How Iran’s Internet Blackout Is Crippling Its Economy, and the Fight Over Fruit-Flavored Vapes

About this episode

<p>Plus, how everything became a subscription. </p> <p>Here’s what we’re covering:</p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/world/middleeast/iran-economy-layoffs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mass Layoffs in Iran as Businesses Buckle Under Wartime Pressures</a>, by Leily Nikounazar</p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/us/politics/trump-gas-tax.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trump Proposes Suspending Federal Gas Tax Until Prices Fall</a>, by Shawn McCreesh</p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/science/fda-flavored-vapes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">With Commissioner Under Pressure, F.D.A. Opens Door to Flavored Vapes</a>, by Christina Jewett</p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/us/politics/reflecting-pool-paint-contract-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reflecting Pool Repairs to Cost $13.1 Million. Trump Had Promised $1.8 Million.</a>, by David A. Fahrenthold and Luke Broadwater</p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/world/middleeast/israel-oct-7-prosecutions-palestinians-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Israel Prepares to Prosecute First Suspects in Oct. 7 Attack Led by Hamas</a>, by Johnatan Reiss</p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/business/subscriptions-products-services.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Streaming, Toilet Paper, Underwear: Subscription Fatigue Is Setting In</a>, by Sopan Deb</p> <p>Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: <a href="mailto:theheadlines@nytimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">theheadlines@nytimes.com</a>.</p> <p><p>Subscribe today at <a href="http://nytimes.com/podcasts">nytimes.com/podcasts</a> or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher">https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher</a>. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.</p></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>