The Daily

For eight years running, Finland has been rated the happiest country in the world by a peculiar United Nations-backed project called the World Happiness Report, started in 2012. Soon after Finland shot to the top of the list, its government set up a “happiness tourism” initiative, which now offers itineraries highlighting the cultural elements that ostensibly contribute to its status: foraging, fresh air, trees, lakes, sustainably produced meals and, perhaps above all else, saunas. Instead of adhering to one of these optimal itineraries or visiting Finland at the rosiest time of year (any time except the dead of winter), Molly Young arrived with few plans at all during one of the bleakest months. Would the happiest country on earth still be so mirthful at its gloomiest? Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Bumble CEO has returned to run the struggling company she founded, and says she has a plan for getting Gen Z back. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The world’s 1.4 billion Catholics have a new pope, and for the first time, he is from America. Jason Horowitz, the Rome bureau chief of The New York Times, introduces us to Pope Leo XIV. Guest: Jason Horowitz [https://www.nytimes.com/by/jason-horowitz], the Rome bureau chief of The New York Times Background reading:  * Who is Pope Leo XIV [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/who-is-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html]? * The first American pope took a global route to the role [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-robert-francis-prevost.html]. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Photo: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

A 90-second failure of Newark Airport’s air-traffic safety systems, which blacked out communication to planes carrying thousands of passengers, has exposed a new level of crisis in air travel. Kate Kelly, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, explains what the problems at one of the country’s biggest airports tell us about air-travel safety in the United States. Guest: Kate Kelly [https://www.nytimes.com/by/kate-kelly], an investigative reporter for The New York Times based in Washington, D.C. Background reading:  * How lost radar and silent radios [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/us/politics/newark-airport-delays.html] upended Newark air travel. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Photo: Dakota Santiago for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

A few days ago, Warren Buffett, the most successful investor in history, said he would retire as C.E.O. of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate that he built into a trillion-dollar colossus. Andrew Ross Sorkin, who has covered Mr. Buffett for many years, discusses the career of the man who both personified and critiqued American capitalism. Guest: Andrew Ross Sorkin [https://www.nytimes.com/by/andrew-ross-sorkin], a columnist and the founder and editor-at-large of DealBook [https://www.nytimes.com/section/business/dealbook]. Background reading:  * Warren Buffett said he plans to step down [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/business/berkshire-earnings-warren-buffett.html] as head of Berkshire Hathaway. * Here’s what Mr. Buffett’s exit means [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/business/dealbook/what-buffetts-exit-means.html]. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Photo: Scott Morgan/Reuters Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.