Apple News Today

From Apple News In Conversation: Twitter was created 20 years ago. Many saw the platform as an online public square — a place to connect with strangers, spark viral debates, and even launch careers and social movements. When Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022, he began reshaping it in his own image, eventually rebranding it as X, and redefining how it operates and what it’s used for. New York Times technology reporters Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, authors of Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter, join Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to unpack that transformation, and what it reveals about the future of social media.

The U.S. is considering lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil. The Washington Post’s Evan Halper explains why.

Fallout from revelations about Latino civil-rights icon Cesar Chavez have been swift as institutions move to strip his name off of buildings, parks and other sites. Gustavo Arellano of the Los Angeles Times joins to discuss the reaction.

The identity of the artist known as Banksy has reportedly been revealed. Blake Morrison of Reuters breaks down how he and his colleagues unraveled the mystery.

Plus, why ABC canceled the upcoming season of ‘The Bachelorette,’ Sen. Markwayn Mullin moved one step closer to becoming DHS secretary, and a commemorative gold coin featuring President Trump was approved.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday. NBC News reports on how Gabbard declined to say whether Iran had posed an imminent threat before the war began.

A Times of Israel correspondent says he received death threats about his reporting on a missile strike in Jerusalem from bettors on the prediction site Polymarket. Will Oremus of the Washington Post explains what happened next.

The men’s NCAA basketball tournament is underway. The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode shares the stories of past Cinderella’s of the tournament.

Plus, a New York Times investigation found that revered Latino civil-rights leader Cesar Chavez sexually abused two underage girls, the Federal Reserve again kept interest rates steady, and why Senegal was stripped of its Africa Cup soccer title.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

Iran is cracking down on dissent to prevent an uprising by its citizens. The Wall Street Journal’s Margherita Stancati breaks down the situation Iranians are in.

Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin begins the confirmation process today to become the next homeland-security secretary. The Atlantic’s Nick Miroff discusses what Mullin might do with large warehouses the administration purchased to convert into megajails.

Cuba is dealing with a major economic crisis and the failure of its antiquated power grid. Carmen Sesin of NBC News joins to discuss what life is like for some Cubans day to day.

Plus, why teens are suing Elon Musk’s xAI, the House Oversight Committee officially subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi, and how spas and gyms took over traditional retail space.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

President Trump’s call for military assistance from other countries at the Strait of Hormuz has met with a mostly cool reception. NBC News reports on why.

A federal judge tossed out subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve in a probe over whether Jerome Powell gave false testimony. The Wall Street Journal’s Nick Timiraos breaks down the case.

A cash-only market for GLP-1s is bringing down prices for the drugs across the industry. Christopher Rowland of the Washington Post joins to discuss why low prices for a new class of drugs is unusual.

Plus, Cuba’s energy grid collapsed leaving millions without power, a judge tossed out much of RFK Jr.’s new vaccine policies, and the world record set by Mexico City ahead of the World Cup.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

President Trump wants allies to send send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to provide security for oil tankers. The Guardian on how reports several countries are considering their options.

A bipartisan bill aimed at increasing housing supply passed in the Senate overwhelmingly. Sahil Kapur of NBC News breaks down what’s inside the legislation.

Extreme weather is about to hit a large swath of the country. Seth Borenstein of the Associated Press explains why blizzard conditions, thunderstorms, and a heat wave are all hitting at once.

Plus, airline CEOs called for an end to the DHS shutdown, the mens’ and women’s NCAA basketball tournament brackets are set, and the big winners from last night’s Oscars.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

From Apple News In Conversation: The Academy Awards are finally here. The race to win isn’t just about art — it’s also about creating carefully orchestrated, big-budget campaigns. Katey Rich, awards editor at The Ankler and host of the Prestige Junkie podcast, joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to win an Oscar, who she thinks will bring home the gold this year, and why — even in an era of streaming and shrinking audiences — the awards machine still matters for the movies we love.

Oil markets had a volatile week as concern about the future of the war in Iran grows. The Wall Street Journal’s David Uberti joins to discuss the market chaos.

Lebanon is one of several countries that has been drawn into the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Mohamad El Chamaa of the Washington Post explains how more than 800,000 Lebanese people have been displaced during the fighting.

The Academy Awards are on Sunday. On this week’s Apple News In Conversation, Katey Rich, awards editor at The Ankler, breaks down what it really takes to win an Oscar.

Plus, officials say an attack on a synagogue in Michigan was a targeted act of violence, South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn is running for an 18th term in office, and the 17-time Oscar nominee hoping to end her losing streak this year.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

A continuing military investigation revealed that a deadly strike on a school in Iran was likely carried out by U.S. forces. Idrees Ali of Reuters joins to discuss how the school may have ended up on a target list.

Member countries of the International Energy Agency said they will release 400 million barrels of reserve oil as prices surge. The Wall Street Journal’s Matthew Dalton discusses whether the move can bring down the cost of crude.

Travel around U.S. is being disrupted as global events coupled with the DHS shutdown have left airports scrambling. Hannah Sampson of the Washington Post explains the challenges facing travelers.

Plus, deadly weather ripped through part of the U.S., Iran’s sports minister signaled that it might not compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the U.K. is removing the last hereditary lords from its parliament.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

Iran faced another intense day of bombing. The BBC reports attacks on minelaying ships near a vital shipping route.

Republicans gathered in Florida for their annual retreat to hash out policy priorities ahead of the midterms. Mia McCarthy of Politico joins to discuss the top issues on the GOP’s agenda.

Alabama’s governor commuted the death sentence of a man convicted of a murder he didn’t commit. AL.com’s Savannah Tryens-Fernandes breaks down the case.

Plus, a whistleblower says a former DOGE employee took highly sensitive social security data with him to another employer, two candidates emerge in the race to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene, and how a modern-day treasure hunter ended up in prison.

Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.