Lady accuses Graham Platner of sexual assault. And, NATO summit begins

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At the moment’s high tales

Democratic lawmakers are calling on Graham Platner to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race in Maine, after a former girlfriend mentioned that he sexually assaulted her. Yesterday, Politico reported the allegation that in 2021, Platner allegedly entered her dwelling 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.

• 🎧 In a press release to NPR, Platner denied the allegations, describing them as “troubling, serious, 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 concerning his habits towards girls, however that is the primary time a significant information outlet has reported an allegation of assault, in accordance with Moore. This very severe declare follows a number of different vital scandals, together with his marketing campaign confirming stories that he exchanged sexually express messages with a number of girls early in his marriage. These allegations have dealt a severe blow to the Democratic Get together, 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 regulation 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 present 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, “The United States spends more money on NATO than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing.” This assembly comes amid the continued warfare in Ukraine and the unresolved U.S.-led battle with Iran.

• 🎧 The summit’s opening day is meant to showcase unity and credibility, nevertheless it 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 army 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 japanese U.S. over the July Fourth weekend may very well be the nation’s new regular this time of yr, in accordance with specialists. Scientists say local weather change is driving extra excessive temperatures and heavier rainfall. Each can contribute to vital, pricey injury to roads. These excessive climate modifications may cause pavement to broaden, crack and warp, rendering some roads unusable till they’re repaired. Engineers recommend that utilizing a extra sturdy — and costlier — asphalt mix may very well be an answer for some roads which are topic to excessive temperatures. The way in which the U.S. has historically approached infrastructure, similar to roads, is not adequate for the longer term, says Mikhail Chester, a professor of engineering at Arizona State College. Here is what else specialists say might be executed to assist.

From the NPR Community

by Juliana Kim, common project reporter

By tonight, 42 groups could have been eradicated, together with the U.S. males’s nationwide crew, 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 best 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 generous towards me. He has given me everything. Much more than I ever expected to achieve,” he mentioned on Sunday.

Ronaldo made his first World Cup look at 21. This summer season 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 drive to be reckoned with — having scored three objectives.

Brazil’s high goalscorer Neymar accomplished his final dance on the very New Jersey area the place he made his worldwide debut again in 2010. It got here after his crew misplaced to Norway 2-1 on Sunday. Brazil’s single objective was achieved by Neymar in a penalty kick. On the remaining whistle, Neymar received on his knees, lowered his head and wept earlier than a teammate got here to console him.

“I tried,” mentioned Neymar, in accordance to the AP. “It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.”

Different notable mentions are Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who kissed the put up 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 dwelling nation one final time.

“It has always been an honor,” Neuer wrote on Instagram.

Here is who else is retiring after this yr’s World Cup.

Video highlights

Click on by means of to watch the newest Soccer Version video clips from throughout the NPR Community.

What to look at 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 finished, successes and short-comings are already being reported. Seattle had their final World Cup match final night time, and already some classes on tips on how to deal with the elevated visitors, transit calls for and trash have proven off the energy of Seattle’s infrastructure. Boston’s internet hosting its final sport on Thursday, however the space’s soccer bars are already planning for what’s subsequent in hopes of holding their profitable streak going.

🇨🇻 How do you discover victory in defeat? On paper, Cape Verde’s 3-2 loss to Argentina on Friday. “To see the commitment and the resiliency with the players and the pride, made us proud,” mentioned Paulo De Barros, president of the Cape Verdean Affiliation of Boston. The tiny African nation capturing our hearts once more.

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 out there.

Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth invited Pastor Doug Wilson to ship a sermon on the Pentagon earlier this yr 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 have been as soon as thought-about fringe, however non secular students say his teachings at the moment are making their approach into the mainstream. In an episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Morning Version‘s Leila Fadel sat down with Wilson at his dwelling church in Idaho to debate why he needs the U.S. to turn into a Christian theocracy and the implications it might maintain for girls and non-Christians throughout the nation.

Watch or hearken 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 regulation that limits minors’ entry to app shops on cell units whereas lawsuits proceed within the decrease courts.

Paul Ellis/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

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Paul Ellis/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

1. The Supreme Court docket yesterday permitted a Texas regulation proscribing minors from downloading most apps with out parental consent to take impact.
2. 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’s sufficient proof for the state to proceed to trial. (by way of KUER)
3. 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. (by way of KNAU)

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.