The VICE Morning Bulletin
Paul Manafort. Photo via AP Photo/Matt Rourke

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The VICE Morning Bulletin

The VICE Morning Bulletin

Trump aides allegedly spoke to Russian intelligence during campaign, Senate moves to repeal Obama gun restriction, and more.

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

US News

Trump Aides Repeatedly Spoke to Russian Intelligence During Campaign, Reports Say
Members of Donald Trump's campaign team and other associates had repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials in the months prior to the presidential election, according to both current and former US officials. Former campaign manager Paul Manafort is one of those allegedly involved in calls intercepted by US intelligence agencies, though there's said to still be no evidence of collaboration in hacking Democrats. Calling the allegations "absurd," Manafort told the paper, "I have never knowingly spoken to Russian intelligence officers."—The New York Times

Vice President Not Informed of Flynn Warnings Until February 
Vice President Mike Pence was reportedly told of Justice Department warnings about the nature of former national security advisor Michael Flynn's phone calls with a Russian ambassador nearly two weeks after other White House officials, like President Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said an investigation into Flynn's action was "highly likely," though whether it will be an independent one remains to be seen.—NBC News / The Washington Post

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Trump Welcomes Netanyahu to the White House
President Trump will meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House Wednesday. According to press secretary Sean Spicer, talks will focus on Iran, Syria, ISIS, US-Israeli relations, and the peace process between Israel and Palestine. "The way forward toward that goal will also be discussed," he said.—CNN

Senate Moves to Repeal Obama Gun Restriction
Republicans in the Senate were expected Wednesday to push forward with a plan to repeal an Obama administration regulation preventing some people with mental health conditions from buying guns. A vote to formally disapprove the 2016 restriction will take place in the Senate and, if passed, go to the White House for President Trump's signature.—CBS News

International News

Woman Suspected of Killing Kim Jong-un's Half-Brother Arrested
Malaysian police have arrested a woman suspected of taking part in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. South Korea's intelligence agency believes that North Korean agents likely poisoned Kim Jong Nam at the airport. Local police are looking for a "few" other foreign nationals suspected of involvement.—Reuters

UAE Wants to Build Settlement on Mars by 2117
The United Arab Emirates has announced its intention to create a human colony on Mars by 2117. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE, said he wanted his country to "spearhead international efforts to make this dream a reality." The UAE plans to work with research teams from around the world.—Al Jazeera

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Australia Offers Asylum Seekers Cash to Return Home
Officials at Australia's immigration center on Papua New Guinea have offered detainees cash payments to return home, according to people trying to claim refugee status there. Asylum seekers from Bangladesh and Nepal said they had been offered payments of up to $25,000 to leave.—Reuters

Russia Violates Missile Treaty, Say US Officials
Russia has deployed a new kind of cruise missile despite warnings it would violate a long-standing treaty, according to US administration officials. The officials said Russia had made a missile system operational that's prohibited by the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.—The New York Times

Everything Else

Harrison Ford Involved in Near Miss at California Airport
Harrison Ford flew his small private plane directly over the top of a Boeing 737 at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, after a reported mixup over runways. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.—NBC News

Millennial Drivers Are the Worst, Report Says
Millennial drivers are the riskiest drivers on the road, according to a new report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The survey found 88.4 percent of 19- to 24-year-old drivers copped to risky practices like texting while driving or running red lights.—USA Today

Apple to Fight 'Right to Repair' Legislation, Says Source
Apple is planning to fight a proposed "Right to Repair" legislation being considered by Nebraska, according to a source within the state legislature. The bill would require electronics manufacturers to sell repair parts to consumers and independent stores.—Motherboard

Ontario Court Rules in Favor of Indigenous Survivors
An Ontario court has ruled in favor of indigenous people taken from their homes and placed with white families by child-protection workers. Survivors of the so-called Sixties Scoop period are waiting to hear how much they will receive in damages.—VICE News