Cyberattack, Comey, Trump: Your Weekend Briefing

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/14/briefing/comey-trump-macron.html

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Here are the week’s top stories, and a look ahead.

1. Now wanted: a new F.B.I. director.

President Trump’s abrupt firing of James Comey, above, while the agency was investigating ties between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia, set off a series of contradictions from the White House.

The shifting explanations for the firing highlighted Mr. Trump’s willingness to expose his staff members to ridicule.

A new director could be named this week, Mr. Trump said. And Mr. Comey has been invited to a closed session with the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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2. A global cyberattack, executed via email, hit dozens of countries on Friday.

In the audacious ransomware assault, hackers exploited software stolen from the National Security Agency — taking advantage of targets, particularly hospitals, that had neglected to patch or update their Microsoft software.

Britain’s National Health Service ignored numerous warnings that its systems were vulnerable.

New digital tools have also emboldened nonexperts to wage these sorts of attacks.

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3. President Trump will host leaders from around the globe this week, including the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, above, the Turkish president and the president of Colombia.

On Friday, he begins his first international trip as president. Mr. Trump’s first stop, one of many, will be Saudi Arabia.

Our Washington correspondents wrote that Mr. Trump remains deeply frustrated over not getting enough credit for winning the election.

“There’s a lot of anger. I’ve talked with him about it,” said one of his friends.

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4. Members of the House are returning to Washington after a weeklong recess.

A small group of Republicans held town hall events while they were away. At least two of them faced jeers from people who are unhappy with the recently passed health care bill.

That bill is now in the Senate, where 13 men — but not one woman — were named to the group who will work on it.

Above, a town hall event in New Jersey.

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5. South Korea’s new president, Moon Jae-in, above, was sworn in on Wednesday. He will become one of the few left-leaning leaders in the country’s history.

In France, Emmanuel Macron, the independent centrist who defeated the far-right candidate last week, became president on Sunday. French businesses hope his victory will fuel an economic revival.

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6. Chelsea Manning, the Army intelligence analyst who leaked military and diplomatic activities in 2010, is expected to be released from prison on Wednesday.

President Barack Obama commuted her 35-year term in January. She tried to kill herself twice last year.

“For the first time, I can see a future for myself as Chelsea,” she said in a statement last week.

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7. Most cities have shunned the prospect of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games because of cost and security concerns, but Los Angeles is all in.

It already has a sprawling system of stadiums and arenas, after all, and even the public’s support.

But it’s not a sure thing: Paris is also a contender.

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8. Ben Platt, a 23-year-old with mild anxiety and a charmed life, wrecks himself onstage in “Dear Evan Hansen” — and in doing so, he’s become the toast of Broadway and a favorite to win a Tony.

“He sings through tears! Think of how hard that is to do, to sing an entire song and cry simultaneously,” Neil Patrick Harris said of Mr. Platt’s performance.

Just uptown, at the Metropolitan Opera, Renée Fleming bid farewell on Saturday to a signature role in “Der Rosenkavalier.” The moment was broadcast live worldwide.

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9. Melissa McCarthy, the “Saturday Night Live” host, returned to the role of Sean Spicer at the end of a difficult week for the White House press secretary.

Her sketch opened with a briefing by the deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (played by Aidy Bryant). When a reporter noted that Mr. Spicer was hiding in bushes outside, Ms. Bryant’s character explained, “I believe that’s a naval exercise. He’s trying to blend in with his surroundings.”

On Friday, Ms. McCarthy, dressed as Mr. Spicer, tooled around New York City on a mobile lectern, above.

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10. Finally, happy Mother’s Day! Want to extend the life of that bouquet?

Use that packet of flower food and hot water to start, and clean the vase thoroughly.

Have a great week.

Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help.

Your Weekend Briefing is published Sundays at 6 a.m. Eastern.

And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern, and Your Evening Briefing, weeknights at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Want to look back? Here’s Friday’s Evening Briefing.

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