Podcast appearances and mentions of shumita basu

More universities are beginning to engage with the Trump administration on settlements and other agreements. Liam Knox of Bloomberg News joins to discuss how the White House’s pressure campaign is building. The data centers used to power AI are using up a lot of electricity. Peter Whoriskey at the Washington Post explains what that means for your bills. Journalists in California have unveiled a massive database documenting police use of force and misconduct, using previously unreleased documents. Sukey Lewis at KQED has the details. Plus, Rwanda reached a deal to take migrants from the U.S., why the Titan submersible imploded, and the surprising movie farmers are using to scare away predators. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Texas governor is in a political showdown with Democrats. Lawmakers have fled the state to derail a redistricting vote that would could hand the GOP more seats for the midterms. McKenzie Funk from ProPublica talks about how ICE agents have turned to smashing through car windows to make arrests. The small African nation of Lesotho was hit with a significant tariff threat earlier this year. The Wall Street Journal’s Alexandra Wexler reports on the economic impact on the country. Plus, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu moved to fire the attorney general prosecuting him for corruption, the smokey haze covering parts of the U.S., and a pickpocket ring led by monkeys. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Trump fired a key official after she delivered some bad news about jobs numbers. Courtenay Brown with Axios explains what that means for the credibility of government statistics, and unpacks what we learned about the U.S. economy from last week’s flurry of news. As Trump pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine, many thousands of children taken from the country to Russia are still missing. Simon Shuster, a senior correspondent at Time, joins to discuss his reporting. It’s been one month since severe rain and flash floods overwhelmed Texas Hill Country and killed at least 135 people. During public hearings, state lawmakers have scrutinized the official disaster response and heard from survivors. Emily Foxhall with the Texas Tribune unpacks the key takeaways. Plus, Hamas released videos of emaciated Israeli hostages, why state lawmakers in Texas are temporarily fleeing, and the Russian region shaken by an earthquake is now contending with a volcano. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu. Correction: President Trump’s new tariffs will take effect on Thursday, Aug. 7. A previous version of this episode said they will take effect on Friday, Aug. 8.

As Trump pushes towards a Friday tariff deadline and touts deals, a lot of the details remain a little murky. Politico’s Daniel Desrochers explains. Members of the Senate came together to agree on a rare bipartisan plan to fix America’s housing crisis. Liz Goodwin with the Washington Post has the story. A new report lays bare the starvation in Gaza that followed Israel’s blockade. Reporting from NPR looks at the long-term implications food deprivation will have on Palestinians. Plus, the Federal Reserve held rates amid historic dissent among the decision-makers, the uncertainty of predicting tsunamis, and Beyoncé broke another record. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Maternity homes are resurging in the post-Roe era. These facilities are meant to provide temporary housing and other services to pregnant people in need. But many are rooted in restrictive Christian ideology — and some former residents say they were coerced into placing their babies for adoption. In the new Wondery podcast Liberty Lost, journalist T.J. Raphael investigates this system through the story of one teenager, Abbi Johnson. Raphael joins Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to share what she uncovered and what Johnson’s experience reveals about adoption and reproductive choice in America.

One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck off Russia’s east coast, setting off tsunami warnings in the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere. Reuters has the latest. For years, the EPA has regulated greenhouse-gas emissions. Bloomberg News’s Ari Natter explains why the agency is now trying to change that — and what the consequences could be. Hearings on January’s deadly airline collision near D.C. are getting underway, the Washington Post reports. One of the issues is staffing: The FAA needs more staff, but the Post’s Ian Duncan reports that many new recruits are finding it hard to make it through training. Plus, what we know about the gunman and victims in the New York City mass shooting, Ghislaine Maxwell offered to testify but wants immunity, and why we’re cooped up inside this summer. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

According to a ProPublica report, the IRS is building a system that would share taxpayer data with ICE. Investigative reporter William Turton explains his findings. This week we’ll get a slew of new economic data that could indicate some of the impact of Trump’s tariff strategy. Bloomberg News’s Shawn Donnan joins to discuss what to watch and how the global economy has already changed. The Washington Post uncovered allegations of forced labor in the Brazilian Amazon some decades ago. Rio de Janeiro bureau chief Terry McCoy joins to talk about his reporting and how this story came to light. Plus, a gunman killed multiple victims in Manhattan including a police officer, Trump contradicted Israel and acknowledged starvation in Gaza, and Minnesota is bringing in health warnings for social-media apps. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Photos of emaciated, starving Palestinians have drawn international condemnation of Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza. NBC reports. Over the weekend, Israel said it would begin allowing more supplies into the enclave. The Washington Post has the details. Cory Turner with NPR explains what SAVE-plan borrowers need to know about their other repayment options as interest starts accruing on their loans this week. Venezuelans deported by the Trump administration say they were tortured during their four months in CECOT. Gisela Salim-Peyer spoke with four of them for The Atlantic. Plus, what we’ve learned about a mass stabbing in Michigan, the U.S. and E.U. made a deal on trade, and why there’s no song of the summer for 2025. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Guardian looks at how Trump’s goal to deport 1 million people in his first year in office stands, six months into his term. The paper’s Will Craft has the details. There has been n a spike in executions in the U.S. After being a witness to some and getting to know death-row inmates, The Atlantic’s Elizabeth Bruenig speaks to In Conversation, and argues that the death penalty should be abolished. Matthew Dalton with the Wall Street Journal describes how extreme heat is causing European attitudes on air conditioning to shift. Plus, France will become the first G7 country to recognize the Palestinian state as starvation looms in Gaza, why the Trump administration decided to incinerate millions of contraceptives destined for poorer countries, and how sharks detect hurricanes. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Trump was briefed in May that his name was among many cited in the files relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, a House committee subpoenaed Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell. NBC News has the latest. Texas Republicans want to redraw the electoral maps in ways that could deliver more wins at next year’s midterms. Eleanor Klibanoff from the Texas Tribune explains. A Los Angeles hospital becomes the latest hospital to withdraw certain medical-care options for transgender kids, following pressure from the federal government. Sonja Sharp from the L.A. Times joins us to talk about it. Plus, Bryan Kohberger is sentenced after Idaho student killings, an appeals court found Trump’s birthright-citizenship order unconstitutional, and the United Nations’ highest court said countries that fail to meet climate obligations could end up paying reparations. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Public support for the death penalty has been slowly declining in America. But under President Trump, executions have spiked. In her recent piece, “Inside America’s Death Chambers,” Atlantic staff writer Elizabeth Bruenig describes witnessing five executions — including two failed attempts — and what those experiences taught her about justice, mercy, and redemption. Bruenig spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about her reporting and her own experience as the relative of a murder victim.

Trump sued the Wall Street Journal over its report that he wrote a birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein. It's an unprecedented move for a sitting president, and CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter explains why it's a warning to all media outlets. Israel expanded its offensive into central Gaza as the malnutrition crisis gets worse. NBC News documents the deteriorating humanitarian situation.The Wall Street Journal's Andrew Tangel explains what early reports reveal about the Air India plane crash.Plus, Barack Obama strongly rejects at Trump's accusation of “treason,” Speaker Johnson is closing House business early to dodge the Epstein controversy, and the mystery of our shrinking summers. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Six months in, how have the Trump administration's actions aligned with Project 2025’s plan? The Atlantic’s David Graham joins the show to assess. Lawyers representing Harvard University and the Trump administration were in court yesterday over the White House’s stripping of billions of dollars in grants. MassLive reports. Over a month ago, members of the National Guard were deployed to Los Angeles amid protests. Jenny Jarvie, national reporter for the L.A. Times, says many are now bored. Plus, the sentencing of an officer involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor, why beef prices are going up, and a new study about the odds of having a baby boy or girl. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Six months into Trump’s second term in office, a CNN poll finds that a majority of Americans disapprove of the administration’s deportation program. Philip Bump with the Washington Post examines the history of Trump’s support among his base. The recently passed GOP tax-and-spending bill makes steep cuts to Medicaid and SNAP spending. Sarah Wire of USA Today reports on how states are concerned about making up the shortfall. The same bill created a new type of investment account for kids. The Wall Street Journal’s Ashlea Ebeling unpacks how it works and whether it’s a good investment option. Plus, Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli military fire on Sunday, WNBA players are leveraging All-Star weekend to push for fair pay, and the group that’s avoided developing allergies. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The House approved Trump’s plans to claw back $8 billion in approved funding for foreign aid. Experts told NPR the administration has provided little to no evidence to justify the cited claims of waste, fraud, and abuse. The Supreme Court is delivering wins for Trump’s agenda while often providing no explanation for its decisions. Bloomberg’s Lydia Wheeler explores why. The administration is trying to speed up deportations by making people they detain ineligible for bond hearings. Maria Sacchetti with the Washington Post tells us more. Plus, the Department for Justice recommended a one-day sentence for a man involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor, Trump revealed that he has a chronic health condition, and CBS is bringing down the curtain on ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.’ Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Trump has been going back and forth on his desire to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Neil Irwin from Axios discusses whether the president has the power, and why a recent Fed building renovation matters. The Senate just passed a bill that would cut more than $1.1 billion in previously allocated federal funds for public media. The Wall Street Journal reports. The president of PBS tells the Washington Post the move would result in an existential crisis for member stations that depend on federal dollars. Umair Irfan with Vox describes why it has been so challenging for Los Angeles to rebuild after its devastating fires. Plus, Trump hit out at his own supporters over the Epstein files, why Israel just bombed Syria, and how a major breakthrough in IVF treatment that involves using the DNA of three people could prevent disease. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

New York Times critic Amanda Hess has spent years writing about the internet, technology, and culture. But when she became pregnant, and then a new parent, she was surprised by how much tech infiltrated — and tried to optimize — every aspect of her life. In her book Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, Hess chronicles that experience. She sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about the promises and pitfalls of parenting technology, and the tools that actually helped her family.

The executive director of Camp Mystic, the all-girls camp in Texas, received a severe flood warning on his phone in the early-morning hours of July 4. According to an investigation by Annie Gowen and her colleagues at the Washington Post, it took more than an hour after that for a frantic evacuation to begin. The Trump administration is leaving Congress in the dark about critical spending decisions. Reuters’s Bo Erickson joins to explain the dynamic and its consequences. For years, women told medical providers that IUD procedures were painful. Allie Volpe, a senior reporter with Vox, joins to discuss why their voices are finally being taken seriously. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pulling some of the National Guard from LA, unreleased music was stolen from Beyoncé, and a chunk of Mars is going to auction. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

New reporting from the Miami Herald reveals that a significant portion of detainees held at an immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades do not have criminal charges. Reporter Ana Ceballos joins to discuss that story and another highlighting conditions inside. Some Trump supporters inside and outside of the White House are disappointed with how the administration handled the Jeffrey Epstein case. The Washington Post’s Natalie Allison reports on how the broader MAGA movement is reacting. Anas Baba, NPR’s producer in Gaza, took the harrowing journey to get food through the new Israeli- and U.S.-backed aid distribution system. He shares what the experience was like. Plus, the Supreme Court ruled on Trump’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education, a new weapons deal for Ukraine, and the strange secret to picking the perfect watermelon. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

It’s one year since the assassination attempt against Trump, and a damning Senate committee report just described the event as a “preventable tragedy.” Carol Leonnig at the Washington Post explains what went wrong and what we know about the shooter’s motives. New reporting from CNN indicates that recently implemented cost controls may have delayed FEMA’s response to the deadly floods in Texas. Scott Peterson was convicted of killing his wife in 2002. He always professed his innocence, and now the Innocence Project is taking on his case. Harriet Ryan at the Los Angeles Times tells us why. Plus, more details emerged about what went wrong in the India air crash, and one man died amid the chaos of an immigration raid. And at the Wimbledon finals, one star delivered demolition, and another was dethroned. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Trump is expected to visit Texas today, amid longer-term questions over the future of FEMA. Zack Colman from Politico takes us through them. The president has recently expressed frustration with Russia’s Putin. The Wall Street Journal’s Matthew Luxmoore explains why, and explores what could come next in the war in Ukraine. Federal immigration agents are increasingly wearing masks. Jenny Jarvie of the Los Angeles Times describes how that’s affecting targeted communities. Plus, student activist Mahmoud Khalil is seeking $20 million in damages after being detained, and the young American Amanda Anisimova is heading to the Wimbledon final. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Why were the Texas floods so deadly, and could more have been done to warn victims? Emily Foxhall at the Texas Tribune explores the issue. Today, a federal judge will hear new legal arguments against the Trump administration’s birthright-citizenship order. Tom Hals of Reuters tells us about the legal landscape and what to expect. Lily Hay Newman, a senior writer for Wired, takes us behind the scenes of a group of young cybercriminals called the Scattered Spider. Plus, measles has hit record levels in the U.S., Elon Musk lost his CEO at X, and the AI music going viral. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Americans have a long history of obsession with the ultrarich, from Carnegie and Rockefeller to Bezos and Musk. And today, the gap between the rich and the poor is bigger than ever as the billionaire class has ascended to new heights. In his new book, The Haves and Have-Yachts, New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos explores the extravagant lifestyles of the wealthy and their outsize influence on politics. He sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about this unique moment — when billionaires are both resented and envied by the public — and what it means for the rest of us.

Trump extended his deadline for countries to make tariff deals, and sent a host of letters threatening new measures. Brian Schwartz at the Wall Street Journal brings us up to speed. Mary Ilyushina with the Washington Post discusses Putin’s “anti-woke” visa, and how U.S. citizens are using it to migrate to Russia. Cuts are coming for the federal SNAP program, which provides food assistance to more than 40 million Americans. Marcia Brown with Politico explains how the move will leave food banks scrambling to make up the difference. Plus, a Marco Rubio imposter has been using AI to contact foreign ministers, the soccer governing body FIFA turned to Trump Tower for office space, and we say goodbye to a hated airport-security measure. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The death toll from the Texas floods climbed above 100, as stories of tragedy and heroics continue to emerge. Keri Heath at the Austin American-Statesman gives us the latest from the scene. The Trump administration’s funding freezes are teeing up a budgetary challenge between the White House and Congress. Jeff Stein with the Washington Post explains how how it could reshape the balance of power between them. Kavitha Surana with ProPublica unpacks how abortion bans have made first-trimester miscarriages more life-threatening. Plus, the Department of Justice delivered a conclusion on the rumored “client list” of Jeffrey Epstein, a Russian minister was found dead after being sacked by Putin, and a near upset turned into a painful exit at Wimbledon. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Catastrophic flooding in Texas killed at least 80 people, and more rainfall is expected. The Texas Tribune has the latest. Congressional Republicans passed a sprawling bill that cuts Medicaid, clean-energy funding, and taxes. NBC’s Sahil Kapur unpacks the details. Jobs in meatpacking plants are notorious for being dangerous and physically taxing. Scott Calvert with the Wall Street Journal reports on how a slaughterhouse in Nebraska wants to change that. Plus, Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks began in Doha, France ended its ban on swimming in the River Seine after 102 years, and a time capsule once called the world’s largest was found in Nebraska. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

This is an episode from our archives. Since we published this episode, the Wall Street Journal released a report that the Pentagon purposely spread disinformation about UFOs, at times to protect secret military operations. Have we been visited by extraterrestrial life? And how much does the government really know when it comes to UFOs? Garrett Graff’s latest book, UFO: The Inside Story of the US Government’s Search for Alien Life Here — and Out There, investigates these questions and more. The national-security reporter recently sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to share his findings.

The Trump administration is building a national citizenship-data system. NPR’s Jude Joffe-Block joins to discuss her exclusive reporting behind the project. The Senate narrowly passed Trump’s tax-and-spending bill. Next comes the challenge to get it through the House before July 4. Politico looks at what might happen next. California has rolled back a landmark environmental law. Liam Dillon from the Los Angeles Times explains. Plus, the University of Pennsylvania bans transgender athletes from women's sports teams following a federal investigation, France tries to break its smoking habit, and a real-life Disney miracle rescue. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Senate Republicans are racing to get their sprawling bill to the House. The Wall Street Journal’s Richard Rubin joins to explain the financial maneuver Republicans are using to say that their tax-cut extensions will not impact the federal budget. As USAID is absorbed into the State Department, the Washington Post’s Katharine Houreld tells us funding how cuts are hurting people in Sudan. The Trump administration has repurposed an app from the previous administration to encourage migrants to self-deport. The Atlantic’s Nick Miroff has more. Plus, a victim of the attacks in Boulder died, why roads buckle in extreme heat, and how the WNBA is poised to expand. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Republicans are grappling with their big tax-and-spending bill, which the independent Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. As they debate Medicaid cuts and work requirements at the federal level, Jeanne Whalen with the Wall Street Journal explains why Medicaid work requirements at the state level have not worked out. Following the Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship, Politico reporter and former prosecutor Ankush Khardori tells us what comes next. Florida is seizing Everglades land with plans to open a migrant-detention center in a swamp as soon as the first week of July. Ana Ceballos with the Miami Herald has more. Plus, what to know about the ambush attack on Idaho firefighters, the U.N.’s assessment of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and Beyoncé’s scare during her hometown Texas show. Today’s show was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman — along with her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert — will lie in the Minnesota state Capitol on Friday ahead of a private funeral on Saturday. Patrick Coolican with the Minnesota Reformer tells us about her political legacy. Alicia Victoria Lozano from NBC lays out what to know about the detention of Iranians in the U.S. Plus, how a larger turnout might have affected the 2024 election, Anna Wintour gives up the editor’s chair at Vogue, and we speak to the creators of ‘F1 The Movie.' Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Israel tasked private contractors with distributing aid in Gaza. Nabih Bulos with the Los Angeles Times explains how those sites have descended into chaos. Arian Campo-Flores with the Wall Street Journal unpacks the economic implications of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policy. More than 100 million Americans have faced sweltering weather this week. NPR asks, how hot is too hot for kids? Plus, the NATO summit concluded with new spending targets, the readout from the first meeting of RFK Jr.’s new vaccine panel, and inside the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Private equity has become one of the most powerful — and least understood — forces in the American economy. In recent decades, firms have taken over everything from retail chains to hospitals to housing — often with little risk to themselves and with real consequences for workers and communities. In her new book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, journalist Megan Greenwell breaks down how this industry is quietly reshaping American life. Greenwell sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to share the stories of people pushing back against these entities to protect their jobs, their families, and their homes.

The Iran-Israel ceasefire is tentatively holding, as questions emerge over the scale of Iran’s nuclear setbacks. Reuters reports. Megan Messerly at Politico tells us how it all unfolded. In a shock result, 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is set to win the Democrat mayoral primary in New York City. Axios has been following the result. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has changed who makes vaccine recommendations to the CDC. Helen Branswell with Stat unpacks what’s at stake. Plus, the prosecution rested its case against Sean Combs, the oppressive heat wave continues, and the woman hoping to become the first to run a four-minute mile. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Formula 1 is the highest level of motorsport, with cars hitting speeds of over 200 miles per hour and teams making split-second, high-stakes decisions behind the scenes. Now the drama of this sport is coming to the big screen, with the new Apple Original film F1 The Movie, starring actors Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, in theaters June 27. Director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer wanted to make it the most authentic car-racing movie possible, and they shot real F1 races, incorporating those scenes into the film. They sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about bringing the world of F1 to life.

Trump announced a new travel ban. The Wall Street Journal breaks it down. As Canada’s wildfires continue to rage, dangerous air is sweeping across the U.S. PBS explores conditions in the worst-hit states. The NBA Finals begin tonight between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. The Ringer’s Michael Pina tells us what to watch for. Plus, how Columbia University could lose its accreditation, the small Republican town that rallied to help an ICE detainee, and a mass evacuation after unexploded World War II bombs were found. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Elon Musk attacked the GOP tax bill, calling it an “abomination.” As he leaves government, the Wall Street Journal’s Becky Peterson explains how he is returning to an uncertain future for Tesla. Israel announced that its controversial aid center will be closed for a day, after death and chaos continued to surround the distribution sites. Amid the confusion, the BBC explores what we know and don’t know. The Trump administration is increasingly turning to a specific tactic for deporting migrants whose home country won’t accept them. NPR’s Ximena Bustillo joins to discuss it. Plus, Saudi Arabia is balancing safety with tourism as the mass pilgrimage to Mecca begins, ICE officials detained the family of the man charged with the Colorado attacks, and how Canada is hoping to end a 32-year Stanley Cup drought. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

There is unlikely bipartisan support in Congress around an effort to make childbirth free in America. Vox’s Rachel Cohen discusses the plan and how it would work. The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is in its fourth week. CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister, who’s been reporting from the courtroom, tells us the latest. There’s been an international series of brazen, violent crimes against crypto executives and their families. The Wall Street Journal’s Sam Schechner explains what's been happening. Plus, what we know about the man charged with the Colorado attack, a reparations package for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was announced, and confusion at FEMA after the acting head said he had no idea the U.S. has a hurricane season. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

A man in Colorado has been arrested after setting fire to people marching for the release of Israeli hostages. The FBI are treating it as a terror attack. The Colorado Sun has the latest. Dozens were reported dead or severely injured in southern Gaza, reportedly near the controversial U.S.-Israeli aid sites. CNN has been following the conflicting reports. With Russia-Ukraine talks set to begin, a Ukraine drone attack took Putin by surprise. The Wall Street Journal’s Thomas Grove explains how Russia revamped its economy to be focused solely on efforts to advance the war. Plus, an ICE raid caused chaos in San Diego, Canada’s wildfires continue as the Midwest faces air-quality warnings, and beekeepers swarmed to the rescue after millions of honeybees escaped in Washington. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Elon Musk has left the government building, but DOGE remains. The Washington Post’s William Wan reports on what he learned speaking to federal-government employees who lost their jobs amid cuts. Some Republican senators have concerns about elements of the GOP megabill, such as what cuts to Medicaid could mean for election prospects in 2026. NBC’s Sahil Kapur breaks their objections down. David Armstrong with ProPublica speaks to In Conversation about how a life-saving pill’s eye-popping price tag tells the story of prescription-drug pricing in America — and why it’s so difficult to change. Plus, how a glacier broke off and engulfed an Alpine village, Texas legislators passed a bill defining what it means to be a man or woman, and a new Scripps National Spelling Bee winner was crowned. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

A court struck down the bulk of Trump’s tariffs, in a major setback to his economic agenda. Bloomberg has the latest. Harvard has its university-wide commencement today, as it faces more funding threats. Its president speaks out in an interview with NPR. Trump has recently issued a number of pardons. Reporting from the Wall Street Journal provides a look at how politics factored into those decisions. Plus, Elon Musk announced that he’s leaving government, Israel said it has killed the leader of Hamas, and how an airline is fighting back against bad passenger etiquette. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Trump’s family empire is dramatically expanding its wealth during his presidency. Bloomberg News’s Max Abelson joins to discuss the deals that are powering this growth and the questions they spark. The controversial U.S.- and Israeli-backed aid effort got off to a tumultuous start. CBS reports. The Assad regime’s surveillance state relied on civilians to inform on their neighbors and colleagues. Now Syrians are reckoning with who among them quietly contributed to the tyranny. The Washington Post’s Salwan Georges has more. Plus, Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced changes to COVID vaccine guidance, Marco Rubio ordered a halt to student-visa interviews, and why Trump pardoned a reality-TV couple. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Trump said in a social-media post that Putin has “gone absolutely CRAZY,” after Russia's latest attack on Ukraine. Reuters reports. Police in New Orleans relied for years upon a live-facial-recognition program, an unprecedented surveillance method in the United States. The Washington Post’s Doug MacMillan explains how it worked and the controversy around it. For some 2025 grads, commencement ceremonies have become a place to protest the war in Gaza. CNN and The Guardian have the story. Plus, a car drove into a parade marking Liverpool’s Premier League soccer title, why the head of a U.S.-supported Gaza aid program resigned, and the older film titles breaking new holiday records. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. Reuters breaks down the impact of the move. Trump held a behind-closed-doors gala for top investors of his cryptocurrency coin. Declan Harty from Politico discusses the ethical ramifications. It’s nearly five years since the murder of George Floyd. The Marshall Project’s Jamiles Lartey joins to assess where police reform is in the country. Plus, the Supreme Court in a split decision blocked an effort to establish the first taxpayer-funded religious charter school, another major ruling against Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, more details emerged about the suspect in the Israeli Embassy staffer shootings, and the U.S. is getting rid of the penny. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were shot and killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last night. The man and woman — a couple — had been attending a reception for young diplomats. CBS has the latest.The FDA announced a change in its framework for approving new COVID vaccines for healthy individuals under 65. Usha Lee McFarling, a national science correspondent with Stat, discusses the impact of the move, while NPR reports on how some of the CDC's main channels for communicating health information to the public have gone silent.Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson join this week's Apple News In Conversation to talk about their book ‘Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.’Plus, the House passed Trump's massive tax-and-spending-bill, what to know about his contentious meeting with South Africa's president, and the Defense Department officially accepted a Qatari jet to serve as Air Force One. Also, how the 10 richest Americans got significantly richer in the past year — and how they stand to gain more from the GOP tax bill. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu. Correction: A previous version of this episode cited comments the U.N. humanitarian chief made to the BBC that 14,000 babies in Gaza would die in the next 48 hours if they do not receive aid. The BBC has since updated that reporting to reflect that a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification estimates that 14,100 severe cases of acute malnutrition could occur among children in Gaza ages 6 to 59 months between April 2025 and March 2026.

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were shot and killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last night. The man and woman — a couple — had been attending a reception for young diplomats. CBS has the latest.The FDA announced a change in its framework for approving new COVID vaccines for healthy individuals under 65. Usha Lee McFarling, a national science correspondent with Stat, discusses the impact of the move, while NPR reports on how some of the CDC's main channels for communicating health information to the public have gone silent.Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson join this week's Apple News In Conversation to talk about their book ‘Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.’Plus, the House passed Trump's massive tax-and-spending-bill, what to know about his contentious meeting with South Africa's president, and the Defense Department officially accepted a Qatari jet to serve as Air Force One. Also, how the 10 richest Americans got significantly richer in the past year — and how they stand to gain more from the GOP tax bill. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

A pregnant woman in Georgia is being kept alive as a hospital navigates the state’s abortion laws. The family is speaking out. The Guardian has the story. Kentucky is still grappling with the aftermath of intense tornadoes, as well as dealing with more storm systems. USA Today reports on how cuts to the National Weather Service have led to scrambles to cover important shifts. And PBS Newshour also highlights the impact of cuts on the service. New Oklahoma school standards include a requirement to teach students misinformation about the 2020 presidential election. Beth Wallis, education reporter with StateImpact Oklahoma, joins to discuss how and why this happened. Plus, France, the U.K., and Canada united to condemn Israel, lawyers accused Trump administration of defying courts to send migrants to South Sudan, and the NBA conference finals are set to begin. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Mark Chiusano writes for New York magazine about a mother who took her sons to a routine ICE check-in. They were scheduled for deportation and she hasn’t seen them since. House Republicans want to extend tax cuts and lower the deficit. The Wall Street Journal’s Richard Rubin describes why doing both at the same time might be impossible. Are incidents involving air-traffic-controller communications happening more frequently? USA Today’s Zach Wichter explains what might be causing them and how we should contextualize the issue. Plus, Trump spoke to Putin and claims peace talks will begin “immediately,” another news executive quit CBS News, and what to know about the new Take It Down Act. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Former President Joe Biden announced that he has prostate cancer. CNN has the latest news and reaction. Israel agreed to allow a basic amount of aid into Gaza, as it launches a new ground offensive. Meanwhile, the New Yorker’s Ruth Margalit reports that fewer Israeli reservists are showing up for service, because they are exhausted and increasingly skeptical of the government’s claims for continuing the war. There are nearly half a million open manufacturing jobs right now. Greg Rosalsky with NPR explains why the industry is having a hard time filling them. Plus, a tornado devastated Kentucky, what we know about a fertility-clinic bombing in Palm Springs, and how a Mexican navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

A look at where things are on the GOP's tax bill, and who stands to benefit and lose. Tax-policy reporter Richard Rubin with the Wall Street Journal has the details.After oral arguments, the Supreme Court appeared divided over how much power lower courts should have to issue nationwide injunctions. The Washington Post unpacks the issue.The Trump administration is rolling back some protections against forever chemicals. Mariah Blake tells Apple News In Conversation why there's still optimism on the state level, and suggests some ways to protect yourself.Plus, a Milwaukee judge pleaded not guilty to attempting to block immigration arrest, a landmark moment in gene editing, and what to know about the WNBA’s new team. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.