Photo by Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.Obama Officials Slam Trump's Lies About Calling Soldiers' Families
Aides from the previous administration denounced President Trump's false claim that Obama did not call the families of service personnel killed in action. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security adviser, said it was "an outrageous and disrespectful lie even by Trump standards." Alyssa Mastromonaco, Obama's deputy chief of staff of operations, tweeted: "that's a fucking lie… he's a deranged animal."—PoliticoJohn McCain Condemns 'Blood and Soil' Nationalism
Accepting the National Constitution Center's Liberty Medal, the senator jabbed at white supremacist ideology, stating: "We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil." In apparent criticism of the current administration, he warned against isolationism "for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism." He said it was "as unpatriotic as an attachment to any other tired dogma of the past."—CBS NewsUS Strikes in Yemen Destroy ISIS Camps
The Pentagon announced airstrikes on two ISIS training bases in Yemen's Al Bayda Governorate killed "dozens" of militant fighters. The Department of Defense said ISIS was using "the ungoverned spaces of Yemen to plot, direct, instigate, resource, and recruit for attacks against America and its allies around the world."—CNNFlorida Declares Emergency Ahead of White Nationalist's Speech
Ahead of Richard Spencer's speaking event at the University of Florida this Thursday, Governor Rick Scott has issued an executive order warning law enforcement that a "potential emergency is imminent." Scott will allow the National Guard to assist with security efforts at the campus should protests turn violent.—AP/VICEIraqi Army Takes Command in Kurdish Kirkuk
Iraqi government forces moved into the city province unopposed by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters Monday, taking hold of government headquarters, an airport, an oil field, and a military base. The military push follows the Kurdish Regional Government's decision to hold an unsanctioned referendum on independence last month.—Al JazeeraTaliban Attack Leaves At Least 41 Dead in Afghanistan
Dozens of people were killed when gunmen and a suicide bomber attacked a police training camp in Afghanistan, slaying the local chief of police, officers, and students. More than 100 civilians were reportedly wounded in the attack in Gardez, and security personnel killed at least five militants as they regained control of the facility. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.—BBC NewsSpain Jails Two Catalan Leaders
The Spanish High Court has ruled that the leaders of the Catalan National Assembly and Omnium separatist protest groups should be detained and denied bail. Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart will now be investigated on charges of "sedition." Spain has brandished the prospect of imposing direct rule on Catalonia if the regional government does not drop plans to declare independence within 48 hours.—ReutersInvestigative Journalist Killed by Car Bomb in Malta
Daphne Caruana Galizia—a noted investigative reporter who worked on the "Panama Papers" probe into offshore financial corruption—was killed by a bomb that detonated in her car Monday afternoon. Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat said it was a "barbaric attack on a person and on the freedom of expression in our country."—VICE News#MeToo Campaign Swells on Social Media
Thousands of people expressed solidarity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram Monday after actress Alyssa Milano asked people who had been sexually harassed or assaulted to reply "me too." Some shared personal experiences along with the hashtag.—VICE NewsKathleen Kennedy Calls for Hollywood Abuse Commission
The Lucasfilm president wants a special panel to develop "new, industry-wide protections against sexual harassment and abuse." Referring to the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, Kennedy said: "Predators must come to feel they can't count on power or wealth or fame to shield them."—The Hollywood ReporterThe Obamas Choose Portrait Artists
Barack Obama has picked Kehinde Wiley to produce his official image for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, while Michelle has commissioned Amy Sherald. They are the first black artists commissioned for the honor.—Rolling StoneCalvin Harris Gives to Las Vegas Shooting Victims
The DJ announced that the proceeds from his recent show at OMNIA in Las Vegas would be going to an official fund for injured survivors and victims' families. Harris urged his Instagram followers to "be the most life loving version of yourself you can be."—BillboardRihanna Gets Barbados Street Named After Her
The singer is expected to attend a naming ceremony in her hometown of St. Michael at the end of next month, when Westbury New Road becomes Rihanna Drive. The honor is set to coincide with Barbados' Independence Day.—NoiseyKendrick Lamar Still 'Baffled' by Trump
The artist has described the change from the Obama to the Trump presidency as "a complete mindfuck" and said: "We all are baffled." Lamar added: "The key differences [between Obama and Trump] are morals, dignity, principles, common sense."—i-D
US News
Aides from the previous administration denounced President Trump's false claim that Obama did not call the families of service personnel killed in action. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security adviser, said it was "an outrageous and disrespectful lie even by Trump standards." Alyssa Mastromonaco, Obama's deputy chief of staff of operations, tweeted: "that's a fucking lie… he's a deranged animal."—PoliticoJohn McCain Condemns 'Blood and Soil' Nationalism
Accepting the National Constitution Center's Liberty Medal, the senator jabbed at white supremacist ideology, stating: "We live in a land made of ideals, not blood and soil." In apparent criticism of the current administration, he warned against isolationism "for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism." He said it was "as unpatriotic as an attachment to any other tired dogma of the past."—CBS News
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The Pentagon announced airstrikes on two ISIS training bases in Yemen's Al Bayda Governorate killed "dozens" of militant fighters. The Department of Defense said ISIS was using "the ungoverned spaces of Yemen to plot, direct, instigate, resource, and recruit for attacks against America and its allies around the world."—CNNFlorida Declares Emergency Ahead of White Nationalist's Speech
Ahead of Richard Spencer's speaking event at the University of Florida this Thursday, Governor Rick Scott has issued an executive order warning law enforcement that a "potential emergency is imminent." Scott will allow the National Guard to assist with security efforts at the campus should protests turn violent.—AP/VICE
International News
Iraqi government forces moved into the city province unopposed by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters Monday, taking hold of government headquarters, an airport, an oil field, and a military base. The military push follows the Kurdish Regional Government's decision to hold an unsanctioned referendum on independence last month.—Al JazeeraTaliban Attack Leaves At Least 41 Dead in Afghanistan
Dozens of people were killed when gunmen and a suicide bomber attacked a police training camp in Afghanistan, slaying the local chief of police, officers, and students. More than 100 civilians were reportedly wounded in the attack in Gardez, and security personnel killed at least five militants as they regained control of the facility. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.—BBC News
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The Spanish High Court has ruled that the leaders of the Catalan National Assembly and Omnium separatist protest groups should be detained and denied bail. Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart will now be investigated on charges of "sedition." Spain has brandished the prospect of imposing direct rule on Catalonia if the regional government does not drop plans to declare independence within 48 hours.—ReutersInvestigative Journalist Killed by Car Bomb in Malta
Daphne Caruana Galizia—a noted investigative reporter who worked on the "Panama Papers" probe into offshore financial corruption—was killed by a bomb that detonated in her car Monday afternoon. Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat said it was a "barbaric attack on a person and on the freedom of expression in our country."—VICE News
Everything Else
Thousands of people expressed solidarity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram Monday after actress Alyssa Milano asked people who had been sexually harassed or assaulted to reply "me too." Some shared personal experiences along with the hashtag.—VICE NewsKathleen Kennedy Calls for Hollywood Abuse Commission
The Lucasfilm president wants a special panel to develop "new, industry-wide protections against sexual harassment and abuse." Referring to the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, Kennedy said: "Predators must come to feel they can't count on power or wealth or fame to shield them."—The Hollywood ReporterThe Obamas Choose Portrait Artists
Barack Obama has picked Kehinde Wiley to produce his official image for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, while Michelle has commissioned Amy Sherald. They are the first black artists commissioned for the honor.—Rolling StoneCalvin Harris Gives to Las Vegas Shooting Victims
The DJ announced that the proceeds from his recent show at OMNIA in Las Vegas would be going to an official fund for injured survivors and victims' families. Harris urged his Instagram followers to "be the most life loving version of yourself you can be."—BillboardRihanna Gets Barbados Street Named After Her
The singer is expected to attend a naming ceremony in her hometown of St. Michael at the end of next month, when Westbury New Road becomes Rihanna Drive. The honor is set to coincide with Barbados' Independence Day.—NoiseyKendrick Lamar Still 'Baffled' by Trump
The artist has described the change from the Obama to the Trump presidency as "a complete mindfuck" and said: "We all are baffled." Lamar added: "The key differences [between Obama and Trump] are morals, dignity, principles, common sense."—i-D