Shownotes Transcript
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. The U.S. is sending air defense systems and American troops to operate them to Israel.
This comes as Israel continues its military operations against Iranian proxies Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza and Lebanon. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. It's called a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Battery, or THAAD. The advanced anti-missile system and crew of around 100 U.S. troops are being sent to Israel, quote, at the direction of the president, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
The military aid comes in response to Iranian missile attacks made against Israel this spring and fall. The Pentagon says it's sending the anti-missile system to defend Israel and the Americans living there. The U.S. has sent the THAAD anti-missile system to Israel before, once for training in 2019 and a second time after the October 7th attack that left around 1,200 dead. The shipment is being made despite Iran warning the U.S. to keep American troops out of Israel. Luke Garrett, NPR.
NPR News, Washington. Israeli rescue services say about 40 people were injured in a drone strike in northern Israel today. They suspect it was fired by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are campaigning hard, but not in the same way, in the final stretch before Election Day. NPR's Maura Liason reports. Harris is in the battleground state of North Carolina today and will visit the Blue Wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin this week.
With the exception of a Univision town hall on Wednesday, Trump has kept his media appearances to friendly outlets, while Harris has appeared on a wide range of podcasts and shows. Another difference is that Harris has released her health report, while Trump, who at 78 would be the oldest president elected, has refused, issuing just a short note from his former White House doctor.
The race has been stable and very close for weeks, with neither candidate able to develop a lead in the battleground states outside the margin of error. Mara Liason, NPR News. President Biden visited Florida today where he surveyed by helicopter damage caused by Hurricane Milton last week. He said the federal government will provide disaster help to 34 Florida counties as they clean up and try to recover from the storm.
The city of Sarasota took a direct hit from Milton. Mayor Liz Alpert says some people are still without water or power, but neighbors are pitching in to help each other. Everybody is all hands on deck. Even our finance department was out yesterday helping with the cleanup. So people are coming together. Neighbors are helping neighbors. It's been heartening to see. The Biden administration announced today it's sending more than $600
million to help strengthen power grids in states affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Officials say there are more than 800,000 customers still without power in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. This is NPR News.
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