The Fight at the Center of the Government Shutdown

In the last few years, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound have been radically reshaping the people’s lives, changing appetites and health. But the drugs also have the power to affect other parts of consumers’ lives, including their romantic relationships. Lisa Miller, who writes about health for The New York Times, tells the story of how these drugs upended one couple’s marriage.

During the continuing government shutdown, President Trump has posted memes depicting Russel T. Vought, the White House budget director, as the grim reaper. Coral Davenport, a Washington correspondent for The Times, explains how Mr. Vought, a once obscure official, has become one of the most influential figures in Washington.

Amusement parks are enduring vacation destinations for American families. The rides, the long lines for rides, the concessions, the long lines for concessions — these are practically familial rites of passage. Theme parks are also enormous moneymakers, with industry leaders such as Disney and Universal earning billions of dollars each year from their parks. In this episode, Gilbert Cruz chats with Brooks Barnes, who writes about show business (including theme parks), and Mekado Murphy, a film editor and thrill-seeker who reports on roller coasters. They talk about the state of the contemporary amusement park and the ups and downs of roller coasters around the world.

The California politician on his “wake-up call” at an earlier moment of political upheaval, and the one he’s experiencing today.

The suffering in the Gaza Strip has fueled international pressure on Israel to end the war and pushed western powers to recognize a Palestinian state. The isolation was on display last week at the United Nations. Jessica Cheung, a producer for “The Daily,” speaks to Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., about what Palestinian statehood means to him. Then, Mark Landler, the London bureau chief of The New York Times, discusses what the recognition means without the support of the United States and Israel, which was underscored in their new peace plan.