As a new NFL season kicks off this week, old questions about the game’s safety are being asked following Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest and Tua Tagovailoa’s multiple concussions last year. And it’s not just the pros: youth leagues around the countries have adjusted practice routines and safety protocols to guard against injuries that can carry long-term impacts. In today’s episode, we examine football’s deadly history and how it’s informing today’s game. Plus, CNN gets a look at new technology that could one day predict injuries before they happen. 
Guest: Coy Wire, CNN Sports Anchor & Correspondent
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Flag on the Sport: Football’s Safety Reckoning

You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you into the story and helps you make sense of the news everyone's been talking about. Each Sunday, host David Rind interviews one of CNN’s world-class reporters to tell us what they've found – and why it matters. From the team behind CNN 5 Things.

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Note: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence. 
Outrage has rippled through the entertainment industry ever since CNN exclusively obtained disturbing surveillance video showing Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016. After initially denying the incident and others alleged ever happened, Diddy apologized for his actions in the video. In this episode, we explore why many say the apology falls short and look at how the case fits into the wider #MeToo movement. 
Guest: Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Entertainment Correspondent 
 
If you or someone you know is struggling with intimate partner violence, there are resources available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline. 
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What Diddy’s Downfall Says About the Legacy of #MeToo

Donald Trump’s ex-attorney and fixer Michael Cohen took the stand this week in the former President’s New York criminal hush money trial. During cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers appeared to strike a blow against Cohen’s credibility. In this episode, we examine how the testimony could swing the trial as we near the end of the prosecution’s case. 
Guest: Kara Scannell, CNN Correspondent
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Will Michael Cohen’s Credibility Swing the Trump Trial?

Earlier this month, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the race, insisting he is the only one who can beat former President Donald Trump. Despite running well behind Biden in the polls, some experts believe he will pull enough support from both candidates to impact the election. In this episode, we explore Kennedy’s controversial candidacy and how voters, Biden and Trump are responding to it. 
Guest: Aaron Pellish, CNN Campaign Reporter
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RFK Jr. Says He Won’t Be a Spoiler. Is Anyone Buying It?

In recent weeks, several colleges have called in police to break up pro-Palestinian encampments that have popped up on campuses across the country. While demands from students vary from school to school, one of the most common is for universities to divest from Israel-linked businesses and entities. In this episode, we hear about the history of divestment protests at Columbia University and how these campaigns would play out in practice. 
Guest: Matt Egan, CNN Business Reporter
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The Financial Reality Behind Campus Calls to Divest

10 years ago, hundreds of Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria were abducted and held hostage by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The quest to rescue them captured the world’s attention, aided by pleas from high-profile figures and a viral hashtag online. But a decade later, those who escaped are still dealing with the fallout and others are left wondering if they will ever see their loved ones again. In this episode, we hear the story of one survivor and look at the state of girls’ education in the country. 
Guest: Stephanie Busari, CNN Senior Editor - Africa 
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Flag on the Sport: Football’s Safety Reckoning

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