Today, Explained

Newark officials rescinded a sister city agreement with the United States of Kailasa after finding out it wasn’t actually a real place. Reporter Sushmita Pathak explains how a fugitive cult leader from India created a fake nation that conned everyday people, government officials, and the UN.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Amina Al-Sadi and Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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An AI-generated image of Cool Pope in immaculate drip went viral over the weekend and most everyone thought it was real. The Verge’s James Vincent explains how we should navigate our new internet reality.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Avishay Artsy and Siona Peterous, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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Far-right judicial reforms have inspired what might be the largest protests in the history of Israel. If adopted, the reforms could spell the end of democracy in the world’s only majority-Jewish country.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Matthew Collette, Victoria Chamberlin and Siona Petrous, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The US has a child care crisis. But New Mexico just figured out a way to fix it (hint: they’re paying for it).

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Transit agencies nationwide are facing an existential crisis. Washington, DC’s city council has a paradoxical solution: make subways and buses free.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Additional help from Miles Bryan and Jolie Myers.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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Five years after March for Our Lives, one of the historic protest’s organizers and his historic friend explain why it’s easy to forget how much progress has been made. Plus, Rep. Frost breaks some news about his first proper piece of legislation.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Siona Peterous, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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When the Veterans Administration failed to build the homes it promised, unhoused vets built a tent city across the street — in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. KCRW’s Anna Scott tells their story in “City of Tents: Veterans Row.”

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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There’s rare bipartisan consensus in Washington: China is a threat to be countered. Cornell professor Jessica Chen Weiss says the American approach could lock both countries into an escalatory spiral.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The war in Iraq has been declared over by nearly every president since the one who started it 20 years ago today. But it’s still not done. At SXSW in Austin, Texas, Sean Rameswaram explained why it’s important we remember.

This episode was written by Sean Rameswaram, produced by Sean and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and mixed by Paul Robert Mounsey.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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Pandemic restrictions are mostly over, but cities are still struggling to recover. Empty offices threaten to set off a downward spiral of falling tax revenue and declining services. Today, Explained’s Miles Bryan tries to stop the doom loop before it starts.

This episode was reported and produced by Miles Bryan with help from Amanda Lewellyn. It was edited by Matt Collette with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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