Nominations for election deniers sparks alarm | First Thing

Kari Lake and Mark Finchem are in running for crucial state roles. Plus, tributes paid to Nichelle Nichols

Good morning.

Arizona Republicans are on the verge of nominating two of the US's most prominent election deniers for governor and secretary of state, the latest in a series of primary contests with serious consequences for American democracy.

What do the experts say? It's a dangerous time for elections because you have a couple of people who are relying on people to vote for them but then will turn around and say the election system is rigged, despite the lack of any evidence as such. There's no talk of policy or anything. It's all looking backward to 2020," said Barrett Marson, a Republican consultant in the state.

Why is this so important? Ukraine is one of the world's biggest grain producers. The blockade has caused a worldwide grain shortage and price rises, which pushed some countries that are reliant on grain imports, mainly in the Middle East and Africa, towards famine.