The Daily

Columbia University has become the epicenter of a growing showdown between student protesters, college administrators and Congress over the war in Gaza and the limits of free speech.

Nicholas Fandos, who covers New York politics and government for The Times, walks us through the intense week at the university. And Isabella Ramírez, the editor in chief of Columbia’s undergraduate newspaper, explains what it has all looked like to a student on campus.

Guest:

• Nicholas Fandos, who covers New York politics and government for The New York Times
• Isabella Ramírez, editor in chief of the Columbia Daily Spectator

Background reading:

• Inside the week that shook Columbia University.
• The protests at the university continued after more than 100 arrests.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Lawmakers approved a giant new tranche of support for Ukraine late last night after a tortured passage through the U.S. Congress, where it was nearly derailed by right-wing resistance in the House.

Marc Santora, a Times reporter in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, explains what effect the money could have, given Ukraine’s increasing desperation on the battlefield.

Guest: Marc Santora, who covers Ukraine for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• The aid package drew overwhelming bipartisan support, reflecting broad consensus.
• The vote to resume U.S. military support was met with relief in Ukraine.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

The prosecution and the defense both opened their cases on Monday in the first criminal trial of Donald Trump.

Jonah Bromwich, who watched from inside the courtroom, walks us through the arguments.

Guest: Jonah E. Bromwich, a reporter for The New York Times covering criminal justice in New York.

Background reading:

• An unprecedented trial opened with two visions of Mr. Trump.
• Read five takeaways from the fifth day of Trump’s criminal trial.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

The outbreak of bird flu currently tearing through the nation’s poultry is the worst in U.S. history. Scientists say it is now spreading beyond farms into places and species it has never been before.

Emily Anthes, a science reporter for The Times, explains.

Guest: Emily Anthes, a science reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• Scientists have faulted the federal response to bird flu outbreaks on dairy farms.
• Here’s what to know about the outbreak.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Debates over homeless encampments in the United States have intensified as their number has surged. To tackle the problem, some cities have enforced bans on public camping.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments about whether such actions are legal, Abbie VanSickle, who covers the court for The Times, discusses the case and its far-reaching implications.

Guest: Abbie VanSickle, a Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• A ruling in the case could help determine how states, particularly those in the West, grapple with a rising homelessness crisis.
• In a rare alliance, Democrats and Republicans are seeking legal power to clear homeless camps.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Political and legal history are being made in a Lower Manhattan courtroom as Donald J. Trump becomes the first former U.S. president to undergo a criminal trial.

Jonah Bromwich, who covers criminal justice in New York, explains what happened during the opening days of the trial, which is tied to Mr. Trump’s role in a hush-money payment to a porn star.

Guest: Jonah E. Bromwich, who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• Here’s a recap of the courtroom proceedings so far.
• Mr. Trump’s trial enters its third day with seven jurors chosen.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

The Environmental Protection Agency has begun for the first time to regulate a class of synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals” in America’s drinking water.

Kim Tingley, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains how these chemicals, which have been linked to liver disease and other serious health problems, came to be in the water supply — and in many more places.

Guest: Kim Tingley, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine.

Background reading:

• “Forever chemicals” are everywhere. What are they doing to us?
• The E.P.A. issued its rule about “forever chemicals” last week.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

A Times investigation shows how the country’s biggest technology companies, as they raced to build powerful new artificial intelligence systems, bent and broke the rules from the start.

Cade Metz, a technology reporter for The Times, explains what he uncovered.

Guest: Cade Metz, a technology reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• How tech giants cut corners to harvest data for A.I.
• What to know about tech companies using A.I. to teach their own A.I.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Overnight on Saturday, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israeli soil, shooting hundreds of missiles and drones at multiple targets.

Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The Times, explains what happened and considers whether a broader war is brewing in the Middle East.

Guest: Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• Here is what we know about Iran’s attack on Israel.
• The barrage made the Middle East’s new reality undeniable: Clashes are becoming harder and harder to contain.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.