Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.Cruz Failed to Disclose Goldman Loan
Republican contender Ted Cruz did not disclose a loan from Goldman Sachs, the company his wife works for. Loans from Goldman Sachs and Citibank in 2012 reached $1 million, helping his Senate bid that year. Cruz has dismissed the matter as a "filing error."—The New York TimesNational Guard Starts Work in Michigan
Members of Michigan's National Guard will begin distributing bottled water and filters in Flint today, after Gov. Rick Snyder activated emergency help. Health officials have reported a spike in Legionnaires' disease in the area following the lead contamination of the water supply. —VICE News
US News
Republican contender Ted Cruz did not disclose a loan from Goldman Sachs, the company his wife works for. Loans from Goldman Sachs and Citibank in 2012 reached $1 million, helping his Senate bid that year. Cruz has dismissed the matter as a "filing error."—The New York TimesNational Guard Starts Work in Michigan
Members of Michigan's National Guard will begin distributing bottled water and filters in Flint today, after Gov. Rick Snyder activated emergency help. Health officials have reported a spike in Legionnaires' disease in the area following the lead contamination of the water supply. —VICE News
Advertisement
Obama Approves Biggest-Ever Refugee Spend
President Obama has approved an expansion of refugee aid spend, authorizing $70 million from a special fund set up by Congress. Unlike similar presidential declarations in the past, there are no geographical restrictions, so the money can be spent worldwide. —USA TodayRecord Lottery Jackpot Won
California Lottery officials have announced that at least one person has claimed a winning Powerball ticket for the record $1.5 billion jackpot. The identity of the winner is not yet known, but the ticket was bought at a 7-Eleven store in Chino Hills. —Los Angeles TimesTerror Attacks Hit Jakarta
A series of bomb blasts have rocked the Indonesian capital, where at least seven people have been killed. Initial blasts hit the shopping district, followed by gunfire between police and armed attackers. Police say the situation is now under control, with five suspected attackers killed. —BBC NewsAnother UN Convoy Leaves for Madaya
The second convoy of UN aid lorries has set off for the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. About 50 trucks left the capital Damascus, heading towards the rebel-held town where aid workers have received reports of people dying of starvation. —ReutersCar Bomb Hits Turkish Police HQ
A car bomb blast has hit a police headquarters in the Diyarbakir province of south-eastern Turkey, killing five people and injuring at least 39. Officials have blamed the blast on the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), active in the mainly Kurdish province. —AP
President Obama has approved an expansion of refugee aid spend, authorizing $70 million from a special fund set up by Congress. Unlike similar presidential declarations in the past, there are no geographical restrictions, so the money can be spent worldwide. —USA TodayRecord Lottery Jackpot Won
California Lottery officials have announced that at least one person has claimed a winning Powerball ticket for the record $1.5 billion jackpot. The identity of the winner is not yet known, but the ticket was bought at a 7-Eleven store in Chino Hills. —Los Angeles Times
International News
A series of bomb blasts have rocked the Indonesian capital, where at least seven people have been killed. Initial blasts hit the shopping district, followed by gunfire between police and armed attackers. Police say the situation is now under control, with five suspected attackers killed. —BBC NewsAnother UN Convoy Leaves for Madaya
The second convoy of UN aid lorries has set off for the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. About 50 trucks left the capital Damascus, heading towards the rebel-held town where aid workers have received reports of people dying of starvation. —ReutersCar Bomb Hits Turkish Police HQ
A car bomb blast has hit a police headquarters in the Diyarbakir province of south-eastern Turkey, killing five people and injuring at least 39. Officials have blamed the blast on the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), active in the mainly Kurdish province. —AP
Advertisement
Denmark Plans to Seize Refugees Valuables
Danish MPs are debating a controversial government plan to seize refugees' valuables, including all money exceeding $1,450. Wedding rings would be exempt. The bill has been criticized by UN refugee agency, which fears it will "fuel xenophobia." —Al Jazeera
Danish MPs are debating a controversial government plan to seize refugees' valuables, including all money exceeding $1,450. Wedding rings would be exempt. The bill has been criticized by UN refugee agency, which fears it will "fuel xenophobia." —Al Jazeera
Everything Else
US Customs agents found half a million dollars' worth of marijuana disguised as carrots after they stopped a tractor-trailer in Texas.Real carrots were mixed in with carrot-shaped packages. —NBC NewsFriends Reunited, Sort Of
The cast of Friends will reunite next month for a special tribute to show director James Burrows. But NBC isn't sure the special six will actually be together in the same room at once. —TIMECanadian Boy Runs Up $8,800 Xbox Bill
A 17-year-old in Ontario spent $800 on the FIFA soccer game's 'points' purchases, put it on his dad's credit card, then accumulated thousands of dollars in fees. His dad is "mad as a hatter" about it. —VICEBrendan Dassey's Half-brother Has a Rap Track
One of the subjects in Netflix's Making a Murderer, Brendan Dassey, has a half-brother called Brad Dassey, who also happens to be a Christian rapper. His new track "They Didn't Do It" argues for Brendan's innocence. —NoiseyDone with reading today? Watch this episode from our HBO series: