The VICE Morning Bulletin

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

US News

Trump Ordered Mueller Fired Months Ago
The president demanded the dismissal of the special counsel investigating Russian election interference back in June before being dissuaded, several sources said. White House counsel Donald McGahn apparently threatened to quit over the issue, warning that firing Mueller would only intensify concerns about obstruction of justice. Trump responded to the report from Davos, calling it “fake news.”—The New York Times/The Washington Post

Trump Backs Citizenship Pathway for ‘DREAMers’ in Dark Proposal
The White House dangled a proposal that would allow 1.8 million undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children a legitimate path to US citizenship. But the administration was also seeking $25 billion for a border wall, the end of the diversity visa lottery program, and other new limits on legal migration. The ACLU’s Lorella Praeli called the plan “xenophobic” and “hateful.”—VICE News

Facebook: Russians Created Dozens of Phony Election Events
American users signed up for 129 fake political events created by Russian agents during the 2016 election campaign, according to details released to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Facebook linked at least some of the disinformation campaign to a troll farm in St. Petersburg, and tens of thousands of US-based customers indicated some level of interest.—The Washington Post

US Olympics Committee Orders Gymnastics Board Gone
The United States Olympic Committee asked USA Gymnastics (USAG) to sack of all its board members, warning the body it would be stripped of official certification if it didn’t comply. The committee outlined six demands for reform in a letter sent Thursday, explaining that USAG “needs fundamental rebuilding” in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal.—NBC News

International News

Dozens Dead After Hospital Fire in South Korea
At least 37 people were killed and some 140 others injured Thursday in a fire at Sejong Hospital in Miryang. According to a local official, patients “walked though fire and smoke” to get out. Others escaped using ladders and plastic slides. The Miryang mayor, Park Il-ho, said the whole country was in “deep grief” after what’s believed to be South Korea’s deadliest blaze in years.—Reuters

Former Brazilian President Pledges to Stand for Election
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced Thursday that he would run again for the presidency in October, despite having a conviction for corruption upheld by an appeal court on Wednesday. Although legal challenges to his eligibility were expected, the chairwoman for the former president’s Workers’ Party said: “Lula is plan A to Z.”—AP

Turkey Warns US of Military ‘Confrontation’ in Syria
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said the US “must cut support given to terrorists” if it wants to “avoid a confrontation with Turkey.” He also seemed to suggest that the 2,000 US soldiers supporting the Kurdish YPG group in the northern Syrian town of Manbij could theoretically become a “target.” Turkish forces were battling YPG fighters in the Afrin area, around 60 miles west of Manbij.—Al Jazeera

Honduras Police Chief Accused of Trafficking Cocaine
A leaked Honduran government security report said David Aguilar Moran, new head of the national police, helped a cartel boss deliver nearly one ton of cocaine, believed to be worth more than $20 million, back in 2013. Aguilar was the chief of police intelligence when the alleged offense took place.—AP

Everything Else

Trump Sort of Almost Apologizes for Retweeting Far-Right Trash
In a TV interview with Piers Morgan, the president appeared to express regret for retweeting anti-Muslim videos posted by the group Britain First. “If you’re telling me they’re [Britain First] horrible, racist people I would certainly apologize, if you’d like me to do that,” he said.—VICE News

James Franco Edited Out of ‘Vanity Fair’ Cover
The actor’s image was digitally removed from Annie Leibovitz’s cover spread for the latest, Hollywood-themed edition of the magazine. A Vanity Fair spokesperson said Franco was cut “once we learned of the misconduct allegations against him.”—The Hollywood Reporter

Migos Drop New Album
The hip-hop superstars have released Culture II, a 24-track album featuring collaborations with Post Malone, 21 Savage, and Gucci Mane, among others. Kanye West is named as composer, lyricist, and producer of the track “BBO (Bad Bitches Only).”—Pitchfork

Stormy Daniels Slated to Appear on ‘Kimmel’
The porn star was scheduled as a guest for Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 30—the same night as President Trump’s State of the Union address. Kimmel tweeted that he had “MANY QUESTIONS” following reports Daniels had an affair with Trump around 2006.—Variety

Jordan Peele Shares Alternative ‘Get Out’ Ending
The writer-director released the original, far gloomier conclusion to his Oscar-nominated movie. Peele said “this ending to the movie felt like the gut-punch the world needed because something about it rings very true.”—i-D

A$AP Rocky Releases Another New Track
The rapper shared “MONEY BAGS FREESTYLE” on Soundcloud, his third new track this week. It samples “Meditation” by Babyfather and appears to be part of a project called DUMMIE.—Noisey

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