Everything you need to know about the world this morning curated by VICE.Trump Mulls Pardons in Russia Investigation
President Trump's legal team is reportedly checking out his options regarding the president's power to pardon family members, aides, or even himself. One unnamed adviser said Trump was merely attempting to understand his capacity to pardon. "This is not in the context of, 'I can't wait to pardon myself,'" they said. Trump's external legal team is also said to be examining members of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation for any possible conflicts of interest, possibly to help make the case for ousting them or Mueller himself.—The Washington Post/NYTUS Said to Ban Travel to North Korea
The Trump administration is moving to ban US citizens from visiting North Korea, according to two touring companies. Both Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours said they received instructions that a travel ban would be announced July 27 and would be enforced 30 days later. A Young Pioneer Tours spokesperson said the Swedish embassy, which handles diplomacy for the US in North Korea, had advised all nationals to leave.—BBC News
US News
President Trump's legal team is reportedly checking out his options regarding the president's power to pardon family members, aides, or even himself. One unnamed adviser said Trump was merely attempting to understand his capacity to pardon. "This is not in the context of, 'I can't wait to pardon myself,'" they said. Trump's external legal team is also said to be examining members of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation for any possible conflicts of interest, possibly to help make the case for ousting them or Mueller himself.—The Washington Post/NYTUS Said to Ban Travel to North Korea
The Trump administration is moving to ban US citizens from visiting North Korea, according to two touring companies. Both Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours said they received instructions that a travel ban would be announced July 27 and would be enforced 30 days later. A Young Pioneer Tours spokesperson said the Swedish embassy, which handles diplomacy for the US in North Korea, had advised all nationals to leave.—BBC News
Advertisement
Anthony Scaramucci Set to Lead Communications at White House
Anthony Scaramucci is reportedly going to be named the new White House director of communications, possibly as soon as Friday. One unnamed source said Scaramucci was offered the job by President Trump in the Oval Office Thursday. He was an official for the Trump transition team and has regularly backed the president's policies on cable news.—NBC NewsO.J. Simpson Wins Early Release from Prison
A Nevada parole board has granted O.J. Simpson early release from prison, after he served about nine years for offenses in connection with an armed robbery at a Las Vegas hotel. Simpson could be released from jail as early as October 1 and plans to move to Florida. "I've done my time," Simpson told the parole board at the televised hearing.—VICETwo Killed at General Strike Protests in Venezuela
Two people were killed and more than 170 were arrested when police and anti-government protestors clashed during Thursday's general strike in Venezuela, organized by the opposition party. Andres Uzcategui, 23, and Ronney Tejera, 24, were shot while attending a protest, according to the state prosecutor. Many streets were empty as thousands of businesses closed.—Al JazeeraAt least Two Killed on Greek Island as Earthquake Strikes
At least two people were killed and more than 100 more injured on the Greek island of Kos when a strong earthquake hit close to the island in the Aegean Sea. The quake was also felt on Turkey's coastline when it hit early Friday morning, and roughly 70 people sought aid in Bodrum. The head of Turkey's disaster management agency warned of aftershocks.—Reuters/The Guardian
Anthony Scaramucci is reportedly going to be named the new White House director of communications, possibly as soon as Friday. One unnamed source said Scaramucci was offered the job by President Trump in the Oval Office Thursday. He was an official for the Trump transition team and has regularly backed the president's policies on cable news.—NBC NewsO.J. Simpson Wins Early Release from Prison
A Nevada parole board has granted O.J. Simpson early release from prison, after he served about nine years for offenses in connection with an armed robbery at a Las Vegas hotel. Simpson could be released from jail as early as October 1 and plans to move to Florida. "I've done my time," Simpson told the parole board at the televised hearing.—VICE
International News
Two people were killed and more than 170 were arrested when police and anti-government protestors clashed during Thursday's general strike in Venezuela, organized by the opposition party. Andres Uzcategui, 23, and Ronney Tejera, 24, were shot while attending a protest, according to the state prosecutor. Many streets were empty as thousands of businesses closed.—Al JazeeraAt least Two Killed on Greek Island as Earthquake Strikes
At least two people were killed and more than 100 more injured on the Greek island of Kos when a strong earthquake hit close to the island in the Aegean Sea. The quake was also felt on Turkey's coastline when it hit early Friday morning, and roughly 70 people sought aid in Bodrum. The head of Turkey's disaster management agency warned of aftershocks.—Reuters/The Guardian
Advertisement
Saudi Police Arrest Prince After Beating Video Goes Viral
A Saudi Arabian prince has been arrested by police after footage of him allegedly beating and threatening people surfaced on social media. King Salman sanctioned the arrest of Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz and has ordered authorities to investigate, according to state television.—APLinkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Dead at 41
Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington has died at the age of 41, after reportedly hanging himself. His bandmate Mike Shinoda said he was "shocked and heartbroken."—NoiseyChina Bans Justin Bieber for Bad Behavior
Chinese authorities will not permit Justin Bieber to perform in the country. According to a statement on the culture bureau's website, Bieber "has engaged in a series of bad behaviors, both in his social life and during a previous performance in China."—The GuardianNeil Armstrong's Moon Dust Bag Sells for $1.8 Million
A bag holding trace amounts of moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission has fetched $1.8 million at auction. Nancy Carlson bought it from a government auction site for only $995 three years ago before NASA made an unsuccessful legal bid to win it back.—CBS NewsTyler, the Creator Releases New Album
Tyler, the Creator has dropped a new album, Flower Boy, his first since 2015's Cherry Bomb. Originally believed to have the name Scum Fuck Flower Boy, the 14-track album features collaborations with Corinne Bailey Rae, Frank Ocean, and A$AP Rocky.—PitchforkElon Musk Claims He Has 'Verbal' Approval for Hyperloop
Elon Musk claimed Thursday he had "verbal govt approval" to build a hyperloop connecting New York City to Washington, DC, in 29 minutes. But a former director of DC's transportation department said "verbal approval is meaningless in government."—MotherboardAphex Twin Releases Archive of Rare Music
Aphex Twin unveiled a new website that features an archive of his rare and unreleased music. It showcases streamable material from the many aliases used by the legendary DJ, including AFX, Polygon Window, the Tuss, and GAK.—i-D
A Saudi Arabian prince has been arrested by police after footage of him allegedly beating and threatening people surfaced on social media. King Salman sanctioned the arrest of Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz and has ordered authorities to investigate, according to state television.—AP
Everything Else
Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington has died at the age of 41, after reportedly hanging himself. His bandmate Mike Shinoda said he was "shocked and heartbroken."—NoiseyChina Bans Justin Bieber for Bad Behavior
Chinese authorities will not permit Justin Bieber to perform in the country. According to a statement on the culture bureau's website, Bieber "has engaged in a series of bad behaviors, both in his social life and during a previous performance in China."—The GuardianNeil Armstrong's Moon Dust Bag Sells for $1.8 Million
A bag holding trace amounts of moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission has fetched $1.8 million at auction. Nancy Carlson bought it from a government auction site for only $995 three years ago before NASA made an unsuccessful legal bid to win it back.—CBS NewsTyler, the Creator Releases New Album
Tyler, the Creator has dropped a new album, Flower Boy, his first since 2015's Cherry Bomb. Originally believed to have the name Scum Fuck Flower Boy, the 14-track album features collaborations with Corinne Bailey Rae, Frank Ocean, and A$AP Rocky.—PitchforkElon Musk Claims He Has 'Verbal' Approval for Hyperloop
Elon Musk claimed Thursday he had "verbal govt approval" to build a hyperloop connecting New York City to Washington, DC, in 29 minutes. But a former director of DC's transportation department said "verbal approval is meaningless in government."—MotherboardAphex Twin Releases Archive of Rare Music
Aphex Twin unveiled a new website that features an archive of his rare and unreleased music. It showcases streamable material from the many aliases used by the legendary DJ, including AFX, Polygon Window, the Tuss, and GAK.—i-D