The VICE Morning Bulletin

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

US News

Miami Bridge Collapses, Killing at Least SIx
At least nine other people were injured when the new pedestrian walkway collapsed onto an eight-lane road Thursday. The structure was installed in just six hours at Florida International University on Saturday using an “accelerated” construction process.—The New York Times

Trump’s New Opioid Plan: Death Penalty for Dealers
The president was slated to unveil his much-anticipated opioid crisis strategy in New Hampshire on Monday. Among other things, the president was was reportedly planning to ask lawmakers to introduce the death penalty for high-level drug dealers. GOP Rep. Chris Collins said he was “all in on the capital punishment side for those offenses that would warrant that.” Trump was also expected to outline how $6 billion might be spent on treatment and education.—Politico / NBC News

White House Denies H.R. McMaster Is Getting Fired
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president and his national security adviser had “a good working relationship,” despite five anonymous sources suggesting Trump had already made up his mind to get rid of McMaster. John Bolton, the George W. Bush-era US ambassador to the UN, was believed to be one candidate who could replace him.—The Washington Post

US Helicopter Crashes in Iraq, Killing Seven
An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter carrying seven American service personnel went down near the city of Qaim on Thursday. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.—CNN

International News

Exodus in Syria as Civilians Flee Besieged Areas
About 20,000 residents left their homes in Eastern Ghouta on Thursday as government forces moved deeper into the rebel-held territory, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitoring group said around 30,000 civilians have left the northern city of Afrin since Wednesday. Turkish forces were attempting to push Kurdish fighters out of the city.—BBC News / Al Jazeera

Dalai Lama Compares Tibet and China to Europe
The Tibetan Buddhist leader said his homeland could coexist with China in the same way European states coexist within the European Union. “Common interest [is] more important rather than one’s own national interest,” he said. “With that kind of concept, I am very much willing to remain within the People’s Republic of China.”—Reuters

Slovakian Prime Minister Quits Over Murdered Journalist
Robert Fico announced his resignation on Thursday after facing mounting political pressure over the fatal shooting of investigative reporter Jan Kuciak and his partner Martina Kusnirova at their home. Kuciak, 27, had revealed business ties between one of the prime minister’s aides and an alleged member of the mafia.—VICE News

Drive-By Shooting of Politician Sparks Protests Across Brazil
Thousands rallied in Rio de Janeiro and elsewhere in Brazil after city councilor Marielle Franco and her driver were fatally shot in their car on Wednesday. Franco, 38, had campaigned against police officers’ use of force in the favelas. Police said her death appeared to be a planned attack.—The Guardian / Broadly

Everything Else

Rihanna Denounces Snapchat Ad
The star slammed Snapchat after the company ran an ad asking users whether they would rather “slap Rihanna” or “punch Chris Brown.” Rihanna said on Instagram that the ad “made a joke” out of domestic violence. “You let us down!” she said. “Shame on you.”—Noisey

Ava DuVernay to Direct DC Superhero Movie
The acclaimed writer and director has agreed to take charge of The New Gods, a Warner Bros. and DC movie project based on the comic book by Jack Kirby. The story featured in Kirby’s “Fourth World Saga” series is about warring planets.—The Hollywood Reporter

CBS Schedules Air Date for Stormy Daniels Interview
The network was said to be ready to run its 60 Minutes interview with the adult actress on March 25. Her lawyer Michael Avenatti had previously bolstered speculation that Trump’s lawyers would try to stop any broadcast involving allegations of sexual relations.—The Washington Post

Danny Boyle Could Helm the Next James Bond Movie
The director of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire said he and screenwriter John Hodge were collaborating on a 25th film in the Bond franchise. “We are working on a script at the moment, we’ll see what happens,” said Boyle.—The Guardian

Vanessa Trump Is Divorcing Don Jr.
The president’s daughter-in-law reportedly filed for divorce in Manhattan Supreme Court. The couple, married 13 years ago, were thought to have been living apart for some time.—VICE News

Former ESPN President Reveals He Quit Over Extortion Plot
John Skipper explained he stepped down from the network in December because a cocaine dealer tried to extort him. Skipper has received help for his cocaine addiction and said he had “acted foolishly.”—VICE Sports

Make sure to check out the latest episode of VICE’s daily podcast. Today we look at a watershed moment for gun control back in the 90s, and the ripple effect it had on today’s gun debate.

Sign up for our newsletter to get the best of VICE delivered to your inbox daily.