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Trump, Sessions, Pompeo, Flynn: Your Friday Evening Briefing Trump, Sessions, Pompeo, Flynn: Your Friday Evening Briefing
(about 4 hours 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 evening. Here’s the latest.Good evening. Here’s the latest.
1. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen three hawkish loyalists for key posts.1. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen three hawkish loyalists for key posts.
They are Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, Representative Mike Pompeo as C.I.A. director and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser.They are Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, Representative Mike Pompeo as C.I.A. director and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser.
All three are regarded as outliers from conventional Republican thinking, shunned in various ways for viewpoints that were seen as unacceptable or overly partisan.All three are regarded as outliers from conventional Republican thinking, shunned in various ways for viewpoints that were seen as unacceptable or overly partisan.
Mr. Sessions, an Alabama conservative, was denied a federal judgeship by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1986 because of racially charged comments.Mr. Sessions, an Alabama conservative, was denied a federal judgeship by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1986 because of racially charged comments.
Mr. Pompeo, above, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, has criticized President Obama’s decision to shut down the C.I.A.’s black-site prisons and require interrogators to abide by anti-torture laws. Mr. Pompeo, above, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, would become one of the most overtly partisan figures to take over the C.I.A. — a spy agency that, at least publicly, is supposed to operate above politics and avoid a direct role in policymaking.
General Flynn was the angry voice of the national security establishment on the campaign trail. He describes Islam as a political ideology, not a religion, and has even called it a cancer.General Flynn was the angry voice of the national security establishment on the campaign trail. He describes Islam as a political ideology, not a religion, and has even called it a cancer.
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2. Mr. Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle lawsuits stemming from his defunct for-profit education venture, Trump University.2. Mr. Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle lawsuits stemming from his defunct for-profit education venture, Trump University.
Fraud allegations by former students had dogged him for years and hampered his presidential campaign.Fraud allegations by former students had dogged him for years and hampered his presidential campaign.
Above, Mr. Trump announced the establishment of the university in 2005.Above, Mr. Trump announced the establishment of the university in 2005.
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3. The World Health Organization declared an end to its global health emergency over the spread of the Zika virus.3. The World Health Organization declared an end to its global health emergency over the spread of the Zika virus.
Zika should now be treated as a continuing problem rather than an exceptional situation, the agency said.Zika should now be treated as a continuing problem rather than an exceptional situation, the agency said.
The move prompted dismay from some public health experts, especially because Zika is seasonal and summer is just starting in the Southern Hemisphere. Above, a baby born with microcephaly in Brazil.The move prompted dismay from some public health experts, especially because Zika is seasonal and summer is just starting in the Southern Hemisphere. Above, a baby born with microcephaly in Brazil.
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4. Confederate flags are being displayed across the country, often as a kind of rejoinder to anti-Trump protesters.4. Confederate flags are being displayed across the country, often as a kind of rejoinder to anti-Trump protesters.
Those who have publicly embraced the flag are a small minority of the more than 60 million Americans who voted for Mr. Trump.Those who have publicly embraced the flag are a small minority of the more than 60 million Americans who voted for Mr. Trump.
But displays of the flag — and reports of threats and attacks directed at minorities — are forcing Americans to confront vexing questions about race relations.But displays of the flag — and reports of threats and attacks directed at minorities — are forcing Americans to confront vexing questions about race relations.
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5. A 550-foot-tall windowless, fortified AT&T building in downtown Manhattan has been identified as an N.S.A. listening post.5. A 550-foot-tall windowless, fortified AT&T building in downtown Manhattan has been identified as an N.S.A. listening post.
Neither AT&T nor the National Security Agency would confirm this, but that’s the conclusion of a short film debuting this weekend, based on material provided by Edward Snowden.Neither AT&T nor the National Security Agency would confirm this, but that’s the conclusion of a short film debuting this weekend, based on material provided by Edward Snowden.
The film, “Project X,” says the building was code-named Titanpointe and used to collect communications from international entities with operations in New York.The film, “Project X,” says the building was code-named Titanpointe and used to collect communications from international entities with operations in New York.
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6. In a new study, scientists using genetic engineering techniques were able to alter photosynthesis, the chemical reaction powering nearly all life on Earth.6. In a new study, scientists using genetic engineering techniques were able to alter photosynthesis, the chemical reaction powering nearly all life on Earth.
They increased the productivity of a test plant by 20 percent, raising hopes that they could do the same with food crops.They increased the productivity of a test plant by 20 percent, raising hopes that they could do the same with food crops.
Above, rice seedlings that are part of the experiment in a lab at the University of Illinois.Above, rice seedlings that are part of the experiment in a lab at the University of Illinois.
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7. Mr. Trump’s election has upended French politics and given new momentum to the far right.7. Mr. Trump’s election has upended French politics and given new momentum to the far right.
But it could also propel an aging, generally unpopular center-right politician into the presidency.But it could also propel an aging, generally unpopular center-right politician into the presidency.
Alain Juppé is the front-runner heading into a party primary this Sunday. He’s seen as a bulwark against rising populism.Alain Juppé is the front-runner heading into a party primary this Sunday. He’s seen as a bulwark against rising populism.
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8. Pope Francis’ third set of cardinals will receive their “red hats” at a ceremony on Saturday.8. Pope Francis’ third set of cardinals will receive their “red hats” at a ceremony on Saturday.
Most of the current cardinals were appointed by his more conservative predecessors.Most of the current cardinals were appointed by his more conservative predecessors.
The 79-year-old pontiff is in a race against time to appoint enough like-minded cardinals to ensure that his vision of the church endures after he dies.The 79-year-old pontiff is in a race against time to appoint enough like-minded cardinals to ensure that his vision of the church endures after he dies.
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9. Pirates are sowing terror along the Amazon River in Brazil.9. Pirates are sowing terror along the Amazon River in Brazil.
Robberies and boat hijackings have surged as local drug gangs grow stronger. The police are struggling to respond.Robberies and boat hijackings have surged as local drug gangs grow stronger. The police are struggling to respond.
“There’s no law on the Amazon River,” said one woman whose son was robbed.“There’s no law on the Amazon River,” said one woman whose son was robbed.
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10. Here are eight new books we recommend this week.10. Here are eight new books we recommend this week.
From Wesley Lowery’s reportage on police shootings to Zadie Smith’s new novel, they elucidate and offer escape from the noisy politics of our times.From Wesley Lowery’s reportage on police shootings to Zadie Smith’s new novel, they elucidate and offer escape from the noisy politics of our times.
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11. Finally, we built an interactive meal planner for Thanksgiving. Tell us how many guests are coming, their dietary needs and your culinary dreams.11. Finally, we built an interactive meal planner for Thanksgiving. Tell us how many guests are coming, their dietary needs and your culinary dreams.
In return, we’ll offer recipe ideas and tips for an extraordinary Thanksgiving meal.In return, we’ll offer recipe ideas and tips for an extraordinary Thanksgiving meal.
(And if it’s your first time making Thanksgiving, you may want to head straight to a specially selected batch of simple recipes.)(And if it’s your first time making Thanksgiving, you may want to head straight to a specially selected batch of simple recipes.)
Have a great weekend.Have a great weekend.
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Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help.Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help.
Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.
And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a.m. Sundays.And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a.m. Sundays.
Want to look back? Here’s last night’s briefing.Want to look back? Here’s last night’s briefing.
What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.