On today's podcast:

(1) The US Supreme Court refused to allow President Donald Trump to immediately oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook while she sues to keep her job, dealing a setback to his efforts to exert more control over the central bank.

(2) White House Budget Director Russell Vought is planning to swiftly dismiss federal workers, a sign that Republicans will lean into hardball tactics to pressure Democrats to cave to end a government shutdown.

(3) Arab and Muslim national leaders are pushing Hamas to accept the Gaza plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump this week, saying the need to end the fighting surpasses concern about the finer details.

(4) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz lashed out at Viktor Orban during a meeting of European Union leaders in Copenhagen on Wednesday, accusing the Hungarian prime minister of derailing discussions on the bloc’s security needs.

(5) French unions are holding a new round of anti-austerity protests Thursday, seeking to maintain pressure on Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu as he struggles to pull together a budget proposal.

Podcast Conversation: Broadway Musicals Need to Take More Risks: Allison Schrager

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