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| James Comey, Brigitte Macron, ‘King Arthur’: Your Friday Briefing | James Comey, Brigitte Macron, ‘King Arthur’: Your Friday Briefing |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| (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: |
| • Political whiplash. | • Political whiplash. |
| President Trump has offered a new version of his decision to fire the F.B.I. director, James Comey, saying on Thursday that he would have dismissed him regardless of what advisers recommended, and referring to the bureau’s investigation of Russia ties. | President Trump has offered a new version of his decision to fire the F.B.I. director, James Comey, saying on Thursday that he would have dismissed him regardless of what advisers recommended, and referring to the bureau’s investigation of Russia ties. |
| The president called Mr. Comey “a showboat” and “a grandstander.” Here’s a timeline of the events leading to the dismissal, and of the White House’s shifting explanations for it. | The president called Mr. Comey “a showboat” and “a grandstander.” Here’s a timeline of the events leading to the dismissal, and of the White House’s shifting explanations for it. |
| We also learned about a dinner at the White House in January during which the president asked for Mr. Comey’s loyalty. The F.B.I. director offered only “honesty.” | We also learned about a dinner at the White House in January during which the president asked for Mr. Comey’s loyalty. The F.B.I. director offered only “honesty.” |
| This week’s news from Washington has left many feeling that the president is being held to an unfair standard. | This week’s news from Washington has left many feeling that the president is being held to an unfair standard. |
| • F.B.I. pushes back. | • F.B.I. pushes back. |
| The bureau’s acting director, Andrew McCabe, contradicted the White House on two major issues on Thursday: the support of rank-and-file agents for James Comey, and the importance of the investigation into Russian interference in the election. | The bureau’s acting director, Andrew McCabe, contradicted the White House on two major issues on Thursday: the support of rank-and-file agents for James Comey, and the importance of the investigation into Russian interference in the election. |
| “Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the F.B.I. and still does,” Mr. McCabe told a Senate committee. | “Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the F.B.I. and still does,” Mr. McCabe told a Senate committee. |
| He also promised that the F.B.I. would resist attempts to influence or hobble its Russia investigation. | He also promised that the F.B.I. would resist attempts to influence or hobble its Russia investigation. |
| • New York jails chief to resign. | • New York jails chief to resign. |
| Joseph Ponte, who was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio three years ago to end the chaos at Rikers Island, is expected to step down as correction commissioner today. | Joseph Ponte, who was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio three years ago to end the chaos at Rikers Island, is expected to step down as correction commissioner today. |
| The decision comes after revelations about mismanagement and dysfunction at the highest levels of New York City’s jail agency. | The decision comes after revelations about mismanagement and dysfunction at the highest levels of New York City’s jail agency. |
| • “My hero in our little world.” | • “My hero in our little world.” |
| Staff Sgt. Mark De Alencar was killed in Afghanistan in April, the first American to die in combat this year in a war often overshadowed by conflicts in Iraq and Syria. | Staff Sgt. Mark De Alencar was killed in Afghanistan in April, the first American to die in combat this year in a war often overshadowed by conflicts in Iraq and Syria. |
| We spent time with his wife and five children to learn more about his service, virtually invisible to the citizens for whom he died. | We spent time with his wife and five children to learn more about his service, virtually invisible to the citizens for whom he died. |
| • France’s next first lady. | • France’s next first lady. |
| Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, President-elect Emmanuel Macron, has stirred a lively debate about sexism, ageism and contemporary marriage. | Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, President-elect Emmanuel Macron, has stirred a lively debate about sexism, ageism and contemporary marriage. |
| • “The Daily,” your audio news report. | • “The Daily,” your audio news report. |
| In today’s show, we discuss the secret conversation that may have doomed the F.B.I. director. | |
| Listen on a computer, an iOS device or an Android device. | Listen on a computer, an iOS device or an Android device. |
| • The U.S. has reached a set of narrow trade deals with China, but they leave untouched larger issues complicating the countries’ relations. | • The U.S. has reached a set of narrow trade deals with China, but they leave untouched larger issues complicating the countries’ relations. |
| • The real estate company owned by the family of Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to President Trump, said today that its leaders would not take part in sales pitches to Chinese investors this weekend. | • The real estate company owned by the family of Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to President Trump, said today that its leaders would not take part in sales pitches to Chinese investors this weekend. |
| Experts on government ethics said the company’s recent funding push in China had presented a conflict of interest. | Experts on government ethics said the company’s recent funding push in China had presented a conflict of interest. |
| • Profits from high-interest credit cards are buoying retailers in a tough time, and perhaps masking the depth of the industry’s problems. | • Profits from high-interest credit cards are buoying retailers in a tough time, and perhaps masking the depth of the industry’s problems. |
| • Could you live without these five tech giants? Tell us here. | • Could you live without these five tech giants? Tell us here. |
| • U.S. stocks were down on Thursday. Here’s a snapshot of global markets. | • U.S. stocks were down on Thursday. Here’s a snapshot of global markets. |
| • Scientists may have uncovered why deep breaths can be so calming. | • Scientists may have uncovered why deep breaths can be so calming. |
| • George Shultz, a former U.S. secretary of state, has a prescription for the smartphone-addled: a weekly hour of solitude. | • George Shultz, a former U.S. secretary of state, has a prescription for the smartphone-addled: a weekly hour of solitude. |
| • Recipe of the day: Harness big flavors with sautéed lamb chops. | • Recipe of the day: Harness big flavors with sautéed lamb chops. |
| • Where Fords are made. | • Where Fords are made. |
| In today’s 360 video, step inside a factory in Hangzhou, China, where 650 robots work alongside humans. | In today’s 360 video, step inside a factory in Hangzhou, China, where 650 robots work alongside humans. |
| • Partisan writing you shouldn’t miss. | • Partisan writing you shouldn’t miss. |
| Read about how the other side thinks: the pitfalls of using a special prosecutor, the pros and cons of the Resistance movement, and the perils of Trumponomics. | Read about how the other side thinks: the pitfalls of using a special prosecutor, the pros and cons of the Resistance movement, and the perils of Trumponomics. |
| • Ready for the weekend. | • Ready for the weekend. |
| We spoke with Charlie Hunnam, star of the new movie “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” directed by Guy Ritchie. Also new on the big screen this week: “Snatched,” starring Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn. | We spoke with Charlie Hunnam, star of the new movie “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” directed by Guy Ritchie. Also new on the big screen this week: “Snatched,” starring Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn. |
| Looking for something to read? We have 10 recommendations, as well as an ode to that breeding ground for friendships and petty resentments alike, the book club. | Looking for something to read? We have 10 recommendations, as well as an ode to that breeding ground for friendships and petty resentments alike, the book club. |
| And our chief television critic reviews “I Love Dick,” which arrives today on Amazon. | And our chief television critic reviews “I Love Dick,” which arrives today on Amazon. |
| Plus: Just how good was the Broadway season? | Plus: Just how good was the Broadway season? |
| • In memoriam. | • In memoriam. |
| Stan Weston, inspired by the success of the Barbie doll, designed a military action figure that became G.I. Joe, one of the most popular toys ever produced. He was 84. | Stan Weston, inspired by the success of the Barbie doll, designed a military action figure that became G.I. Joe, one of the most popular toys ever produced. He was 84. |
| • Here’s to Mom. | • Here’s to Mom. |
| Sunday is Mother’s Day in many countries. A writer collected photos of women before they were mothers and found they challenged our ideas about motherhood. | Sunday is Mother’s Day in many countries. A writer collected photos of women before they were mothers and found they challenged our ideas about motherhood. |
| • Best of late-night TV. | • Best of late-night TV. |
| President Trump hurled insults at Stephen Colbert in an interview this week. The “Late Show” host could hardly believe his luck. | President Trump hurled insults at Stephen Colbert in an interview this week. The “Late Show” host could hardly believe his luck. |
| While attendees of the 57th Venice Biennale appreciate the art from around the globe, they may also want to note an adornment on some shop windows: a blue line. | While attendees of the 57th Venice Biennale appreciate the art from around the globe, they may also want to note an adornment on some shop windows: a blue line. |
| The line signifies where floodwaters rose in the Piazza San Marco on Nov. 4, 1966. | The line signifies where floodwaters rose in the Piazza San Marco on Nov. 4, 1966. |
| “Acqua alta,” or high water, is the phrase used in the city of canals to describe unusually high (though not uncommon) tides. | “Acqua alta,” or high water, is the phrase used in the city of canals to describe unusually high (though not uncommon) tides. |
| In addition to flooding, Venice also faces a potential threat as the ground under the city sinks, research shows. (The pumping of groundwater, which contributed to the process, has been stopped, but the ground still gives way.) | In addition to flooding, Venice also faces a potential threat as the ground under the city sinks, research shows. (The pumping of groundwater, which contributed to the process, has been stopped, but the ground still gives way.) |
| Acqua alta is a phenomenon that occurs predominantly in the winter months, so the biennale, which runs from May 13 to Nov. 26, is unlikely to be affected. | Acqua alta is a phenomenon that occurs predominantly in the winter months, so the biennale, which runs from May 13 to Nov. 26, is unlikely to be affected. |
| Besides, unlike a world war or two, no flood or rising tide has ever stopped the art exhibition. | Besides, unlike a world war or two, no flood or rising tide has ever stopped the art exhibition. |
| Thomas Lotito contributed reporting. | Thomas Lotito contributed reporting. |
| _____ | _____ |
| Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help. | |
| Your Morning Briefing is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern and updated on the web all morning. | Your Morning Briefing is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern and updated on the web all morning. |
| What would you like to see here? Contact us at briefing@nytimes.com. | What would you like to see here? Contact us at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| You can sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox. | You can sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox. |