The Vice Morning Bulletin

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

US News

Comey to Confirm Trump Demanded His Loyalty in Hearing
President Trump told former FBI Director James Comey, "I need loyalty, I expect loyalty," according Comey's prepared statement made public ahead of his appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday. Comey also claims Trump asked him about his desire to keep the job, which "concerned [him] greatly," during a one-on-one talk at the White House January 27. House Speaker Paul Ryan responded to the release by admitting Trump's request was "obviously" inappropriate.—VICE News / CNN

Uber Fires Executive Who Shared Rape Victim's Medical Records
Uber executive Eric Alexander has been fired after he allegedly obtained the medical records of a rape victim. According to anonymous sources, Alexander went to India to investigate a 2014 rape case in which an Uber driver was convicted of raping a female passenger, suspecting the victim might be part of a conspiracy by a rival company. He is said to have shared medical records with CEO Travis Kalanick.—The New York Times

Black Troops Face Bias in Military, Report Says
Black military personnel are more likely to face punishment than white counterparts, per a new report based on government records. According to the research by the Protect Our Defenders group, black service members of the US Air Force were 71 percent more likely to face disciplinary action than whites in a typical year. Colonel Don Christensen, president of the group, said racial bias is "getting worse."—NBC News

Hawaii Passes Pro-Paris Accord Law
In spite of President Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate accord, Hawaii has passed legislation to honor the spirit of the deal, the first US state to do so. "Climate change is real, regardless of what others may say," Governor David Y. Ige said.—Los Angeles Times

International News

Tehran Attack Mounted by Iranians, Top Official Says
The attackers who killed 12 people at the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran Wednesday were Iranians who "joined" ISIS, according to Reza Seifollahi, the deputy chief of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. All the attackers were killed or blew themselves up. Iran's Revolutionary Guards blamed the US and Saudi Arabia for the "savage action."—BBC News

Myanmar Finds Bodies and Debris After Plane Disappears
Dozens of bodies and aircraft wreckage were found in the Andaman Sea after a military plane went missing off the coast of Myanmar Wednesday with 122 people on board. The plane was carrying soldiers and their families.—Reuters

North Korea Fires Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles
North Korea has test-fired four anti-ship cruise missiles off its eastern coast. The surface-to-ship missiles traveled about 124 miles before landing in the sea, according to the South Korean military. A former director of operations for the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center said this kind of missile could disable a US aircraft carrier "if they got really lucky."—CNN

Kurds to Hold Independence Referendum in Iraq
Political parties in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region have agreed to hold a referendum on independence September 25. The Iraqi government has not yet officially responded to the announcement by Masoud Barzani—president of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government—on the planned vote on separation.—Al Jazeera

Everything Else

Pharrell and Shakira Sign On to Global Citizen Show
Pharrell Williams and Shakira have agreed to play the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg on July 6. Shakira will perform alongside Coldplay at the event in aid of international health and education development.—Billboard

DiCaprio Joins Mexico in Trying to protect Endangered Porpoises
Leonardo DiCaprio, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, and billionaire Carlos Slim have signed an agreement to protect endangered porpoises of the upper Gulf of California. Scientists estimate just two-dozen vaquita porpoises remain in the area.—AP

Reality Winner to Plead Not Guilty to Leaking Charges
An attorney for Reality Leigh Winner—the 25-year-old government contractor accused of leaking classified documents—said she will plead not guilty to the charges. Winner will appear at a detention hearing Thursday, but remains in jail in Georgia.—NBC News

M.I.A. Releases Fan Tribute Video
M.I.A. has released a new video for "Goals" featuring gifs of the crowds at her live shows, compiled as a tribute to her fans. A message from M.I.A. at the end says her fans "given me a sliver of hope in humanity."—i-D

DEA Unveils List of Bizarre Drug Slang
The Drug Enforcement Administration has released an unclassified intelligence report that includes a list of drug slang. Synonyms for marijuana include "giggle smoke" and "smoochy woochy poochy."—VICE News

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