The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint in the fragile U.S.-Iran peace process. The Wall Street Journal ’s Jason Douglas explains how Iran's use of the Strait as a bargaining chip follows a long playbook of countries weaponizing economic chokepoints. After $14 million in repairs and a fresh coat of paint, the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool turned green with algae and the paint is peeling off in chunks. The Washington Post ’s Maura Judkis discusses what went wrong. It’s been more than a mon...
Jun 22, 2026•13 min
From Apple News In Conversation : The United States turns 250 years old this summer — and there’s no shortage of ways to mark the moment. One of the most revealing lenses through which to view the country’s history may be music. Anna Harwell Celenza, professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of On the Record: Music That Changed America , joined Apple News In Conversation guest host David Greene to discuss the hidden political history of American music — from why “The Star-Spangled Banner”...
Jun 20, 2026•24 min
Our team is off today for Juneteenth. But we are bringing you something special in place of our usual daily show: a narrated News+ article from Texas Monthly that we are making free for everyone. An award-winning historian and professor takes us back to 1865 to tell the true story of Juneteenth. A story that’s been oversimplified over the years, but in reality is much messier — and much more inspiring — than you might know. Subscribers to Apple News+ can get narrated articles like this one every...
Jun 19, 2026•24 min
Iran hawks in Congress say President Trump’s agreement with Iran gives away too much too soon. The Wall Street Journal ’s Philip Wegmann joins to discuss where Trump is losing support on the deal. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for a fourth consecutive meeting. Despite a unanimous vote, Reuters reports, nearly half of the central bank’s governors said they’d be open to a rate hike before the end of the year. A former mining town in England could upend British politics. Politico ’...
Jun 18, 2026•15 min
President Trump signaled at the G7 summit that he’s open to reinstating oil sanctions on Russia. Politico ’s Megan Messerly explains how that might play into European efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table. Georgia lawmakers banned QR-code ballots two years ago but never settled on a replacement. Kate Brumback of the Associated Press breaks down what comes next as a July 1 deadline to decide that replacement looms. The biggest expansion of federal financial aid for higher education in 5...
Jun 17, 2026•14 min
A new report from Social Security trustees is flashing warning lights about benefits running dry. ABC News reports that beneficiaries could see a pay cut as early as 2032 if Congress doesn’t act. President Trump arrived at the G7 summit in France fresh off a framework deal with Iran. The Wall Street Journal ’s Alex Ward breaks down some of the questions U.S. allies are asking. The White House directed AI giant Anthropic to limit its most powerful models. Reed Albergotti of Semafor explains why. ...
Jun 16, 2026•15 min
The U.S. and Iran agreed on a framework for peace talks. Phil Stewart of Reuters joins to discuss what’s in it. The World Cup began with a host nation at war with one of the tournament’s competitors. The Guardian ’s Robert Tait walks us through the circumstances surrounding Iran’s participation. The city of New York erupted Saturday night as the Knicks clinched a title that ends an epic drought. The Athletic ’s Fred Katz explains what this moment means for the city. Plus, President Trump made an...
Jun 15, 2026•15 min
From Apple News In Conversation : This year’s World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams and 104 matches — and, for the first time in more than 30 years, the tournament is being played on American soil. Brendan Hunt, co-creator, writer, and star of Ted Lasso and cohost of the Apple News Original podcast After the Whistle , joins Apple News In Conversation guest host David Greene to talk about how he fell in love with soccer as an adult, the U.S. Men’s National Team players he’ll be ...
Jun 13, 2026•27 min
President Trump said a potential deal to end Iran war is close, but skeptics say it could be another false start. Aamer Madhani of the Associated Press breaks down what’s different this time. Voters in Switzerland head to the polls Sunday to decide whether their country should cap its population at 10 million. The New Yorker ’s Jessi Jezewska Stevens joins to discuss how the vote could transform the Swiss economy and its relationship with the E.U. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is lea...
Jun 12, 2026•15 min
Inflation has risen to its highest level in three years as the war in Iran disrupts oil supplies and tariffs drive up prices across the board. Barron’s senior economics writer Megan Leonhardt explains what consumers are feeling right now. President Trump signed the Secure America Act, directing roughly $70 billion to ICE and Border Patrol through fiscal year 2029. The Washington Post ’s Jarrell Dillard explains why funding ICE for that long was an unusual step. The largest World Cup in history k...
Jun 11, 2026•16 min
The U.S. carried out strikes against Iran after President Trump blamed Tehran for downing a U.S. Army helicopter. The Wall Street Journal ’s Shelby Holliday details the dramatic rescue of two U.S. soldiers that followed. Election betting is on track for record highs this cycle, and the prediction markets are dealing with a surge of insider trading. Reuters ’s Douglas Gillison walks through the cases already emerging. Dozens of families who were separated during the first Trump administration hav...
Jun 10, 2026•14 min
Strikes between Iran and Israel have stopped for now. But the back-and-forth between Israel and Hezbollah has complicated President Trump’s pursuit of a deal with Iran. The Wall Street Journal ’s Alex Ward explains what’s at stake. On Sunday, the White House will host UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn. The Hollywood Reporter ’s Alex Weprin joins to discuss how the event came together. As the World Cup kicks off in North America, U.S. public-health officials are preparing for potential infectious...
Jun 09, 2026•15 min
SpaceX is set to become one of the 10 biggest companies in the world when it goes public on Friday. The Atlantic ’s Matteo Wong explains why the record-breaking IPO is less about rockets and more about the AI race. Maine voters head to the polls Tuesday for a consequential primary race. ABC News reports on how some Democrats are worried their chosen candidate’s past could cost them in November. America’s largest pediatric hospital has agreed to create the country’s first gender-detransition clin...
Jun 08, 2026•15 min
From Apple News In Conversation : On July 4, 2025, catastrophic flooding tore through Central Texas, killing more than 130 people and destroying communities along the Guadalupe River. Aaron Parsley, a senior editor at Texas Monthly , was there — and though he survived, his family suffered a devastating loss. His harrowing account of what happened when floodwaters overwhelmed their house and ripped them apart won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. Now he’s out with a new essay and a podcast ...
Jun 06, 2026•24 min
The Washington Post ’s Dan Diamond explains how President Trump is attempting to remake Washington, D.C. in his image, through various construction and beautification projects. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to be nominated for the role permanently, and ABC News details how he could face a tough confirmation fight. Americans are struggling to pay their $1.25 trillion credit-card debt. Dan Frosch of the Wall Street Journal told us about the forces putting so many people behind. Plus,...
Jun 05, 2026•17 min
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu are at odds over the war in Iran. The Wall Street Journal ’s Alex Ward explains where the two leaders differ. CBS fired ‘60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley after a tense meeting with the show’s new executive producer. NPR ’s David Folkenflik joins to discuss the chaos going on at the program. The AI boom has resulted in some data centers in Northern Virginia using diesel generators to provide power. The Washington Post ’s Evan Halper share...
Jun 04, 2026•14 min
The Department of Justice abandoned its plan for a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. The Wall Street Journal reports the fund had threatened to sink Trump’s broader immigration priorities. President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Reuters ’s Jonathan Landay joins to explain why he’s a controversial pick. The NBA Finals begin tonight. Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press breaks down the matchup between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Pl...
Jun 03, 2026•13 min
California voters head to the polls today in a statewide primary election. Kevin Rector of the Los Angeles Times joins to discuss the biggest races. It was a consequential day for the country’s leading AI companies. Anthropic filed for an initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, NPR reports that the state of Florida sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, over safety concerns. The Supreme Court will soon rule in two significant cases that could have major implications fo...
Jun 02, 2026•14 min
As more Americans struggle with food insecurity, there appears to be little relief in sight. Bloomberg ’s Mark Niquette explains why consumers should prepare for another wave of inflation at the grocery store. A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund. The Wall Street Journal ’s Siobhan Hughes joins to discuss why the fund also faces an uphill battle in Congress. After violence erupted between police and protesters at an ICE facility in New Jersey over the w...
Jun 01, 2026•14 min
From Apple News In Conversation : The summer travel season is upon us — and this year is more complicated and more expensive than most. The war in Iran has driven up jet-fuel prices globally, and Spirit Airlines, one of the biggest budget carriers in the country, has just shut down. On top of that, a possible super El Niño could cause widespread disruptions. Zach Wichter, a consumer travel reporter at USA Today , joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to explain what it all mean...
May 30, 2026•22 min
The U.S. and Iran appear to be nearing a framework for a deal. Axios reports that the agreement would extend the ceasefire and kick off negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Big questions remain about who is leading negotiations from the Iran side. Jon Gambrell of the Associated Press joins to discuss an influential voice on the rise in Tehran. Summer-travel season has begun, but this year’s is going to be pricier than most. On this week’s Apple News In Conversation , USA Today’s Zach Wichte...
May 29, 2026•13 min
The Trump administration quietly changed rules for certain green-card applicants. Rebecca Santana of the Associated Press explains how the move could force hundreds of thousands of people to go back to their home countries. Russia warned Ukraine that it will strike Kyiv with “systematic strikes” after heavy bombardments at the weekend. But Moscow is struggling on the battlefield. Guy Faulconbridge of Reuters joins to discuss whether that means Putin will change up his tactics. American skepticis...
May 28, 2026•14 min
Texas AG Ken Paxton won the GOP Senate primary against Sen. John Cornyn after an 11th-hour endorsement by Trump. Gabby Birenbaum of the Texas Tribune breaks down the two very different campaigns. Political insecurity and public distrust are making it hard for officials in Congo and other countries to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak. The Washington Post ’s Lauren Weber explains. Long wait lists at some colleges and universities are leaving thousands of students wondering whether they’ll ever be a...
May 27, 2026•13 min
The U.S. and Iran appeared close to a deal over the holiday weekend. The Wall Street Journal ’s Alex Ward explains why plenty of questions and skepticism remain. Texas Republicans vote today in a Senate primary runoff between incumbent John Cornyn and Trump-backed Ken Paxton. Steven Sloan of the Associated Press joins to discuss why some inside the party are worried about a Cornyn loss. Very little is known about Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund. Brian Schwartz of the Wall Street Journal breaks...
May 26, 2026•14 min
This episode originally aired on July 5, 2025. From Apple News In Conversation : 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 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...
May 23, 2026•30 min
A number of Republicans have come out against Trump’s DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund. Mary Clare Jalonick of the Associated Press explains the backlash. A 3-year-old boy was killed after ICE detained his mother. The Washington Post ’s Maria Sacchetti explores the absence of standards to protect the children of detainees. Millions of Americans are driving out of town for the Memorial Day weekend. USA Today ’s Keith Laing joins to discuss how the high gas prices are changing some travelers’ plans. ...
May 22, 2026•13 min
The U.S. indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro 30 years after two civilian planes were shot down near the island nation. Luc Cohen of Reuters breaks down what the charges signal about U.S.-Cuban relations. China’s President Xi hosted Putin a week after Trump’s visit to Beijing. The Wall Street Journal ’s Lingling Wei explains why Xi hosted the U.S. and Russian leaders so close together. ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ ends this week. CNN ’s Brian Stelter joins to discuss the show’s le...
May 21, 2026•14 min
House Republican Thomas Massie is paying the price for defying the White House after he lost his Kentucky primary to a Trump-backed candidate. The Wall Street Journal has analysis for last night’s result. As part of a lawsuit settlement, the IRS is “forever barred” from investigating past tax claims against Trump. Eric Tucker of The Associated Press joins to discuss how the settlement is tied to a compensation fund for people who believe they’ve been wronged by the Justice Department. Fractures ...
May 20, 2026•13 min
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican critic of Trump, faces a primary challenge today. Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report joins to discuss how the president’s falling approval ratings are affecting some primary races. In response to an Ebola outbreak, the U.S. has temporarily barred foreign travelers from entry if they’ve been to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan recently. Helen Branswell of Stat breaks down the international response to the outbreak. Elon Musk lost his lawsuit against OpenAI’s Sam...
May 19, 2026•17 min
Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy is the latest Republican targeted by Trump to lose in a primary. Bloomberg ’s Rachel Cohrs Zhang explains how Cassidy lost his bid for reelection. Judges across the country have ruled against the Trump administration more than 10,000 times in immigration cases. Politico ’s Kyle Cheney breaks down the losses. Iran’s internet blackout is putting an immense strain on the everyday lives of Iranian citizens. Golnar Motevalli of Bloomberg joins to discuss the toll the outag...
May 18, 2026•17 min
