VP Kamala Harris formally accepts Democratic presidential nomination at DNC

Vice President Kamala Harris closed out the Democratic National Convention (DNC) by accepting her party's nomination for president. And one of the largest diamonds ever found was just unearthed in Botswana. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.

VP Kamala Harris formally accepts Democratic presidential nomination at DNC

Vice President Kamala Harris has officially accepted her party's nomination for president. The Democratic National Convention came to a close Thursday night, Aug. 22, after Harris addressed the crowd, laying out more of her policy vision for the nation and going after her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.

“I want you to know I promise to be a president for all Americans," Harris said. "You can always trust me to put country above party and self. In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”

During her speech , Harris vowed to create what she called an "opportunity economy." She also reiterated her stance that Israel has a right to defend itself but pressed for a cease-fire deal and pledged to reform the U.S. immigration system.

When Harris turned her attention to the former president , she blamed Trump for Republicans voting against a bipartisan border bill, said he sent a mob to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and highlighted his now-criminal record.

Trump reacted to Harris' speech in a phone interview with Fox News following the close of the convention.

"The biggest reaction is why didn't she do the things she's complaining about,” he questioned. “She could've done it three and a half years ago. She could do it tonight, by leaving the auditorium and going to Washington D.C. and closing the border. She doesn't need a bill. I didn't have a bill; I closed the border. She could still do them. She's got four and a half to five months left."

All eyes will be on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the third-party candidate, on Friday, Aug. 23, as he’s set to hold a press conference. The speculation is Kennedy will be dropping out of the presidential race and potentially endorsing Trump.

Multiple protests on last day of DNC

A few dozen protesters clashed briefly with Chicago police on Thursday, Aug. 22, as Vice President Harris was speaking on the final night of the Democratic National Convention . It was a small group left over from an earlier demonstration.

They had planned to march toward the convention center but were blocked by rows of police in riot gear.

It also came as delegates from the Uncommitted Movement ended their roughly 24-hour sit-in . They were calling for the DNC to include a pro-Palestinian speaker.

The group of about 40 unconfirmed delegates and supporters spent Wednesday night, Aug. 21, outside the United Center on the sidewalk and remained there until after 8 p.m. Thursday before finally going back inside to the convention.

Supreme Court allows Arizona to enforce proof-of-citizenship law

The United States Supreme Court agreed to temporarily reinstate a portion of a 2022 Arizona law requiring proof of citizenship when people register to vote . In a 5-4 ruling, the high court gave a partial victory to Republicans who have been trying to enforce proof of citizenship as a requirement to cast a vote in November.

While the justices ruled the state can enforce the requirement of proof of citizenship to vote using the state's registration form, the court turned down other requests that would bar voters who registered using a federal form or by mail unless they showed proof of citizenship.

This is only a temporary ruling while litigation continues. So, it's unclear as of now if, come November, voters in the state will have to show documentation they're a legal resident to cast a ballot.

Canadian government orders arbitration to end rail labor dispute

The Canadian government has intervened in a labor dispute involving thousands of freight train workers. The deadlock on workers' contract negotiations could have led to a major economic disruption, impacting goods coming into the United States.

Canada's two largest railroads locked out more than 9,000 unionized workers on Thursday, Aug. 22. Within hours, the government ordered the railroads to enter binding arbitration .

The trains are expected to resume running in a few days.

FDA approves updated COVID vaccines

The FDA has approved updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. This puts the new shots on track to reach most Americans within days.

These shots target a strain called KP.2 , which was the dominant COVID strain in May when a summer surge of the virus began, but now only accounts for roughly 3% of all U.S. cases, according to the CDC. Still, Pfizer and Moderna said their KP.2 vaccines can produce stronger immune responses against other circulating sub-variants than last year’s shots.

Second largest diamond ever found is discovered in Botswana

The second largest diamond ever found was just unearthed in Botswana, according to the Canadian mining company that discovered the gem in one of its mines in Africa. The massive, 2,492-carat diamond is the biggest to be found in more than a century and it was located using X-ray technology.

The mining company presented Botswana’s president with the huge stone on Thursday, Aug. 22. The diamond will be evaluated over the next several weeks and will likely sell for tens of millions of dollars.

The colossal stone is believed to be the biggest one found since a 3,106-carat diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and cut into smaller stones — some of which make up the British royal family’s crown jewels .

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