The Daily

David Gelles, a climate reporter for The New York Times, and Brad Plumer, an energy policy expert, dive into the shifting dynamics of global energy. They discuss China's ascendance as a leader in clean tech, showcasing its dominance in solar, wind, and electric vehicles. Gelles highlights how China's massive renewable projects enhance its geopolitical influence, while Plumer explains how U.S. energy policy has evolved, grappling with its reliance on fossil fuels and potential green tech competitiveness. The conversation reveals a critical energy showdown between superpowers.

Conor Dougherty, a housing and development reporter for The New York Times, dives into Trump's controversial 50-year mortgage proposal, a bold challenge to traditional mortgage norms. He elaborates on its potential to lower monthly payments while highlighting serious concerns about total interest costs and slower equity buildup. Discover why housing affordability remains a daunting issue and how local policy, rather than federal mandates, is pivotal in addressing the longstanding housing shortage.

Join James Poniewozik, chief television critic for The New York Times, and Alissa Wilkinson, movie critic and documentary expert, as they dive into the booming world of streaming documentaries. They discuss Ken Burns's contribution to the genre, recount personal memories of PBS documentaries, and explore the rise of true crime. From the poignant storytelling in 'The Last Dance' to recommendations like 'Pee-wee as Himself' and the introspective 'Camera Person,' this conversation highlights the evolution and variety of documentary filmmaking today.

Tina Brown, a veteran magazine editor known for her roles at Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, shares her candid views on the elite and the royals. She laments the loss of magazine gatekeepers and reflects on her nostalgic experiences in media. Brown dives into the complexities of the Epstein scandal, pointing out how society still embraces powerful figures. She offers her thoughts on Harry and Meghan's missteps and calls for greater transparency in the monarchy. With sharp critiques of modern media figures, Tina's insights are both revealing and provocative.

Eshe Nelson, an economics and business reporter for The New York Times based in London, dives into the transformation of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. She discusses the upcoming pricing changes that promise broader access, stemming from a significant agreement struck with pharmaceutical companies during the Trump administration. The conversation also covers how Ozempic evolved from a diabetes drug to a weight-loss sensation, and the ensuing supply challenges faced by its maker, Novo Nordisk, amid skyrocketing demand.

In this engaging discussion, David Enrich, Deputy investigations editor for The New York Times, and Michael Gold, Congressional correspondent for the same publication, delve into newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein that reignite scrutiny over his ties to Donald Trump. They analyze key emails from 2011 and 2019 hinting at undisclosed details and Trump's knowledge of Epstein's activities. The conversation also covers the political ramifications of releasing these documents, legislative maneuvers surrounding this issue, and why Epstein's connection to Trump remains a focal point in politics today.

Hamed Aleaziz, a New York Times journalist covering immigration policy, interviews Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol Chief known for spearheading aggressive enforcement tactics. They discuss how Bovino's history and rise through the ranks shaped his militaristic approach to immigration raids. Topics include the controversial use of tactics in urban areas, the impact of policies like Title 42, and the public's reaction to Border Patrol operations, especially in high-traffic locations. The conversation shines a light on the current and future landscape of immigration enforcement.

Catie Edmondson, a Congressional correspondent for The New York Times, and Shane Goldmacher, a National political correspondent, dive deep into the recent Senate shutdown deal. They unpack the internal rift among Senate Democrats and the motivations behind their compromise with Republicans. Key topics include the backlash faced by centrist senators, the human cost of the shutdown, and the strategies used to justify the deal amidst growing intra-party anger. The discussion offers a compelling look at the political dynamics shaping the Democratic Party today.

Twenty years ago, a genocidal campaign in the Darfur region of Sudan shocked the world. Now, videos and images of new atrocities have captured global attention once more.Declan Walsh, who has been covering Sudan, discusses one of the worst humanitarian conflicts in decades, and how gold is fueling it.Guest: Declan Walsh, the chief Africa correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: From December: The gold rush at the heart of a civil war.News Analysis: The world seems unable, or unwilling, to do much to stop a new struggle on an old battlefield as atrocities sweep villages and towns.Photo: Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Mark Pinsley, the Lehigh County controller, dives into a shocking scandal involving a pediatrician accused of misdiagnosing child abuse, leading to wrongful removals of children. He recounts how a TikTok tip prompted his investigation into child welfare cases and reveals alarming statistics about Munchausen diagnoses in the Lehigh Valley. Families share their traumatic experiences, raising questions about the influence of child abuse pediatricians. Pinsley's compelling findings challenge the existing systems, suggesting a troubling pattern of over-reporting in the region.