Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lynda Kenyan.
The USS George Washington is on its way to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln,
“which has been at sea for more than eight months.”
The Lincoln has been at the center of concerns over mental health issues, as well as a lack of fresh food and supplies. Reporter Steve Walsh, with Member Station W. HRO, says Defense Secretary Pete Hedseth is characterized those concerns as completely misrepresented. The administration has also pushed back against reports from families who say that the
crew is under strained, including reports from up sailors jumping overboard. Asked on Friday, if the deployment had gone on too long, President Donald Trump said that no, not nearly long enough. The head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, wrapped up a tour of the region Saturday, which included a visit to the USS Lincoln, he praised the sacrifice of the sailors.
He also acknowledged mental health challenges aboard the USS Lincoln, but added it has
“among the lowest number of cases within the Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers.”
U.S. envoy Jared Kushner is in Israel pushing for progress on a post-war plan for Gaza. Kushner held a rare meeting in Egypt's Sunday with leaders of Hamas, and P.R.s. Daniel Estrin has more from Tel Aviv. An official briefed on the meetings, speaking anonymously to offer details, said the U.S. wants Hamas to start disarming, and hand over control of Gaza to a new Palestinian committee.
Hamas says it accepts those terms. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Israel withdrawing from Gaza until Hamas completely disarms. There's been no real progress on a post-war transition since major military operations ended in Gaza 10 months ago, and Netanyahu is wary of making public concessions on
Gaza with Israeli elections just 10 weeks away.
“The official said the U.S. is hoping Israel will approve a new Palestinian police force”
and international stabilization force entering Gaza. Daniel Estrin NPR News, Tel Aviv. Indiana Public Safety officials say at least 7 people have died during days of heavy rain, and historic flooding in the state, Samantha Horton reports. Records show Indianapolis had more than 20 feet of muddy water in some areas when it
crusted in parts of the white river that flows through the city. Sunday, city officials started to put away floodgates, and people were out on the trails that had been closed off the day before. Marion County Emergency Management Director Jacob Spencer's, some people with homes along the river will need to wait before it is safe to return.
It may be about Tuesday as the earliest that the water gets far enough away and back towards the river banks that a majority of those homes will be safely accessible. His recovery efforts are underway, businesses, and nonprofits have jumped in with supplies for basic needs, and a relief fund to support people impacted. Fran PR, I'm Samantha Horton, Indianapolis.
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Presidential candidates in Brazil rallied supporters on the first official day of campaigning
before its October 4th, primary. The two top candidates are almost a repeat of the divisive election four years ago, except the challenger this time is the son of Brazil's far-right party leader, currently under House Detention, and PR's carry-con reports. With total humility, except the mission, President Bolsonaro passed me, he said, referring
to his father, the former far-right president convicted of plotting a coup to overturn his electoral loss for years ago. The younger Bolsonaro pledges to crack down on crime atop issue for voters. Leftist President Luis Sanacio Lula, the silver campaigned in a stronghold of São Paulo state.
The 80-year-old touted his standing up to President Trump's harsh rhetoric and high tariffs. Carry-con and PR news, Rio de Janeiro. A court in Maryland struck down the state's tax on digital advertising, saying it violates the Federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, and parts of the U.S. Constitution. The court also ordered the state to repay digital ad tax money collected from companies
like Apple and Google.
Maryland introduced the tax in 2021 to fund education and expected to raise $250 million annually.
The law targeted large companies with global revenues over $100 million. I'm Linda Kenyan, and PR News in Washington. And beyond, join me, Todd's Willick, and me, Jen White, on the one-a-pot cast from W.A.M.U. and NPR.
