Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Tuesday.
Democrats clash over a replacement for PlatnerGraham Platner has not formally ended his campaign for a Senate seat in Maine, but top Democrats believe it’s only a matter of time, after an accusation of rape spurred disapproval so widespread that it effectively tanked his chances of winning. Platner, who denies the accusation, won the party’s primary less than a month ago in a race that could help decide which party controls Congress. This afternoon, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, one of Platner’s earliest and most prominent backers, joined the chorus of Democrats across the ideological spectrum urging him to quit before the July 13 deadline. “In light of these very serious allegations,” Sanders said, “I have recommended that he step aside.” In the meantime, progressives and moderates are battling over who should take Platner’s place. On a private call last night, during which he implied that a decision to withdraw would be forthcoming, Platner said that he believed he could help sway who his replacement might be. If Platner does agree to step down by Monday, Democrats would have until July 27 to choose a new nominee. The party could hold a convention or caucus in Maine later this month, or find a different way to pick a candidate. Already a number of names have emerged as potential contenders. Those include Troy Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate; Nirav Shah, a former director of Maine’s public health agency; and Shenna Bellows, Maine’s secretary of state. In other politics news:
The U.S. attacks Iran and revokes its oil waiverThe Trump administration rescinded a waiver allowing Iran to produce, sell and deliver oil after three tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The exemption, which the U.S. granted in last month’s cease-fire deal, could have helped boost Iran’s economy. Then, a half-hour before this newsletter arrived in your inbox, the U.S. military said it was carrying out airstrikes in Iran “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping.” Here’s the latest. In other Trump administration news:
U.S. obesity rates decline as usage of weight-loss drugs soarIn a new national survey, a record 11 percent of Americans said they were currently taking a weight-loss drug. That’s a huge jump from the 3 percent who reported taking one in 2024, a sign that lower prices and positive results have elevated the drugs. Poll data also showed that the percentage of Americans who are obese is falling, from 39.9 percent in 2022 to 36.4 this year. And rates of diabetes diagnoses are now steady, after climbing for over a decade. For more on health:
Russia’s Olympics ban is liftedThe International Olympic Committee announced today that it was ending the suspension imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. The move clears the way for Russia to send a team to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The committee said that the decision had been applied “provisionally,” subject to future Russian conduct, and that a decision had not yet been made on whether to allow the Russian flag or anthem to be used. In other sports news: An N.F.L. player who died by suicide last year, Marshawn Kneeland, had the degenerative brain disease known as C.T.E. More top news
Scientists have spent decades honing the ability to predict and track tornadoes. But hail remains something of a mystery, and has become a major factor driving up insurance costs in the American heartland. Our in-house meteorologist, Judson Jones, met up with the storm chasers who are on a mission to better understand the falling ice stones.
Dolly Parton’s life story is coming to BroadwayMost people celebrate their birthdays with a cake or a party. But Dolly Parton isn’t most people. On Jan. 19, when Parton turns 81, a musical about the country queen’s life and career will open on Broadway. The show, “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” was well received in Nashville last year.
How to be a good dinner guestThere’s no shortage of tips for people planning a party, but much less attention is paid to the art of being a guest. So, we asked a number of dinner party veterans for some advice. They recommended being on time, but never early; skipping the goodbye, but sending a thank you card; and much more. That effort is part of our style magazine’s summer entertaining issue. Also included are dispatches from carefully planned soirees in Minorca and Bangkok, as well as a guide to making vibrant paper flowers.
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