Apple News Today

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell are quitting Congress over sexual misconduct allegations. Sahil Kapur of NBC News explains how the threat of expulsion is forcing them out.

Trump’s blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has taken effect. Politico’s Sam Sutton assesses the growing impact of the Iran war on the U.S. economy.

The Wall Street Journal’s Juan Forero reveals how investors are eyeing up Venezuela.

Plus, the DOJ charged a man with attempting to firebomb the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and why President Trump took down an AI-generated image that drew criticism from his base.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

Hungaryian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of President Trump, was ousted from office in yesterday’s election. The Economist looks at the results.

U.S. Central Command said it will impose a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz after weekend negotiations with Iran failed to produce a deal. Phil Stewart of Reuters joins to discuss where talks could go next.

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell quit his campaign to be California governor after allegations of sexual assault. Alexei Koseff of the San Francisco Chronicle breaks them down.

Plus, Ukraine and Russia accused each other of breaching a brief Easter ceasefire, President Trump unveiled plans for a massive arch in Washington, and the Masters has its first back-to-back champion in more than two decades.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

From Apple News In Conversation: A medieval-monster slayer. A tiny alien named Roscoe. A talking plate of spaghetti. These are just a few of the customizable companions available through AI-chatbot apps like Kindroid, Tolan, and Character.AI. In her latest piece for the New Yorker, journalist Anna Wiener explores the rapidly expanding world of these products and the people who use them. She joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to talk about the users she met who are in relationships with AI chatbots, the Silicon Valley creators building them, and the risks of forming emotional bonds with technology.

Israel’s strikes on Lebanon threaten the ceasefire with Iran. And Bloomberg’s Andrea Palasciano looks at President Trump’s difficult meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

The Artemis II crew is set to return from its 10-day mission to the moon today. Space.com’s Mike Wall joins to discuss how this era of lunar exploration is different from past endeavors.

California’s wide-open gubernatorial election might provide a rare opening for a Republican candidate. Politico’s Jeremy White breaks down the favorites and whether or not the GOP can make inroads in deep-blue California.

Plus, First Lady Melania Trump delivers an unusual address regarding her connections to Jeffrey Epstein, and the debate on where dogs do and don’t belong.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

The ceasefire deal between the U.S., Israel, and Iran is already showing signs of fraying. Avi Salzman from Barron’s tells us there’s little sign of movement in the Strait of Hormuz.

Wisconsin voters passed a first-of-its-kind law restricting future data centers. Politico’s Tyler Katzenberger explains what the referendum says about how some voters feel about the AI boom.

Golf’s most prestigious tournament, the Masters, starts today. The Athletic’s Brody Miller joins to discuss the field — and why Tiger Woods’s absence carries extra weight this year.

Plus, the Justice Department says former Attorney General Pam Bondi won’t testify before the House regarding the Epstein files, last month was the hottest March in the U.S. on record, and the massive monument erected in honor of a land-mine-sniffing rat.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

President Trump announces a two-week ceasefire with Iran, pulling back from threats he made earlier in the day. Phil Stewart from Reuters explains what we know — and don’t know — about the deal.

Vice President JD Vance visited Hungary to stump for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Washington Post’s Catherine Belton joins to discuss why the MAGA-aligned Orbán is facing a tough battle in upcoming elections.

Plus, Republican Clay Fuller won the election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, fallout from rapper Kanye West’s past antisemitic comments caused the cancellation of a major music festival, and why landline phones are back in style for some parents and their kids.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

President Trump says today’s deadline for Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz is firm. Will Weissert of The Associated Press details the latest.

The United Arab Emirates is cracking down on Iranians who live in the country in retaliation for drone attacks. The Wall Street Journal’s Omar Abdel-Baqui joins to discuss what that means for the nearly half a million Iranians living in the U.A.E.

Thousands of low-income HIV patients could soon lose access to drug coverage. Stateline’s Nada Hassanein explains why states are imposing new limitations on HIV assistance programs.

Plus, the Supreme Court issued a decision regarding the conviction of Trump ally Steve Bannon, and a momentous day for the Artemis ii crew. 

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

American forces pulled off a daring rescue of a downed U.S. airman in Iran. The Wall Street Journal’s Shelby Holliday breaks down the chain of events.

It’s been a year since President Trump’s “Liberation Day,” when he unveiled his signature global tariffs. Courtenay Brown of Axios explains how the tariffs reshaped the American and global economies.

Michigan and UConn face off in tonight’s men’s NCAA Tournament final. Eddie Pells of the Associated Press previews the matchup.

Plus, Pope Leo delivered his first Easter address, and the Artemis II mission prepares to reach the dark side of the moon.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

From Apple News In Conversation: Last June, journalist Andy Greenberg received an anonymous email from someone claiming to be trapped inside a scam compound in Southeast Asia. The source, using the pseudonym Red Bull, said he had access to a trove of internal materials exposing the inner workings of the criminal operation — and that he was willing to risk his life to share them. Greenberg has now published Red Bull’s story in Wired. He joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to discuss what he uncovered about the shadowy world of global scam compounds, and what happened when Red Bull tried to escape.

Pam Bondi is out as President Trump’s attorney general. Semafor’s Shelby Talcott joins to discuss why the president became frustrated with Bondi’s job performance.

Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon has displaced more than a million people. NPR’s Lauren Frayer breaks down why some are worried their loved ones will never return.

The WNBA players’ union enlisted the help of a Nobel laureate for its contract negotiations with the league. The Wall Street Journal’s Rachel Bachman explains how the strategy helped win a historic deal.

Plus, dozens of countries met to discuss action at the Strait of Hormuz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted the Army’s top general, and Hershey was forced into a reversal on its chocolate recipes.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.