What's Happening

Politics

Harris Makes History at DNC

What's going on: Last night, VP Kamala Harris made history as the first Black woman and the first Asian American to accept a major party’s nomination for president. In her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Harris highlighted her middle-class upbringing, prosecutorial career, and vision for America if elected president. She vowed to sign legislation to protect reproductive health care access, secure the border, and give tax cuts for middle-class Americans. On foreign policy, Harris pledged to stand by Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. The VP promised to be a president for “all Americans” and called former President Donald Trump an “unserious man” whose policies would have “extremely serious” consequences. Her remarks closed out a convention where Democrats tried to showcase party unity after a contentious few months.

What it means: Harris delivered the most important speech of her political career. It was her biggest opportunity to introduce herself to the nation and to urge voters to “chart a new way forward” in November. Her address, considered patriotic by pundits, mentioned her approach to various issues that Republicans have seen as her weaknesses — from foreign policy to the economy. However, some political analysts called out Harris’s lack of details on policy — something that could open her to criticism in the months ahead of Election Day.Her stances also aren’t wildly different from President Joe Biden’s, which could be an issue for voters who’ve criticized his handling of things like the economy. Still, Harris’s campaign hopes that her “joyful warrior” approach sets her apart from Trump. Whether her messaging is enough for swing voters in this tight race is to be seen.

Related: Meet the Kids and Step-Kids Stealing the Spotlight at the DNC (NBC)

International

Nationwide Protests Grow in India Over Gender-Based Violence

What's going on: Protests have erupted across India following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old female medical resident at a government-run hospital earlier this month. The demonstrations, which began in Kolkata and are led mainly by female healthcare workers, have prompted thousands of doctors to walk out of public hospitals nationwide, demanding a safer working environment and leaving many facilities limited to emergency care. Earlier this week, India’s Supreme Court created a national task force of doctors to make recommendations on keeping healthcare workers safe, but protestors say that’s not enough. As the investigation into the medical resident's death continues, nationwide outrage is intensifying.

What it means: Despite stricter laws enacted in 2012, India continues to grapple with gender-based violence more than a decade later. Sexual assault and gender-based violence are rising in India, with the country’s National Crime Records Bureau recording a 20% increase in reported rapes from 2021 to 2022. And as India, the world’s most populated country, seeks to boost its international reputation as a growing global power, the data underscores that it remains one of the most dangerous places for women. The escalating protests there also highlight that violence against women is a pervasive global issue. Despite demonstrations by women in countries like Mexico, South Africa, and Italy to bring brutality against women to an end, no country has implemented significant policy changes in response.

Related: This Country Appointed a “Men’s Behavior Change” Official (NBC)

US News

An Abortion Measure Won’t Be on the Ballot in Arkansas, Largely Due to a Clerical Issue

What's going on: Arkansas voters won’t have the chance to weigh in this November on whether their state should guarantee a limited right to abortion — mainly because of a paperwork issue (yes, paperwork). A group called Arkansans for Limited Government (ALG) submitted 101,000 signatures to put an amendment on the ballot allowing abortion up to 18 weeks after fertilization. The group exceeded the number of signatures required by law. But the Arkansas secretary of state found that ALG did not submit a required sworn statement confirming their paid signature collectors had been properly trained. In a recount, the group fell short of the required number of signatures since only those collected by unpaid volunteers could be counted. The legal battle ultimately reached the state’s Supreme Court, which found the proposed amendment was ineligible.

What it means: The current law in Arkansas — which bans abortion except when it’s a medical emergency — will remain the status quo. The ruling was a blow to abortion rights organizers, who saw the limited ballot measure as a way to guarantee some access to the procedure in the predominantly Republican state. (In fact, the measure was so limited Planned Parenthood didn't support it.) This means the South will essentially remain an abortion desert, though voters in Florida and at least eight other states are set to vote on abortion-related ballot measures in November.

Related: SCOTUS Partially Revived Arizona’s Proof-of-Citizenship Voting Requirement (Reuters)