Apple News Today

The Senate passed a deal to end the shutdown, but air travel could take a while to recover even after the government reopens. The Washington Post’s Lori Aratani joins to discuss the roadblocks ahead for the aviation industry. Two top executives at the BBC resigned after a scandal involving a misleading story about Trump. CNN’s Brian Stelter explains how it went down. Car-loan delinquency rates are reaching record highs and those in the automotive-recovery industry are feeling the pinch. Scott Calvert at the Wall Street Journal details what it all means for the larger economy. Plus, Trump hosted Syria’s new leader at the White House, the Supreme Court will take up the legality of mail-in ballots, and why this year’s Booker Prize winner could be truly unique. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Senate advanced a deal that would end the shutdown on a rare Sunday session, after several Democrats backed the package. Axios explains what happened. Heavy investment in massive AI data centers is changing the complexion of the communities where they’re being built. David Uberti, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, breaks down the consequences. Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum was groped by a man on the street. Kate Linthicum of the Los Angeles Times explains how the incident has brought renewed attention to the rampant sexual harassment faced by women in the country. Plus, a set of presidential pardons, the latest pro-sports gambling scandal hits MLB, and the 207-year-old Farmers’ Almanac ceases publication. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

From Apple News In Conversation: The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations — and, according to the CDC, more than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. In her new book, Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America, journalist Irin Carmon follows families as they navigate fertility struggles, pregnancy, birth, and loss within a health-care system that too often fails them. Carmon sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about how the history of maternal health care in the U.S. continues to shape the lives of pregnant people today.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she will retire after nearly 40 years in Congress. The San Francisco Chronicle reports she led the Democratic Party during some of its best and worst times.  Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister is backing Trump’s strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. The Wall Street Journal’s Kejal Vyas breaks down why it’s a big risk for the dual-island nation.  Millions of sports fans who subscribe to YouTubeTV can’t access ESPN because of a dispute over carriage fees. The Athletic reports on the arguments from both sides. Plus, Tesla shareholders value Elon Musk at $1trn in record-setting pay package, what’s next after a judge ruled SNAP benefits must be fully funded, and a big security failure in the Louvre heist case. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Trump administration has ordered a reduction in flights at 40 major airports across the country. Reuters reports on how the flight cuts could begin as soon as Friday unless Congress reaches a deal on the government shutdown. The paramilitary RSF has taken control of the city of El Fasher in Sudan. BBC analyst Alex de Waal explains why it marks a turning point in the country’s civil war. Food delivery has overtaken restaurant dining in a big way. The Atlantic’s Ellen Cushing joins to discuss how restaurants altered their businesses to cater to at-home diners. Plus, Supreme Court justices expressed doubts over Trump’s tariffs, a judge criticized the Justice Department’s “highly unusual” handling of the Comey case, and Nancy Pelosi is set to retire after almost 40 years in Congress. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Democrats won big in last night’s election results. Zohran Mamdani won the race for New York mayor, and there were victories in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races. Plus, California voted Yes on a key redistricting measure. ABC offers key takeaways. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments over Trump’s signature tariff policy. Greg Stohr of Bloomberg explains why some businesses that have already paid steep import taxes might get a refund if Trump loses. Plus, the latest on a Kentucky plane crash, the shutdown drags on but negotiations are picking up, and why some living people in Maine received letters informing them of their own deaths. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Trump administration says it will partially restore SNAP food aid to tens of millions of recipients. NPR reports there could be lengthy delays in receiving the benefits. Californians are voting on new congressional maps that could decide control of Congress in next year’s midterms. Politico’s Melanie Mason explains how the issue is galvanizing voters and donors. More than 30 states now have stand-your-ground laws on the books. Mark Maremont of the Wall Street Journal joins to discuss how those laws have led to an increase in “justifiable homicides” carried out by civilians. Plus, Trump makes a last-minute endorsement for New York City mayor, a historic museum is finally here, and the death of a powerful former vice president. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Tuesday is Election Day, and voters are deciding on contests for governor and mayor, and new congressional maps. NPR reports what the results might mean for the larger political atmosphere across the country. The Trump administration over the weekend carried out its 15th confirmed strike against a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. The Washington Post’s Dan Lamothe breaks down the potential endgame as U.S. forces continue to build up in the region. More than 1,000 Afghans who helped the U.S. during the war are stuck in U.S. custody in Qatar. Robbie Gramer of the Wall Street Journal explains why officials won’t let them go. Plus, how the government shutdown is hitting airline passengers harder, what renewed U.S. nuclear testing will look like, and a photo finish at this year’s New York City Marathon. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

From Apple News In Conversation: Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, has become one of the most influential figures shaping Trump’s second term. He’s the main driver of efforts to weaken federal agencies and push through sweeping government layoffs. In a recent piece copublished by ProPublica and the New Yorker, reporter Andy Kroll reveals how Vought’s ideas about federal bureaucracy are being put into action. Kroll joins Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to explain why some in Washington call Vought the “shadow president.”

King Charles stripped his brother Prince Andrew of his last royal title and will evict him from his mansion. The BBC has the full story. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a trade deal that eases tensions over tariffs. The Wall Street Journal’s Lingling Wei explains how Trump is rebuilding the U.S.-China playbook. The World Series and Major League Baseball have been dominated this year by Japanese stars. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich joins to discuss how Japan’s influences go beyond the diamond. Plus, Hurricane Melissa leaves behind mass devastation, Trump caps refugee numbers to the U.S. at a much small figure, and how America failed at daylight saving 50 years ago. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates again but Fed Chair Jerome Powell had a warning for Wall Street. The Wall Street Journal reports rates are now at their lowest in three years. The Chicago Tribune’s Jason Meisner discusses how a judge in Chicago ordered the CBP commander leading operations in the city to report to court daily to brief on the use of force — an order that was paused just before the first check-in. Police in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, carried out the largest raid against a drug gang in the city’s history, leaving at least 132 dead. AFP reports the action drew swift condemnation. Plus, a new report suggests how much health-care costs could be about to rise for millions of people, Jamaica begins to assess damage from Hurricane Melissa, and how a new book by Dr. Seuss was discovered. Correction: On Tuesday, CBP Commander Gregory Bovino was ordered by a federal judge to brief her daily on immigration-enforcement efforts in Chicago. A previous version of this episode stated that Bovino gave his first of those briefings on Wednesday. In fact, he had not yet delivered one before an appeals court on Wednesday paused the judge’s order. Additionally, the number of unfilled Target jobs has been corrected. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Jamaica is contending with the aftermath of a historic hurricane. The BBC reports on the damage. Tens of millions of Americans could lose their food stamps by the weekend as a result of the government shutdown. Politico’s Meredith Lee Hill explains why the Trump administration won’t tap an emergency fund to pay for the benefits. The gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia could determine how Democrats approach key races in 2026. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny breaks down both contests. Plus, Netanyahu ordered strikes in Gaza, mass layoffs hit major U.S. companies, and why animal actors are having trouble finding work. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Hurricane Melissa made made its way toward Jamaica on Tuesday as sustained winds topped 160 mph. The Weather Channel is tracking the storm live. Trump wants to be compensated for damages he says he incurred during the Russia investigation and the case involving his handling of classified documents. Perry Stein, reporter at the Washington Post, breaks down the president’s claims. Beef has become a political pressure point for the administration as prices remain high. Politico’s Grace Yarrow explains why Trump’s plan to lower costs has angered ranchers — and how it relates to Argentina’s recent elections. Plus, the largest federal workers’ union called for a clean bill to reopen the government, two new states jumped into the redistricting battle, and why luxury pumpkin porches are all the rage this Halloween. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

It’s a big week for international trade as the presidents of the U.S. and China prepare to meet. Bloomberg reports that the two sides have agreed to a framework trade deal. Meanwhile, Trump took punitive measures against Canada over an Ontario government ad that criticized his tariff policy. The Wall Street Journal reports. More than 170 U.S. citizens have been swept up in Trump’s immigration crackdown. ProPublica’s Nicole Foy describes some of the violent encounters between ICE agents and citizens. Former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James are fighting criminal cases brought against them by Trump’s Justice Department. Jeremy Roebuck, DOJ reporter at the Washington Post, joins to discuss why the prosecutor might pose a problem for both cases. Plus, Hurricane Melissa is barreling toward Jamaica and could cause catastrophic damage, two high-profile California Democrats hinted at their political futures, and authorities in Paris arrested two suspects in the Louvre heist. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

From Apple News In Conversation: Zohran Mamdani is leading New York City’s mayoral race by double digits. But not long ago, the democratic socialist was a relatively unknown state assemblyman. New Yorker staff writer Eric Lach recently profiled Mamdani, tracing his unique biography to his surprise primary win against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Lach joins Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about Mamdani’s sweeping campaign promises, the challenges of governing New York, and why this race matters for the rest of the country. This episode was published on Thursday, Oct. 23, when House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had not yet endorsed Zohran Mamdani. Jeffries did so on Friday, Oct. 24.