"The United States has long made lifting the embargo contingent on Vietnam’s improving its human rights record, and recently administration officials had hinted that the ban could be removed partly in response to China’s buildup in the South China Sea. But Mr. Obama portrayed the decision as part of the long process of normalizing relations between the two countries after the Vietnam War." [NYT]
Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the leader of the Afghan Taliban, was killed by a U.S. airstrike that took place just inside of Pakistan. [Reuters]
"The Elks Lodge episode was one of at least 358 armed encounters nationwide last year -- nearly one a day, on average -- in which four or more people were killed or wounded, including attackers. The toll: 462 dead and 1,330 injured, sometimes for life, typically in bursts of gunfire lasting but seconds." [NYT]
ISIS took responsibility for the coordinated attacks in Jableh and Tartous. [Reuters]
Investigators are looking into the plane's prior stops before flight MS804. [Reuters]
Starting with Ben & Jerry's, of course. [Jason Linkins, Howard Fineman and Lauren Weber]
WHAT’S BREWING
"Grandparents have long provided safe harbor for grandchildren for a host of reasons -- dire financial straits, teen pregnancy, military deployment. But not since the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, analysts say, have so many children been at risk because of parental drug addiction." [NYT]
The strike zone could be altered and intentional walks signaled instead of pitched out. [ESPN]
From Britney Spears' triumphant performance to the fashion, here's what you missed out on if you didn't watch last night. [HuffPost]
Wait until you hear the inspiration for it. [HuffPost]
It's just a little trippy. [HuffPost]
"A transcript of a private, $285,000 paid speech Bill Clinton delivered last year at the 'China-U.S. Private Investment Summit' in Austin, Texas, obtained by POLITICO, offers a glimpse behind the curtain of the Clintons' controversial paid speaking gigs -- and some insight into how the former president holds court out of sight of the press." [Politico]
From last night's "Game of Thrones." No one ask us to hold the door today. [HuffPost]
WHAT'S WORKING
"A new report about the surge of the global sustainable seafood market this month reveals how consumer and corporate decisions could significantly move the needle when it comes to tackling the world’s environmental woes." [HuffPost]
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BEFORE YOU GO
~ The brother of one of the Brussels suicide bombers will compete for Belgium in the Olympics.
~ At least four have died summitting Mount Everest in the last four days.
~ Rumors are swirling that Beyonce and Jay Z are about to drop an album together that will respond to "Lemonade."
~ The danger of misusing the Venmo charge feature.
~ A Japanese pop star is in critical condition after being stabbed over 20 times by a fan who was reportedly stalking her on social media.
~ Watch out for listeria in these sunflower products.
~ The dispute over who killed the killer in the first campus massacre 50 years ago.
~ These amateur code-breakers are going after the Zodiac killer's ciphers.
~ Congrats to Eva Longoria on her marriage to Jose Baston this past weekend.
Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber at lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter @LaurenWeberHP. And like what you're reading? Sign up here to get The Morning Email delivered to you.