How the Kremlin Gets the Election Results It Wants, and R.F.K. Jr. Rallies Vaccine Skeptics

About this episode

<p>Plus, the Friday news quiz.&nbsp;</p><p>Here’s what we’re covering:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/us/trump-putin-russia-sanctions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trump Wants Putin to End the War. He May Offer Russia Business Deals First.</a>, by Anton Troianovski</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/world/europe/russia-duma-election.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Why Russia Holds Elections, and How the Kremlin Gets the Results It Wants</a>, by Ivan Nechepurenko</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/health/kennedy-vaccines-childrens-health-defense.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kennedy Assures Vaccine Skeptics That They Have a ‘Friend at the White House,’</a> by Christina Jewett and Teddy Rosenbluth</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/realestate/corsica-separatists-vacation-home-bombings.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Corsica, Separatists Bomb Vacation Homes to Send a Message</a>, by Ronda Kaysen</li><li><a href="http://nytimes.com/2026/09/16/science/trex-dinosaur-temperature-warm-blooded.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">T. Rex, King of the Dinosaurs, Had a Body Temperature of 97 Degrees</a>, by Carolyn Y. Johnson</li></ul> <p><p>Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: <a href="mailto:theheadlines@nytimes.com">theheadlines@nytimes.com</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Subscribe today at <a href="http://nytimes.com/podcasts">nytimes.com/podcasts</a> or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. 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>