Apple News Today

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.