The Daily

The Miracle Unfolding in Mississippi Schools

Mississippi has seen a stunning turnaround in national test scores in the past decade, even as they have fallen almost everywhere else. Sarah Mervosh, an education reporter, explains what the state can teach the rest of the country about how to educate students. Guest: Sarah Mervosh [https://www.nytimes.com/by/sarah-mervosh], an education reporter at The New York Times, focusing on K-12 schools. Background reading:  * How Mississippi transformed its schools [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/mississippi-schools-transformation.html] from worst to best. Photo: Rory Doyle 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.

Unmasking the Creator of Bitcoin

Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? Bitcoin’s pseudonymous founder has hidden his identity for 17 years despite many attempts to unmask him, even as his cryptocurrency has revolutionized finance and made him a billionaire. John Carreyrou, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, walks us through the evidence he found pointing to the person behind the pseudonym. Then, we hear from the man John believes is Mr. Nakamoto. Guest: John Carreyrou [https://www.nytimes.com/by/john-carreyrou], an investigative reporter for The New York Times’s business section. Background reading:  * Read John’s investigation [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/business/bitcoin-satoshi-nakamoto-identity-adam-back.html] into the identity of Bitcoin’s creator. * Here are four takeaways [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/business/takeaways-satoshi-nakamoto-bitcoin-adam-back.html] from the article. Photo: Illustration by Yoshi Sodeoka; Photo by Amir Hamja 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.

A Cease-Fire in Iran

Warning: This episode contains strong language. The United States and Iran announced a two-week cease-fire last night, shortly before President Trump’s deadline for Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or to potentially see its “whole civilization” destroyed. David E. Sanger, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, explains what led to this last-minute deal and what it will take to make it stick. Guest: David E. Sanger [https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-e-sanger], a White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading:  * Mr. Trump found his offramp with Iran, but the causes of the war remain unresolved [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/politics/trump-iran-2-week-ceasefire.html]. * Here is the latest [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/08/world/iran-war-trump-news] on the Middle East. Photo: Arash Khamooshi 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.

A Daring Rescue Behind Enemy Lines

Over the weekend, the U.S. military pulled off a risky mission to save an injured airman whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran. Eric Schmitt, who covers national security for The New York Times, explains how Washington pulled it off. Guest: Eric Schmitt [https://www.nytimes.com/by/eric-schmitt], a national security correspondent for The New York Times based in Washington. Background reading:  * Inside the harrowing race against time [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/us/iran-airman-fighter-jet-rescue-mission.html] to find the U.S. airman in Iran. * Analysis: Iran’s downing of a plane and the U.S. rescue leave both sides dangerously emboldened [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/world/middleeast/iran-us-rescue.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.  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.

Trump’s Lonely War

As the war in Iran drags on, President Trump keeps signaling that it is about to end. But the fighting shows no signs of letting up. All the while, America’s closest allies in Europe continue to refuse Mr. Trump’s demands for help. Mark Landler, who covers trans-Atlantic relations for The New York Times, explains why European countries want no part in this war. Guest: Mark Landler [https://www.nytimes.com/by/mark-landler], the Paris bureau chief of The New York Times, who covers France, as well as trans-Atlantic relations and the future of Europe. Background reading:  * Mr. Trump has lashed out at Europe [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/world/middleeast/trump-europe-iran-criticism.html] for its lukewarm support against Iran. * Analysis: As American and Israeli warplanes bomb Iran, European allies have been left on the sidelines [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/world/europe/trump-iran-europe.html]. Photo: Tierney L. Cross/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.