote, the yeas are 51, the nays are 44. The nomination is confirmed.
Amna Nawaz:
The former deputy surgeon general takes over at a delicate time for the agency, as it grapples with political interference and low morale. Last month, she faced questions from a Senate committee about her approach to vaccines and the ongoing cyclospora outbreak.
The CDC said today that the outbreak of the intestinal illness has spread to six additional states, bringing the total to 15 states. Separately, Chipotle says it’s removed jalapenos from some of its locations as health officials investigate a possible link to a salmonella outbreak.
In Washington, D.C., federal aviation officials are investigating an incident involving President Trump’s helicopter and a commercial aircraft. They say a jet took off yesterday afternoon from Reagan National Airport just as Marine One left the White House with the president on board.
The two aircraft did not come close to each other, and officials say Trump was never in any danger. But the incident appeared to violate safety protocols put into place after last year’s midair collision between an airliner and an Army helicopter near the airport.
Turning now to the Middle East, Iran says it’s in the final stage of drafting a deal with Oman that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Regional officials tell the “News Hour” that, under the terms of the deal, ships would enter the Persian Gulf through Iranian waters and exit through Omani waters. Neither would charge fees.
The U.S. and Iran would once again enter a cease-fire and restart larger negotiations, including over Iran’s nuclear program. Today, Iranian officials warned the deal would only go through if — quote — “certain third parties do not interfere.”
Meantime, in Southern Lebanon today, officials said that Israeli strikes killed at least one person and injured roughly a dozen others. The Israeli military says the attacks were in response to what it called a blatant violation of the cease-fire by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Southern Lebanon. They come as Lebanese and Israeli negotiators met for a second day in Rome.
Millions of people across parts of Europe and Northeast Asia are slogging through punishing heat waves. In Rome, the sun bore down on tourists as they flocked to St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican moved Pope Leo’s weekly general audience indoors to offer some relief. At least 25 cities in Italy spent the day under the country’s highest heat alert.
In the meantime, in South Korea, the country’s president has called a heat wave there a national disaster, with professional baseball games canceled for today and tomorrow after two fans fainted. Residents in the capital city of Seoul say the heat is taking its toll.
Kim Jong Gwon, Seoul, South Korea, Resident (through translator):
Every year, I think, this is the hottest summer yet, but I really do think this year is the hottest.
Jeong Seo Yun, Seoul, South Korea, Resident (through translator):
I’m just trying to get through the summer by staying in cafes as much as possible or coming out to places like Cheonggye Stream to cool off by dipping my feet in the water.
Amna Nawaz:
Climate scientists warn that the worst could still be ahead. They say human-caused global warming combined with a strengthening super El Nino could make 2026 the hottest year on record.
In the U.K., authorities arrested a woman after four people were stabbed today in Covent Garden, a busy area in central London. Police say four men were injured, aged 34 to 52, and were taken to a nearby trauma center. Two have since been discharged. The others are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials say the 47-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of weapon possession and assault. They described the attack as — quote — “an isolated mental health-related incident,” adding that scissors were recovered at the scene.
On Wall Street today, stocks ended mixed after notching new all-time highs yesterday. The Dow Jones industrial average added more than 250 points on the day, but the Nasdaq lost ground, giving back nearly 1 percent. The S&P 500 also closed in negative territory.
And the boyhood home of astronaut Neil Armstrong is on the market. The two-story structure in Wapakoneta, Ohio, is where the first man to walk on the moon developed his early love of flight, launching model airplanes out of his bedroom window. Today, that same room is decorated with autographed photos of astronauts who visited the site over the years.
A retired history teacher has owned the home for nearly 40 years. She hopes any buyer would then donate it to Armstrong’s nearby museum. The listing price for this piece of American history, $430,000.
And legendary Canadian broadcaster Lloyd Robertson has died.
Lloyd Robertson, Canadian Broadcaster:
And that’s the kind of day it’s been this Thursday, September the 1st. For all of us at CTV News, good night.
Amna Nawaz:
He signed off with that signature phrase, “And that’s the kind of day it’s been,” in September of 2011, after nearly three decades as chief anchor of CTV National News.
Across generations, he chronicled the defining moments in history with authority, poise, and compassion. Robertson was consistently named one of Canada’s most trusted journalists and won numerous awards. CTV News confirmed his death yesterday. Lloyd Robertson was 92 years old.
