Key moments from the Republican debate and the latest breakthrough in weight loss medication: Morning Recap

The most recent GOP debate took place in Miami and saw Republican candidates engaging in heated discussions on matters such as foreign policy, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, women’s reproductive rights, climate change, and healthcare. The main focus, however, was on establishing themselves as an alternative to former President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, on the international front, there is a significant escalation of turmoil as Israeli forces intensify their assault on Gaza, with tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing to southern Gaza in an effort to escape the violence. In Syria, U.S. jets conducted a “self-defense strike” in response to attacks against U.S. personnel in the region, further intensifying the situation in the Middle East. Additionally, Hollywood is slowly getting back to business as the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has reached a tentative agreement with major studios. In health news, the FDA has approved Eli Lilly’s new weight loss drug, Zepbound, which was shown to help people lose up to 52 pounds in 16 months. Finally, there are a number of other major political developments, including efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. during President Joe Biden’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Republican Party is also facing internal debates over abortion rights after a lackluster performance in recent elections, and the legal troubles of former President Trump are still making headlines, with his daughter Ivanka testifying in his civil fraud trial. Stay updated on these developments and more with the Morning Rundown, a newsletter to start your morning.