Harris Accepts Nomination, FDA Approves New COVID Vaccines, and More
Vice President Kamala Harris accepts Democratic presidential nomination. FDA approves updated coronavirus vaccines. Texas faces extreme heat and controversial transgender policy changes. Second-largest diamond discovered in Botswana.
Kamala Harris has officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president at the party's national convention in Chicago. The event, held on August 22, 2024, marked a significant moment in American political history. Harris, the first woman, African American, and Asian American to serve as vice president, outlined her vision for the country and contrasted herself with her rival, Donald Trump.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court has permitted Arizona to implement a law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration on state forms. This decision comes as the southwestern state, which joined the Union in 1912, continues to play a crucial role in national elections.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved new coronavirus vaccines tailored for the KP.2 variant. These updated shots, developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The FDA, established in 1906, continues its mission to protect public health as the virus evolves.
In Texas, the second-largest US state by area and population, a recent policy change has barred transgender individuals from altering the sex listed on their driving licenses. This decision affects an estimated 93,000 transgender adults in the state and has raised concerns among advocacy groups.
Simultaneously, Texas is experiencing an intense heat wave, with temperatures surpassing 110°F (43.3°C) in some areas. While not yet reaching the state's record high of 120°F (48.9°C) set in 1994, the current conditions have prompted excessive heat warnings in major cities like Austin and San Antonio.
Climate change impacts are also evident in the Northeast United States, where the mosquito season has significantly lengthened since 1980. This extension of "mosquito days" - defined as days between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 42% humidity - raises concerns about potential outbreaks of diseases such as dengue fever, which affects up to 400 million people annually worldwide.
In a remarkable discovery, the second-largest diamond ever found has been unearthed in Botswana, the world's second-largest diamond producer by value. The 2,492-carat gem is surpassed only by the legendary Cullinan diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan, weighing 3,105 carats, was later cut into smaller gems, with the largest, the Great Star of Africa, weighing an impressive 530.4 carats.
As these events unfold, the entertainment world prepares for the release of "Blink Twice," a new thriller starring Channing Tatum, who began his career as a dancer before transitioning to acting. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts anticipate the start of College Football Week Zero on August 26, 2024, marking the unofficial beginning of the college football season, a tradition dating back to the late 19th century.
