The VICE Morning Bulletin

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

US News

White House Appeals to Supreme Court on Travel Ban
The Trump administration has filed a request with the Supreme Court to reinstate its signature travel ban on people from six Muslim-majority countries. The White House is appealing a ruling against Trump's executive order made by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals last month. The ACLU responded to the news by tweeting: "We've beat this hateful ban and are ready to do it again."—CNN

Business Leaders Quit Trump Council Over Paris Pullout
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Disney CEO Bob Iger have both resigned from President Trump's business advisory council in protest of his withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. "Climate change is real," Musk tweeted. "Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world." The CEOs of General Electric, Google, and Goldman Sachs all expressed disappointment over the decision.—Los Angeles Times

President Trump Faces Six to Eight Threats a Day, Secret Service Says
An average of six to eight threats have been made against President Trump each day since he took office, according to US Secret Service director Randolph "Tex" Alles. On Wednesday, a 43-year-old Pennsylvania doctor was arrested at Trump International Hotel with a rifle and a pistol. Bryan Moles is facing charges for unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm.—CBS News/AP

James Comey to Testify Before Senate Next Week
Former FBI director James Comey has been scheduled to testify before the Senate committee investigating Russia's role in the 2016 elections next Thursday. The committee revealed there will be both open and closed sessions to allow classified information to be heard. Comey is set to be asked whether President Trump asked him to drop the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Of course, Trump could invoke executive privilege, theoretically blocking Comey's testimony.—Reuters

International News

At Least 36 Dead After Gunman Starts Fire at Philippines Casino
Dozens were killed at a casino complex in the Philippine capital of Manila after a gunman stormed the building, according to the national police chief. Police said the victims died of suffocation after the gunman set tables alight before committing suicide by setting himself on fire. Police claimed it was a failed attempted robbery, rather than a terrorist attack. A spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte referred to the gunman as "emotionally disturbed." Despite the official account, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.—Al Jazeera/CNN

China and EU Want to 'Accelerate' Toward Clean Energy
China and the European Union (EU) have pledged to uphold the Paris climate accord and "accelerate" the move toward clean energy, despite US withdrawal from the agreement. In a joint statement, China and the EU promised to "intensify" cooperation on climate change and clean energy.—CNN

Maduro Pledges Referendum on New Venezuelan Assembly
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has promised to hold a referendum over his plan to create a new parliamentary body with the power to change the constitution. Maduro wants to create a new "constituent assembly" to rewrite the constitution, but the opposition has attacked the idea as a means for Maduro to gain more power.—Reuters

Putin Claims 'Patriotic' Russian Hackers May Have Meddled in US Election
President Vladimir Putin has conceded Russian hackers maybe kinda probably tried to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election, but insisted they were not sanctioned by the Kremlin. "If they feel patriotic, they try to make what they see as a fair contribution to the struggle against those who speak ill of Russia," he said.—VICE News

Everything Else

Arcade Fire Announce Return with New Album Title Track
Arcade Fire just released "Everything Now," the title track for a new album due out July 28. The Canadian band also announced details of a huge tour of North America beginning September 5 in Quebec City.—Rolling Stone

12-Year-Old Named National Spelling Bee Champ
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has been won by Ananya Vinay, a 12-year-old girl from Fresno, California. She finished on the word "marocain," a particular type of crepe dress fabric. "I knew them all," she said.—TIME

Gucci Mane Releases Comedy-Crime Movie
Gucci Mane has made his crime-comedy movie The Spot available online for free. The rapper stars in the 47-minute film along with Keyshia Ka'oir and rapper Rocko. Gucci Mane also executive produced the project.—XXL

Lorde Drops Another Melodrama Song
Lorde has released a third track from her forthcoming album Melodrama. The epic closer "Perfect Places" feature a lengthy chorus with the lyric: "What the fuck are perfect places anyway?"—Noisey

Century-Old Tolkien Romance Gets Global Release
J.R.R. Tolkien's book Beren and Lúthien, a tale of forbidden love between man and elf, has been released around the world. Begun after returning home to his wife after war, the previously unpublished romance was edited by Tolkien's son Christopher.—VICE

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