A New Leader — and a New Showdown — at the Fed

Lessons From the Hantavirus Outbreak

Inside a hospital in Nebraska, 16 Americans who may have been exposed to the hantavirus have begun an unusually long quarantine. In some cases, it will last up to 42 days. Apoorva Mandavilli, who covers global health for The New York Times, explains what is known about the deadly outbreak and how the public heath system responded. Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli [https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli], a science and global health reporter at The New York Times. Background reading:  * American passengers exposed to the hantavirus began their quarantine in the United States [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/us/americans-hantavirus-ship-quarantine-nebraska.html] on Monday. * Here’s what to know [https://www.nytimes.com/article/hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak-hondius.html] about the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship. Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images 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 New Leader — and a New Showdown — at the Fed

After a year of harassing and threatening Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, President Trump replaced him on Wednesday. Colby Smith, who covers the Fed, explains how the president ended one standoff only to create a new one. Guest: Colby Smith [https://www.nytimes.com/by/colby-smith], a New York Times reporter covering the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy. Background reading:  * The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/politics/kevin-warsh-fed-chair-confirmed.html] as the new chair of the Federal Reserve. * Video: How Jerome Powell managed a chaotic era [https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010884024/how-jerome-powell-managed-a-chaotic-era.html]. Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times, Caroline Gutman 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.

Two Superpowers Across the Table

Here’s what to expect from the summit between President Trump and China’s top leader, Xi Jinping.  For the first time in nearly a decade, President Trump will meet with President Xi Jinping of China in Beijing, where they are expected to discuss trade, technology and other points of contention. David E. Sanger, who covers the Trump administration for The New York Times, explains what is likely to come from the meeting. 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:  * Here’s what to know [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/world/asia/trump-xi-china-us-summit.html] about the meeting. * Video: How Mr. Trump has changed [https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010890442/how-trump-changed-the-way-he-talks-about-china.html] the way he talks about China. 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.

Why More Americans Are Seeking Religion

After decades of declining church attendance and a profound rise in secularism, religion is having a moment in America. Lauren Jackson, the host of the Believing newsletter [https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/believing], talks to Asthaa Chaturvedi, a producer at “The Daily,” about why more people in the United States are now choosing to believe. Guest: * Asthaa Chaturvedi [https://www.nytimes.com/by/asthaa-chaturvedi], a producer at “The Daily.” * Lauren Jackson [https://www.nytimes.com/by/lauren-jackson], the deputy editorial director for newsletters and the host of Believing [https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/believing]. Background reading:  * Sign up for Believing [https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/believing], a weekly newsletter about modern belief. * Americans haven’t found a satisfying alternative to religion [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/style/religion-america.html]. Photo: Cornell Watson 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.

Is China Winning the A.I. Race?

President Trump is preparing to make a crucial trip to China this week to meet with its leader, Xi Jinping. A key issue hanging over the meeting is artificial intelligence, and whether the global A.I. race is spinning out of control. Vivian Wang, who covers Chinese politics and society, explains how the country is approaching the technology differently from the United States. Guest: Vivian Wang [https://www.nytimes.com/by/vivian-wang], a correspondent for The New York Times in Beijing, covering Chinese politics and society. Background reading:  * Where are China’s A.I. doomers [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/world/asia/china-ai-enthusiasm.html]? * Chinese parents are outsourcing the homework grind to A.I. [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/world/asia/china-education-ai.html] Photo: Qilai Shen 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.