"Life from NPR News in Washington, I'm Luis Givoni.
NATO leaders are gathering in Turkey's capital Ankara today for the start of the annual
“summit of the Alliance's 32 member states.”
President Trump is there, as NPR's ideal All-Shall 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-Shall she and PR News Ankara. Two explosions rock Syria's capital Damascus this morning entering 18 people, according to Syrian officials.
The bombs went off near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron held morning meetings on his official visit to Syria. They're growing democratic calls for the party's Senate candidate in Maine Graham Platner to drop out this after Politico reported an accusation of sexual assault against him and PR Sam Gringlas reports.
In his statement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that Democratic Senator El-Kampaign Committee chair called the allegations incredibly disturbing and say the DSCC will not invest in the Maine Senate race if Platner remains on the ballot. That's after Politico reported the account of a woman who dated Platner. She alleges he entered her home uninvited and intoxicated and forced her to have sex despite
her saying no. And PR has not independently verified the allegation. Platner denies it categorically. It Platner exits the race by July 13th, Maine's Democratic Party could select a replacement to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in a race that could determine control of
the Senate. Sam Gringlas and PR News Washington.
Europe is in the grip of a third heat wave as the summer just gets under way.
And PR's Eleanor Beardsley has details. With her castors say the latest heat wave is driven by a new heat dome, the same weather pattern responsible for the previous two heat waves. Temperatures are expected to climb as much as 18 degrees Fahrenheit above average. Forest fires in southern France in the Pyrenees region bordering Spain have already burned
more than 11,000 acres and forced 10,000 people to evacuate from nearly 30 villages and towns. The blazes also force the tour de France to reroute on this third day and stage of the cycling race. Temperatures will again hit the mid 90s this weekend Paris, Europe's most densely populated city.
Eleanor Beardsley and PR News Paris. This is NPR. Microsoft has announced its cutting almost 5,000 jobs many in the Xbox gaming division. The company says competition has led Microsoft to reset the division. Computers in Utah are making their case for why the man accused of killing conservative
activists Charlie Kirk should be tried for murder. Sean Higgins with member station KUER has more. Tyler Robinson is charged with the shooting and killing of Kirk at Utah Valley University last year, about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City.
On the first day of proceedings, Utah Department of Public Safety Agent David Hold pointed
out Robinson in the courtroom as the suspect identified in his investigation.
“I believe the Mr. Robinson is between Mr. and other counsel wearing a gray suit jacket”
with a dark tie and a light colored shirt. Members of Kirk's family including his widow Erica Kirk attended alongside Donald Trump Jr. Judge Tony Graff will determine whether there is probable cause to take the case to trial. The hearing is scheduled to last until Friday.
For NPR News, I'm Sean Higgins in Salt Lake City. Belgium last night ended America's World Cup dreams with a 4-1 victory in Seattle. The game started off with controversy after the inclusion of Flow Balagan for the U.S. After President Trump's appeal of his suspension to FIFA's president, the Belgium team will now advance to play against Spain on Friday.
The U.S. elimination means all three of the term as hosts are out, both Canada and Mexico also lost in the last 16. I'm Louise Skivonate and PR News, Washington.
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