This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/10/briefing/james-comey-emmanuel-macron-russia.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
James Comey, Emmanuel Macron, Russia: Your Wednesday Briefing James Comey, Emmanuel Macron, Russia: Your Wednesday Briefing
(10 days later)
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• President Trump has fired James Comey, the F.B.I. director, citing his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.• President Trump has fired James Comey, the F.B.I. director, citing his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.
In a first since the Watergate scandal, the president dismissed the person leading an inquiry bearing on him: Mr. Comey was also investigating Russian meddling in last year’s election.In a first since the Watergate scandal, the president dismissed the person leading an inquiry bearing on him: Mr. Comey was also investigating Russian meddling in last year’s election.
Mr. Comey, who was three years into a 10-year term, learned of the decision from news reports while addressing F.B.I. employees in Los Angeles. Mr. Comey, who was four years into a 10-year term, learned of the decision from news reports while addressing F.B.I. employees in Los Angeles.
Here’s our investigation last month into his role at the center of one of the biggest political firestorms in U.S. history.Here’s our investigation last month into his role at the center of one of the biggest political firestorms in U.S. history.
__________
• Mr. Trump approved a plan to arm Syrian Kurds with heavier weapons to fight ISIS, despite strong objections from Turkey.• Mr. Trump approved a plan to arm Syrian Kurds with heavier weapons to fight ISIS, despite strong objections from Turkey.
The Kurdish militia, known as the Y.P.G., will participate in the battle to retake Raqqa, the Pentagon said. But Turkey insists that the militia is linked to Kurdish separatists.The Kurdish militia, known as the Y.P.G., will participate in the battle to retake Raqqa, the Pentagon said. But Turkey insists that the militia is linked to Kurdish separatists.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, is scheduled to meet Mr. Trump in Washington next week.Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, is scheduled to meet Mr. Trump in Washington next week.
__________
• The Russian hacking attack intended to disrupt the French election was a reminder that cyberattacks can also be defeated.• The Russian hacking attack intended to disrupt the French election was a reminder that cyberattacks can also be defeated.
In Washington, the director of the National Security Agency testified before a Senate committee that U.S. intelligence agencies watched the intrusion unfold and warned their French counterparts.In Washington, the director of the National Security Agency testified before a Senate committee that U.S. intelligence agencies watched the intrusion unfold and warned their French counterparts.
The digital team of the target, the French president-elect, Emmanuel Macron, opted for a “cyber-blurring” strategy, creating false email accounts and documents.The digital team of the target, the French president-elect, Emmanuel Macron, opted for a “cyber-blurring” strategy, creating false email accounts and documents.
__________
• Businesses across France hope that Mr. Macron will reduce regulations, but trade unions have already vowed to stop him from dismantling labor protections.• Businesses across France hope that Mr. Macron will reduce regulations, but trade unions have already vowed to stop him from dismantling labor protections.
Manuel Valls, above, a former prime minister, said that he was running in parliamentary elections with Mr. Macron’s movement. But party officials said they might not have room for the president-elect’s onetime boss.Manuel Valls, above, a former prime minister, said that he was running in parliamentary elections with Mr. Macron’s movement. But party officials said they might not have room for the president-elect’s onetime boss.
Here’s a look at reactions to Mr. Macron’s victory from writers across the political spectrum.Here’s a look at reactions to Mr. Macron’s victory from writers across the political spectrum.
__________
• Russia’s Victory Day parade served as a reminder of how isolated the country has become. Igor Dodon, the pro-Russian president of Moldova, was the only foreign leader in the reviewing stand.• Russia’s Victory Day parade served as a reminder of how isolated the country has become. Igor Dodon, the pro-Russian president of Moldova, was the only foreign leader in the reviewing stand.
Ukraine said that, starting next year, it would no longer celebrate victory over the Nazis in tandem with Russia on May 9, but a day earlier, when it is observed in much of Europe.Ukraine said that, starting next year, it would no longer celebrate victory over the Nazis in tandem with Russia on May 9, but a day earlier, when it is observed in much of Europe.
Russia’s foreign minister is in the U.S. for a meeting with Mr. Trump and talks on Syria today and an Arctic Council meeting tomorrow.Russia’s foreign minister is in the U.S. for a meeting with Mr. Trump and talks on Syria today and an Arctic Council meeting tomorrow.
__________
• No one has ever reached the top of the Himalayan peak K2 in winter.• No one has ever reached the top of the Himalayan peak K2 in winter.
Many have died trying. It is the world’s second-highest, but most dangerous mountain, with hurricane-strength winds and freezing temperatures.Many have died trying. It is the world’s second-highest, but most dangerous mountain, with hurricane-strength winds and freezing temperatures.
This winter, a group of Polish climbers will try it. Our sportswriter went to meet them in Krakow, where they are training for the mission.This winter, a group of Polish climbers will try it. Our sportswriter went to meet them in Krakow, where they are training for the mission.
__________
• The rise of HNA Group — from a tiny airline in southern China into Deutsche Bank’s largest shareholder — is drawing scrutiny, at home and abroad.• The rise of HNA Group — from a tiny airline in southern China into Deutsche Bank’s largest shareholder — is drawing scrutiny, at home and abroad.
• As the European Union urges Washington to commit to the Paris climate deal, here’s a look at the signatories’ commitments: There is no legal obstacle to submitting a weaker pledge, and even reneging on aid goals.• As the European Union urges Washington to commit to the Paris climate deal, here’s a look at the signatories’ commitments: There is no legal obstacle to submitting a weaker pledge, and even reneging on aid goals.
• The first major legislation President Trump signed stands to benefit a business run until recently by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.• The first major legislation President Trump signed stands to benefit a business run until recently by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• As many as 245 migrants were feared dead in two shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, pushing the toll so far this year past 1,300. [The New York Times]• As many as 245 migrants were feared dead in two shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, pushing the toll so far this year past 1,300. [The New York Times]
• Moon Jae-in, a son of North Korean refugees, was sworn in as president of South Korea, returning the country’s liberals to power. [The New York Times]• Moon Jae-in, a son of North Korean refugees, was sworn in as president of South Korea, returning the country’s liberals to power. [The New York Times]
• The Nigerian government is seeking to trade captured Boko Haram commanders for the release of more schoolgirls the militant group abducted in 2014. [The New York Times]• The Nigerian government is seeking to trade captured Boko Haram commanders for the release of more schoolgirls the militant group abducted in 2014. [The New York Times]
• In Germany, the authorities detained a second soldier in their inquiry into a xenophobic group’s plans to stage a terrorist attack and put the blame on migrants. [Deutsche Welle]• In Germany, the authorities detained a second soldier in their inquiry into a xenophobic group’s plans to stage a terrorist attack and put the blame on migrants. [Deutsche Welle]
• FIFA announced it would replace the judge and prosecutor whose investigations resulted in the suspensions of Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini and other top soccer officials. [The New York Times]• FIFA announced it would replace the judge and prosecutor whose investigations resulted in the suspensions of Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini and other top soccer officials. [The New York Times]
• Former President Barack Obama could hardly have found less controversial ground for a return to the global stage than discussing food in Italy. [The New York Times]• Former President Barack Obama could hardly have found less controversial ground for a return to the global stage than discussing food in Italy. [The New York Times]
• Recipe of the day: For a verdant side dish, try a pilaf with parsley, cilantro, chives and mint.• Recipe of the day: For a verdant side dish, try a pilaf with parsley, cilantro, chives and mint.
• Experts advise that fitness be assessed during medical exams because it can better indicate proneness to heart disease.• Experts advise that fitness be assessed during medical exams because it can better indicate proneness to heart disease.
• Decluttering? There are apps for that.• Decluttering? There are apps for that.
• Champions League: Juventus reached the final. Real Madrid, the defending champion, enters the second-leg match today of its semifinal against Atlético Madrid with a 3-0 lead.• Champions League: Juventus reached the final. Real Madrid, the defending champion, enters the second-leg match today of its semifinal against Atlético Madrid with a 3-0 lead.
• NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has sent images from inside the rings of Saturn, including the closest views ever of its hazy moon, Titan.• NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has sent images from inside the rings of Saturn, including the closest views ever of its hazy moon, Titan.
• Prass Press, a new satirical paper in Bulgaria, is testing the limits of press freedom in the E.U.’s poorest country. Even the prime minister is a subscriber, though he says the cartoons make him look too fat.• Prass Press, a new satirical paper in Bulgaria, is testing the limits of press freedom in the E.U.’s poorest country. Even the prime minister is a subscriber, though he says the cartoons make him look too fat.
• And Yotam Ottolenghi, the Israeli-British chef, writes about learning to make flaky phyllo dough for baklava and tarts. “You think you’re pretty good at something until you meet someone who has been doing it for 41 years.”• And Yotam Ottolenghi, the Israeli-British chef, writes about learning to make flaky phyllo dough for baklava and tarts. “You think you’re pretty good at something until you meet someone who has been doing it for 41 years.”
Two decades ago, a machine conquered humanity. In chess, that is, when the IBM computer Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov, then the world champion.Two decades ago, a machine conquered humanity. In chess, that is, when the IBM computer Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov, then the world champion.
The two had faced off the previous year, with Mr. Kasparov winning the six-game match, 4-2. But the computer won the rematch, 3½-2½.The two had faced off the previous year, with Mr. Kasparov winning the six-game match, 4-2. But the computer won the rematch, 3½-2½.
Before the first contest, Mr. Kasparov was reportedly so confident that he turned down an offer to split the $500,000 winnings 60-40. Instead he insisted on a winner-take-all affair.Before the first contest, Mr. Kasparov was reportedly so confident that he turned down an offer to split the $500,000 winnings 60-40. Instead he insisted on a winner-take-all affair.
Then he lost the first game, which was a “shattering experience,” according to his coach.Then he lost the first game, which was a “shattering experience,” according to his coach.
“I’m a human being,” Mr. Kasparov said after losing the second matchup. “When I see something that is well beyond my understanding, I’m afraid.”“I’m a human being,” Mr. Kasparov said after losing the second matchup. “When I see something that is well beyond my understanding, I’m afraid.”
Mr. Kasparov and chess pundits attributed the loss to a single move, which may have simply been a bug.Mr. Kasparov and chess pundits attributed the loss to a single move, which may have simply been a bug.
According to one of the computer’s designers, Deep Blue was unable to choose a move, so it picked one at random. It was a glitch, but the machine’s counterintuitive play may have confused Mr. Kasparov.According to one of the computer’s designers, Deep Blue was unable to choose a move, so it picked one at random. It was a glitch, but the machine’s counterintuitive play may have confused Mr. Kasparov.
“It was an incredibly refined move,” said the grandmaster Yasser Seirawan. “And it sent Garry into a tizzy.”“It was an incredibly refined move,” said the grandmaster Yasser Seirawan. “And it sent Garry into a tizzy.”
Evan Gershkovich contributed reporting.Evan Gershkovich contributed reporting.
__________
This briefing was prepared for the European morning. We also have briefings timed for the Australian, Asian and American mornings. You can sign up for these and other Times newsletters here.This briefing was prepared for the European morning. We also have briefings timed for the Australian, Asian and American mornings. You can sign up for these and other Times newsletters here.
Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online.Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online.
What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes.com.What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes.com.