The VICE Morning Bulletin

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

• Red States Redder, Blue Ones More Blue
  America's electoral map has sharper borders than ever before. Voting analysis reveals Republicans gaining in red states and the Democrats also seeing demographic gains in familiar territory ahead of the 2016 election. —The Washington Post

• Paid-for Patriotism
  A Senate investigation has revealed the scale of the US military's marketing deals with sports teams. The military spent $53 million on advertising, including "paid-for patriotism" events like enlistment ceremonies and reunions of returning service members. —The New York Times

• Suicide Cop's Family Investigated
  Police in Illinois are investigating the wife and son of the officer who shot and killed himself in a "carefully staged suicide" to cover up theft. Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz reportedly implicated his family in a stealing and money laundering scheme. —Chicago Sun-Times

• Bush Senior Rips Cheney and Rumsfeld
  In a new biography, George H.W. Bush says his son's closest advisers were too hawkish in their response to 9/11, damaging America's reputation. He called Dick Cheney an "iron-ass" and Donald Rumsfeld "an arrogant fellow". —Fox News

• Russian Plane Most Likely Bombed
  The UK government and US intelligence officials both say evidence suggests a bomb downed the Russian passenger plane over Egypt. The Islamic State has released more propaganda messages claiming responsibility for the disaster. —VICE News

• Mexico Might Legalize Weed
  A historic ruling by Mexico's Supreme Court could open the way for recreational use of marijuana to be legalized. The court allowed four individuals the right to transport marijuana for personal use, a move campaigners consider a big first step. —BBC News

• Canada Has a Gender-Balanced Cabinet
  New Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named a cabinet equally balanced between men and women for the first time in the country's history. Asked to explain his decision, Trudeau answered: "Because it's 2015." —The Guardian

• Suu Kyi to Stay Above the Fray
  Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said she would be "above the president" if her party wins Sunday's election, the first in the country for 25 years. Suu Kyi is banned from taking the role of president by the constitution. —Reuters

• SNL Pulls Trump Promo
  NBC removed one of the promo spots for Donald Trump's appearance on Saturday Night Live. The clip saw Trump taking a swipe at his main rival, saying: "Ben Carson is a complete and total loser." —Variety

• California to Vote on Condoms in Porn
  A proposal requiring adult film actors to wear condoms has received enough signatures to be placed on the ballot for 2016. A similar measure which passed in Los Angeles County saw porn production drop 90 percent there. —The Huffington Post

• Twerking Hits Russia
  The noble art of twerking has taken Vladimir Putin's country by storm, provoking a backlash from prudish conservatives. A special committee has been launched to investigate. —Broadly

• Vape Regulation Is Coming
  The Food and Drug Administration is now just one final step away from regulating electronic cigarettes. People in the vaping industry say it could kill the market. —Motherboard

Done with reading for today? That's OK. Instead, watch our new film, 'How 11 Black Women Fell Victim to the Cleveland Strangler'.