In today’s newsletter: The Republicans’ attack campaign was based on their Democratic opponent being elderly, weak and impaired – but now they’ve got to pivot, fast

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Good morning. Last night, Kamala Harris reached the tally of Democratic delegates she needs to be confirmed as her party’s nominee for president. In a strikingly energetic speech to jubilant campaign staff at what has suddenly become her headquarters in Delaware, after Joe Biden called in by phone to support her, she said she planned to “unite our Democratic party, to unite our nation, and to win this election.” She added: “The baton is in our hands”.

As her party coalesced around her at dizzying speed, the Republicans were in the middle of an almighty pivot of their own. Having devoted vast resources to painting Joe Biden as too old and cognitively impaired to do the job, they must now make a plan to deal with a candidate who is almost two decades younger than their own and thoroughly capable of taking him on.

Violence against women | Two million women are estimated to be victims of violence perpetrated by men each year in an epidemic so serious it amounts to a “national emergency”, police chiefs have warned. The number of recorded offences has grown by 37% in the past five years.

Conservative leadership | The Tories will elect their new leader in November after the party agreed to an extended timetable to replace Rishi Sunak. MPs will whittle a shortlist of four candidates down to two before members have the final say, with Sunak staying in place until his successor is agreed.

Israel-Gaza war | The Israeli military has ordered Palestinians to leave a number of neighbourhoods in the southern city of Khan Younis, including areas that had been designated by the military as part of a humanitarian zone. An estimated 400,000 people sheltering in the city were affected by the order.

Child poverty | Keir Starmer has indicated for the first time that he will consider scrapping the two-child benefit cap, amid a brewing rebellion by Labour MPs. The prime minister endorsed comments by Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, who said that removing the cap was under review.

Media | Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has approached billionaire backers about financing a potential £600m bid for the Telegraph newspapers and Spectator magazine. Zahawi is reportedly in talks with an Abu Dhabi-based investment vehicle, with others in the frame including advertising mogul and Conservative peer Lord Saatchi.

Vice-president posts statement thanking the president for his leadership and endorsement

Joe Biden announced he would not stay in the 2024 presidential race, throwing his supporting behind his vice-president, Kamala Harris.

In his letter, Biden called Harris an “extraordinary partner” and said choosing her to serve as vice-president was “the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”

On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.

It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father—and the kind of man—he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe’s leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.