Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.
US News
At Least Five Killed by Hurricane in Texas
At least five people died, and more than 1,200 needed rescue in Galveston County alone in the immediate aftermath of “catastrophic” flooding brought on by Hurricane Harvey in southern Texas. Around 50,000 more people in southwest Houston’s Fort Bend County were ordered to evacuate their homes Sunday, while officials in surrounding areas continued to urge people to leave for safety. The National Weather Service predicted the Houston area could receive 50 inches of rain before storms recede later this week, a record, and a sign that more devastation was coming.—AP/The Houston Chronicle/The New York Times
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Trump Gearing to Reopen Pipeline of Military Hardware to Local Cops
The Trump administration is apparently about to again allow police forces across America to reuse leftover military gear, scrapping a partial ban imposed by the Obama administration after unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. A new policy memo circulating said the gear should be “re-purposed” to help law enforcement “better protect public safety and reduce crime.” President Obama argued in 2015 that such equipment made police feel like “an occupying force.”—USA Today
Anarchists Rush Peaceful Protest in Berkeley
At least 100 “anarchists” wearing black masks stormed a nonviolent rally against far-right groups in Berkeley’s Civic Center Park Sunday. The event was organized as a counter-demonstration to a planned “anti-Marxism” protest, which was canceled. Anarchists and “black bloc” protesters were said to assault five right-wing activists who turned up anyway, including Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson. Police made 13 arrests.—AP
Trump Organization Vied for Moscow Tower During Campaign
The Trump Organization reportedly chased a real estate deal for a Trump Tower in Moscow during its namesake’s campaign for the presidency. The effort apparently came to a close in January 2016. Sources familiar with an email chain claim Russian-born businessman Felix Sater suggested Trump travel to Moscow in a bid to make it happen.—The Washington Post
International News
Thousands of Rohingya Muslims Leave Myanmar
Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have left Myanmar following an alleged government crackdown on the minority group, according to sources at refugee camps in Bangladesh. The move follows reports of attacks by Rohingya militants Friday on an army base and police checkpoints. A local human rights group said there were “serious allegations” of government troops attacking civilians in response to Friday’s violence.—Al Jazeera/Reuters
At Least 13 Killed in Car Bomb Attack in Afghanistan
At least 13 people were killed and at least a dozen others injured when a car bomb exploded in Afghanistan’s Helmand province Sunday night. A suicide bomber detonated a device in car next to a convoy of army vehicles in the district of Nawa. The Taliban claimed to have carried out the attack.—AFP
Iraqi Forces Clear ISIS from City of Tal Afar
Iraqi government forces have pushed ISIS out of Tal Afar, one of the extremist group’s last strongholds in the country. Fighting remains in al-Ayadiya, an area just outside the city, according to the military. Soldiers proclaimed victory in the center of Tal Afar Sunday and were seen removing ISIS flags.—Reuters
Indian Cult Leader Given Ten-Year Prison Sentence
Indian cult leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been sentenced to ten years in prison after he was convicted of raping two women. Singh, a guru, is revered by followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect. At least 38 people were killed last week when his supporters rioted after the guilty verdict was announced.—The Independent
Everything Else
Kendrick Lamar Takes Home Six VMAs
Kendrick Lamar nabbed six awards for “HUMBLE” at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, including best video and best hip-hop video. Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old killed at Charlottesville, revealed the creation of the Heather Heyer Foundation during an onstage speech.—Billboard
Katy Perry Performs on Top of Giant Basketball
Katy Perry closed last night’s MTV VMAs by performing her last single “Swish Swish” dressed as a basketball while standing on top of a giant basketball. In a final choreographed stunt, the singer flew over the crowd to execute a slam dunk.—Noisey
Box Office Takes Worst Haul Since 9/11
Earnings at the North American box office shrunk to the smallest amount seen since late September of 2001. The Hitman’s Bodyguard remained at No.1, earning $10 million in its second week.—The Hollywood Reporter
Uber Chooses Expedia Boss as New CEO
Uber is reportedly set to install Dara Khosrowshahi as its new CEO after co-founder Travis Kalanick was pushed out of the role. Khosrowshahi, who previously served as the CEO of Expedia, has openly disparaged President Trump.—Bloomberg
Taylor Swift Drops New Video
Taylor Swift premiered the video for her new single “Look What You Made Me Do” at Sunday night’s VMAs. Already criticized for a snippet resembling Beyoncé’s “Formation,” the video features Swift crawling in a graveyard, drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”—Noisey
Frank Ocean Releases New Track on Radio Show
Frank Ocean dropped his new song “Provider” on a surprise episode of Blonded Radio during the VMAs Sunday night. The artist hosted the first episode of his Beats1 Radio show since May.—Noisey
