The one story you should read today, selected by the editors of New York. c ZXEWZ &055 One Great Story As Gaza entered famine early this year, I approached the journalist Jonathan Guyer with a question: What happened to Samantha Power? Twenty years ago, she had become a Pulitzer Prize–winning celebrity author by calling for the U.S. to stop atrocities worldwide. Today, as the head of USAID, she defends the Biden administration’s pro-Israel policies and practically begs the U.S. ally to let her agency feed Palestinians. What he found is someone appearing to grapple with her conscience and who was always more pragmatic than she seemed. His story is a searing portrait of an idealist who wanted to be in the most powerful room in the world. —JUSTIN MILLER, DEPUTY EDITOR, INTELLIGENCER THE PRICE OF POWER AMERICA’S CHIEF HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL ROSE TO FAME BY SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ATROCITIES. NOW SHE’S TRAPPED BY ONE. PHOTO: LEO CORREA/AP PHOTO Read the Full Story Enjoying One Great Story?  If you're enjoying our reading recommendations, consider forwarding this newsletter to a friend. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, you can sign up here.  And for unlimited access to all our stories. MORE FROM TODAY In an excerpt from her upcoming book Wild Faith, Talia Lavin examines the Evangelical family’s twisted obsession with corporal punishment.  READ MORE » Given a second term, Donald Trump may go full social Darwinist, argues Jonathan Chait — taxing the poor, slashing the welfare state, and cutting taxes for the rich.  READ MORE » Darren Aronofsky is bringing back the East Village of the ’90s, recreating spots like Kim’s Video for his film Caught Stealing, while Josh Safdie crafts the Orchard Street of the ’50s for his project Marty Supreme, reports Adriane Quinlan.  READ MORE » Joker: Folie à Deux commits the mortal sin of wasting Lady Gaga, writes Alison Willmore, focusing too much on Arthur, a character who just isn’t that interesting, no matter how hard Joaquin Phoenix tries.  READ MORE » According to TikTok, the secret to waking up pretty is to go to bed “ugly,” with your mouth taped shut and a strap around your chin. Charlotte Barnett investigates whether any of these tricks actually work. LEARN MORE » STREAMLINER Sign up for a weekly newsletter of TV and movie recommendations. SIGN UP New York Follow us on Instagram •  X  • Facebook   |  privacy notice  |   This email was sent to [email protected].   Reach the right online audience with us For advertising information on e-mail newsletters please contact [email protected]  Vox Media, LLC 1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved