The VICE Morning Bulletin
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The VICE Morning Bulletin

The VICE Morning Bulletin

Trump commission wants to publish voter details, Iraqi troops recapture ISIS stronghold in Mosul, House passes two anti-immigration bills, and more.

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

US News

Trump Commission Wants to Publish Voter Details
President Trump's Commission on Election Integrity has asked all 50 states for sensitive information on registered voters, including partial Social Security numbers, as part of an investigation into alleged voter fraud. In a letter obtained by VICE News, the commission states the information will be made public. Officials from multiple states, including California and Virginia, have said they will refuse the request.—VICE News

Travel Ban Now Includes Fiancés as Close Family Member
The US State Department has changed the definition of "close" family member for new visa restrictions to include fiancés. Only visa applicants from six Muslim-majority countries with a parent, spouse, sibling (or step-sibling), son, daughter, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law in the US were considered eligible under the travel ban that came into effect Thursday night. But an anonymous official said "fiancés would now be included as close family members."—Reuters

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US Reaches $1.4 Billion Weapons Deal with Taiwan
The US State Department has approved a $1.4 billion arms deal with Taiwan. According to one official, the sale of weapons to Taiwan includes torpedoes, missile components, and a radar system. The deal is expected to piss off China, since it considers Taiwan part of its own territory under the longstanding "One China" policy observed by most world powers.—NBC News

House Passes Two Anti-Immigration Bills
The House of Representatives passed two bills Thursday aimed at curbing illegal immigration. One, sometimes known as "Kate's Law," would impose harsher penalties for migrants convicted of crimes who attempt to re-enter the US illegally. The "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" would block federal grants for cities refusing to comply with deportation enforcement. Apparently satisfied with the outcomes, President Trump tweeted: "MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!"—Washington Post

International News

Germany Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
The German Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage Friday, with 393 lawmakers in support and 226 against. The law gives gay couples the right to marry and adopt children. Although socially conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel voted against the measure, the landmark moment came after she decided not to block it earlier this week.—BBC News

Iraqi Troops Recapture Symbolic ISIS Stronghold in Mosul
Iraqi government forces have seized Mosul's Grand al-Nuri Mosque, where ISIS proclaimed a caliphate three years ago. ISIS fighters remain in some neighborhoods in the Old City, but Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the capture of the ruined mosque marked the end of ISIS' "state of falsehood."—Reuters

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French Police Arrest Man Who Attempted Mosque Attack
French cops have arrested a man who tried to drive a car into a crowd outside a mosque in Paris. After trying unsuccessfully to ram through a set of barriers, the driver sped off, crashed, and fled before being captured at his home. No one was injured. The man reportedly said he was wanted revenge for ISIS-linked terrorist attacks in Paris.—The Guardian

Austrian Government Given Permission to Seize Hitler's House
Austria's Constitutional Court has ruled that the government is entitled to seize the former home of Adolf Hitler. It follows a long-running legal battle in which the owner of the house in Braunau am Inn, where Hitler was born, refused to sell. The government now plans to remodel the building and allow a charity working with disabled people to use it.—AP

Everything Else

JAY-Z Drops '4:44' and First Album Visual
JAY-Z has released his 13th studio album, 4:44, on his streaming service Tidal. The album's first visual has also been released, an animated video for new track The Story of O.J., directed by Mark Romanek and Hov.—Vibe

Venus Williams 'At Fault' in Fatal Car Crash Incident
Police in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, say Venus Williams was "at fault" in a car crash that led to the death of a 78-year-old man earlier this month. A police report states witnesses claimed to have seen Williams run a red light colliding with a car carrying 78-year-old Jerome Barson, who died two weeks later. She has not been charged, but the crash is still under investigation.—VICE Sports

The Doors Reps Send Jenners Cease-and-Desist Letter
The Doors' management has dispatched a cease-and-desist letter to Kendall and Kylie Jenner over the pair's T-shirt line that features their faces over images of rock and rap icons. The Notorious B.I.G.'s mother has excoriated the sisters over the $125 T-shirts.—Rolling Stone

Tyler, The Creator Releases Two New Tracks
Tyler, The Creator has put out new songs for the first time since dropping 2015's Cherry Bomb. A$AP Rocky features on "Who Dat Boy," which also comes with a new video, while Frank Ocean features on "911/Mr. Lonely."—Noisey

Chelsea Manning Set to Debut Art Exhibition
Chelsea Manning will open her first art exhibition at the Fridman Gallery in New York in August. The joint show with Heather Dewey-Hagborg will feature self-portraits built from cheek swabs and clips of hair Manning mailed from prison.—i-D

Kraftwerk Bike to Appear in Tour de France
German company Canyon has unveiled a limited-edition bike dedicated to electronic legends Kraftwerk. Only 21 Kraftwerk bikes have been made, and they will be sold to the public for $11,000 each. Cyclist Tony Martin will ride one, at least for a sec, at this year's Tour de France.—Thump