TOP STORIES
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TRUMP DENOUNCES THE MEDIA, JUDGES AND THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT RUSSIA In a presser for the ages, President Donald Trump railed on the mainstream media, saying “fake” reporting was part of a media conspiracy that was obscuring the success of the start of his presidency, whose administration is “running like a fine-tuned machine.” He also asked an African-American reporter if she could set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus, saying “are they friends of yours?” Howard Fineman breaks down how the presser was a way to keep Congress in line. And Fox News’ Shep Smith going off on Trump’s condemnation of the press is a must-watch. [HuffPost]
TRUMP’S PICK TO REPLACE FLYNN TURNS DOWN THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER JOB Vice Adm. Robert Harward, a retired Navy SEAL and former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, said no to the job after the press conference Thursday. And as for Michael Flynn ― the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is investigating his paid speaking gigs in Russia. However, the FBI is not expected to pursue charges against him. [HuffPost]
TRUMP TAPS NEW LABOR PICK If confirmed, former U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta would be the first Latino in Trump’s Cabinet. [HuffPost]
NEW TRAVEL BAN COMING Trump promised a revised version, which is written to skirt the court rulings on the original executive order: “We can tailor the order to that decision and get just about everything, in some ways more.” [Reuters]
DAMS LIKE OROVILLE ARE JUST THE BEGINNING 56,000 bridges are also in trouble across the country. [HuffPost]
THE ‘LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE’ OF THE FIRST FAMILY’S TRAVEL SCHEDULE ― THAT’S COSTING TAXPAYERS “Barely a month into the Trump presidency, the unusually elaborate lifestyle of America’s new first family is straining the Secret Service and security officials, stirring financial and logistical concerns in several local communities, and costing far beyond what has been typical for past presidents — a price tag that, based on past assessments of presidential travel and security costs, could balloon into the hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of a four-year term.” [WaPo]
SEVERAL WHITE HOUSE STAFFERS WERE DISMISSED Over failed background checks Thursday. [Politico]
WHAT’S BREWING
THE NEW YORKER AND TIME MAGAZINE HAVE QUITE THE IMAGERY FOR THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY Take a look at a New Yorker cartoon featuring Nixon and Time’s cover. [HuffPost]
AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVESTY HAS OCCURRED Hasbro has axed the thimble from Monopoly. Do folks not know what a thimble is for? Have people stopped learning how to sew? And regardless, how could this happen that it could be replaced by an emoji? [HuffPost]
THE FBI HAS INTERVIEWED MEMBERS OF THE FINAL FIVE About sexual abuse allegations against former U.S. women’s national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. [WaPo]
SORRY MOMS, YOU’VE BEEN REPLACED There’s a new sherpa in town to shlep all your stuff ― and it’s a robot. [Wired]
FORGET BYE BYE BYE And say hello to the *NSYNC reunion in the works. [HuffPost]
THIS ARTIST IS TRYING TO ADDRESS THE RACIST HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHING MEN OF COLOR “Men of color historically were not granted the opportunity to appear sympathetic in portraits.” [HuffPost]
BEFORE YOU GO
~ A man convicted of killing his first family pleads guilty to slaying his second.
~ Did you pay attention to the headlines this week? Test your knowledge with this week’s HuffPost Headline’s Quiz.
~ Turns out Regis and Kelly haven’t spoken in years.
~ “American Horror Story” will take place during the 2016 election. No joke from us needed here.
~ Could this be the return of the Wooly Mammoth (who cares about the lessons of Jurassic Park, right?)?
~ This handy infographic can answer if someone you know is a spy.
~ Be still our hearts after looking at these images of the “Love Actually” mini-sequel.
~ In case you didn’t love Lin-Manuel Miranda enough ― he’s taking his mom to the Oscars.
~ The first cherry blossom photos are out, and spring is here (at least in Japan).
~ That time Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz used to be engaged?
~ Serena Williams is straight fire in the “Sports Illustrated” swimsuit edition.
~ And this husband outdid everyone for Valentine’s Day when he covered his wife’s room in post-it love notes.