Today, Explained

Frankenswine

Maybe you've heard about the pig brains that were resuscitated by Yale researchers? But did you hear about the human brain genes that were inserted into monkey embryos in China? Vox's Brian Resnick and Sigal Samuel explain some scary science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Robert Time!

Attorney General William Barr released Robert Mueller’s report today. Vox’s Andrew Prokop reads between the redactions and Ezra Klein explains what it all means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Jeffrey Epstein scandal isn't over

A Florida millionaire created a system to sexually abuse around 80 young girls. The sitting Secretary of Labor who let him off easy might now be held accountable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My lovely lady pumps

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It's a great time to cheat on your taxes

The IRS is in a bit of a crisis. ProPublica’s Paul Kiel explains how a profitable government agency succumbed to politics and ended up losing tens of billions in revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maximum Pressure

Earlier this week, President Trump designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. It is the first time the United States has ever given such a designation to a part of another nation’s government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They called it (a revolution)

After 30 years in power, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the authoritarian leader of Sudan, has been ousted. Reporter Reem Abbas explains how the Sudanese people reclaimed power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Medicare Bears

Senator Bernie Sanders rolled out a new Medicare-for-all bill today. Vox’s Sarah Kliff explains how such a huge overhaul of the healthcare system went from fringe to mainstream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Achy Breaky Charts

“Old Town Road” officially became the most popular song in America today. But it’s also the most controversial. Vox’s Allegra Frank chronicles Lil Nas X’s challenges with the charts and Charlie Harding, co-host of the “Switched on Pop” podcast, attempts to figure out what counts as country. *An earlier version of our episode misstated the origins of “country trap.” Lil Nas X calls Young Thug a pioneer in the genre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A brutal new law in Brunei

Sex between men will now get you stoned to death in Brunei. It’s a strict reading of Sharia by a sultan who seems to have little regard for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Art of the Green New Deal

It's the hottest resolution since sliced bread. But is it just empty calories? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Banned: Aid

After months of threats, President Donald Trump has officially taken steps to cut off aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Vox's Dara Lind explains what this might mean for the current unprecedented wave of family migration to the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RU$H HOUR

New York City wants to charge drivers a congestion fee to slim down traffic. We travel the world to see if it’s a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What women really want

To mark Equal Pay Day 2019, Vox’s Sarah Kliff reveals the very simple reason women earn less than men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The right to refuse

The Texas Senate is debating a bill that would give state-licensed professionals the freedom to deny services based on religious beliefs. Lauren McGaughy from the Dallas Morning News says the state's LGBT community feels directly threatened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once, twice, three times a Brexit

Theresa May staked her prime ministership on her Brexit deal and, for the third time, the British Parliament rejected it. Vox's Jen Kirby explains a very bad day for Theresa May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grounded

Unsettling details continue to arise about Boeing's 737 Max and now Congress is pressing the FAA and America's largest manufacturing exporter for answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I got 5G on it

You've heard about the trade war, but how about the phone war? Politico's Steven Overly explains why the US and China are fighting over Huawei and 5G. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golan Heights

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, breaking with decades of United States policy. The move could alter the Middle East forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The report on the report

Robert Mueller's investigation has ended and Attorney General William Barr has furnished a four-page summary. Vox's Andrew Prokop says this is far from over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacinda

The terrorist attacks in New Zealand have thrust Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern into the spotlight. Radio New Zealand’s Jane Patterson explains the 38-year-old's improbable rise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Electoral College dropout

Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are calling to abolish the Electoral College and a dozen states have signed on to a plan that would subvert it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tried six times for the same crime

Today the Supreme Court hears oral arguments about Curtis Flowers, who has been tried six times for the same crime: a quadruple homicide at a furniture store in Mississippi. Madeleine Baran, host of the “In the Dark” podcast, explains how this case represents a fundamental problem with jury selection in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CBD? TBD.

CBD is winding up in your lattes, your gummies, and your massages, but what exactly is it? And is anyone regulating it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American hate

The Christchurch shooting took place thousands of miles from the United States, but for Muslims in America, the threat of white supremacy remains very real. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mass shooting, live-streamed

A terrorist attacked two mosques in New Zealand during Friday prayer, killing at least 49 people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boeing 737 Max

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on Sunday killing all 157 aboard. The response was unprecedented. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Becky with the bad grades

Remember Aunt Becky from Full House? She might be heading to the big house. Fifty grown-ups, including Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, are facing federal charges over college admissions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For all eyes only

Can't pass an FBI background check? Not a problem. That's the Trump administration's approach to top secret security clearances for some White House officials. Now Democrats are launching an investigation. Vox's Ella Nilsen explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sailing a boat on an alien sea

SpaceX and Blue Origin have been driving much of the excitement around space travel for the past several years, but NASA got back in the game today. Dr. Ellen Stofan, the agency’s former chief scientist, explains what’s next for us, Mars, infinity and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices