NPR News: 07-07-2026 1AM EDT

Giles Snyder· Host0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and local party leaders are calling for Graham Platner to drop out of the Senate race in Maine after a sexual assault allegation reported by Politico. Platner is facing incumbent Republican Susan Collins, and Democrats see the race as key to winning control of the Senate. Platner denying the allegation, as NPR's Elena Moore reports.

Speaker 20:26

Politico's story details an account made by a former girlfriend of Platner, who alleges that in 2021 Platner entered her home in rural Maine intoxicated and forced her to have sex with him, despite her repeatedly saying no. NPR has not independently verified those claims, and Platner has denied them, though he also says in a statement that he's taking time to, quote, "reflect on the best path forward." Platner is now facing louder calls to suspend his bid, with top backers pulling their endorsements, including California Congressman Ro Khanna, who wrote, quote, "Sexual assault or violence against women is a red line." Elena Moore, NPR News.

Giles Snyder· Host1:02

President Trump is aboard Air Force One on his way to Turkey for a NATO summit, where the war in Ukraine will likely be high on the agenda. Trump said Monday that a resolution to the war is getting closer. NPR's Charles Maines is in Moscow.

Charles Maines1:17

I think it's an inflection point of sorts here. You know, Putin is clearly under pressure by some in his government, by his economic team, uh, and increasingly the public, uh, to bring this war to a close or at least sell a victory to the public, even if it falls short