In a groundbreaking episode of The Daily podcast, hosted by Sabrina Tavernise, China's increasing restrictions on its citizens are exposed in vivid detail. The episode delves into the story of Bei Zhenying, whose husband was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for “smearing” the country's political system. Left to pick up the pieces of his life, Bei Zhenying uncovers a shocking secret: her husband was the writer behind one of the most mysterious blogs on the Chinese internet, which had been ridiculing the ruling Communist Party for 12 years.

Vivian Wang, a China correspondent for The Times, narrates the couple's story, shedding light on the oppressive environment in China and the toll it takes on individuals and their families. As China tightens its hold over what people can do, read, and say, Bei Zhenying's experience serves as a powerful example of the personal repercussions of political dissent in the country.

China's search engines have implemented more than 66,000 rules to control content, leaving little room for freedom of expression. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities of China's political system and the lengths to which the government goes to maintain control.

The Daily, a popular podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Amazon Music, offers listeners an in-depth look at current events and important stories from around the world. With a team of dedicated journalists, producers, and editors, The Daily provides a comprehensive and compelling narrative on a wide range of topics.

The episode also highlights the extensive team behind The Daily's production, including hosts, producers, editors, and engineers. The original music, composed by Elisheba Ittoop, Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, and Sophia Lanman, adds depth and emotion to the storytelling.

While The Daily aims to make transcripts available promptly after each episode's publication, the team behind the podcast works tirelessly to ensure the highest journalistic standards. Vivian Wang's reporting, fact-checking by Susan Lee, and translations by Vickie Wang contribute to the accuracy and integrity of the story presented.

In a separate episode hosted by Michael Barbaro, The Daily explores India's recent achievement in the international space race. India successfully landed its spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 on the moon, making it the first country to accomplish such a feat near the south pole. This region is of particular interest to scientists, as they believe it may contain vital reserves of frozen water.

Kenneth Chang, a science reporter for The Times, provides insight into the changing landscape of the space race and the motivations driving countries like India to pursue groundbreaking missions to the moon. India's homegrown space program has made significant strides, and their successful landing in the lunar south polar region is a testament to their achievements.

The episode emphasizes the importance of exploring the moon's south pole for potential sources of ice. The discovery of frozen water could have profound implications for future space exploration and possibly even sustaining human life on other celestial bodies.

Kenneth Chang's reporting adds depth and expertise to the episode, highlighting the scientific significance of India's accomplishment. The episode acknowledges the contributions of the entire team behind The Daily, from hosts and producers to editors and engineers, who work tirelessly to deliver engaging and informative content to their audience.

With its theme music by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly, The Daily provides a captivating listening experience. Special thanks are given to the individuals who contribute to the podcast's success, including Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Wendy Dorr, Julia Simon, and many more.

Overall, these two episodes of The Daily offer a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of China's restrictions on its citizens and India's groundbreaking achievement in the space race. With meticulous reporting and compelling storytelling, The Daily continues to be a trusted source of news and analysis for its listeners.