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Harvey Weinstein's Private Investigators, Update on Texas Massacre, and Taylor Swift: The VICE Morning Bulletin

Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.

International News

Weinstein Hired Private Investigators to Track Accusers, Report Says
Harvey Weinstein allegedly tapped private security contractors to gather intelligence on women who said he sexually harassed or assaulted them, as well as on journalists investigating their allegations. According to seven individuals involved in the operation and a trove of documents, he engaged in an all-out spy war to suppress reports about his conduct ultimately published in the New York Times and New Yorker. One operative he hired apparently used a fake identity to befriend and extract information from Rose McGowan, perhaps Weinstein's most outspoken rape accuser.—The New Yorker

Air Force Gaffe Helped Clear Path for Texas Massacre
The gunman who killed 26 people and wounded at least 20 others at a rural Texas church Sunday should have been legally prevented from purchasing weapons. Former airman Devin P. Kelley had been convicted of domestic violence after battering his wife and and stepson, an offense the Air Force neglected to enter into a federal database. Doing so could have prevented him from legally acquiring guns used in Sunday's attack.—VICE News

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US Now Alone in Spurning Paris Climate Accord
Syria announced Tuesday it would join the Paris accord on climate change, making the US the only country refusing to take part. President Trump announced he would withdraw from the accord over the summer, calling it "an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries." The roughly 200 countries on board have agreed to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.—The New York Times

Saudi Arabia Calls Out Iran for 'Direct Military Aggression'
The country's newly aggressive crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has accused Tehran of arming rebels in Yemen with missiles, reportedly telling the UK's foreign secretary Boris Johnson the move "may be considered an act of war." Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, flatly denied supplying the rebels with weapons and accused Saudi Arabia of "regional bullying."—BBC

ISIS Attackers Storm Kabul TV Station, Killing Two
Two people died and at least 20 others were injured when militants attacked a TV station in Kabul, Afghanistan. A suicide bomber set off his explosive vest at the station, killing a security guard, and another attacker rushed the compound, killing a woman working there. ISIS claimed the attack, which took place at one of Afghanistan's most popular TV stations, Shamshad—an outlet that, like others in the region, occasionally airs anti-ISIS PSAs.—The Washington Post

Everything Else

ACLU Says Taylor Swift Tried to Suppress Free Speech
Taylor Swift's legal team asked a music blog to take down a piece arguing Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do" spoke to the alt-right and comparing her to Hitler, arguing the post was defamatory. The American Civil Liberties Union has since stepped in, insisting Swift's threats to the blog are "a completely unsupported attempt to suppress constitutionally protected speech."—Noisey

Disney Said to Be Looking to Acquire Most of 21st Century Fox
For the past several weeks, 21st Century Fox, which owns a small stake in VICE Media, has been considering selling a majority of itself to Disney, hoping to narrow its focus to news and sports, according to sources familiar with the potential deal. The agreement, which is still up in the air, would equip Disney with more resources to make original movies and TV as it moves to create its own direct-to-consumer streaming platforms.—CNBC

Diddy Was Joking About Changing His Name
After announcing he would refuse to respond to anything other than "Brother Love," Diddy hopped on Instagram to announce the move was just a stunt. "Today I've come to the conclusion that you cannot play around with the internet," he said. "I was only joking, OK? I didn't change my name."—Billboard