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The VICE Morning Bulletin

The VICE Morning Bulletin

Senators said to be "close" on major immigration deal, YouTube backs away from Logan Paul over controversial video, Trump says interview with Mueller "unlikely," and more.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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

US News

Senators Claim Progress on Immigration but House Looms
Republican Senator Jeff Flake said a bipartisan group of lawmakers were “very close” on key issues comprising a broader agreement over border security funding and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said any deal must include a citizenship route for all undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children. Republicans in the House, however, have put forward their own immigration bill that would at least for now not provide DACA recipients with the ability to become US citizens.—NBC News / The New York Times

Trump Says Interview with Mueller ‘Unlikely’
The president insisted once again that there had been “no collusion” between his campaign and Russia, and said it “seems unlikely” he'll be interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. In June of last year, Trump said he was “100 percent” willing to testify about firing former FBI director James Comey.—AP

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Missouri Governor Denies Blackmailing Woman with Nude Photo
Eric Greitens admitted he had an affair with an unnamed woman, but refuted an allegation he blackmailed her with a nude photo taken after blindfolding and tying her up. The woman’s ex-husband accused the Republican politician of threatening to release the photo if she ever spoke about their affair. “There is no 'blackmail,' and that claim is false,” Greitens's lawyer said.—VICE News

YouTube Backs Away from Logan Paul over Controversial Video
The company has canceled the vlogger’s forthcoming movie and pulled him from its web series Foursome over a much-criticized video depicting a suicide victim in a Japanese forest. YouTube also removed Paul’s channels from the lucrative ad service Google Preferred. “We expect more of the creators who build their community on @YouTube,” the company stated.—USA Today

International News

South Korea Wants to Ban Cryptocurrency Trading
The South Korean government is preparing legislation to prohibit Bitcoin and other digital currencies from being traded on the country’s exchanges. Bitcoin fell more than 12 percent following the announcement about the proposed bill from South Korea’s justice ministry. A government spokesman said there were “great concerns regarding virtual currencies.”—CNBC News

Eight Earthquakes Rock Iraq-Iran Border
Seven separate quakes registering at least magnitude five were detected near Mandali in Iraq early Thursday morning, according to the US Geological Survey. Another one took place over the border in Iran in the vicinity of the city of Mehran. Four people were injured, according to Iranian state TV. Tremors were reportedly felt as far away as Baghdad.—AP

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Assange Shows Up on Database of Ecuadorian Citizens
The WikiLeaks founder’s full name “Julian Paul Assange” has been found on Ecuador’s registry of citizens. Assange tweeted a photo of himself wearing the national soccer team’s shirt on Wednesday, as reports spread he had been gifted citizenship from his residence at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. The country’s foreign ministry had yet to confirm whether Assange is a citizen.—Reuters

Japanese Gang Boss Held After Tattoo Spotted Online
Thai police detained Shigeharu Shirai, a yakuza gang leader accused of killing an adversary over a decade ago, after Japanese detectives noticed his distinctive tattoos in photos taken in Thailand and shared online. Thai police said the 74-year-old will now be extradited to Japan.—BBC News

Everything Else

Woman Who Created ‘Shitty Media Men’ Outs Herself
Moira Donegan said she started the spreadsheet for woman to share stories of sexual harassment and assault “without being needlessly discredited or judged.” She came forward following reports Harper’s might soon name her as the list’s creator.—The Cut

Obama Tells Letterman He Danced with Prince
In a trailer for David Letterman’s new Netflix show, the former president said he danced on stage with the late star not long before he died. Obama described his own dancing as “dad moves” and staying "in the pocket.”—Pitchfork

Jack White Releases New Music
The singer-songwriter dropped new tracks “Connected by Love” and “Respect Commander” on Wednesday. He also announced that a brand new solo album, Boarding House Reach, is on the way.—Noisey

El Chapo Trial Delayed Until September
Judge Brian Cogan moved the Brooklyn federal trial of alleged Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán from April to September. Guzmán's legal team had asked for more time to prepare.—VICE News

Make sure to check out the latest episode of VICE's daily podcast. Today we’re talking about depictions of masculinity in the golden age of TV.