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Episode Date: July 7, 2026

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Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Main Democratic Senate candidate, Graham Platner, is denying allegations of sexual assault reported Monday by Politico. I wanted to directly address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false. Over the last 10 months, I've been deeply humbled. In a social media video, Plattner said he is reflecting on the best path forward. Democrats have been pulling their endorsements and party leaders are urging Plattenor to withdraw as the party's nominee for the U.S. Senate C currently held by Republican Senator Susan Collins. President Trump is on his way to a NATO summit in Turkey. He left aboard Air Force One late Monday night.

Earlier Monday, Trump said he spoke about the war in Ukraine with Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the 4th of July weekend. His MPR's Franco Ordonez reports. President Trump says he plans to discuss the conflict between the U.S. Russia and Ukraine during his trip to Ankara, Turkey for the NATO summit. He's also expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. I think we're getting much closer than people realize, and President Putin wants it to end. I will tell you that very strongly, a good call, and President Zelensky actually wants it to end now. The president has said he's ready to focus more of his attention on helping end the war in Ukraine after signing a peace agreement with Iran.

Zolensky has also spoken positively of prospects to end the war with the help of U.S.-led diplomacy. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News, the White House. Following the latest missile and drone attack in Kiev that left at least 22 people dead, President Zelensky expected to push NATO to boost Ukraine air defenses. The U.S. is out of Soccer's World Cup after losing in the round of 16 to Belgium, four goals to one. The Americans played with their striker at the center. of a red card controversy but never seriously competed with Belgium. St. Pierre's Becky Sullivan reports.

The game had been in the eye of a storm of controversy over a red card and automatic one-game suspension given last week to U.S. striker, Filar, and Balagan. President Trump had personally called FIFA's president to ask for a review of the suspension. A FIFA disciplinary panel ultimately allowed Balligan to play, a decision Belgium protested. But even at full strength, the U.S. never really competed. Belgium took advantage of countless turnovers and defensive lapses. The U.S. managed just one goal off a free kick by midfielder Malik Tillman. The U.S. is the third and final host country to bow out of the World Cup.

Their run had filled stadiums and set TV ratings records, but it will be Belgium to advance to the quarterfinal, their third in the past four World Cups, where they will face Spain. Becky Sullivan and Pierre News, Seattle. The major financial markets in Asia have tumbled in Tuesday trading. South Korea's benchmark has declined by about 5%. And you're listening to NPR News. Hamas says it has dissolved its government in Gaza and is preparing to transfer power to a UN-backed technical committee. The decision was announced Monday with Hamas describing it as a step forward in a U.S.-backed plan for Gaza, but Israel dismisses it as a ploy by Hamas to avoid disarmament. President Trump's Board of Peace says it will assess the impact of Hamas's move based on actions, not promises. A New York man. is suing the Homeland Security Department for allegedly violating his First Amendment rights. NPR's Jude Jaffe Block reports.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression or Fire filed the lawsuit on behalf of David Striever of Rochester, New York. Back in January, Striever wrote a critical email to Todd Lyons, the former acting director of ICE. Five months later, federal agents with Homeland Security investigations showed up at Striever's door and later at his airport hotel. They left a warning notice that said his email message. may have been in the legal threat. The lawsuit argues Strever's message was protected by the First Amendment, and DHS's actions violated his rights. DHS said in a statement that ICE investigates

all credible threats towards its employees and officers and does not comment on ongoing investigations. Jude Jaffe Block and PR News. A five-day preliminary hearing for the 23-year-old charged in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is to resume today. Tyler Robinson, charged with aggravated murder and Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors seeking to show they have enough evidence to put Robinson on trial. He has yet to enter a plea. This is NPR News.