First Thing: Biden urges voters to elect Harris to ‘preserve democracy’

The president strikes an optimistic note in address at the opening night of the Democratic national convention. Plus, should licking popsicles be part of the curriculum?

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Good morning.

Joe Biden urged the nation to elect Kamala Harris in his address at the Democratic national convention on Monday, at which he contemplated his five-decade career in politics and thanked tens of millions of voters for their support as he passed on the torch.

What were the night's highlights? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Harris understood the ordinary struggles of America's middle class and she would fight for reproductive and civil rights as well as a ceasefire in Gaza. Hillary Clinton said Harris would break the glass ceiling" as the first female US president, while speakers from red states spoke about the personal impacts of abortion bans.

Who has been rescued? Fifteen people, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old girl who was saved by her mother.