The Daily

The superstar comedian and his best friend and collaborator discuss the journey that deepened their friendship.

The Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action last summer was expected to drastically change the demographics of college campuses around the country. David Leonhardt, who has written about affirmative action for The Times, explains the extent and nature of that change as the new academic year gets underway. Guest: David Leonhardt [https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-leonhardt], a senior writer who runs The Morning [https://www.nytimes.com/series/us-morning-briefing], The Times’s flagship daily newsletter. Background reading:  * Two elite colleges have seen shifts in racial makeup [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/us/black-enrollment-affirmative-action-amherst-tufts-uva.html] after the affirmative action ban. * The Supreme Court decision last year rejected affirmative action [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/us/politics/supreme-court-admissions-affirmative-action-harvard-unc.html] programs at Harvard and North Carolina. 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.

As Vice President Kamala Harris moves into the final stretch of her campaign, one of the biggest issues both for voters and for Republicans attacking her is the surge of migrants crossing the southern border over the past four years. Zolan Kanno-Youngs, who covers the White House for The Times, discusses Ms. Harris’s record on border policy. Guest: Zolan Kanno-Youngs [https://www.nytimes.com/by/zolan-kanno-youngs], a White House correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading:  * As Republicans attack Ms. Harris on immigration, here’s what her record shows [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/31/us/politics/kamala-harris-immigration.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.

The American company Nvidia has created one of the world’s most sought-after inventions: a computer chip that powers artificial intelligence. Amid concerns that the technology could help China modernize its military, however, the United States has tried to control the export of the chips. Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The New York Times, discusses her investigation into the escalating war over the technology. Guest: Ana Swanson [https://www.nytimes.com/by/ana-swanson], who covers trade and international economics for The New York Times. Background reading:  * With smugglers and front companies, China is skirting American A.I. restrictions [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/04/technology/china-ai-microchips.html]. * Read takeaways from our investigation [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/04/technology/china-ai-microchips-takeaways.html] into the trade in the chips. 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.

As students around the United States head back to school, many are encountering a new reality: bans on their use of cellphones. Natasha Singer, a technology reporter for The New York Times, discusses the restrictions and the contentious debate they have prompted. Guest: Natasha Singer [https://www.nytimes.com/by/natasha-singer], a technology reporter for The New York Times. Background reading:  * So far this year, at least eight states have passed laws, issued orders or adopted rules to curb phone use among students [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/technology/school-phone-bans-indiana-louisiana.html] during school hours. * This Florida school district banned cellphones. Here’s what happened [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/technology/phone-tech-use-schools.html]. * How has tech changed your school experience? We want to hear about it [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/technology/phone-tech-use-schools.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.