White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (C) arrives prior to a joint news conference between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 13, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY[/caption] It was another week with President Donald Trump front and center as his national security adviser Michael Flynn stepped down, while Labor secretary nominee Andy Puzder withdrew, and Trump announced Alexander Acosta as his nominated replacement. As news outlets questioned what was happening behind the scenes, Trump lashed out at media coverage, saying rumors his team was in chaos were untrue. Trump also worked to build international bridges, meeting with leaders from Canada and Israel during the week, to discuss aims for future initiatives. Read more about these stories and the other biggest news of the week, as it appeared in this week’s Daily Edition. 1. ‘I Inherited a Mess,’ Trump Says, Defending His Performance—The New York Times, Peter Baker Top line: “President Trump on Thursday dismissed reports about his associates’ contacts with Russia last year and vigorously defended his performance in his first four weeks in office, in a contentious news conference that showcased his unconventional and unconstrained presidency.” Topic to follow: Donald Trump 2. Trump knew Flynn misled WH weeks before ouster: Officials—Associated Press, Julie Pace and Vivian Salama Top line: “Just six days into his presidency, Donald Trump was informed his national security adviser had misled his vice president about contacts with Russia. Trump kept his No. 2 in the dark and waited nearly three weeks before ousting the aide, Michael Flynn, citing a slow but steady erosion of trust, White House officials said Tuesday.” Topic to follow: Michael Flynn 3. Andy Puzder withdraws as Labor secretary nominee amid Republican opposition—Los Angeles Times, Jim Puzzanghera and Lisa Mascaro Top line: “Puzder, chief executive of Carpinteria-based CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s chains, abruptly withdrew just a day before he was to face a Senate confirmation hearing.” Topic to follow: U.S. Senate 4. Netanyahu and Trump push reset of US-Israel relationship—CNN, Jeremy Diamond Top line: “The encounter signaled a warmer chapter in US-Israel relations than Netanyahu had enjoyed with Trump’s predecessor. After eight years of grappling with President Barack Obama, Netanyahu embraced a like-minded counterpart at the White House. But Trump also made clear that he would not give Israel carte blanche, taking a harder line on some issues than he had during the campaign.” Topic to follow: Netanyahu 5. After Meeting Canadian Prime Minister, Trump Talks Of Tweaking NAFTA—NPR, Brian Naylor Top line: “President Trump says he is looking at “tweaking” portions of the North American Free Trade Agreement that deal with trade between the U.S. and Canada. Trump spoke at a brief news conference after meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House on Monday. Trump said U.S.-Canada trade is ‘a much less severe situation’ than trade with Mexico.” Topic to follow: Canada 6. Police arrest third suspect in Kim Jong Nam killing—The Washington Post, Anna Fifield Top line: “Kim Jong Nam, 45, was attacked by two women at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday as he went to check in for a flight to Macau, his main base since he went into exile about 15 years ago. They grabbed him and sprayed some kind of poison on his face.” Topic to follow: Kim Jong-un 7. Rush to Drain Californian Lake as Storms Gather—TIME, Jonathan J. Cooper and Paul Elias Top line: “Officials raced to drain more water from a lake behind battered Oroville Dam as new storms began rolling into Northern California on Wednesday and tested the quick repairs made to damaged spillways that raised flood fears.” Topic to follow: Weather 8. India launches record 104 satellites in single mission—BBC Top line: “India has created history by successfully launching 104 satellites on a single mission, overtaking the previous record of 37 satellites launched by Russia in 2014.” Topic to follow: Space 9. U.N., Trump denounce North Korea, but no sign of any action—Reuters, Ned Parker and Ju-min Park Top line: “The U.N. Security Council denounced North Korea’s weekend missile launch, urging members to “redouble efforts” to enforce sanctions against the reclusive state, but gave no indications of any action it might take.” Topic to follow: North Korea 10. U.S. sanctions Venezuelan vice president on drug trafficking—USA Today, Jessica Durando and Alan Gomez Top line: “The Trump administration imposed sanctions Monday against Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami, accusing him of playing a significant role in international drug trafficking…The department said he orchestrated drug shipments from a Venezuelan air base and multiple seaports, some weighing more than 2,200 pounds per shipment.” Topic to follow: Venezuela ~JessE is reading Art and Antiquity