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U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone as it approached an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. Idrees Ali of Reuters joins to discuss the incident, as Iranian and U.S. leaders in the region prepare to meet. Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez hosted the U.S.’s top diplomat in the country this week to review the Trump administration’s roadmap for the oil industry and stabilization. The Wall Street Journal’s Ian Lovett explains the game of wait and see that Rodríguez appears to be playing with Trump. Data suggests that immigration authorities are increasingly detaining children. The Washington Post’s María Luisa Paúl dissects the numbers, and explains how the recent apprehension and detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos became a flashpoint. Plus, lawmakers passed a spending package to end the partial government shutdown, Renee Good’s brothers testified before Congress about her death, and how fans helped a figure skater bring some unique music to the Winter Olympics. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

ICE is using biometric tracers, cellphone-hacking tools, and other surveillance methods to track protesters and suspects. The Washington Post’s Eva Dou explains what the technologies do and how they affect the broader population in more ways than expected. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened in a limited capacity this week after two years. Sam Metz of the Associated Press joins to discuss logistical questions over who and what can cross the border. The latest Epstein files release contained the names of a number of prominent international figures. The BBC reports on some of them. Plus, Georgia’s Fulton County is suing over the FBI’s seizure of 2020 elections material, U.S. and Iranian officials are set to meet later this week, and how inflation is impacting Valentine’s Day candy. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The partial government shutdown isn’t likely to end until at least Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal’s Natalie Andrews breaks down the sticking points lawmakers are negotiating. A new batch of documents from the Epstein files were released. The Associated Press reports on how the Department of Justice isn’t expected to file any new charges as a result. Some Olympic athletes don’t make enough money to afford basic living expenses. Fortune reports on how that could change starting this year after a massive gift to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Plus, why the Kennedy Center is shutting down for two years, a 5-year-old detained by ICE has been released, and the big winners at this year’s Grammys. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

From Apple News In Conversation: Since President Trump took office just over a year ago, federal immigration enforcement has substantially expanded — nowhere more visibly than in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where federal officers have killed two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Widespread protests, scrutiny of ICE operations, and questions about accountability have intensified in recent weeks. Caitlin Dickerson, staff writer for The Atlantic, sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to discuss what’s happening inside ICE today — and what these latest developments could mean going forward.

Senate Democrats and Republicans struck a deal to avert a government shutdown over DHS funding, although a short lapse is still expected before the House returns on Monday. In this week’s Apple News In Conversation, The Atlantic’s Caitlin Dickerson explores what deadly clashes between protesters and ICE could mean for the agency. President Trump said he is nominating Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. The AP has the details. During a national uprising in Iran, the government gunned down dozens of citizens protesting in the town of Rasht. The Washington Post’s Yeganeh Torbati joins to discuss the incident’s aftermath. Tax season is upon us, and there are some significant tax-law changes that could affect returns this year. Ashlea Ebeling of the Wall Street Journal breaks down what filers need to know. Plus, how a man impersonating an FBI agent tried to free Luigi Mangione, life expectancy in the U.S. is up, and why a woman who had never rowed decided to row across the Atlantic solo. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Federal Reserve voted to keep rates steady on Wednesday. Bloomberg looks into the decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Venezuela. NPR reports on how Rubio faced intense scrutiny over U.S. involvement in the country. Some of the people convicted then pardoned for their part in the Jan. 6 attack want financial penalties they paid to the government returned. The Washington Post’s Beth Reinhard joins to discuss what emboldened them to ask for their money back. Plus, the FBI raided the election offices of a key 2020 battleground county in Georgia, the agents who shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti have been put on leave, and why so many people are suddenly obsessed with beans. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

U.S. Border Patrol “commander at large” Gregory Bovino was removed from his position following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The Atlantic’s Nick Miroff joins to unpack Bovino’s demotion and ICE’s larger recruiting push. A man from Cuba recently became the third detainee at a single Texas facility to die in ICE custody. Michael Biesecker of the Associated Press discusses the case. TikTok experienced serious technical difficulties just as its new ownership group took control. The Verge’s Emma Roth breaks down the hurdles it faces. Plus, why the U.S. population grew at a slower rate last year, Amazon is abandoning its Go and Fresh grocery stores, and Southwest Airlines passengers bid farewell to open seating. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Changes are coming to immigration operations in Minnesota after President Trump said he and Governor Tim Walz had a productive phone conversation. Politico reports that border czar Tom Homan will take over operations, while the top Border Patrol commander is being demoted. As calls for accountability for the immigration agents who shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Good grow, prosecutions might be hard to come by. Jack Queen of Reuters breaks down the longstanding protections in place that shield law-enforcement officers. Some parents allege that social-media apps designed to keep teens coming back are responsible for a mental-health crisis among young people. The Washington Post’s Naomi Nix joins to discuss lawsuits filed by parents over the issue and why they’ll be tough cases to win. Plus, a deep freeze will set in as the nation digs out of this weekend’s winter storm, leading pediatricians are breaking with the CDC on childhood-vaccine guidance, and why virtually no one knows how WD-40 is made. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Immigration agents shot and killed a second person in Minneapolis on Saturday. The Wall Street Journal’s Mariah Timms joins to discuss what’s happening on the ground as tensions escalate. Congressional leaders are reacting to the latest shooting in Minneapolis. CNBC reports on how a government shutdown is now more likely as a result. The Associated Press reports a growing number of Republicans are also calling for a larger investigation into the incident. A brutal winter storm has left several people dead and hundreds of thousands without power. USA Today has live updates. Plus, China’s top general is under investigation amid claims he leaked secrets to the U.S., Venezuela released another round of political prisoners over the weekend, and the Super Bowl matchup is set. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

From Apple News In Conversation: New Yorker staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert has been reporting on climate and the environment for more than 25 years. In her work, she captures both the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world and the unsettling truth about what humans are doing to it. Her latest book, Life on a Little-Known Planet: Dispatches From a Changing World, is a collection of essays from her decades-long career. Kolbert spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about the stories that have shaped her reporting — and what they’ve taught her about a rapidly changing planet.

ICE detained a 5-year-old boy at a school in suburban Minneapolis, prompting outrage from the community. Minnesota Public Radio’s Elizabeth Shockman joins to talk about the apprehension, and how the Trump administration is defending it. Crime across the country seems to be dropping at fast pace. Henry Grabar of The Atlantic discusses why. On Oscar-nomination day, the vampire film ‘Sinners’ broke the record for most nominations by a single movie. Variety’s Clayton Davis breaks down this year’s nominees. Plus, former special counsel Jack Smith testified before Congress about his two indictments of President Trump, TikTok finalized a deal to keep operating in the U.S., and how one reporter captured the beauty of nature and an unsettling truth about what humans are doing to it. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

There are signs of a possible deal on Greenland, after a dizzying 24 hours at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Wall Street Journal details how it happened, and Fox News gets reaction from NATO’s secretary general. Record-breaking cold and messy winter weather is expected to hit a large swath of the country in the coming days. Bloomberg’s Lauren Rosenthal joins to discuss what’s in store and how to prepare. After protests that killed more than 3,000 people, some Iranians say they are open to the U.S. removing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Atlantic’s Arash Azizi shares what Iranians told him about what they want from Trump and the U.S. Plus, ICE is training officers to enter homes without judicial warrants, a former police officer charged over his response to the Uvalde shooting was found not guilty, and Sundance is kicking off its final festival to be held in Utah. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in a case involving President Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Chris Rugaber of the Associated Press joins to discuss how it could affect the central bank’s future. A jury in Texas will decide if an officer who responded to the mass school shooting in Uvalde can be held responsible for his alleged inaction. The Wall Street Journal’s Elizabeth Findell breaks down the case. Gen Z is having a tough time breaking into the job market as baby boomers remain in the workforce. The Washington Post’s Taylor Telford explains how factors like AI and economic uncertainty are making it hard to get entry-level jobs. Plus, France’s president sent a message to Trump at Davos, and the second lady announced that she’s pregnant with her fourth child. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

President Trump said his renewed efforts on taking over Greenland are partially tied to him not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The Wall Street Journal’s Kim Mackrael joins to discuss how European leaders are responding. Polls show Democrats with a lead over Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. Patrick Marley of the Washington Post explains how Trump is attempting to alter how the midterms are conducted. A proposal for a one-time tax on California’s billionaires has spurred infighting amongst Democrats. Time reports on the details of the proposed tax, and how billionaires are pushing back. Plus, authorities in Spain say at least 40 are dead after the country’s worst rail disaster in a decade, Iran’s state TV was hacked, and remembering the legendary fashion designer Valentino following his death aged 93. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

From Apple News In Conversation: In January 2025, catastrophic wildfires tore through Los Angeles, destroying entire neighborhoods and leaving devastation that continues today. MS NOW senior reporter Jacob Soboroff reported live from the blaze in his hometown of Pacific Palisades — and is now out with a new book, Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster, a deeply reported account of the chaos and enduring fallout. Soboroff sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to share what he witnessed on the ground and what the fires revealed about a city — and a country — unprepared for the disasters ahead.