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With President Biden having withdrawn from the race, Vice President Harris has been confirmed as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election.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.

Sir Keir Starmer has sharply criticized comments made by Elon Musk suggesting that “civil war is inevitable” following recent violent unrest in the UK. The remarks, posted by Musk—owner of the platform X (formerly Twitter)—came in response to a video showing fireworks being aimed at police.

The prime minister’s spokesperson condemned Musk’s statements, declaring that there is “no justification” for such comments and emphasizing that social media companies have a significant role to play in managing misinformation. Justice Minister Heidi Alexander also labeled Musk’s remarks as “totally unjustifiable” and “pretty deplorable.”

The unrest in the UK, now persisting for nearly a week, began after a tragic stabbing in Southport that resulted in the deaths of three girls. This incident sparked widespread disorder across England and parts of Northern Ireland, driven by misinformation online, far-right rhetoric, and anti-immigration sentiment.

Musk’s comments have continued to fuel controversy. After Sir Keir Starmer condemned attacks on mosques and Muslim communities, Musk responded by questioning why the Prime Minister was not equally concerned about attacks on all communities. Additionally, Musk has suggested that the police response to the unrest appears “one-sided.”

Heidi Alexander criticized Musk for his influence and responsibility given his large following of over 192 million users on X. She stressed that his comments undermine the work of police officers who strive to maintain law and order. Alexander also noted that accusations of two-tier policing in the UK were “baseless” and detract from the efforts of law enforcement.

The government has called on social media companies to act more responsibly in curbing the spread of hateful misinformation and incitement. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle revealed that he met with representatives from TikTok, Meta (Facebook’s parent company), Google, and X to discuss their responsibilities in stopping the spread of harmful content.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also emphasized that the government will not tolerate “armchair thuggery” and stressed the need for social media platforms to address posts encouraging criminal activity. The Online Safety Act, which will soon require social media firms to take stringent actions against illegal content, is expected to enhance measures against “racially or religiously aggravated” offenses and incitements to violence.

Sir Keir Starmer reinforced that “criminal law applies online as well as offline,” underlining that legal accountability extends to digital platforms as well.