Independent News Drop

KELI From Inkwell, this is the Independent News Drop. It's Wednesday, May sixth. The time is ten p.m. Central. I'm Keli, joined by Hast.

HAST Good to be with you. We're tracking developments out of Washington and abroad tonight, including fresh questions about a cabinet official's past associations, and an update on that hantavirus case that's been working its way through international waters.

KELI We start with an update on the conversation between US lawmakers and the Biden administration over Israel's nuclear arsenal. This is the fourth time we've covered this story. A bipartisan group of House members is now formally requesting transparency on the scope and scale of Israel's nuclear capabilities. The lawmakers argue that Washington's long-standing policy of what's called "strategic ambiguity"—essentially neither confirming nor denying Israel has nuclear weapons—is creating blind spots in US strategy as tensions with Iran intensify. Officials have said the ambiguity policy is meant to deter regional conflict. The lawmakers counter that without clear understanding of Israel's capabilities, the US cannot adequately assess escalation risks in the region.

HAST Moving to the hantavirus situation. We're getting an update from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship that departed from Cape Verde today after three passengers were evacuated over the past week. One of those evacuees is a British national who displayed symptoms consistent with hantavirus infection. The other two were removed as precautionary measures. All three were airlifted to the Netherlands for treatment and observation. Health authorities have been monitoring other passengers and crew, and no additional cases have been confirmed at this time.

KELI There's a significant new story tonight out of Capitol Hill. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was questioned by House lawmakers today over his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick had stated publicly last year that he ended his association with Epstein in 2005. However, documents released as part of the Epstein files show the two men remained in contact well beyond that date, including a lunch meeting on Epstein's private island in 2012. Lutnick's office has not yet issued a formal response to the discrepancy, though he appeared before the committee today.

HAST On the judicial front, we're watching a brewing conflict between federal circuit courts over gun waiting periods. The First and Tenth Circuit courts have reached opposite conclusions on whether state-imposed "cooling-off" periods before gun purchases violate the Second Amendment. The First Circuit found such periods constitutional. The Tenth Circuit ruled they likely do not comply with the text of the amendment. That split means the Supreme Court may eventually weigh in to resolve the inconsistency across the country.

KELI One more on the Israel nuclear story, Hast. The temptation here is to read this story a certain way. What should listeners watch for?

HAST Right. The simple read is going to be that House members are pressuring the administration to take a harder line with Israel, or that this is really about Iran hawks wanting more ammunition. The structural reality is that US military planning depends on accurate intelligence about allied capabilities—and right now lawmakers are saying that intelligence gap exists. Watch for whether the administration responds with a formal review of the ambiguity policy, not just a statement. If we don't see movement toward some kind of assessment or declassification process, the simple read holds.

KELI In other words, actions over rhetoric.

HAST Exactly.

KELI On this day in 1994, Edvard Munch's painting The Scream was recovered in undamaged condition, nearly three months after being stolen from the National Gallery of Norway.

HAST A remarkable recovery for one of the world's most recognizable works.

KELI That's the Independent News Drop. We'll be back next hour. From Inkwell.