Welcome back to The Weekender, where you’ll find a batch of the week’s top stories about culture and the way we live today.
I was ready to take on 2026 with gusto. Then I got sick with something that took me out (this flu season is brutal), and in just one week we had a whole lot of grim news. But you won’t find any of that here. It’s time for some levity.
Let’s get into the year’s first meme, which is sort of about buttons — but not really about buttons. We also have an essay from the travel writer Pico Iyer about making his acting debut in “Marty Supreme,” and a new study on dogs who have attained “advanced word-learning ability.” They know their toys by name! Having spent the past several days laid up with only my mini Bernedoodle, I am certain he does not have these skills, but maybe he needs a new stuffie anyway. It only has to make sense to me. I’ll see you next weekend(er).
— Farah
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COMING SOONBrowse our lists and add the books and TV shows you’re excited about to your own. |
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This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller and Kellina Moore. Reach our team at weekender@nytimes.com.
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