Iran’s Next Supreme Leader, and the New Lucrative Pardon Industry for Rich Offenders

Plus, highlights from the Oscars.  Here’s what we’re covering: Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices, by David E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt, Tyler Pager, Ronen Bergman and Julian E. Barnes Family Outing in West Bank Ends in Hail of Israeli Gunfire, by David M. Halbfinger, Natan Odenheimer and Fatima AbdulKarim How Trump’s Homeland Security Pick, a Prolific Investor, Got a Lot Wealthier in Congress, by Christopher Flavelle, Madeleine Ngo and Georgia Gee His Father Lost His Life’s Savings in a Scam. A Fake Lawyer Offered to Help., by Tara Siegel Bernard Oscars 2026 Takeaways: ‘One Battle After Another’ Takes Top Honors, by Brooks Barnes Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, the Friday news quiz. Here’s what we’re covering: Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict, by Alan Rappeport Oil Shock Sends Tremors Through World Economy: ‘This Really Is the Big One,’ by Patricia Cohen ‘The World Exploded.’ Strikes Haunt Displaced Families in Lebanon., By Christina Goldbaum and Sarah Chaayto Michigan Synagogue Attack Updates: Federal Officials Identify a Suspect, by Times reporters Army Officer Killed in University Attack That Is Being Investigated as Terrorism, by Campbell Robertson, Devlin Barrett and Christine Hauser Senate Again Deadlocks on Homeland Security Funding as Shutdown Persists, by Carl Hulse Senate Resoundingly Passes Housing Bill, but Challenges Lie Ahead, by Ronda Kaysen A.I. Chatbots Want Your Health Records. Tread Carefully., By Brian X. Chen and Teddy Rosenbluth Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Subscribe today at 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. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, Planned Parenthood’s new offering: Botox. Here’s what we’re covering: Pentagon Tells Congress First Week of Iran War Cost More Than $11.3 Billion, by Catie Edmondson Iran War Live Updates: Oil Tops $100 a Barrel as Attacks Spread Across Middle East, by New York Times reporters Charlie Kirk’s Group Expands Into High Schools. G.O.P. States Are Helping., By Richard Fausset A State of Wealthy Entrepreneurs Passes a ‘Millionaires’ Tax,’ by Anna Griffin A Planned Parenthood Clinic, in a Pinch, Turns to Botox, by Alisha Haridasani Gupta René Redzepi Steps Down at Noma Amid Allegations of Past Abuse, by Julia Moskin Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, iPads in kindergarten.  Here’s what we’re covering: How Trump and His Advisers Miscalculated Iran’s Response to War, by Mark Mazzetti, Tyler Pager and Edward Wong Fear and Hope for Iranians Trapped Between Bombs and Defiant Rulers, by Erika Solomon, Kiana Hayeri and Farnaz Fassihi Bondi Is Said to Move to Military Housing Because of Threats, by Glenn Thrush The Hidden Factor Behind Your Home Insurance Cost: Your Credit History, by Claire Brown and Mira Rojanasakul iPads in Kindergarten, YouTube on Breaks: The School Screen-Time Battle, by Jackie Mader Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, space mirrors?  Here’s what we’re covering: Pakistani Navy Escorts Tankers as Conflict Chokes Off Oil Traffic, by Chris Cameron, Farnaz Fassihi and Yan Zhuang Trump Threatens to Crowd Out Republicans’ Midterm Message, by Michael Gold Homemade Bombs in ISIS-Inspired Attack Were Deadly, N.Y.P.D. Says, by Chelsia Rose Marcius Epstein’s Remote Zorro Ranch Is Searched by New Mexico Investigators, by Reis Thebault A Big Night Light in the Sky? Start-Up Wants to Launch a Space Mirror., by Kenneth Chang and Hiroko Tabuchi Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, the "slop bowl" is losing its appeal. Here’s what we’re covering: Iran Names Khamenei’s Son Supreme Leader, by Farnaz Fassihi and Yan Zhuang How D.H.S. Retreated on Immigration Tactics After Minneapolis, by Nicholas Nehamas, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Hamed Aleaziz, Albert Sun and Julie Bosman Pardon Industry Offers Rich Offenders a Path to Trump, by Kenneth P. Vogel Thousands Waited for Hours in Security Lines at Airports in New Orleans and Houston, by Billy Witz and Shannon Sims The Allure of ‘Slop Bowls’ Fades as Consumers Tighten Spending, by Julie Creswell Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, your Friday news quiz.  Here’s what we’re covering: Israel Pummels Beirut, Intensifying Strikes on Hezbollah, by Ephrat Livni, Abdi Latif Dahir, Farnaz Fassihi, Euan Ward, Erika Solomon and Dayana Iwaza Analysis Suggests School Was Hit Amid U.S. Strikes on Iranian Naval Base, by Malachy Browne and Aaron Boxerman Israel Begins Assault in Southern Beirut, Raising Fears of Wider Incursion, by Euan Ward, Aurelien Breeden, Erika Solomon and Thomas Fuller Trump Announces He Is Replacing Noem With Oklahoma Senator, by Michael C. Bender, Michael Gold, Hamed Aleaziz and Maggie Haberman 5 Takeaways on America’s Boom in Billionaires, by Katie Benner and Steven Rich Athletes Reflect on 50 Years of Winter Paralympics Growth and the Work Still to Do, by Liam Tharme Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, why you should not let A.I. do your taxes.  Here’s what we’re covering: As Attacks Spread, War With Iran Reaches Far Beyond Mideast, by Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper, Lara Jakes and Michael Levenson 59% of Americans Oppose the Military Action in Iran, by Ruth Igielnik Iran’s Drones Cost a Fraction of the U.S. Weapons Shooting Them Down, by Farah Stockman Why Ecuador Invited the U.S. Military to Help With Its Drug Gangs, by Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Eric Schmitt and José María León Cabrera House Panel Votes to Subpoena Pam Bondi Over Epstein Files, by Michael Gold U.S. Court Takes First Steps Toward Ordering Tariff Refunds, by Tony Romm and Ana Swanson A Word to the Wise: Don’t Trust A.I. to File Your Taxes, by Stuart A. Thompson Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, the fight over daylight saving time.  Here’s what we’re covering: Israel Bombs Security Sites Amid Questions Over Iran’s Leadership, by Aaron Boxerman, Farnaz Fassihi and Yan Zhuang You Break It, You Own It? Not for Trump When It Comes to Iran., by Anton Troianovski Congress Splits Over Iran War as Senate Faces a Vote, by Robert Jimison and Megan Mineiro An Emboldened Israel Is Seizing Opportunities to Remake Region, by David M. Halbfinger and Ronen Bergman James Talarico Wins Democratic Senate Primary in Texas, by Kellen Browning British Columbia Will Change Clocks on Sunday for the Last Time, by Aimee Ortiz Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus, fighting phone scams.  Here’s what we’re covering: U.S. Sending More Forces to Middle East as Iran War Widens, by Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt Noem to Address Congress for First Time Since Minnesota Immigration Surge, by Madeleine Ngo Despite Promises, Veterans Affairs Department Cut Thousands of Roles for Doctors and Nurses, by Nicholas Nehamas, Andrea Fuller, Danielle Ivory and Ellen Barry Seven Takeaways From the Clintons’ Epstein Depositions, by Annie Karni and Michael Gold Banks Are Becoming Bulwarks for Vulnerable Seniors, by Paula Span Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected]. Subscribe today at 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. 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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.