In this issue, Sarah A. Topol on the dark side of fertility industry; Wyatt Williams on the writer Denis Johnson and his novella "Train Dreams"; Sam Kriss on A.I. writing; and more.

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE: The 12.21.25 Issue features Sarah A. Topol on the dark side of fertility industry; Wyatt Williams on the writer Denis Johnson and his novella “Train Dreams”; Sam Kriss on A.I. writing; and more.

They Answered an Ad for Surrogates, and Found Themselves in a Nightmare

Eve was one of dozens of Thai women who traveled 4,000 miles — only to be trapped by the dark side of the global fertility industry.

How ‘Affordability’ Became a New Magic Word for Politicians

A rallying cry for Democrats taps into frustration over the inaccessibility of a modestly nice American existence — even for those with a decent income. By Nitsuh Abebe

The Lives They Lived

Remembering some of the artists, innovators and thinkers we lost in the past year.

Suspect in Brown University Shooting Is Found Dead

The body of a 48-year-old former student suspected in the killing of two students and an M.I.T. professor was found in a storage unit in New Hampshire. Any motive remains unclear.

Europe to Lend $105 Billion to Ukraine, Without Touching Russian Funds

European Union officials wanted to use Russia’s frozen assets to back a major loan to Ukraine. Facing opposition in their own camp, they settled on another way.

‘A Singularly Turbulent Time’: Deeper Uncertainty Looms Over the Global Economy

A reordering of the rules of trade, set on top of transformational change in technology, demographics and climate, is remaking jobs, politics and lives.

Shouting, Ranting and Insulting: Trump’s Uninhibited Second Term

Many of President Trump’s supporters love his professional-wrestling style of leadership. But recent attacks have sickened even some of his own political allies.