In our news wrap Wednesday, a series of tornadoes killed at least two people in Indiana and leveled homes and businesses in Illinois, the Department of Homeland Security reactivated its Global Entry program and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned of the “reputational risk” in appointing Peter Mandelson as U.S. Ambassador due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Geoff Bennett:
In the day’s other headlines: A series of tornadoes killed at least two people in Northwestern Indiana and leveled homes and businesses in neighboring Illinois. An elderly couple was killed when a tornado struck their home in Lake Village, Indiana. Fire officials there say at least 10 others were injured.
And in Kankakee, Illinois, a tornado flattened entire neighborhoods. Residents were left in shock, while the city’s mayor expressed relief that lives were spared.
Woman:
It was just devastation. It reminded me of the movie “Twister.”
Christopher Curtis, Mayor of Kankakee, Illinois: We’re very fortunate that where the tornado did come through at the city of Kankakee was mostly our commercial industrial area, and not heavy residential area, but it has suffered significant damage.
Geoff Bennett:
That same weather system swamped roads in places in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan, and reportedly dropped hail the size of golf balls. And there’s more bad weather ahead. Widespread storms with damaging winds will stretch from Houston, Texas, all the way through the mid-Atlantic and up to Philadelphia.
The Department of Homeland Security reactivated its global entry program early this morning. The fast-track service for preapproved travelers entering the U.S. was paused last month because of the partial government shutdown.
A DHS spokesperson said the decision was intended to help alleviate the disruptions to travelers caused by the shutdown. A handful of U.S. airports have seen long security lines and delays lasting for hours in recent days amid a shortage of airport screeners.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned of the reputational risk in appointing Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. That’s according to documents released today by the British government. The 147-page report lays out Mandelson’s ties to Epstein, as well as unrelated financial issues.
Mandelson was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged. Cabinet minister Darren Jones said the government fell short in its due diligence of Mandelson and that Epstein’s victims are their first priority.
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to U.K. Prime Minister: Peter Mandelson’s behavior was an insult to them and their suffering. I am therefore sorry that these events leave those victims with no choice but to relive their horrors with still too little justice being served.
Geoff Bennett:
Meantime, in Washington, Epstein’s longtime accountant Richard Kahn told lawmakers today that he was, in his words, not aware of the nature or extent of Epstein’s abuse until after his death.
That’s according to opening remarks obtained by reporters ahead of a closed-door deposition by the House Oversight Committee. Kahn remains an executor of Epstein’s estate and also denies any wrongdoing.
Seven members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team remain in Australia, an Australian government official said today. That’s as the rest of their teammates head back to a country now at the center of a widening war. The players had traveled to Australia for the Asian Women’s Cup just before the war started.
Six of the women have accepted humanitarian visas that will allow them to remain in Australia for good. A seventh who had initially sought asylum has since decided to return to Iran, a decision supported by Australia’s home affairs minister.
Tony Burke, Australia Home Affairs Minister:
In Australia, people are able to change their mind. People are able to travel. And so we respect the context in which she has made that decision. For every member of this delegation, they have been shown a respect by Australia that would be unfamiliar to them in Iran.
Geoff Bennett:
Also today, Iran’s sports minister told state television that — quote — “under no circumstances” would the men’s team participate in this summer’s soccer World Cup, which is being hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Those comments came hours after FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino said that President Trump told him Iran would be welcome.
On Wall Street today, stocks ended mixed as oil prices turned higher and investors digested the latest report on inflation. The Dow Jones industrial average fell nearly 300 points on the day. The Nasdaq managed a slight gain of almost 20 points. The S&P 500 closed just barely in the red.
