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Right now’s prime tales
Democratic lawmakers are calling on Graham Platner to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race in Maine, after a former girlfriend stated that he sexually assaulted her. Yesterday, Politico reported the allegation that in 2021, Platner allegedly entered her house whereas intoxicated and compelled her to have intercourse regardless of her repeated objections. The information outlet says it corroborated the allegations by reviewing previous messages exchanged between the accuser and her therapist, in addition to talking with people to whom she confided. NPR has not independently verified these claims.
Graham Platner speaks to voters at a city corridor on the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026 in Portland, Maine.
Laura Brett/Getty Photos
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Laura Brett/Getty Photos
- 🎧 In an announcement to NPR, Platner denied the allegations, describing them as “troubling, critical, and false,” NPR’s Elena Moore tells Up First. Platner posted a video saying he’s assessing his subsequent steps. Platner has confronted different allegations relating to his habits towards ladies, however that is the primary time a serious information outlet has reported an allegation of assault, in line with Moore. This very critical declare follows a number of different important scandals, together with his marketing campaign confirming stories that he exchanged sexually specific messages with a number of ladies early in his marriage. These allegations have dealt a critical blow to the Democratic Occasion, as this race is taken into account essential for his or her efforts to regain management of the Senate this fall, Moore says. Maine election legislation says {that a} common election candidate has till the second Monday in July to drop out of a race.
President Trump and NATO leaders collect at the moment in Ankara, Turkey, for the protection alliance’s annual summit. Forward of his arrival, the president expressed his dissatisfaction with the group. On July 2, he posted on social media, “America spends more cash on NATO than another nation, by far, to guard them, with out getting any profit from so doing.” This assembly comes amid the continuing struggle in Ukraine and the unresolved U.S.-led battle with Iran.
- 🎧 The summit’s opening day is meant to showcase unity and credibility, but it surely comes because the U.S. is planning to shrink its presence in Europe, NPR’s Hadeel Al-Shalchi says. The administration has introduced a six-month Pentagon evaluate of U.S. forces in Europe. On the summit, NATO leaders are anticipated to debate growing protection spending, investing in navy capabilities and sustaining assist for Ukraine to proceed deterring Russia, Al-Shalchi says. Allies are additionally anticipated to reaffirm their dedication to spend 5% of GDP on protection and broader safety wants — a big improve over NATO’s earlier goal. Trump has argued that NATO allies rely too closely on the U.S., making this summit a essential second for European allies to indicate their dedication to stepping up, Al-Shalchi says.
The harmful warmth wave that swept throughout a lot of the jap U.S. over the July Fourth weekend may very well be the nation’s new regular this time of 12 months, in line with consultants. Scientists say local weather change is driving extra excessive temperatures and heavier rainfall. Each can contribute to important, expensive injury to roads. These excessive climate adjustments may cause pavement to increase, crack and warp, rendering some roads unusable till they’re repaired. Engineers recommend that utilizing a extra sturdy — and dearer — asphalt mix may very well be an answer for some roads which might be topic to excessive temperatures. The best way the U.S. has historically approached infrastructure, similar to roads, is now not adequate for the longer term, says Mikhail Chester, a professor of engineering at Arizona State College. This is what else consultants say will be executed to assist.
From the NPR Community
by Juliana Kim, common project reporter
By tonight, 42 groups can have been eradicated, together with the U.S. males’s nationwide group, which misplaced within the Spherical of 16 as soon as once more. Belgium beat the U.S. 4-1. It additionally marks an finish of an period for a few of the biggest gamers seen in our lifetime.
On Sunday, a day earlier than Portugal’s match towards Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that he was savoring each second of his final World Cup. Portugal ended up shedding 0-1.
“God has been so beneficiant in direction of me. He has given me the whole lot. Far more than I ever anticipated to attain,” he stated on Sunday.
Ronaldo made his first World Cup look at 21. This summer time marked his sixth — a feat solely shared with Argentina’s Lionel Messi. At 41, Ronaldo was additionally the event’s second oldest participant. Nonetheless, he was a pressure to be reckoned with — having scored three targets.
Brazil’s prime goalscorer Neymar accomplished his final dance on the very New Jersey discipline the place he made his worldwide debut again in 2010. It got here after his group misplaced to Norway 2-1 on Sunday. Brazil’s single purpose was achieved by Neymar in a penalty kick. On the remaining whistle, Neymar acquired on his knees, lowered his head and wept earlier than a teammate got here to console him.
“I attempted,” stated Neymar, in accordance to the AP. “It began right here at MetLife Stadium, and I completed right here. It’s now over.”
Different notable mentions are Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who kissed the publish and bowed to his followers earlier than leaving the pitch. Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was already in his worldwide retirement however briefly got here out to characterize his house nation one final time.
“It has all the time been an honor,” Neuer wrote on Instagram.
This is who else is retiring after this 12 months’s World Cup.
Video highlights
Click on by way of to watch the most recent Soccer Version video clips from throughout the NPR Community.
What to observe for this week
🗑️ Host Metropolis report playing cards are beginning to are available as some wrap up their scheduled occasions. Whereas it is going to be some time til the official evaluation is completed, successes and short-comings are already being reported. Seattle had their final World Cup match final night time, and already some classes on how you can deal with the elevated site visitors, transit calls for and trash have proven off the energy of Seattle’s infrastructure. Boston’s internet hosting its final recreation on Thursday, however the space’s soccer bars are already planning for what’s subsequent in hopes of conserving their successful streak going.
🇨🇻 How do you discover victory in defeat? On paper, Cape Verde’s 3-2 loss to Argentina on Friday. “To see the dedication and the resiliency with the gamers and the pleasure, made us proud,” stated Paulo De Barros, president of the Cape Verdean Affiliation of Boston. The tiny African nation capturing our hearts another time.
Watch this
Doug Wilson talking to NPR for a Newsmakers interview.
Nickolai Hammar/NPR
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Nickolai Hammar/NPR
Go face-to-face with the particular person of the second. NPR’s Newsmakers video podcast brings the most important names in politics, enterprise, sports activities, arts, and tradition out of the headlines and into the interview chair to debate the mark they’re making on the world. Observe the Newsmakers podcast or subscribe to NPR’s YouTube channel to get new episodes as quickly as they’re obtainable.
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth invited Pastor Doug Wilson to ship a sermon on the Pentagon earlier this 12 months as a part of his month-to-month Christian worship service. Wilson self-identifies as a Christian nationalist, and his look on the Pentagon was controversial. He has advocated for the repeal of ladies’s proper to vote, defended slavery and believes that homosexuality needs to be criminalized. His excessive views had been as soon as thought of fringe, however spiritual students say his teachings are actually making their means into the mainstream. In an episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Morning Version‘s Leila Fadel sat down with Wilson at his house church in Idaho to debate why he needs the U.S. to turn into a Christian theocracy and the implications it could maintain for girls and non-Christians throughout the nation.
Watch or take heed to the interview or learn the article about their dialogue.
3 issues to know earlier than you go
Spectators take images with their smartphones throughout a World Cup match on the Houston Stadium in Houston on June 23. The Supreme Court docket is permitting Texas to implement a legislation that limits minors’ entry to app shops on cellular gadgets whereas lawsuits proceed within the decrease courts.
Paul Ellis/AFP through Getty Photos
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Paul Ellis/AFP through Getty Photos
- The Supreme Court docket yesterday permitted a Texas legislation limiting minors from downloading most apps with out parental consent to take impact.
- This week in Utah, Tyler Robinson, the person accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is dealing with a listening to to find out if there may be sufficient proof for the state to proceed to trial. (through KUER)
- Grand Canyon River information Kelsey Pfendler has just lately achieved the quickest solo rowing time from California to Hawaii, finishing the journey in 43 days, 17 hours, and 55 minutes. (through KNAU)
This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
