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Kamala Harris: On The Cusp Of History, Ready To Shatter America’s Last Glass Ceiling
For years Kamala Harris faced criticism that she was not up to the job of being a heartbeat away from the presidency. Now, she finds herself feted by Democrats as their best hope to stop Donald Trump’s comeback.
Despite blazing a trail as the first woman, Black and South Asian vice president in US history, the 59-year-old Democrat long struggled with approval ratings as bad or worse than President Joe Biden’s. The last 12 months, however, have revealed a transformed Harris.
And with Biden’s endorsement of Harris after stunning the world by dropping his own reelection bid Sunday, she’s suddenly on the cusp of history.
As the ageing Biden faded over the last year, his “veep” emerged as a force on the campaign trail, pushing for abortion rights and reaching out to core voters, including suburban women and Black men.
Harris will hope she has done the hard work to earn her full party’s backing in the midst of the crisis.
With a fondness for the f-bomb and her family nickname of “Momala” going viral, she has also finally started to cut through the noise to voters who previously barely paid attention.
She has also won plaudits in party circles by staying loyal to the 81-year-old president during the last few weeks, even as political vultures circled over his candidacy.
She now is likely to face Trump — a brutal battle against a candidate who defeated Hillary Clinton in her bid to become the first female commander-in-chief in 2016.
The fact that Harris has blamed much of the criticism of her by Republicans on racism and sexism would likely make a win feel even more vindicating for her.
Trump and other Republicans have notably stepped up their attacks on her as Biden’s position weakened and polls showed Harris would fare better against him than Biden.
A child of immigrant parents — her father was from Jamaica and her mother from India — Harris grew up in Oakland, California, in an activist household that saw her attend her first rallies in a stroller.
Her focus on rights and justice saw her build an impressive CV, becoming California’s first Black attorney general and the first woman of South Asian heritage elected to the US
Senate.
Harris then went up against Biden in the 2020 primaries. In one stinging attack, she criticized him for allegedly opposing the bussing of students to segregated schools.
“There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bussed to school every day. And that little girl was me,” she said in a barbed attack on her future boss.
But as his running mate, she consolidated the coalition that helped defeat the incumbent Trump in 2020. Her transition to the White House, however, proved difficult.
Critics said she was underwhelming and gaffe prone in a job that has been known to flummox many officeholders.
Struggling to carve out a role, she was tasked by Biden with getting to the roots of the illegal migration problem, but fumbled and then got defensive in response to a question during a visit to the Mexican border. Unusually high staff turnover fed rumors of discontent in the vice presidential office.
And Republicans relentlessly targeted her as being unfit to take over should the worst happen to America’s oldest-ever president, often resorting to stereotypes her supporters branded as sexist and racist.
Harris told the Wall Street Journal in February: “I am ready to serve. There’s no question about that.” Things began to change as the 2024 race got underway.
The Biden campaign repeatedly deployed her to battleground states to hammer home the party’s message on abortion rights, with Harris becoming the first vice president to visit an abortion clinic. Gradually, she began to draw warm and fired-up crowds.
Some of the outreach was, however, cringe-inducing. Earlier this year, she was mocked after she told chat show host Drew Barrymore her family sometimes called her “Momala,” and
Barrymore replied: “We need you to be Momala of the country.”
But voters seemed to be switching on.
A clip of her quoting her mother as often saying “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” became a meme, with a rising sense among supporters that now could be her time.
If elected, Harris would break one of the highest glass ceilings left for women in the United States — that of occupying the country’s top office.
Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, would also be breaking new ground, moving from being the current Second Gentleman to the country’s first First Gentleman.
Diaspora Watch Newspaper is pleased to announce the release of its 97th edition, featuring a compelling lineup of global headlines, in-depth analyses, and thought-provoking commentary that reflect the evolving dynamics of politics, business, society, and culture across continents.
Leading the edition is a powerful open letter addressed to social media activist VDM and Nigeria’s younger generation, calling for renewed civic engagement and transformative leadership in shaping the country’s future.
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It also features the historic financial milestone achieved by Elon Musk, who has reportedly become the world’s first trillionaire following the landmark pricing of the SpaceX IPO. The development underscores the accelerating power of private space innovation and global capital markets.
In international diplomacy, attention is drawn to emerging reports of a framework peace agreement between the United States and Iran, with both nations expected to formalize the accord later this week—an outcome that could significantly reshape geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Europe also features prominently, as Norwegian authorities sentence the son of the Crown Princess to four years in prison for rape, a case that has sparked intense national debate on accountability and privilege within royal circles.
Across the Atlantic and beyond, economic and social developments dominate the headlines. From inflationary pressures and trade disruptions threatening Caribbean growth, to South Korea’s stock market surge attracting millions of first-time investors, the global economy remains in a state of rapid transformation and uncertainty.
In Russia, new restrictions on surveillance linked to President Vladimir Putin have been introduced amid growing concerns over artificial intelligence and digital monitoring, highlighting the expanding intersection between governance and emerging technologies.
Sporting tensions at the World Cup opener have been overshadowed by xenophobia-related controversies, raising fresh questions about inclusivity and fan conduct on the global stage.
On the entertainment front, global pop star Ariana Grande makes headlines after reportedly objecting to the use of her music by the White House, adding to ongoing debates about artistic rights and political messaging.
Diaspora Watch Newspaper continues to uphold its commitment to delivering credible, balanced, and impactful journalism that connects diaspora communities with critical global developments.
Diaspora Watch Newspaper is pleased to announce the release of its 96th Edition, a compelling and comprehensive publication that brings readers in the diaspora and beyond closer to the stories shaping nations, communities, and the global landscape.
Leading this week’s edition is an emotional and widely attended farewell to renowned medical professional and community leader, Dr. Jude Onyegbado, whose funeral drew tributes from family members, political figures, and international dignitaries.
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In our lead story, “Peter Obi, US County Executive, Family Pay Tributes as Dr. Jude Onyegbado Is Laid to Rest,” readers will gain insight into the life, legacy, and enduring impact of a man whose contributions transcended borders.
The edition also provides extensive coverage of significant geopolitical and policy developments across the globe. From South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa unveils a far-reaching migration enforcement strategy aimed at addressing growing concerns over illegal immigration and border security. The policy shift is expected to have implications across the African continent and beyond.
In the Middle East, tensions continue to escalate as Iran launches a fresh barrage of missiles against Israel while pledging a sustained campaign of attacks. The newspaper examines the implications of the latest developments on regional stability and international diplomacy. Complementing this report is coverage of renewed violence in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes reportedly struck Beirut, resulting in fatalities despite an already fragile ceasefire arrangement.
On the economic front, readers will find an in-depth report on the continued expansion of Dangote Refinery and its growing influence across Africa’s energy sector. The development underscores the increasing role of African-owned industrial enterprises in driving regional economic transformation and energy security.
The publication also explores ongoing diplomatic efforts in Eastern Europe, where Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a direct meeting with Vladimir Putin while proposing a ceasefire aimed at creating a pathway toward peace amid the prolonged conflict.
Humanitarian concerns receive significant attention as Diaspora Watch reports on the tragic deaths of 49 migrants who reportedly succumbed to thirst after their transport vehicle broke down in the Niger Desert, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by migrants undertaking perilous journeys across Africa.
In the United States, the newspaper analyzes the passage of a landmark $70 billion immigration enforcement bill by the Senate, marking a major legislative victory for President Donald Trump and signaling potential changes in America’s immigration landscape.
On the Back Page, readers will discover a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough as researchers unveil an artificial intelligence-designed vaccine that could help protect humanity against future pandemics. The report explores how emerging technologies are transforming medical research and accelerating global preparedness for future health threats.
As always, Diaspora Watch Newspaper remains committed to delivering credible journalism, insightful analysis, and impactful stories that connect the African diaspora with developments at home and around the world.
The 96th Edition is now available to readers worldwide.
Russia Restricts Putin Surveillance Over AI Fears
Russian security services have reportedly shut down parts of a surveillance system protecting President Vladimir Putin following concerns that advanced artificial intelligence-powered intelligence tools could expose vulnerabilities in state security infrastructure.
According to a Financial Times report, the decision came after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered heightened global scrutiny over the use of AI-enabled surveillance systems in intelligence operations.
The report said Russian authorities became alarmed that similar technologies allegedly used in Iran—where Israeli intelligence is believed to have exploited traffic-camera networks and AI systems to track movements and identify high-level meetings—could also be used to compromise Russia’s own surveillance architecture.
As a result, engineers are said to have temporarily disabled and later isolated sections of Putin’s personal security camera network from the internet in order to prevent possible external exploitation.
Officials reportedly feared that systems originally designed for domestic monitoring could be repurposed by foreign intelligence agencies as data-rich entry points into state security operations.
The concerns were linked to intelligence activities surrounding the Iran operation, in which Israeli operatives were said to have analysed large volumes of traffic-camera footage and other visual data to monitor movements in the lead-up to the February 28 assassination in Tehran.
The episode, first reported in March, has intensified debate within global intelligence communities over the growing weaponisation of surveillance infrastructure, particularly systems powered by artificial intelligence.
At the centre of this shift are emerging AI-driven security firms such as Israeli startups Airis and Conntour, which are developing tools capable of processing vast streams of fragmented video data from multiple sources.
Airis, which has raised about $60m from investors including PSG Equity and TLV Partners, reportedly builds systems that integrate footage from traffic cameras, drones, and body-worn devices into unified intelligence platforms capable of real-time analysis and querying.
Diaspora Watch Vol. 97
Diaspora Watch Vol. 96
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