Today, Explained

Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting in Hong Kong. CNN’s Matt Rivers is on the scene and the BBC's Helier Cheung explains how British colonialism complicated everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are nearly twenty candidates vying to be president of Guatemala. Some are being investigated for corruption by the country’s watchdog court, the CICIG. But corruption isn’t the only problem facing Guatemala right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erica Alfaro just got her master’s degree. But underneath the cap and gown is the story of migrant farm workers, a teen pregnancy, and domestic abuse. Wil Del Pilar explains why it’s time for colleges to do more to cater to first-generation college students like Erica and himself. (Daniel Alarcón of Radio Ambulante guest hosts.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Denver and Oakland have become the first US cities to effectively decriminalize magic mushrooms. Michael Pollan, author of “How to Change Your Mind,” explains how taking a trip could help treat depression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right-wing politicians in the UK are under attack. Delicious, sticky attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iraq’s Christian population has been fleeing the country en masse. The United States wants to help, so long as they don’t come here. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wealthy white residents are trying to secede from East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The Atlantic’s Adam Harris says they’re part of a growing trend of school resegregation. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump wants his NAFTA replacement deal ratified. But President Trump appears to be standing in the way. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nxivm: sounds like a drug, looks like a cult. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julian Assange was already in heaps of trouble when the United States indicted him under the Espionage Act last week. Now he (and journalism) might be put on trial. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special counsel Robert Mueller made his first public statement about his investigation today. No questions. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baltimore is under attack. Hackers have hijacked the city’s online services and are demanding $100,000 worth of bitcoin. ProPublica’s Renee Dudley explains how ransomware is threatening cities across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dylan Matthews, host of Vox's Future Perfect podcast, gave away his kidney because it felt like the right thing to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is reportedly considering issuing a series of pardons for alleged war crimes in time for Memorial Day. Some see parallels to Nixon’s handling of the My Lai massacre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stem cell clinics are popping up all over the United States. They're profitable and full of promises, but almost totally unregulated. ProPublica's Caroline Chen explores the shadier side of a booming business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you have 900 million eligible voters, elections take a little longer. After 39 days of polling, India’s will be over this week. Journalist Ashish Malhotra explains what’s at stake from New Delhi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, a new definition of the kilogram officially takes effect. But it's just one piece in the massively complicated history of weight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do we say to the God of Death? Not today. Explained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The governor of Alabama signed the nation’s strictest anti-abortion bill into law. Vox’s Anna North explains what the legislation means and Sean Rameswaram speaks with Eric Johnston, the man who helped write it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's trade war with China just got a lot worse. Can you feel it? Vox's Matthew Yglesias says most Americans won't, but it's still bad for America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today San Francisco could become the first American city to ban government agencies from using facial recognition technology. Vox’s Sigal Samuel explains how a cool sci-fi feature might now wreak havoc on civil liberties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terry Allen has been in prison for over 30 years without a conviction because of a little-known rule that was meant to reform the criminal justice system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a long hiatus, Kim Jong-un is back to launching missiles. A lot of people are up in arms, but Vox's Alex Ward says North Korea's Supreme Leader is only interested in one of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Uber drivers want some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. And it might actually be as easy as A-B-C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two right-wing operatives tried to frame Mayor Pete Buttigieg for sexual assault. It didn’t go as planned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices