Al-Assad Thanks Putin, Merkel Ready for Another Election, and Haitian Immigrants Face Deportation: The VICE Morning Bulletin

The United States to Scrap Humanitarian Protections for US Haitians
The US Department of Homeland Security is withdrawing “temporary protected status” for roughly 59,000 Haitians who came to the US after the devastating earthquake of 2010. They have until July 2019 to leave the US or will be deported, despite a request by the Haitian government to extend the program. Separately on Monday, the DHS’s own watchdog said it had breached two court orders regarding President Trump’s initial travel ban order.—The New York Times / Politico

Bashar Al-Assad Thanks Putin for His Help
The Syrian president praised Vladimir Putin for “saving” his government from rebel forces with military support. The pair met at the Russian city of Sochi, marking just the second time Assad has left Syria since fighting began in 2011. Putin said the military campaign was “wrapping up” and called for a political solution to the conflict.—Al Jazeera / Reuters

Impeachment of Mugabe Set to Begin
Zanu-PF officials are expected to votes in Zimbabwe’s parliament Tuesday to kickstart the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe. One MP said the focus of the charges would be that “he has allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power.” The recently fired vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa—an ouster that triggered last week’s military seizure of power—called on Mugabe to resign.—BBC News

Angela Merkel Says She Is Prepared for Another Election
The German chancellor said she was “very skeptical” about trying to form a minority government after her plan to establish a three-party coalition fell apart. Merkel indicated she was willing to go through another federal vote early next year, describing herself as “a woman who has responsibility and is prepared to take responsibility in the future.”—The Guardian

Trump's Charity Foundation Is Shutting Down
The president’s advisors have begun to “wind up” the foundation and will give its final funds to other charities, according to a spokesperson. The organization’s latest return shows assets of around $970,000 USD.—NBC News

Colin Kaepernick Says Meek Mill in ‘Good Spirits’ The former San Francisco 49ers star spoke to the imprisoned rapper and said he was “in good spirits and humbled by the support the people have shown him.” Mill was sentenced to two to four years for violating the terms of his probation.—XXL

Pharrell Song Won’t Be Heard for a Century
The artist has recorded a track on a soluble clay disc, to be stored in the vaults of cognac makers Louis XIII for 100 years. Pharrell wanted to get people thinking about the possibility that climate change could destroy the music.—Noisey

Shirley Manson Lets Morrissey Have It
The Garbage singer called out Morrissey for defending Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, along with making dismissive comments about their accusers. “Morrissey has lost the fucking plot," she wrote on Twitter. "Weinstein + Spacey unfairly attacked?…Fuck U Morrissey! Fuck YOU.”—i-D