The VICE Morning Bulletin

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

Flynn Investigated for Failing to Disclose Russian Payment
Former national security adviser Michael Flynn did not disclose a payment from a Russian state media organization when he was renewing his clearance with the Defense Intelligence Agency last year, according to US officials. The Defense Department is now investigating why Flynn failed to declare he'd received the $34,000 payout from Russia Today (RT). Additionally, former president Barack Obama advised Donald Trump against hiring Flynn back in November, White House press secretary Sean Spicer confirmed Monday.—NBC News

White House Staff Reached Out to Trudeau to Save NAFTA
White House employees apparently contacted the office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month asking the Canadian leader to persuade President Trump not to ditch NAFTA. "You never know how much of it is theater, but it didn't feel that way," one Canadian official said of the conversations.—The National Post

Islamophobia in US on the Rise
The US witnessed a sharp increase in the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes and incidents of bias committed in 2016 compared to the year prior, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). A new CAIR study showed 260 Islamophobic hate crimes took place in 2016—a 44 percent increase from the year before—as well as 2,213 incidents of anti-Muslim bias, a rise of 57 percent.—Reuters

US Military Urges Trump to Send More Troops to Afghanistan
The Pentagon is poised to recommend President Trump sends "several thousand" extra American soldiers into Afghanistan. Various military agencies apparently came to same conclusion as General John W. Nicholson, who told lawmakers in February that he needed "a few thousand" more troops in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban.—The New York Times

South Korea Holds Presidential Election
South Koreans went to the polls Tuesday to elect a new president, with Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in maintaining a steady lead in the final Gallup Korea opinion poll. The candidate for the party of former president Park Geun-Hye, impeached and indicted on corruption charges, was trailing in third place in the survey.—The Guardian

Eight People Kidnapped by ELN Rebels in Colombia
The Colombian military launched a search operation after the National Liberation Army, a militant group, allegedly kidnapped eight people in a small town west of Bogotá. Colombia's defense minister said 500 soldiers would be sent to Nóvita, a forested area in the country's Chocó region, where authorities suspect the rebels took seven young men and one woman.—BBC News

Jakarta Governor Gets Two Years for Blasphemy
The outgoing governor of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, has been convicted of blasphemy against Islam and sentenced to two years in prison. Last year Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the Christian better known as Ahok, accused his Islamic opponents of using the Qur'an to persuade Muslims they shouldn't be governed by a person of another faith.—Al Jazeera

ICC Looks into Libya Migrant Abuse
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is considering a formal investigation into crimes against migrants in Libya. The UN's International Organization for Migration has evidence gangs are selling migrants in slave markets, with some sexually exploited, forced into labor, or subject to ransom.—Reuters

Bill Clinton Co-Writing Thriller with James Patterson
Bill Clinton is collaborating on a suspense novel with popular author James Patterson, entitled The President Is Missing. The former president said writing the political thriller—due out June 2018—"has been a lot of fun," and Patterson called working with Clinton the "highlight of my career."—VICE

'Stranger Things' Actor in Talks to Become Hellboy
Stranger Things star David Harbour is apparently in talks to star in a new Hellboy movie. Millennium is working on a deal to revive the comic book franchise, with Game of Thrones director Neil Marshall attached to the project.—The Hollywood Reporter

Jimmy Carter Voted for Bernie Sanders
Former president Jimmy Carter revealed he voted for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the primaries at an event with the Vermont populist. After Sanders spoke out against an unchecked US "oligarchy" Monday, Carter said: "Y'all see why I voted for him?"—ABC News

Big Sean Releases New Video
Big Sean released a video game–themed video for his single "Jump out the Window," featuring a pixelated version of the artist trying to win back his girlfriend from another guy, Super Nintendo–style.—Noisey

Shaquille O'Neal Wants to Run for Sheriff
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal plans to run for office as a sheriff in 2020. "When I was coming up, people loved and respected the police… I want to be the one to bring that back," he said.—VICE

Courtney Love Picks Favorite Nirvana Song
Courtney Love shared her favorite songs by her late husband's band Nirvana on Instagram Live Sunday night. Although "Heart Shaped Box" came out on top, she also noted "Serve the Servants," "In Bloom," and "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle."—i-D