"Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skivone.
A new allegation of sexual assault reported Monday and Politico has shaken the campaign
“of the main Democrats seeking to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins.”
Graham Platner is denying accusations of sexual assault by a woman he had dated. Platner has now commented in this social media video. "Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, the mindful of the political reality won't act. We are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the
people that I love. The movement I belong to and the goal of defeating Susan Collins." Several Democrats have withdrawn their endorsements, including Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer. NATO leaders are gathering in Turkey's capital Lankara today for the start of the annual summit of the Alliance's 32 member states, President Trump, among those attending.
As NPR's head deal, I'll show she reports, the Allies have a major challenge ahead of
them. The opening day of the NATO summit will be all about showing unity and credibility.
“Leaders will meet to discuss an increase in defense spending and investing in military”
capabilities, including their commitment to spend 5% of GDP on defense and broader security needs. A significant increase from NATO's previous target. But the main challenge for Allies this week will be to convince President Trump to stay committed to NATO, Trump has long argued that NATO Allies rely too heavily on the U.S.
and that its support cannot be taken for granted. So this week is a chance for European allies to show their stepping up. Hedil Al-Shalchi and PR News, Ankara. In Damascus, two explosions went off shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron entered Syria's presidential palace to meet with Syria's president, the blast occurred near the
four seasons hotel where Macron is staying, because office said that he was safe and that the meeting proceeded as planned. There was no comment from Syrian officials after the blast. Macron is making the stop on his way to the NATO summit in Turkey. Dussons of large wildfires are burning across the parched west.
In southwest Colorado, the gold mountain fire force rural residents to flee their homes on Monday. The Colorado Public Radio Steena Sieg says the fire is now more than 29,000 acres, only 2% contained. It's the latest in a series of evacuation orders for the fire that started June 27th
outside the mountain town of Yurei. Though the quaint community was spared, the fires been burning largely uncontained through the surrounding farmland and rugged high-alpine terrain. It's one of several large wildfires in Colorado that grew over the weekend. The fires had to probe low, the Aspen acres fire forced new evacuations Sunday, including
the entire tiny community of Williamsburg. The fires now went of the largest in Colorado history. Late last month, three wildland firefighters died in a blaze near the Utah border. For impaired news, I'm Steena Sieg, in Grand Junction, Colorado. This is NPR.
More than 3,500 people are now known dead in Venezuela after twin June 24th earthquake struck around Caracas, thousands are still missing, around 17,000 people are homeless with no word from their government about a timeline for recovery. Israel's government says it will not comply with an order from the country's highest court, sparking widespread criticism just months before elections.
The government says the court does not have authority in the case, critics say the government is disregarding norms and PR's carry-con reports. Israel's president called the government's disregard for the court's order a quote "redline that must not be crossed," one that is harming the very core of national unity, he said. One opposition lawmaker accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of quote "declaring war
on democratic Israel." The case at the heart of the potential constitutional crisis involves an Israeli agency overseeing broadcast TV and radio. Nearly all its regulators stepped down under pressure from the government. The high court said the regulatory agency could still operate despite the mass resignations.
The government informed the court's Sunday it would not follow the order. Caracas and PR news, Tel Aviv. Belgium last night ended America's World Cup dreams with a 4-1 victory in Seattle. The game started off amid the controversial inclusion of Flow Ballaghan for the U.S. after the president Trump's appeal of his suspension to FIFA's president, the Belgium team will
now advance to play against Spain on Friday. I'm Louise Skivone and PR News, Washington.
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