The VICE Morning Bulletin

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

US News

Trump Claims He's Psyched About Mueller Interview
The president said he would gladly speak to Robert Mueller under oath, having previously suggested any interview with the special counsel probing Russia's role in the 2016 election was “unlikely.” On Wednesday Trump told reporters: “I’m looking forward to it actually… I would do it under oath, absolutely.” He also teased an interview might theoretically take place in the next two to three weeks.—VICE News

DOJ Official Says Releasing FBI Memo Would Be ‘Reckless’
Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd wrote to GOP Congressman Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to warn him that publishing a memo on alleged surveillance abuses by FBI agents would be “extraordinarily reckless.” Separately, Republican politicians have claimed an apparently humorous reference to a “secret society” in texts between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page signaled an anti-Trump conspiracy.—CBS News / The New York Times

University President Resigning over Nassar Verdict
Lou Anna Simon, president of Michigan State University, is stepping down after the school’s former doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing female athletes. “To the survivors, I can never say enough that I am so sorry that a trusted, renowned physician was really such an evil, evil person,” Simon said.—CNN

Philadelphia Introducing Safe Injection Sites for Drug Users
The city has approved a plan to allow opioid users to inject at supervised facilities with safe needles. An official report estimated “Comprehensive User Engagement Sites” could prevent 25 to 75 overdose fatalities a year in Philadelphia. “We have an obligation to do everything we can to prevent those people from dying,” said Thomas Farley, the city’s health commissioner.—Tonic

International News

At Least Three Killed in Italian Train Accident
At least three people died after a train derailed near Pioltello Limito station just outside Milan, according to Italy’s interior ministry. Another 13 people were badly hurt when several train cars came off the line. Milan police opened an investigation into the incident involving a train operated by the Trenord company.—Reuters

Human Rights Lawyer Bows Out of Egyptian Presidential Race
Socialist politician and lawyer Khaled Ali announced he won't stand against President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in the March election. Ali cited the arrest of campaign members and legal challenges against his eligibility. “The opportunity for hope in this presidential election has gone,” he said.—The Guardian

Diplomat Quits Rohingya Panel in Disgust at ‘Whitewash’
American Bill Richardson has resigned from an international board set up to advise the Myanmar government on the return of Rohingya refugees. He said Aung San Suu Kyi lacked “moral leadership” and claimed the board was conducting a “whitewash.” Richardson also said he had clashed with Suu Kyi over the fate of two Reuters reporters accused of breaking Myanmar’s Official Secrets Act.—VICE News

Far-Right Politician in Germany Converts to Islam
Arthur Wagner has quit as a committee member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party after converting to Islam. Wagner said his choice of a religion was “private business.” One of the anti-immigrant party's slogans is “Islam doesn’t belong in Germany.”—Al Jazeera

Everything Else

David Copperfield Accused of Sexually Assaulting Teenager
Brittney Lewis said the magician drugged and sexually assaulted her after a modeling contest when she was 17. Copperfield stated on Twitter that he was ready to “weather another storm” and asked people not to “rush to judgment.”—The Wrap

Logan Paul Is Back on YouTube
The vlogger returned to his channel Wednesday after facing widespread condemnation for filming a suicide victim in Japan. Paul said he “wants to be part of the solution” and pledged $1 million to suicide prevention organizations.—The Washington Post

Meryl Streep Joins ‘Big Little Lies’ Cast
The actress has signed up for season two of the HBO drama, and is set to play the mother of Alexander Skarsgård’s character from the first season. Reese Witherspoon said she was “beyond thrilled” to have Streep on board.—TIME

The Fall’s Mark E. Smith Dies, Aged 60
The frontman of the influential British post-punk band died at home on Wednesday morning, The Fall’s manager confirmed. The Manchester group was forced to cancel live dates last year due to Smith's respiratory problems.—Noisey

Armed Men Tried to Rob a Bitcoin Exchange in Canada
Three men with handguns burst into the offices of a Bitcoin trading exchange in Ottawa and unsuccessfully attempted to “coerce” employees into a transaction. Police arrested a 19-year-old, and were looking for two other suspects.—Motherboard

Elton John Announces Final Tour
The music star will retire from performing live after his 300-date, three-year “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” world tour. “I want to go out with a bang,” the 70-year-old said. “It’ll be the most produced, fantastic show I’ve ever done.”—Noisey

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