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The VICE Morning Bulletin

The VICE Morning Bulletin

Almost 500 arrested in immigration raids, Trump defends Puerto Rico response (again), ISIS leaks recording of supposedly dead leader, and more.
Photo by John Moore/Getty Images

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

US News

Almost 500 Arrested in New Immigration Raids
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials rounded up 498 people during a four-day operation targeting sanctuary cities refusing to comply with deportation policy. The "Operation Safe City" arrests of undocumented immigrants were made in Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, and several other urban areas. Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney said the move "further sows seeds of distrust between our police and immigrants."—VICE News

Trump Defends Puerto Rico Response
President Trump tweeted FEMA was "amazing" amid criticism his administration has failed to address the crisis on the US island territory promptly. Several officials involved in the military effort to help Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there have expressed frustration with the delays in relief for Puerto Rico. With reports of ATMs not working or out of cash, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said shipments of emergency bills have been sent to the island.—NBC News/The Washington Post

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Judge Rules Black Lives Matter Can't Be Sued
US district judge Brian Jackson threw out a lawsuit by an anonymous police officer who alleged Black Lives Matter and activist DeRay Mckesson were liable for injuries he or she sustained in Baton Rouge in 2016. The federal judge said Black Lives Matter was a movement, rather than a body that could be sued, and that Mckeeson's speech was protected—AP

Senator Calls Twitter's Russia Evidence 'Disappointing'
Virginia Democrat Mark Warner criticized the social media giant after company officials shared their knowledge of Russian attempts to abuse the platform during the US election. Warner, the ranking member of his party on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Twitter's presentation was "deeply disappointing" and "showed [an] enormous lack of understanding… of how serious this issue is."—CBS News

International News

Dozens of Rohingya Said to Drown After Vessel Capsizes
Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar have been found dead after their boat capsized, likely en route to Bangladesh. At least 23 were confirmed killed, with dozens more still missing and officials with the International Organization for Migration fearing the worst.—Reuters

Panic on Mumbai Commuter Bridge Turns Deadly
At least 22 people were killed and another 27 injured in a stampede on a footbridge linking two train stations in the Indian city. According to police, Mumbai commuters rushed forward when bits of concrete fell from the crowded bridge, believing the structure might collapse.—AP

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China Orders North Korean Companies to Leave the Country
The Chinese commerce ministry has warned North Korean businesses inside China that they must cease operations over the next four months, as Beijing begins to put UN sanctions against Pyongyang into action. The companies have been given 120 days from the UN Security Council's September 11 resolution to close up shop.—BBC News

ISIS Releases New Recording of Purportedly Dead Leader
Despite Russian military claims to have killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the Islamist group has shared an audio tape featuring the militant preacher. The recording refers to recent events such as nuclear threats made by North Korea. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence stated: "While we have no reason to doubt its authenticity, we do not have verification at this point."—CNN

Everything Else

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
The Veep star revealed Thursday she is one of the "1 in 8 women" who get breast cancer, but said she was lucky to have "fantastic insurance" from her union. "The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let's fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality," Louis-Dreyfus wrote on Instagram.—Entertainment Weekly

Beyoncé Releases Song for Relief Work
The star features on a new version of J. Balvin and Willy William's song "Mi Gente" designed to raise money for victims of recent disasters. Beyoncé said all her proceeds were going to charities working in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Caribbean.—Billboard

George Harrison's Sitar Fetches $62,500 at Auction
The Indian instrument once owned by the late guitarist and songwriter was used on the Beatles' celebrated 1965 track "Norwegian Wood." The buyer of the sitar has not been revealed by the US auction house.—BBC News

IKEA Snaps Up TaskRabbit
The Scandinavian furniture giant bought the gig economy platform that allows freelancers to sell their labor. In the UK, IKEA already has an arrangement with TaskRabbit giving customers the chance to have furniture assembled by contractors.—Motherboard

David Bowie Could Have Been in 'Blade Runner 2049'
Director Denis Villeneuve reportedly wanted the artist to play Niander Wallace, a role later taken by Jared Leto. Villeneuve said Bowie had the necessary "rock star qualities" and had "influenced the original Blade Runner in many ways."—Noisey