Three months ago, Kamala Harris took to the national stage in a pivotal moment, marking her transition from Vice President to the Democratic presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. With limited time to campaign, Harris made a strong pitch to the American people, drawing on her years as a California prosecutor to position herself as a tough candidate against her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

In her first major address as a presidential candidate, Harris referenced her past, stating, “I took on perpetrators of all kinds—predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So, hear me when I say: I know Donald Trump’s type.” This line has become central to her campaign, highlighting Trump’s legal issues while portraying herself as a steadfast prosecutor.

However, Harris’s career has not been without complexities. Her time as a prosecutor in California has been marked by both achievements and criticism. Beginning in Alameda County, she quickly made a name for herself handling cases during the height of the 1990s “war on drugs” and gang violence. Colleague Teresa Drenick recalled it as an intense period of “high stakes and serious crimes.” Later, in San Francisco, Harris’s political and legal trajectory intersected with influential figures, including former California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, who introduced her to key Democratic donors and political networks.

Harris’s role as San Francisco District Attorney, which she won in 2003, was shaped by high-profile cases and her commitment to progressive causes. In 2004, she made a controversial decision not to seek the death penalty in the killing of a police officer, a stance that drew swift criticism from law enforcement and even U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Though the decision risked her political future, Harris defended it as a principled stance against capital punishment.

After rising through California’s legal and political ranks, Harris continued to navigate delicate issues as Attorney General. Her approach balanced criminal justice reform with traditional prosecutorial methods. She advocated for “smart-on-crime” policies aimed at steering non-violent offenders into training programs, yet at times took heat from both progressives and conservatives. In 2012, Harris negotiated a landmark $18 billion mortgage settlement with major banks during the housing crisis, an achievement she points to as proof of her readiness to take on powerful interests.

With public opinion shifting due to rising crime and homelessness in many U.S. cities, Harris has adapted her approach. The stance she once took as a “progressive prosecutor” is now being recontextualized to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents wary of Trump. This rebranding has drawn criticism from opponents who view her as inconsistent, with Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, calling her a “chameleon.” However, Harris’s former campaign manager, Brian Brokaw, sees her pragmatism as a strength, stating, “She has carved her own path and left behind those who underestimated her.”

As Harris campaigns for the presidency, she re-embraces her prosecutorial roots, emphasizing experience and resilience. In her pitch against Trump, she’s banking on a message of accountability and conviction—two qualities she hopes will resonate in a political landscape where voters are increasingly concerned about leadership and integrity.

As the 2024 election approaches in just three months, thousands of supporters have flocked to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, which kicked off with significant events and high-profile speakers. This week, the convention is being held at the United Center Arena, where Vice President Kamala Harris is the focal point of the party’s gathering.

The convention began on Monday with a powerful prime-time address from President Joe Biden. His speech, marked by emotional moments and enthusiastic applause, set the tone for the week. On Tuesday, the event featured the ceremonial roll call vote, in which state delegations officially endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket. The evening concluded with stirring speeches from former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, celebrating the party’s vision and leadership.

With President Biden having withdrawn from the race, Vice President Harris has been confirmed as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. The roll call vote on Tuesday was largely symbolic, highlighted by performances from celebrities like rapper Lil Jon.

Wednesday’s program includes a notable lineup of Democratic leaders. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the party’s nominee for vice president, is set to deliver a key speech. The evening will also feature addresses from rising stars in the party, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Additionally, former President Bill Clinton, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are scheduled to speak.

Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will also take the stage. Two Democratic governors, Shapiro and Moore, representing the new generation of party leadership, are expected to play prominent roles. The night will also include remarks from Olivia Troye, a former Trump administration official, and Geoff Duncan, the former lieutenant governor of Georgia.

The convention’s final and most anticipated event will occur on Thursday, when Vice President Harris will formally accept the presidential nomination. Her speech, themed “For the Future,” is expected to be a highlight of the convention.

Despite some delays on Monday, DNC organizers have adjusted the schedule to ensure a smooth flow of events. The convention is a crucial moment for the Democratic Party as it gears up for the upcoming election, showcasing its leadership and setting the stage for the campaign ahead.

Three days into Ukraine’s significant cross-border offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Moscow must “feel” the repercussions for its actions in Ukraine. In a Thursday evening address, Zelensky implied the recent Ukrainian assault without directly mentioning it, stating, “Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done.”

Russian authorities have reported that around 1,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, crossed into Russia on Tuesday morning. This marks one of the largest incursions into Russian territory since the conflict began. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the move as a “major provocation.”

The situation remains fluid, with Ukrainian officials keeping details sparse and Russian sources providing limited information. Zelensky remarked, “Everyone can see that the Ukrainian army knows how to surprise [and] achieve results,” indicating confidence in the Ukrainian military’s operations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring the situation at the Kursk nuclear plant, as reported by Russian state-owned news agency RIA-Novosti. Russia’s defense ministry stated that Russian forces are actively engaged in combat, using air strikes, rockets, and artillery to repel Ukrainian troops. The ministry also noted that additional Russian reserves have been deployed to the region.

The Institute for the Study of War has reported that Ukrainian armored vehicles advanced approximately 10 kilometers into Kursk in the initial two days of the assault. Domestically, Russian military leadership faces scrutiny, with pro-war Telegram channels criticizing the handling of the situation and suggesting that critical intelligence was ignored.

Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov, in a video call with Putin, reported that evacuation efforts are underway using buses and trains, though these efforts are being hindered by Ukrainian shelling. Smirnov’s Telegram posts have continued to alert residents to missile strikes throughout the night.

On Friday morning, the Russian defense ministry announced the interception and destruction of 75 UAV missiles over Kursk and other regions. Additionally, a fire broke out at a military airfield in the neighboring Lipetsk region, though its cause and relation to the Kursk conflict remain unclear. A red threat level alert in Lipetsk was later lifted.

Local leaders in adjacent regions are advising residents to evacuate for safety. Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko claimed Ukrainian forces have taken control of the Sudzha gas hub, a key facility for natural gas transit from Russia to the EU. Despite the conflict, gas flow from Sudzha reportedly continues.

Ukraine’s allies have expressed surprise at the offensive, with the White House seeking clarification from Kyiv on its objectives. This incursion follows previous cross-border raids by anti-Kremlin Russian groups and renewed clashes in March.

As Russia has made incremental gains in eastern Ukraine recently, Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, anticipates that the main Russian offensive might conclude within the next two months.