BBC News Briefing

9 July, 2026

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. Democrat Graham Platner has suspended his campaign for a key US Senate race - we explain what that means. In Singapore, parents face uncertainty after finding out their adopted babies may have been trafficked. And see the first images of a legendary shipwreck.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

How Platner's catastrophic collapse exposes Democrat rifts

Graham Platner seen on stage at a microphone. he is wearing a dark grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing a tattoo on his right arm, raised to cover his mouth with his hand.

The oysterman and former Marine built a grassroots network of more than 15,000 supporters. Credit: Getty Images

Maine is a US Senate race that has become crucial for Democrats. But Platner's exit, announced in a video posted on social media, threatens to deal a serious blow to their hopes, writes North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher. Several scandals had already beset the candidate during his campaign, but pressure for him to drop out grew this week following a Politico story detailing allegations from an ex-girlfriend that an intoxicated Platner had entered her home uninvited in 2021 and sexually assaulted her. He has denied the allegation. Finding a new candidate to replace him will not be easy as tensions between Platner's base and the party's establishment are mounting, Anthony says.

Read Anthony's analysis

What's next: The Maine Democratic party will have to tread carefully when nominating a replacement - here's how that will work.

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Platner profile: Anthony reported on the rise of the political novice in the aftermath of his Maine primary victory.

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Watch: We spoke to voters who cast a ballot for Platner in last month's election.

Singer Bonnie Tyler dies aged 75

The hugely popular Welsh power ballad diva was known for hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero. According to a message posted on her website, she "unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for."

WORLD CUP HIGHLIGHTS

France: Fifa has denied a bid to overturn Michael Olise's yellow card from the Paraguay game, ahead of the quarter-final match against Morocco.

Golden Boot: The race for the tournament's top scorer is tighter than ever - who will come out on top? Here's a look at the contenders.

WORLD HEADLINES

US launches strikes on Iran for second night

Iran's health ministry said 14 people have been killed in recent strikes, while several Gulf countries reported Iranian attacks.

Get the latest >

A woman wearing a red outfit and headscarf gazes past the camera

Breakthrough in Sudan war crimes probe

A top ICC prosecutor says there is "concrete evidence" linking leaders of a paramilitary group to Darfur war crimes.

What to know >

An exterior view of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona

Arizona toddler found alive in hospital morgue

According to the police report, officers told a physician at the hospital that they had seen signs of life, but he dismissed them.

What happened >

Three homes on a residential street in San Francisco. The three floor homes look clean and well maintained with well-trimmed plants and trees outside.

San Francisco house prices soar due to AI workers

The city is ground zero for the AI revolution, and its property prices have risen dramatically this year.

Here's why >

Noah Wyle in PPE glasses and shirt, in front of an ambulance with blue and orange lights flashing, in a scene from The Pitt

Nominations - and snubs - for Emmy Awards revealed

US medical drama The Pitt and comedy Hacks lead the nominations for the US's most coveted TV honours.

The shortlist >

NEWS FROM THE UK

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