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The VICE Morning Bulletin

The VICE Morning Bulletin

Trump threatens government shutdown over border wall, Spain suspects planned to bomb famous sites, US sanctions Chinese and Russians over North Korea, and more.

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

US News

Trump Threatens Shutdown Over Build Border Wall
President Trump warned Tuesday he is prepared to oversee a government shutdown to force construction of a wall on the US southern border. Attacking Democratic "obstructionists" in Congress, Trump told the crowd at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona: "If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall." Trump also pummeled the media over its reporting on Charlottesville, and falsely accused cameramen of switching off cameras so parts of his speech could not be broadcast live.—Bloomberg/VICE News

US Sanctions Chinese and Russians Over North Korea
The US Treasury has announced new sanctions against Chinese and Russian companies and people suspected of directly or indirectly helping North Korea develop its weapons program. Six individuals were named alongside ten firms on the list of sanctions. China's embassy in the US called on the department to drop the sanctions and "immediately correct its mistake."—The Washington Post

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Three People Arrested at Confederate Statue Protest in North Carolina
Three people were arrested during a protest at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill Tuesday night as hundreds gathered to campaign for the removal of a Confederate statue. Protesters shouted "tear it down," but police maintained a ring around the campus monument to a Confederate soldier to prevent anyone from destroying it.—CBS News

US Navy Dismisses Commander of Seventh Fleet
The US Navy dismissed Vice Admiral Joseph P. Aucoin from his position as commander of the Seventh Fleet Wednesday morning. His ouster follows four separate accidents, some deadly, involving US Navy ships in Asia this year, including Monday's collision between the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker near Singapore.—The New York Times

International News

Kim Jong-un Urges Scientists to Build More Missile Parts
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has told his defense scientists to build more "rocket warhead tips" and "solid-fuel rocket engines," according to KCNA state media. Kim was inspecting the country's Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science, granting his technicians "special thanks and special bonus."—Reuters

Spain Attack Suspects Planned to Bomb Famous Sites
The group accused of killing 15 people in last week's attacks in Spain was planning to launch bomb attacks at some of Barcelona's most cherished sites, including the Sagrada Familia church, evidence has revealed. Suspect Mohamed Houli Chemlal said the group wanted to hit a wider range of targets, but an explosion at a house where material was being stored forced them to change plans.—BBC News

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Saudi Police Question 14-Year-Old Boy Dancing the Macarena
Police in Saudi Arabia arrested a 14-year-old boy recorded dancing to the Macarena in the middle of a crosswalk in Jeddah. In a video shared extensively online, the boy is seen doing the dance while listening to the 90s track on his headphones. Police said only that he had displayed "improper public behavior," but did not reveal whether any charges had been made. His nationality is unknown.—Al Jazeera

35 Killed in Airstrikes in Yemen, Aid Agency Says
More than 30 people have been killed in airstrikes in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, according to an international aid agency official. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Houthi militants based in the area. The head of the local Red Crescent medical group put the death toll from Wednesday's strikes at 35 and said another 13 people had been injured.—AFP

Everything Else

Movie About the Joker Reportedly in the Works
Warner Bros. and DC Comics are said to be developing a new movie set in Gotham chronicling how the Joker came to be a psychotic criminal. Todd Phillips is apparently lined up to direct and Martin Scorsese set to produce.—Deadline

Clooney Foundation Gives $1 Million to Fight US Extremist Groups
A charitable foundation set up by George and Amal Clooney is slated to give $1 million to the Southern Poverty Law Center for its "efforts to prevent violent extremism in the United States." George Clooney said, "There are no two sides to bigotry and hate."—The Guardian

Chance the Rapper Shares New Material on Instagram
Chance the Rapper shared a snippet of unreleased music in a video posted on Instagram. It features material that apparently samples the Soul for Real track "Every Little Thing I Do."—Billboard

Billy Joel Wears Star of David to Protest Neo-Nazis
Billy Joel wore a yellow Star of David on his suit during a performance at Madison Square Garden, an apparent statement against neo-Nazi and white supremacist rallies. Joel also showed images of fired Trump administration staff while playing "Goodbye to You."—Noisey

Laverne Cox Collaborating with Beyoncé on Mysterious Project
Actress Laverne Cox has revealed she is working with Beyoncé on an unspecified "new project." The Orange Is the New Black star said on Twitter that further details would be announced September 6.—i-D

Arizona GOP Uses Margaret Cho Sitcom Still to Represent Asian Americans
The Arizona Republican Party's website used a photo of a Margaret Cho sitcom to illustrate "Asian Americans" in a section on minority groups. The image taken from All-American Girl has since been removed and a party spokeswoman apologized.—VICE News