Ron DeSantis drops out of the Republican presidential race, leaving only Nikki Haley and Donald Trump as contenders in the upcoming New Hampshire primary, where moderate voters may play a significant role.
The consecration of the Hindu temple in India's disputed Ayodhya site signifies the Hindu nationalists' claim to Lord Ram's birthplace, but it also raises concerns about equal rights and political motivations behind the event.
Deep dives
Republican presidential contest narrows down to Nikki Haley and Donald Trump
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the Republican presidential race, leaving only Nikki Haley and Donald Trump as the remaining contenders. Despite DeSantis positioning himself as a Trump-like candidate without the legal baggage, he failed to gain significant support. Haley, a favorite among moderate voters, aims to present herself as an alternative to Trump. With the upcoming New Hampshire primary, where more moderate voters are expected to participate, Haley has an opportunity to make her case.
Controversial Hindu temple inauguration in India raises questions about equality
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led the consecration of a Hindu temple on the site of a historic mosque. The temple's construction symbolizes the Hindu nationalists' claim to the birthplace of Lord Ram. However, the temple's location and the demolition of the mosque decades ago triggered communal violence, leading to thousands of deaths. Critics argue that this event challenges India's commitment to equal rights for all. Furthermore, the temple's incomplete construction and the timing of the ceremony have raised concerns about the political motivations behind it.
Democrats launch abortion rights campaign ahead of anniversary of Roe v. Wade
On the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, Democrats are launching an abortion rights campaign. President Biden and Vice President Harris aim to mobilize support for reproductive freedoms and criticize the Supreme Court's recent ruling that undermined the constitutional right to abortion. Vice President Harris is starting her tour in Wisconsin, a state that experienced the impact of restrictive abortion laws after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Democrats hope to tap into political momentum in favor of abortion rights and energize young voters for the upcoming elections.
Ron DeSantis endorses Donald Trump ahead of New Hampshire primary. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates a Hindu temple on the site of a historic mosque. And Democrats launch an abortion rights campaign tour.
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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Roberta Rampton, Miguel Macias and Olivia Hampton.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.
Clarification: In this episode, we say that abortion used to be a constitutional right. To be precise, abortion used to be a fundamental right protected under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in 2022 in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case that abortion was as not a constitutional right nor a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.