FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

The VICE Morning Bulletin

The VICE Morning Bulletin

Records show Russian spies went after Hillary Clinton years ago, Trump pushes GOP lawmakers to pass tax cuts, EPA to be silent at climate change event, and more.
Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images

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

US News

Russian Spies Went After Hillary Clinton, FBI Documents Show
Unsealed records have revealed a female Russian agent pretending to be a US accountant was deported after attempting to worm her way into working for then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010. One anonymous FBI source said the Russians "set their sights on Hillary Clinton's circle" early in her tenure in the Obama administration.—The Hill

Trump Pushes GOP Lawmakers to Pass Tax Cuts
The president strongly encouraged House Republicans to support the party's proposed tax cuts during a conference call Sunday. Trump reportedly promised them they would be "skating on ice" in next year's midterms if they did so, whereas 2018 could be "really bad" if the package failed.—NBC News

Advertisement

EPA Pulls Speakers from Climate Conference
Three scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency will no longer be talking about climate change at Monday's Narragansett Bay Estuary Program gathering. The agency gave no reason for the cancellation. John King, chair of the program's science advisory committee, said it was "a blatant example of the scientific censorship we all suspected was going to start being enforced at EPA."—The New York Times

FBI Foils Alleged Plan to Bomb Florida Mall
Undercover federal agents have arrested a man accused of devising a scheme to detonate an explosive device at the Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater, Florida. Vicente Solano is not believed to have any formal link with ISIS, but has allegedly produced videos expressing sympathy for the terrorist group.—Miami Herald

International News

Shinzō Abe Wins Big in Japan
The prime minister's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition won at least two-thirds of the nation's parliamentary seats in snap elections this weekend. The new government is expected to try to ease the pacifist restrictions enshrined in Japan's constitution and bulk up the country's military. On Sunday, Abe said facing up to North Korea required "tough diplomacy."—CNN

Catalan Leaders Vow to Defy Spain
Catalan foreign affairs official Raul Romeva said "the people and the institutions in Catalonia" would not allow Spain to impose direct rule over the territory. Along with dismissing the current regional authority, the Spanish government is reportedly ready to seize power over the regional police force and the Catalan broadcaster TV3.—BBC News

Advertisement

Philippines Says War with Militants in Marawi City Is Finished
The country's defense secretary said the five-month battle against pro-Islamic State rebels in the region is over after a final group of insurgents were killed. According to official estimates, 920 militants were killed in the operation to regain control of the city, while 165 soldiers and police officers and at least 45 civilians also lost their lives. - Reuters

At Least 13 Killed by Suicide Bombs in Nigeria
At least 13 people died and 16 were wounded when three female suicide bombers detonated explosive devices in the city of Maiduguri Sunday. Although no group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombings, Boko Haram has carried out multiple attacks in the area in recent years.—Deutsche Welle

Everything Else

Justin Timberlake to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show
The singer has been selected to provide the halftime entertainment at Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, he and the NFL announced on Twitter Sunday night. It will be the third time Timberlake has been tapped for the gig, more than any other star.—USA Today

James Toback Accused of Sexual Misconduct by 38 Women
The Hollywood writer and director is facing dozens of allegations of sexual harassment spanning decades. Many of the 38 women who came forward said the abuse—which often allegedly centered on Toback masturbating in front of or on them—took place at phony auditions after he approached them on the street.—Los Angeles Times

Tyler Perry's Seasonal Comedy Tops the Box Office
The filmmaker's Boo 2! A Madea Halloween claimed $21.7 million during its opening weekend. Despite a reported budget of $120 million, Geostorm—a disaster flick starring Gerard Butler—only took in $13.3 million.—The Hollywood Reporter

Lil B Says He Got 'Jumped' and Had Equipment Stolen
The rapper was forced to cancel his set at California's Rolling Loud festival, appearing onstage to claim A Boogie wit da Hoodie's crew attacked him and "stole my shit." Lil B accused fellow MC Boogie of being among the attackers.—Noisey

SZA Making Album with Mark Ronson and Tame Impala
Having released her debut album Ctrl this summer, the rising R&B star says she is already collaborating on a new, full-length project. Ronson and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker played an unnamed track featuring SZA at the 2017 Governor's Ball.—i-D

British Actor Taunts ISIS by Playing Ariana Grande in Syria
A volunteer fighting with the Kurdish YPG rebel group Michael Enright was filmed playing Grande's track "Bang Bang" in Raqqa. Referring to the Manchester Arena bombing, the actor turned soldier said, "They came to my city—and they tried to shut up Ariana Grande."—VICE