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From Apple News In Conversation: At the end of April, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Louisiana v. Callais significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act. The decision made it easier for states to legally draw districts that reduce the voting power of Black voters and other minority groups. In response, several Republican-controlled Southern states have moved to redraw their congressional maps. Adam Serwer, a staff writer at The Atlantic, joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to help explain this pivotal moment and the long history of voting rights in America.

Two ships were hit in a fresh round of strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal’s Joe Parkinson joins to discuss the dire conditions faced by sailors stuck in the region. The Supreme Court’s recent decision on redistricting could shift political power for decades. On this week’s Apple News In Conversation, The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer explains how the battle over electoral maps is reshaping American democracy. The mayor of Arcadia, California, will plead guilty to being an unregistered foreign agent for China. Rebecca Ellis of the Los Angeles Times breaks down the case. Plus, the Supreme Court ruled that the abortion drug mifepristone can remain available by mail, the U.S. Border Patrol chief is resigning, and how AI broke a 133-year-old Princeton tradition. Today’s episode was hosted by Yasmeen Khan.

President Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Aamer Madhani from the Associated Press is there. Trump said he wants to suspend the federal gas tax but it will take an act of Congress to make that happen. Politico’s Andy Picon joins to discuss why some lawmakers are hesitant. Meteorologists say a super El Niño could hit the globe this year. Ben Noll of The Washington Post explains what scientist have learned from past El Niño events. Plus, the Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new Fed chief, disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder conviction was overturned, and FIFA reveals the lineup for the first ever World Cup half-time show. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

Inflation hit its highest rate in close to three years, driven by the war with Iran. Andrew Ackerman of the Washington Post breaks down how rising costs are squeezing consumers. Many of the American passengers who were aboard the cruise ship struck by hantavirus are now in a specialized quarantine facility in Nebraska. The Washington Post’s Lauren Weber explains what life is like on the inside. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under intense pressure to step down. Reuters reports on how his potential downfall comes less than two years after he ushered in one of the biggest parliamentary majorities in the U.K.’s modern history. Plus, Trump’s FDA commissioner resigned, the NBA’s first openly gay player has died, and why some college grads aren’t optimistic about AI as they enter the job market. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

President Trump is set to visit Beijing this week for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trevor Hunnicutt of Reuters joins to discuss what to expect from the summit. The war with Iran is hitting U.S. farmers in especially hard. Kayla Steinberg of NBC News breaks down how the rising costs of fuel and fertilizer are presenting them with big challenges. After drastically shortening its training program for new recruits, ICE will now restore previous standards. The Washington Post’s Sarah Blaskey joins to discuss how training will change. Plus, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to redraw its map, Trump said he supports suspending the federal gas tax, and NBC’s Savannah Guthrie is taking on a new role. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

President Trump firmly turned down Iran’s counter proposal to restart negotiations with the U.S. to end the war. The Wall Street Journal reports Iran’s nuclear program is a main sticking point. Virginia’s Supreme Court rejects a referendum result to redraw the electoral map in Democrats favor, as USAToday reports. And Politico’s Alec Hernandez explains how wins for Trump-backed candidates in Indiana is putting pressure on Republicans elsewhere to redraw their maps. Health Security Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a number of initiatives aimed to wean Americans off of antidepressants. The Wall Street Journal’s Liz Whyte breaks down what the new steps entail. Plus, authorities found and identified the body of an American soldier who went missing in Morocco, the passengers of the cruise ship struck by hantavirus are heading home, and the first-round World Cup game that’s more expensive than the Super Bowl. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

From Apple News In Conversation: This week, Brian Goldstone was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his book, There Is No Place for Us, which is featured in this episode from our archives. Millions of Americans cannot afford housing despite working full-time jobs. They live in cars, shelters, or extended-stay hotels and often don’t qualify for assistance programs. Journalist and anthropologist Brian Goldstone follows five Atlanta families who are stuck in this cycle in his new book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. Goldstone reveals how these parents and children are prevented from securing housing by steep rents, red tape, and predatory schemes. He spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about how this crisis arose and ways to address it.

Health officials are rushing to complete contract tracing of passengers onboard the cruise ship struck with an outbreak of hantavirus. Stat’s Helen Branswell joins to discuss what experts are looking out for. After Trump launched Project Freedom, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait barred the U.S. from using their bases and airspace. The Wall Street Journal’s Shelby Holliday explains why the two Gulf countries have since reversed course. Many thought the Sphere in Las Vegas would be a failure after huge budget overruns and construction delays. The Wall Street Journal’s Katherine Sayre details how the popular venue bucked expectations. Plus, a federal court ruled that Trump’s latest tariffs are unjustified, Tennessee passed the first new congressional map since the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision, and Sir David Attenborough is celebrating a milestone birthday. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

The U.S. and Iran are working on a memorandum of understanding to begin negotiations on ending the war. The Wall Street Journal’s Benoit Faucon breaks down the details. Victory Day, Russia’s celebration of the defeat of Nazi Germany, takes place on Saturday. Samya Kullab of the Associated Press joins to discuss why Russia is worried about how Ukraine might disrupt its most important secular holiday. Travel forecasts for 2026 indicated that demand would be high for air travel. The The Wall Street Journal’s Alison Sider explains how a jet-fuel crisis is now becoming a challenge for airlines. Plus, a federal judge released a purported suicide note from Jeffrey Epstein, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting the Vatican, and how nostalgia is driving a millennial obsession with a lunchtime staple. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

President Trump said his recently announced plan to help ships cross the Strait of Hormuz is now on pause. The Hill reports that the move came hours after U.S. officials said combat operations in Iran have concluded. Three people died on a cruise ship after an outbreak of deadly hantavirus. Tim Cocks of Reuters joins to discuss what went on aboard the ship. A vast array of American schools use YouTube for educational purposes. The Wall Street Journal’s Shalini Ramachandran explains how the Google-owned platform integrated so deeply into the education system. Plus, Republicans proposed $1 billion for White House security improvements, at least five Trump-backed candidates ousted fellow Republicans in an Indiana primary, and why hotel rooms for the World Cup aren’t filling up as fast as expected. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.