Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: There are major elections this week. Here’s what to watch for.
Host: Shumita Basu
Date: November 3, 2025

Overview

This episode of Apple News Today, hosted by Shumita Basu, focuses on the crucial elections taking place this week across the U.S.—seen as the first major electoral test of President Trump’s second term. The episode breaks down what’s at stake in key state races, explores potential national implications, and also covers U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, the plight of Afghans stranded in Qatar, and a dramatic finish at the New York City Marathon.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Major Elections Preview: States to Watch

(00:05–06:00)

• The elections are viewed as a “first major electoral test of President Trump’s second term.” Though Trump is not on the ballot, both Republicans and Democrats will gauge voter sentiment one year before the midterms.

• New Jersey Governor’s Race

  • Democratic Candidate: Mikie Sherrill gets a last-minute endorsement from President Obama.
    • Obama’s quote:

      “You’ve got a candidate for governor who’s a proven fighter… New Jersey, it’s time to point America in a better direction by electing Mikey Sherrill as your next governor.” (01:05)

  • Republican Candidate: Jack Cittarelli calls for change, focusing on property tax and cost-of-living crises.
    • Cittarelli responds to criticism:

      “There’s a lot of opportunity. Some person recently said to me, Jack, I can’t think of a worse time to be governor. I said, are you kidding me? I can’t think of a better time because it’s time to hit the reset button.” (01:39)

  • The race is tight for a traditionally blue state, with both campaigns drawing attention to national political identities and the importance of the Latino vote, which could be a decisive factor for both the current election and the midterms.

• New York City Mayoral Race

  • Zahran Mamdani (Democrat), Andrew Cuomo (Independent), and Curtis Sliwa (Republican) are the main candidates.
  • Over 700,000 have voted early, an historic turnout.
  • Early voting strong in neighborhoods that favored Mamdani in the primary.
    • CBS director of analytics:

      “We see places like Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and even Long Island City up here that have been much higher than expected. These are places that in the primary were very friendly territory for Mamdani.” (03:11)

  • Trump threatens to withhold federal funding if Mamdani wins, and Democratic leaders show only tepid support for their candidate.

• Virginia Gubernatorial Race

  • Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) maintains a lead over Republican Winsome Earl Sears, running as a moderate. Culture war issues, notably transgender rights, are not having the impact seen in 2024, signaling a possible shift in campaign strategies.
  • Affordability—the economy and prices—emerges as the dominant issue for voters.
    • Megan Messerly, Politico:

      “We’ve seen some really interesting polling on the economy and prices and the role that’s playing…what we’re going to see in the midterm elections…prices and the economy to remain central issues longer term.”

• California’s Prop 50 Vote

  • Focuses on changing how electoral maps are drawn, in response to recent redistricting elsewhere. Seen as “perhaps the most important vote” as it won’t produce a winner, but could impact national power structures.

2. U.S. Military Escalation in the Caribbean

(06:00–09:38)

• Multiple U.S. strikes against boats in the Caribbean since September, officially targeting drug smuggling and an unnamed terrorist organization.
• Tensions growing over executive war powers:
  • DOJ official tells Congress Trump does not need their approval for further strikes, despite the War Powers Resolution.
  • Congressional briefings exclude Defense Department lawyers; lawmakers from both parties express outrage and call for greater transparency.
    • Sen. Rand Paul:

      “If they want all out war … that has to have a declaration of war… Congress should vote.” (07:12)

  • SecDef Pete Hegseth restricts military officials from publicly discussing strikes, intensifying concerns.
• Deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the Caribbean raises questions about U.S. intentions for Venezuela.
  • Dan Lamoth, Washington Post:

    “If you’re simply going to be taking out a handful of speedboats per week, you don’t need an aircraft carrier for that.” (07:54)

• Trump on 60 Minutes, asked about plans for land strikes in Venezuela:

  • “I’m not saying it’s true or untrue, but I … wouldn’t be inclined to say that I would do that.” (06:31/06:36)

• Lamoth suggests the show of force could be intended to force Venezuela’s Maduro to leave without broader escalation, but the lack of clarity raises concerns about potential entanglement and mission creep.

3. Afghans in Limbo in Qatar

(09:38–12:16)

• More than a thousand Afghans who assisted the U.S. military remain stranded at a base in Qatar, neither allowed into the U.S. nor permitted to leave the camp due to security concerns.
  • Robbie Grammer, Wall Street Journal:

    “The United States won’t let them leave… They’re just sitting in this camp surrounded by barbed wire fence for months, even years, and they have no end in sight.” (10:00)

• After Trump’s inauguration in January, the U.S. closed off refugee pathways, stranding many, some with only half of their families able to reach the U.S.
  • Example: Mohammad Ibrahim, whose family is now separated across continents.
    • Grammer:

      “These twins talk to each other every night on WhatsApp… they’ve been split apart for four years. The twin who’s in Seattle… feels a lot of guilt about the life that she is able to have that her sister can’t have.” (12:00)

• Bipartisan efforts to assist these Afghans have stalled, with little sign of immediate change.

4. Quick Hits: Other Headlines

(13:05–15:22)

• Government shutdown impacts major U.S. travel hubs; 80% of air traffic controllers have missed work, raising safety concerns.
  • Transport Sec. Sean Duffy:

    “They’re confronted with a decision, do I put food on my kids’ table … or do I go to work and not get paid?” (13:05)

• No new live nuclear tests—recent Pentagon nuclear testing order is for systems only, not detonations.
• New York City Marathon delivers a historic photo finish—Benson Kipruto wins by 0.03 seconds; women’s race sets a new record.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Obama on Mikie Sherrill (NJ Governor):

  “You’ve got a candidate … who sees you and knows your struggles and will work for you every single day.” (01:05)

• Jack Cittarelli (NJ):

  “I can’t think of a better time [to be governor] because it’s time to hit the reset button.” (01:39)

• CBS Election Analyst:

  “These are places that in the primary were very friendly territory for Mamdani.” (03:11)

• Sen. Rand Paul on Venezuela intervention:

  “Congress should vote.” (07:12)

• Dan Lamoth on aircraft carrier deployment:

  “If you’re simply going to be taking out a handful of speedboats per week, you don’t need an aircraft carrier for that.” (07:54)

• Robbie Grammer on Afghans in Qatar:

  “They’re just sitting in this camp surrounded by barbed wire fence for months, even years...” (10:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:05 — Episode opens, election context and overview
• 01:05 — Obama’s endorsement of Sherrill (NJ Gov. race)
• 01:39 — Jack Cittarelli on the NJ Governor’s race
• 03:11 — NYC Mayoral early voting analysis
• 06:26 — Trump on possible land strikes in Venezuela (60 Minutes)
• 07:12 — Sen. Rand Paul on Congressional war powers
• 07:54 — Dan Lamoth on the Caribbean aircraft carrier
• 09:38 — Afghans stranded in Qatar segment opens
• 10:00 — Robbie Grammer describes conditions in Qatar
• 12:00 — Family separation, personal story of twins split between Qatar and Seattle
• 13:05 — Air traffic controller shortages and government shutdown impact
• 15:08 — New York City Marathon photo finish

This episode offers a concise yet comprehensive guide to the week’s pivotal electoral battles, shifting international policies under President Trump, and powerful human stories connected to America’s global footprint—presented with accessible analysis and clear reporting.