Today, Explained

For the first time, federal prosecutors have brought drug trafficking charges against pharmaceutical executives. It's one way to fight the opioid crisis. Vox's German Lopez went to Vermont in search of another. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine elected a new president on Sunday and his only meaningful preparation for the position was playing the president on TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Almost 300 people were killed in a string of bombings on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Roel Raymond reports from Colombo and Amarnath Amarasingam explains how this attack was both familiar and unprecedented. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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