Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.
US News
Pressure Grows on Sessions After Disclosure of Talks with Russians
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has insisted he “never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign,” following reports he did, in fact, meet with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak twice in 2016. The revelation is critical because he seemed to explicitly deny such contact during confirmation hearings. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, among other Democrats, accused Sessions of “lying under oath to Congress,” (some are using the word “perjury”), and called on him to resign.—The Washington Post
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White House Officials Told to Keep Russia-Related Documents
The White House counsel’s office has reportedly sent a memo to senior Trump officials urging them to keep any material that relates to possible Russian election interference, including all records from the campaign. The Senate Intelligence Committee investigating Russia’s role in the election has asked more than a dozen organizations and individuals to hang on to all material.—AP
Baltimore Cops Face Racketeering Charges
Seven Baltimore police officers have been indicted on federal racketeering charges, accused of stealing from city residents. Four of the cops are alleged to have taken $200,000 from a safe in one incident. “These officers are 1930s-style gangsters as far as I’m concerned,” said Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.—NBC News
Mississippi ‘DREAMer’ Detained by ICE Officials
A 22-year-old woman in the process of renewing her “DREAMer” status in Mississippi was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials after speaking out at a press conference. Daniela Vargas was taken into custody shortly after speaking about her father and brother’s recent detention and urging the government to support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. —VICE
International News
Sweden Reintroduces Military Service Draft
The Swedish government is bringing back military conscription amid fears of Russia’s activity in the Baltic region. Around 13,000 young Swedes—men and women born from 1999 onward—will have to enroll and around 4,000 of them will be selected for military service. The country’s defense minister called the move “necessary.”—Bloomberg News
Malaysia Frees North Korean Detainee
Malaysian police have released a North Korean man arrested in the aftermath of the death of Kim Jong-nam, half brother to dictator Kim Jong-Un. Although Ri Jong Chol has been freed, with insufficient evidence to make any charges, he will be deported. Malaysian officials also announced the country will end visa-free travel for all North Koreans starting Monday. Meanwhile, the government in Pyongyang is now claiming Jong Nam died of a heart attack—AP
Australia Restricts Visas for Fast Food Jobs
Australia is set to place tight new restrictions on visas for skilled foreign workers in an apparent bid to give locals jobs now being awarded to immigrants at fast food businesses. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said four-year work visas in the industry would only be awarded in special circumstances. “Australian workers, particularly young Australians, must be given priority,” he said, even as the Labor Party questioned how a skilled worker visa could possibly deprive locals of entry-level gigs.—BBC News
Presidential Candidate Promises to ‘Moralize’ French Politics
Independent presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has pledged to ban French lawmakers from employing family members and taking on consulting gigs. Macron says he wants to “moralize” French politics in the wake of erstwhile conservative frontrunner Francois Fillon coming under investigation over allegations he paid his wife for work she did not actually do.—Reuters
Everything Else
Millions of Yahoo Accounts Compromised in Another Hack
Yahoo has revealed that the accounts of 32 million users were compromised by hackers over the past two years. The company believes the “same state-sponsored actor” behind a 2014 hack was also responsible for the latest data breach.—Reuters
Kennedy Center Names Director of Hip-Hop Culture
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has appointed Simone Eccleston its first director of hip-hop culture. Eccleston, a director at New York’s Harlem Stage, will start the new job March 13.—NBC News
Snoop Announces North American Tour
Snoop Dogg has expanded what was supposed to be a two-day festival into a 16-city North American tour. The Mount Kushmore Wellness Retreat Tour is billed as a “4/20 cannabis celebration” and will feature Wiz Khalifa, Method Man, and Cypress Hill, among others.—Rolling Stone
Coachella Organizer Reveals Hack Details
Coachella organizer AEG has confirmed that a “third party” illegally accessed account holders details, including names, ages, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. AEG says no financial details were compromised.—Noisey
Antarctica Experiences Hottest-Ever Day
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced that Antarctica experienced a temperature of 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit in March 2015. It is the highest ever recorded on the continent, topping a temperature recorded in 1974.—Motherboard
Trump Lines Up Republican Donor as Canadian Ambassador
President Trump has reportedly tapped Kelly Knight Craft as the new ambassador to Canada. Craft and her husband, Joseph, a coal magnate, gave more than $2 million to Republican causes in 2015 and 2016.—VICE
