Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
Democrats across the country are withdrawing support from Maine, U.S. Senate candidate
“Graham Platner after a sexual assault allegation which he denies.”
If he drops out, Democrats are divided or divided on who should replace him, and Maine law has tight deadlines for replacing candidates as Maine Public's Steve Missler explains. That deadline is Monday, July 13th at 5 p.m., and if Platner formally withdraws from the race with the Secretary of State by then, Democrats can actually replace him on the ballot, but they have only until July 27th to do so, and that's about two weeks away.
So just like with President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, that's just not a lot of time for state Democrats to figure out a process to replace him. Maine Public's Steve Missler reporting can tuck he Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is facing new scrutiny over his health as he remains hospitalized, and PR's Claudia Rosales reports his office has shared few details since the former Senate Majority Leader
was admitted for care weeks ago. Top Senate Republican leaders said they had lengthy and substantive conversations with McConnell by phone this week.
“Senate Majority Leader John Thune who succeeded McConnell in the jobs that they discussed”
national security. While Senate Majority Web John Brassos said over a 20-minute conversation, he and McConnell caught up on Senate races, the July recess, and a defense funding bill. With 84-year-old Apolio survivors not been seen or heard from since his June 14th hospitalization for unknown reasons.
Public safety scanner traffic posted by streaming platforms captured a medical call to McConnell's DC home. DC Fire, NEM, as dispatch reported, an unconscious person, later saying CPR was in progress. Claudia Desolifst and PR News. NATO military partners remain committed to businesses' usual as the NATO summit continues
in Turkey from Member Station W. HRRO Steve Walsh reports. At the recent flea decks to 50, ships from NATO partners coordinated with each other off the coast of Norfolk.
“U.S. Rear Admiral Doug Perry says allies were closely together despite clashes among the”
alliances political leadership. While we have challenges of sorting where we've been in the past to what we need to be capable of doing in the future, we are stronger than we've been in years. Perry heads NATO joint forces command Norfolk, which will soon be led by a British commander, under a re-organization begun last year.
President Trump plans to hold a press conference Wednesday, which may spark more changes in the transatlantic alliance. Brent PR News, I'm Steve Walsh. Some European lawmakers are rallying to investigate FIFA boss Gianni Infantino that concerned about his involvement in allowing U.S. striker for Lauren Baligan to play despite
a red card FIFA lifted his suspension after President Trump intervened. This is NPR. Colombia's President elect Abelardo de la Espría has suspended the transition process without going President Gustavo Petro. He's an ally of President Trump and accuses Petro of planning a coup to stay in power.
Petro alleged fraud in the June 21st runoff election without providing evidence. The leader of Britain's populist right wing party says he will resign from parliament following questions over donations he received, and he says he plans to run again and is calling for a special election in PR's Fatima Alcassab reports. Britain's populist reform party has been ahead in national polls.
But Nigel Farage has come under increasing scrutiny over his financial support. There were reports in the U.K. media that he had not declared donations given to him by a friend and convicted fraudster, and ongoing questions about a personal gift of more than
$6 million from a crypto billionaire who lives in Thailand and uses a pseudonym.
Speaking at a press conference today, Farage blamed a media pile on and said he had done nothing wrong. He said he'd let voters in this special election be the judges of his actions, calling it a "people versus the establishment election." Fatima Alcassab and Leonis.
The court has ordered a Chinese tea chain to pay the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton $1.5 million over copyright infringement claims that disputes over the four pedal flower from the fashion houses 130-year-old signature monogram, but some are accusing Louis Vuitton of monopolizing traditional Chinese patterns. The fashion brand says the monogram was inspired by neo-gothic ornamentation.
This is NPR. This week on up first, President Trump heads to the NATO summit with a stark warning for Iran. Make a deal where the U.S. will quote "finish the job." We're tracking what the escalating tension means for energy prices.
Plus a critical Senate race upended as Democrat Graham Plattener faces sexual assault allegations.
That's this week on up first. Listen, every morning on the MPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
