Michigan Senate primary too close to call as El-Sayed holds narrow lead; US-Brazil visa row and El Niño hunger warnings
Michigan's Democratic Senate primary remains too close to call, with progressive Abdul El-Sayed narrowly leading establishment-backed Haley Stevens. Other global developments include the US revoking Brazil's ambassador's visa, El Niño threatening 50 million with acute hunger, and Kyiv pleading for more air defenses after a deadly Russian attack.
The Democratic Senate primary in Michigan is still too close to call, with former public health official Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive, holding a slight lead over congresswoman Haley Stevens, who has establishment backing. With 95% of votes counted, El-Sayed stood at 48.7% and Stevens at 47.3%, according to the Associated Press. El-Sayed told supporters that the outcome would take longer but that he could already see victory ahead. The battleground state is critical to Democratic hopes of regaining Senate control in November.
In other US primaries, Democrat Wesley Bell won in Missouri, ending former progressive representative Cori Bush's comeback bid. In Washington state, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez secured a spot in the all-party primary and will face Republican state senator John Braun in November.
The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, escalating a diplomatic feud. The State Department said the move retaliated for Brazil's refusal to approve Trump's ambassador nominee and its denial of visas to two US diplomats. Brazil condemned the action as an attempt to influence its October presidential election.
Forecasts indicate that the rapidly developing El Niño could push around 50 million people into acute hunger by the end of next year. The UN World Food Programme said even a weaker El Niño would add over a fifth to the 225 million people already facing acute food insecurity.
At least 17 people were killed in a Russian attack on Kyiv, with Ukraine unable to intercept any incoming missiles. Ukrainian officials renewed pleas for more US-made Patriot interceptors.
