Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.
US News
North Korea Faces New American Sanctions Over Kim Jong-nam Killing
The US State Department announced the move after deciding last month that the North Korean government had Kim Jong-un’s half-brother Kim Jong-nam assassinated using a chemical weapon. The sanctions overlap with several the US and UN have already imposed. Two women are on trial in Malaysia for the murder, accused of covering Kim’s face with a VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport. Pyongyang has denied involvement.—VICE News
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Stormy Daniels Sues Trump
The porn star filed a lawsuit claiming a nondisclosure agreement fixed up by the president’s lawyer Michael Cohen was invalid because Donald Trump never actually signed it. Her suit asserts the “hush agreement” prevents her from talking about sexual relations with Trump and is “unenforceable.” She also alleged Cohen used “intimidation and coercive tactics.”—VICE News
Feds Go After California’s Sanctuary Policies
The Department of Justice filed suit against the state alleging three laws it passed recently to protect undocumented immigrants were unconstitutional. California attorney general Xavier Becerra denied the claim, asserting states and localities should have “the right to determine which policies are best for their communities.”—The Washington Post
Kush Heads to Mexico
The president’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner was joining a group of US officials to meet President Enrique Peña Nieto and Mexico’s foreign minister, Luis Videgaray, in Mexico City Wednesday for talks on trade and immigration. A White House meeting with the Mexican president was canceled last month after a phone call between Trump and Peña Nieto reportedly turned sour.—CBS News
International News
Russian Plane Crash in Syria Leaves 39 Dead
A military transport plane crashed near the Hemeimeem air base Tuesday, killing all service personnel and crew members onboard. Russia’s defense ministry said the crash was an accident. Meanwhile, at least nine more deaths were reported in Eastern Ghouta Tuesday, as Syrian government forces continued their ferocious campaign to retake the area from rebel fighters.—AP
Sri Lanka Suspends Facebook After Anti-Muslim Violence
The country imposed a 72-hour ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Viber on Wednesday, with the government asserting Facebook had been used to call for attacks on the country’s Muslim minority during several days of violence between Buddhists and Muslims. The telecommunications minister went on to claim social media sites “have been used to destroy families, lives, and private property.”—VICE News
Another Major Earthquake Rocks Papua New Guinea
A magnitude 6.7 quake killed or injured an estimated 18 people Wednesday. A week and a half ago, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake left more than 100 people dead, according to the Red Cross. “Our people are traumatized and finding it difficult to cope,” said the provincial governor.—The New York Times
Australia and East Timor Strike Maritime Border Deal
The two nations formally established each country’s rights to oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea. East Timor walked away with at least 70 percent of the most potentially lucrative oil field, Greater Sunrise, said to be worth roughly $40 billion.—BBC News
Everything Else
Migos Sued, Accused of Starting a Riot
Albany Basketball & Sports Corporation, owner of the Washington Avenue Armory, filed a lawsuit against the hip-hop stars over a huge brawl there in March 2015. The suit alleged the group “caused a riot” and “encouraged fans to fight.”—The Alt
Weinstein Company Sale Falls Apart Again
A prominent investor group “decided to terminate” a tentative agreement to buy the film company co-founded by Harvey Weinstein. It was the second time a proposed deal had collapsed, forcing the company’s board to prepare for bankruptcy.—The Hollywood Reporter
Fred Durst Directing a Movie Starring John Travolta
The Limp Bizkit frontman is shooting a film about a man with an unhealthy fascination with an action movie star, with Travolta playing the fanatic. Called Moose, it’s said to be based on Durst’s own experience with a stalker.—Variety
Beach House Drop More New Material
The band shared “Dive,” the second new song released this year after last month’s “Lemon Glow.” The duo previously promised fans their seventh studio album would come out “later this spring.”—Noisey
David Lynch Festival Announced for NYC
The director is curating the Festival of Disruption at Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Steel this May. Lynch’s three-day event, held in LA for the past two years, features performances by Animal Collective, Angel Olsen, and Flying Lotus.—i-D
New York Town Wants Temporary Ban on Bitcoin Mining
Plattsburgh’s mayor, Colin Read, proposed an 18-month moratorium on all new digital currency mining after an old paper mill in the town was turned into a Bitcoin mine. The mayor was worried about the amount of electricity the operation absorbs.—Motherboard
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