Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICECongressional Democrats Sue Trump Over Foreign Payments
Roughly 200 Democrats in Congress went to court against President Trump on Wednesday, accusing him of violating the Constitution by profiting from foreign governments since taking office. The group of 196 plaintiffs include both House and Senate Democrats. The suit follows a separate one—accusing Trump of essentially the same offense—launched this week by the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia, which followed another, similar suit by watchdogs early this year.—The New York TimesEstablishment Candidates Win in Virginia Primaries
Ralph Northam won Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial primary after defeating Tom Perriello, the left-wing candidate favored by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He will face the Establishment Republican Ed Gillespie for the state governorship in November. Gillespie only narrowly beat Corey Stewart, the former Virginia chairman for Donald Trump's campaign.—VICE News/PoliticoMad Dog Reportedly Authorized to Set Troop Levels in Afghanistan
President Donald Trump has granted Secretary of Defense James "Mad Dog" Mattis the power to determine the number of troops in Afghanistan, an official said. Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday, Mattis said, "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. And we will correct this as soon as possible."—ReutersSix Killed as Fire Engulfs London Residential Tower
At least six people were killed in a massive fire that engulfed a 24-story London apartment block in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Police confirmed the first fatalities and said the number of dead was likely to rise. Dozens more people have been hospitalized after escaping the fire at Grenfell Tower, and at least 20 are in critical care. Around 200 firefighters spent several hours battling the blaze.—VICE NewsBahraini Lawyer Arrested After Suing Qatar
A Bahraini human rights lawyer has been arrested after suing the government for its decision to, alongside several other nations, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. Issa Faraj Arhama al-Burshaid claimed the demand for Qataris to leave Bahrain and the imposition of travel restrictions had "broken up family ties." Bahrain has announced it to be a crime to express "sympathy or favoritism" to Qatar.—Al JazeeraAustralia Settles Abuse Case for $53 Million
The Australian government and two security companies have agreed to settle a lawsuit and pay asylum seekers held at a detention center on Papua New Guinea $53 million in compensation. The group of 1,905 asylum seekers—who were detained at the facility between 2012 and 2014— took legal action against the government and its contractors last year, alleging they'd suffered abusive treatment at the facility.—ReutersCholera Cases in Yemen Triple in Two Weeks
Cholera is spreading so quickly in Yemen that one child is infected with the disease every 35 seconds, according to the NGO Save the Children. Lack of food, proper medical care, and sanitation in the war-torn country have caused the rate of infection to triple in the past two weeks, with more than 129,000 suspected cholera cases registered across the country.—The GuardianUber Board Member Resigns Over Sexist Remark
David Bonderman has stepped down from Uber's board of directors after he made a sexist comment at a staff meeting Tuesday. The move follows CEO Travis Kalanick's announcement that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the embattled company.—The New York Times'Rolling Stone' to Pay Frat $1.65 Million
Rolling Stone will pay $1.65 million to a University of Virginia fraternity after publishing a story alleging its members raped a student, a piece that attracted national attention before being completely discredited. Phi Kappa Psi said it settled the defamation case and helped to "close the book" on the matter.—CNN MoneyCam'ron Shares New Music and Movie Plans
Cam'ron has released the new track "D.I.A." and said he plans on putting out two albums this year. The rapper and actor also revealed he is working on a movie, inspired by Unfaithful starring Richard Gere, for release alongside the next album.—NoiseyTrump Blocks Stephen King on Twitter
President Trump has blocked legendary author Stephen King on Twitter. An outspoken critic of the president, King's final pre-blocked tweet mocked Trump's cabinet for offering "a postgraduate-level course in ass-kissing."—VICE
US News
Roughly 200 Democrats in Congress went to court against President Trump on Wednesday, accusing him of violating the Constitution by profiting from foreign governments since taking office. The group of 196 plaintiffs include both House and Senate Democrats. The suit follows a separate one—accusing Trump of essentially the same offense—launched this week by the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia, which followed another, similar suit by watchdogs early this year.—The New York TimesEstablishment Candidates Win in Virginia Primaries
Ralph Northam won Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial primary after defeating Tom Perriello, the left-wing candidate favored by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He will face the Establishment Republican Ed Gillespie for the state governorship in November. Gillespie only narrowly beat Corey Stewart, the former Virginia chairman for Donald Trump's campaign.—VICE News/Politico
Advertisement
President Donald Trump has granted Secretary of Defense James "Mad Dog" Mattis the power to determine the number of troops in Afghanistan, an official said. Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday, Mattis said, "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. And we will correct this as soon as possible."—Reuters
International News
At least six people were killed in a massive fire that engulfed a 24-story London apartment block in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Police confirmed the first fatalities and said the number of dead was likely to rise. Dozens more people have been hospitalized after escaping the fire at Grenfell Tower, and at least 20 are in critical care. Around 200 firefighters spent several hours battling the blaze.—VICE NewsBahraini Lawyer Arrested After Suing Qatar
A Bahraini human rights lawyer has been arrested after suing the government for its decision to, alongside several other nations, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. Issa Faraj Arhama al-Burshaid claimed the demand for Qataris to leave Bahrain and the imposition of travel restrictions had "broken up family ties." Bahrain has announced it to be a crime to express "sympathy or favoritism" to Qatar.—Al JazeeraAustralia Settles Abuse Case for $53 Million
The Australian government and two security companies have agreed to settle a lawsuit and pay asylum seekers held at a detention center on Papua New Guinea $53 million in compensation. The group of 1,905 asylum seekers—who were detained at the facility between 2012 and 2014— took legal action against the government and its contractors last year, alleging they'd suffered abusive treatment at the facility.—Reuters
Advertisement
Cholera is spreading so quickly in Yemen that one child is infected with the disease every 35 seconds, according to the NGO Save the Children. Lack of food, proper medical care, and sanitation in the war-torn country have caused the rate of infection to triple in the past two weeks, with more than 129,000 suspected cholera cases registered across the country.—The Guardian
Everything Else
David Bonderman has stepped down from Uber's board of directors after he made a sexist comment at a staff meeting Tuesday. The move follows CEO Travis Kalanick's announcement that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the embattled company.—The New York Times'Rolling Stone' to Pay Frat $1.65 Million
Rolling Stone will pay $1.65 million to a University of Virginia fraternity after publishing a story alleging its members raped a student, a piece that attracted national attention before being completely discredited. Phi Kappa Psi said it settled the defamation case and helped to "close the book" on the matter.—CNN MoneyCam'ron Shares New Music and Movie Plans
Cam'ron has released the new track "D.I.A." and said he plans on putting out two albums this year. The rapper and actor also revealed he is working on a movie, inspired by Unfaithful starring Richard Gere, for release alongside the next album.—NoiseyTrump Blocks Stephen King on Twitter
President Trump has blocked legendary author Stephen King on Twitter. An outspoken critic of the president, King's final pre-blocked tweet mocked Trump's cabinet for offering "a postgraduate-level course in ass-kissing."—VICE