Politics Jul 25 Texas refuses to remove floating barriers meant to deter Rio Grande crossings Several legal fights are brewing over migration across the U.S.-Mexico border. A federal judge blocked the Biden administration’s attempt to limit asylum seekers after several immigrant-rights groups argued the policy was unfair, and the Department of Justice sued Texas for…
World Jul 20 Millions flee homes in Sudan amid reports of widespread war crimes The conflict in Sudan has entered its fourth month with no end in sight. The fight between the Sudanese military and a rival paramilitary force has killed thousands and more than 3 million have fled their homes. As William Brangham…
World Jul 18 Slow pace of Ukraine's counteroffensive prompts military strategy questions U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley described Ukraine's effort to retake territory in the east and south as a tough and difficult fight. Forces have been slowed by minefields and intense Russian resistance. To learn more about the offensive…
World Jul 17 Russia ends grain export deal with Ukraine, raising fears about global food security Moscow announced it will not renew the deal that let Ukraine export its grain through the Black Sea. For the past year, Russian forces allowed Ukraine to ship more than 32 tons of food through the Bosporus Strait and onto…
Health Jul 03 First cases of malaria transmitted in U.S. in decades prompt concerns For the first time in 20 years, malaria has been locally transmitted within the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified five cases, four in Florida and one in Texas. William Brangham spoke with infectious disease epidemiologist…
Nation Jun 30 Colleges adapt admissions programs in wake of affirmative action ruling As colleges and universities digest the Supreme Court ruling that effectively ended affirmative action, schools are left to grapple with how to revamp their admission policies to ensure the diversity of their campuses. That will be a challenge and some…
Nation Jun 29 Texas power grid struggles with system-wide stresses caused by brutal heat wave A record heat wave, and its connections to climate change, are highlighting again the growing concerns around America’s electrical grid and whether it can withstand the added stress. In Texas, which operates its own electrical grid, power demand hit an…
Health Jun 28 American Black women face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality The sudden death of Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie at age 32 sent shockwaves around the world. The idea that a young, elite athlete could go into labor and die stunned many. But this problem is more common than many realize,…
Health Jun 27 How an aging population poses challenges for U.S. economy, workforce and social programs New numbers from the Census Bureau show the U.S. population is older than it’s ever been, with the nation’s median age over 38. William Brangham spoke with Philip Bump and Wendy Edelberg about how an older America could pose significant…
Nation Jun 26 Some retailers pull back Pride plans after conservative backlash June is Pride Month, a time when companies show their support for and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. But this year, right-wing backlash has forced some to rethink Pride. Boycotts, employee harassment and threats of violence prompted companies to pull…