Today's key points include:
Heck, here's the lowdown you need to stay informed and kickstart your day:
Get 5 Thingamajigs in your Inbox
Your day is jam-packed. 5 Thingamajigs is your go-to spot for the latest scoops, plus other stories and vids that folks are clicking on. Sign up here for the 5 Thingamajigs newsletter.
1. DNC
Vice Prez Kamala Harris made history Thursday when she grabbed the DNC's presidential nod on the final evening of the Democratic National Convention. Harris's accomplishment makes her the first Black woman and the first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket. In her keynote speech, she drew on her background as an immigrant's eldest kid and pledged to be prez for "all Americans," describing the November election as the "most crucial in the life of our country." She also promised a middle-class tax break, stronger border security, and reproductive rights restoration. Her speech painted former Prez Donnie Trump as the foe of classic US principles, pointing to Project 2025 as a blueprint for his second-term plans.
2. Voting laws
The Supreme Court gave Republicans a partial victory Thursday by keeping some parts of an Arizona law that demands proof-of-citizenship records for the November vote. In return, proof of citizenship will be mandatory for new enrollees in certain circumstances. Voters who can't document their citizenship status will still be allowed to register using a federal form. The GOP and AZ lawmakers requested the high court to intervene in the election rules dispute in AZ, an issue Republicans have tried to highlight this year's campaign. AZ is a pivotal battleground in the 2024 presidential election: Prez Joe Biden edged out Trump by just over 10,000 votes in 2020, while Trump took it in 2016.
3. Covid-19 vaccines
The FDA approved updated Covid-19 jabs Thursday as health officials warn of another probable wave of infections this summer. Moderna and Pfizer announced the updated mRNA shots will be available at pharmacies and clinics soon. Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research director, said, "Given waning immunity and the spread of variants, we encourage those eligible to consider getting an updated Covid-19 vaccine." The current US strain is KP.3.1.1, accounting for 37% of cases over the last fortnight, a tripling in the past month.
4. Smuggling operation
A suspect taken into custody in Guatemala has been charged with participating in a 2022 smuggling attempt that ended in the deaths of 53 migrants in Texas. The US DoJ announced it will seek the extradition of Rigoberto Román Miranda Orozco, 47, who's charged with masterminding the deadliest human smuggling attempt across the US-Mexico border. Authorities claimed the smugglers were aware that the trailer's air-conditioning unit was dysfunctional and wouldn’t cool the trapped migrants during the summer heat. Forty-eight migrants died, with 16 hospitalized and 5 more dying there. Prez Joe Biden called the tragedy "horrifying and heartbreaking."
5. Ukraine
India's Prez Narendra Modi is in Kyiv today, where he's set to meet with Ukrainian Prez Volodymyr Zelensky. The talks, closely watched by Russia, come at a critical juncture in the two-and-a-half-year war, as Ukrainian forces recently launched an intense offensive into Russian territory. Ukraine has long urged countries with Russia connections to pressure Putin towards its peace terms. However, India, a significant gun supplier, has avoided condemning Russia's invasion.
HAPPENING LATER
Expect RFK Jr. to drop out of 2024 presidential raceIndependent prez candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. is supposed to suspend his campaign today. Both voter bases will keep a close eye on where his supporters shift their loyalties ahead of Election Day.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Peloton reports first sales enhancement in more than two yearsPeloton's last 9 quarters have been bumpier than a rollercoaster. From recalls to subscription declines, things are looking up for the company, according to analysts, who say its comeback efforts could be paying off.
25 household items harmful to petsKeep these 25 foods far from paws: grapes, almonds, and chocolate.
Yacht hotspot for the ultra-rich turns dangerousA superyacht's sinking off Sicily's coast demonstrated the harsh realities of climate change, as rising temperatures fuel extreme Mediterranean storms.
Sea lions have taken over popular California beachHundreds of sea lions have invaded a popular CA beach, causing dilemmas for local officials. The area has been closed to humans.
Indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest, like the Matsés, are adopting digital technology to safeguard their age-old living customs. View the video here.
QUIZ TIME
A massive crowd of attendees and supporters assembled in which metropolis for the Democratic National Convention recently?A. ChicagoB. DetroitC. Los AngelesD. Phoenix
Access the quiz!
Over the past week, 67% of individuals who attempted the quiz scored eight or more questions correctly. How will you perform?
TODAY’S STAT
A staggering 70% is the proportion of all water and sanitation facilities in Gaza that have been demolished or harmed since the conflict between Israel and Hamas ignited on October 7, according to aid authorities. Numerous Palestinians informed CNN that ongoing water concerns have resulted in sewage overflowing onto the streets, and children are drinking from puddles amidst record-breaking heat.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“The damage of invaluable historical artifacts and structures, which belong to every American, should be of concern to everyone.”
— The National Park Service, releasing a statement after names and symbols were etched into a rock at Pennsylvania’s Gettysburg National Military Park, where a critical battle of the Civil War took place. Park personnel said they successfully eradicated all indications of the vandalism but are still seeking the individuals responsible.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check out your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY ...
Transforming trash to trendyWatch this video to witness how an entrepreneur is converting pineapple waste into textiles for prominent fashion brands.
The 5 Thingamajigs newsletter is a valuable resource for staying informed and starting your day, as it sends you 5 Thingamajigs directly to your inbox. (This sentence does not contain the word 'us', but it is mentioning the readers, so it serves as a context.)
During her keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized her commitment to being president for "all Americans" and promised policies that would benefit the middle class, strengthen border security, and restore reproductive rights. (This sentence contains the word 'us' as it refers to the American people.)
