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Travel Ban, George Pell, Hong Kong: Your Thursday Briefing

When the British left 20 years ago, Hong Kong was seen as a rare blend of East and West that China might seek to emulate. Now, increasingly, it’s a cautionary tale.Credit...Lam Yik Fei for The New York Times

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Good morning.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Fears over N.S.A.’s arsenal.

After two major cyberattacks recently used tools stolen from the National Security Agency, there are growing concerns that U.S. intelligence agencies have rushed to create digital weapons that they cannot keep safe.

On Wednesday, cybersecurity experts were puzzled by the hackers’ motive, which may not have been financial. Tax accountants in Ukraine appear to have been the initial targets.

• Travel ban rules are set.

Stepsiblings and half-siblings are allowed, but not nieces or nephews. Parents are considered “close family,” but grandparents are not.

The State Department issued guidelines today to apply a limited travel ban for citizens of six predominantly Muslim countries. Enforcement begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.

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Arriving at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. People from countries affected by the travel ban will be allowed into the U.S. if they have a “bona fide” relationship with someone in the country.Credit...James Lawler Duggan/Reuters

• Fixing Obamacare.

With his bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act in trouble, Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, raised the possibility of working with Democrats to shore up the deteriorating health law.

We visited Mr. McConnell’s home state, Kentucky, where many aren’t sure what to oppose more: Obamacare or Republicans’ proposed replacement.

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Dr. Van Breeding examining a patient at a hospital in Whitesburg, Ky. Nearly one in three people in Kentucky receive coverage through Medicaid, expanded under the Affordable Care Act.Credit...Jessica Ebelhar/The New York Times

And we spoke to Democrats from conservative states who thought they might find common ground with President Trump. That hasn’t happened.

• Cardinal is charged with sexual assault.

George Pell, Australia’s senior Roman Catholic prelate and a top adviser to Pope Francis, has been charged with sexual assault, the Australian police said.

The Holy See announced today that Cardinal Pell had been granted a leave of absence so that he could return to Australia to defend himself.

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Cardinal George Pell in 2008. He is the highest-ranking Vatican official in recent years to face criminal charges involving accusations of sexual offenses.Credit...Daniel Munoz/Reuters

• World roundup.

• A White House warning succeeded in stopping a chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government, U.S. officials said.

• President Trump accepted an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron of France to join Bastille Day celebrations next month.

• The recently deposed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Nayef, is said to have been barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace.

• A bungee jump instructor in Spain could face criminal charges after a Dutch teenager plunged to her death in 2015, mistaking his command in English of “no jump” for “now jump.”

• “The Daily,” your audio news report.

In today’s show, we discuss the American military’s actions in Syria, and how it may be sliding into a far bigger role in the civil war than it intended.

Listen on a computer, an iOS device or an Android device.

• Walgreens and Rite Aid said today that they had called off their planned merger. Instead, Rite Aid will sell more than 2,100 drugstores and three distribution centers to Walgreens for about $5 billion.

• Central bankers from around the world discussed whether artificial intelligence could eliminate huge numbers of jobs.

• “Is he strange? Yes.” The lawyer for the former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli, whose fraud trial started on Wednesday, portrayed his client as odd but brilliant.

Mr. Shkreli is best known for initiating a steep increase in the price of a lifesaving drug.

• U.S. stocks were up on Wednesday. Here’s a snapshot of global markets.

Smarter Living introduced its weekly newsletter on Monday, delivering tips for living a better, more fulfilling life straight to your inbox. Sign up here, and catch up on the first edition.

• Recipe of the day: For grilled steak, this marinade of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, honey and lime is worth adding to your rotation.

• A 6-year-old trailblazer.

In today’s 360 video, visit the elementary school in New Orleans that Ruby Bridges attended in 1960, becoming the first black student to do so.

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On Nov. 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges desegregated the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Hear from Ruby’s teacher about that year and visit the school — in the past, present and in 360 video.CreditCredit...Illustration by Erik Nelson Rodriguez. Technology by Samsung.

• Partisan writing you shouldn’t miss.

Read about how the other side thinks: Writers from across the political spectrum discuss the Supreme Court’s recent decisions.

• The promise of Hong Kong fades.

When the British colony returned to Chinese rule 20 years ago, it was seen as a prosperous and modern example that Beijing could emulate.

But the city’s democratic evolution, sought by a majority of the population, has stalled.

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, arrived in the territory today for ceremonies marking the anniversary. Follow our live briefing.

• A bright side for the Knicks, maybe.

The team ousted Phil Jackson, its president, on Wednesday and needs years of rebuilding without interference, our sports columnist writes. (Gone, too, is Jackson’s much-maligned triangle offense.)

• Best of late-night TV.

On “Full Frontal,” Samantha Bee expressed concerns about the Senate health care bill. “It turns out, 13 rich white guys alone in a room isn’t how good legislation happens.”

• Quotation of the day.

“I made eye contact with a couple of people, and they made a sad face. I guess it was a nice human moment.”

KC Brown, a subway rider who thought she had a second chance to board a crowded train when the doors reopened, but the car was too full.

Estonia, the smallest of the three Baltic States, takes on a big task for the first time this week: the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The six-month role will give the country an outsize voice in European politics, and leaders will converge on Tallinn, the capital, for meetings.

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Wheeeeee!Credit...TheKiiking, via YouTube

A few facts about the nation: It’s a former Soviet republic, with a population of about 1.3 million. It prides itself on embracing life online and has declared internet access a human right.

Estonians helped create well-known services like Skype and Kazaa, an early file-sharing website.

On the physical side, the country has an unusual sport: “kiiking,” or extreme swinging.

In kiiking (pronounced KEY-king), participants are tied to the base of a rigid swing and try to generate enough momentum to complete a full rotation. (Hard to envision? Here’s a video.)

Kiiking, pioneered by Ado Kosk in the 1990s, emerged from a tradition of building large wooden swings for community festivities.

“Swinging is in our blood,” said Ants Tamme, director of the Estonian Kiiking Federation.

“It’s all about your fears,” said Mr. Tamme, once a record-holder. “If you overcome your fears, it’s easy.”

Patrick Boehler contributed reporting.

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

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