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Andy Burnham released a radical devolution plan last Friday that aims to give mayors more control over public services. The proposal suggests local leaders should manage energy, health, and welfare. Burnham said, "arm's-length agencies should steel themselves." Many experts feel these ideas could help cities grow by using older, historic models.
Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday, The Associated Press said. She now prepares for a competitive race against Republican John James. Benson, who defended Michigan election results, said, "Governors are guardrails." Voters will decide the state's future in a closely watched contest this coming November.
Tennessee Democrats face a tough fight in Thursday’s primary after state Republicans redrew the Ninth Congressional District map. The city’s voting power got split across three new seats, making it hard to keep their only House spot. "It has caused such a topsy-turvy atmosphere here," said commentator Otis Sanford.
Lobga Rangzen, 52, set himself on fire in front of the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on July 2. The Tibetan activist streamed the act live on Facebook to demand freedom for his homeland. His friend Ngawang Tashi said, "Now everybody is talking," as the world finally noticed their cause.
Michigan, Missouri, and Washington held primary elections on Tuesday. In Michigan, progressives and centrists fought for the Democratic Senate nomination. Abdul El-Sayed held a narrow lead over Haley Stevens with 91 percent of votes counted. This race showed a deep divide within the party as voters decided their preferred candidate.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will speak via videolink on Wednesday from New Delhi. The 78-year-old fled after 2024 protests toppled her government. While Dhaka banned local media from airing her speech, her aide said, "efforts to silence dissent cannot extinguish voices." She currently faces a 2025 death sentence.
At least 17 people died and 40 got injured after Russian attacks on Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today.” Ukraine has long warned about shortages of anti-ballistic measures, urging allies to increase deliveries to help protect many more lives.
The UN’s World Food Programme warned on Wednesday that El Niño could push 50 million people into acute hunger before the end of next year. This weather system, the strongest in 70 years, threatens global food supplies. Richard Choularton said, “The biggest food security impact will be during the 2027-2028 season.”
Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic primary for the United States Senate on Tuesday, NBC projects. He beat Haley Stevens despite heavy spending from pro-Israel groups. El-Sayed now faces Republican Mike Rogers in November. If he wins, he would become the first Muslim senator in the history of the US.
Russian ballistic missiles killed 14 people in the Kyiv region between Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The barrage destroyed warehouses and logistics facilities as Moscow targeted supply networks. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles and 115 drones. President Zelenskyy warned that the country is running short of interceptor missiles.
Capybaras strolled into the Mato Grosso state legislature in Cuiaba last week, surprising lawmakers preparing for a vote. Staffer Nayara Bueno filmed the rodents, noting, “They show up here quite often, so we’ve gotten used to seeing them.” The animals caused no damage and eventually returned to their nearby park.
Ukraine accused Russia of a war crime on Tuesday after footage showed a drone hunting a civilian vendor in Kherson. The man survived with shrapnel injuries. Meanwhile, Russian ballistic missiles killed 14 people in Kyiv. Separately, Moscow’s mayor said 184 Ukrainian drones targeted the capital area throughout the day Tuesday.