Start your Monday smart: G7, opioid case, Dem debates, GDP, VMAs, Earnhardt Jr., VMAs

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• The G7 summit continues in France. World leaders meet again in Biarritz to discuss economic and global security. The biggest question going into the sessions was whether President Trump would bring his recent erratic mood to the gathering a year after he threw a tantrum and left it early.

• The Burning Man gathering begins in the Nevada desert. It's been called the world's "biggest and most bizarre party," with clothing sometimes optional.

• Democratic candidates hit the CNN town hall stage. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio step into the spotlight at 6 and 7 p.m. ET, respectively. Watch on CNN.

• 'They were all impressed with your Halston dress.' Ride the rise and fall of America's first superstar fashion designer. "Halston," executive produced by CNN Films, premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CNN.

• A ruling in the opioid lawsuit is expected. An Oklahoma judge reportedly is due to rule on whether Johnson & Johnson must pay $17 billion for stoking the state's opioid epidemic. The company argues its drugs didn't cause the crisis and it's been made a "scapegoat." The case could lay a road map for other states and municipalities that want to hold drugmakers responsible for the opioid fallout.

• The US Open begins. North America's Grand Slam kicks off, serving up two weeks of tennis thrills at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Watch this week on ESPN channels and the Tennis Channel.

• The VMAs honor music's best. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are the latest additions to a star-studded MTV Video Music Awards. The event is also slated to feature Big Sean with A$AP Ferg, H.E.R., Normani and Ozuna. Get the full list of nominees here. Watch at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.

• 'Nothing but a hound dog.' No shade to the King, but we're gonna mark National Dog Day -- which also happens to be Women's Equality Day -- with Big Mama Thornton's version of the early rock classic. (Click here to rock 'n' roll.)

• Lori Loughlin is due in court. The "Full House" actress is expected at a hearing related to the college admissions scandal. She and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, are among dozens of wealthy parents accused of using bribes to game the competitive college entrance process for their kids.

• Dems must meet thresholds for the next debates. This is the deadline for Democratic candidates to qualify for the September 12 and 13 debates in Houston. Beyond reaching a high bar for donations, candidates must hit 2% in at least four party-approved polls.

• A key economic forecast drops. Another estimate of second quarter gross domestic product is set to be revealed as analysts warn of a looming global recession. The first GDP snapshot, released last month, indicated that consumers are powering the US economy, though growth was slower than in the first quarter.

• College football Week 1 is here. The biggest games launching the season include Georgia Tech at Clemson, plus Auburn versus Oregon and Northwestern at Stanford on Saturday. Here's how to watch every NCAA matchup.

• POTUS and FLOTUS head to Poland. Donald and Melania Trump are set to depart for a visit to Warsaw memorial sites to mark 80 years since the start of World War II. The first couple then was supposed to head to Denmark, but the President nixed that trip after the Prime Minister dismissed his interest in buying Greenland.

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets back to racing. The NASCAR star plans to drive one of his favorite tracks when the Xfinity Series goes to Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Earnhardt this month survived a plane crash, along with his wife, his daughter and two pilots.

• Happy New Year! Muslims this evening are due to mark a new year, 1441 AH. The calendar flip dates to when the prophet Mohammed fled from Mecca to Medina to escape religious persecution. Muharram Mubarak!

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