Want to ‘Optimize’ Your Happiness? This Happiness Expert Says: Don’t.

The Iran War's Devastating Butterfly Effect

The war in Iran has had some visible consequences, like skyrocketing energy costs and higher gas prices, but the effects of this war are often far less obvious and much more serious for the world’s most vulnerable people. Today, Peter S. Goodman tells us what he learned on a recent trip to Somalia, and why the system of global aid is no longer in a position to help. Guest: Peter S. Goodman [https://www.nytimes.com/by/peter-s-goodman] covers the global economy for The New York Times. Background reading: Catastrophe is emerging in the world’s most vulnerable places [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/business/iran-war-somalia-usaid.html] as the war in Iran causes soaring costs for food, fuel and fertilizer. Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times 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.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maine Votes as Graham Platner’s Past Poses New Conundrums

On Tuesday, Maine will vote in a high-stakes primary contest for a Senate seat that Democrats think they can win back from Republicans for the first time in decades. Democrats are pinning their hopes on Graham Platner, a progressive who has faced a string of scandals. Today, Lisa Lerer and Katie Glueck discuss what this race means for Maine and for the prospects of the Democratic Party. Guest:  * Lisa Lerer [https://www.nytimes.com/by/lisa-lerer], a national political correspondent for The New York Times. * Katie Glueck [https://www.nytimes.com/by/katie-glueck], a political reporter at The New York Times. Background reading:  * Several women who dated Mr. Platner recall “unsettling” behavior [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/politics/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html]. * Politicians, officials and strategists have wrestled with how to respond [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/us/politics/platner-democrats-maine-senate-primary-election.html] to new reporting on Mr. Platner’s past behavior. Photo: Amanda Sabga/Reuters 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.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Congressional Republicans Try a New Approach: Telling Trump No

From the war in Iran to his plan to use taxpayer money to pay his allies, the Republican-controlled Congress has begun rebelling against President Trump. Today, Julie Hirschfeld Davis, a congressional editor at The New York Times, discusses whether this rebellion is a preview of a new dynamic in Washington, or a temporary show of independence that will vanish just as quickly as it arrived. Guest: Julie Hirschfield Davis [https://www.nytimes.com/by/julie-hirschfeld-davis], congressional editor at The New York Times. Background reading: Mr. Trump says he never promised no new wars [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/07/us/politics/trump-new-wars-compensation-fund.html] and defends the compensation fund. Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times 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.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scott Pelley on His Firing and the ‘Massacre’ at ’60 Minutes’

An exclusive sit-down with the now-former CBS News correspondent. * Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com * Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewpodcast] * For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview [https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-interview] Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is about to descend on North America — spread across three countries, with 48 teams, and 104 games, and with billions of fans across the globe tuning in to watch the biggest sporting event on the planet. Today, Tariq Panja, global soccer correspondent for The New York Times, breaks down everything you need to know about this year’s tournament — the arrival of historic first-timers, like Curaçao, the aging legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are making their final appearances, and the eye-watering ticket prices that are driving fans to financial extremes just to book a seat. On Today’s Episode: Tariq Panja [https://www.nytimes.com/by/tariq-panja], is a global sports correspondent for the New York Times. Background Reading: The World Cup’s Forgotten Team [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/16/sports/soccer/world-cup-migrant-workers.html] World Cup or Bust: Going Into Debt, Sleeping 10 to a Room and Layovers for Days [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/world/americas/2026-world-cup-ticket-prices-argentina.html] Photo credit: Hannah Mckay/Reuters.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://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 [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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.