Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day.
A SARS-like virus has killed at least 17 people, quarantined millions in China, and made its way to the United States. Vox’s Julia Belluz explains what's known and what's next.
21 min
1227
A George Washington Bridge too far
The Supreme Court is trying to settle the fight over the biggest traffic jam in the history of American politics once and for all. WNYC's Matt Katz, author of "American Governor: Chris Christie's Bridge to Redemption," explains.
22 min
1228
The Senate trial begins
Vox's Andrew Prokop explains everything you need to know as President Trump's Senate impeachment trial gets underway.
20 min
1229
The 100 year fight for equal rights
Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment this week. Now, Congress is the only thing standing between the 28th amendment and the Constitution of the United States.
19 min
1230
Ukraine International Flight 752
Canada now has the unfortunate job of dealing with the collateral damage from the conflict between Iran and the United States.
23 min
1231
Booker blames the rules
Senator Cory Booker tells Sean Rameswaram why he never stood a chance and Vox's Ella Nilsen explains why Senators Warren and Sanders are fighting.
21 min
1232
Elizabeth Warren needs a poster boy
Elizabeth Warren’s best bet to fight the opioid epidemic might be stealing a page from the battle against AIDS. Vox’s Jillian Weinberger explains how for The Impact.
29 min
1233
One billion animals dead
Australia is suffering unprecedented damage from months of bush fires, but the country remains divided on the politics of climate change.
19 min
1234
Megxit
Meghan Markle and her husband have announced their own personal Brexit.
22 min
1235
The (first) trial of Harvey Weinstein
Irin Carmon from New York magazine explains how #MeToo is on trial alongside Harvey Weinstein.
22 min
1236
What about Iraq?
Iran fired back. The United States issued a statement. Iraq wishes its allies would fight somewhere else.
18 min
1237
The view from Iran
Iran analyst Dina Esfandiary explains why the killing of Qassem Soleimani was “the greatest gift the Trump administration could have given the Iranian government.” And an Iranian-American family disagrees on the meaning of Soleimani’s death.
21 min
1238
War with Iran?
The United States killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq last week. Vox's Alex Ward explains what might happen next.
22 min
1239
Should we burn our recycling?
The vast majority of our plastic isn’t being recycled. It might be time to consider lighting it on fire.
27 min
1240
The other TV president
Before stumbling into the biggest American political scandal in a generation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was best known for playing the president on TV.
21 min
1241
Trump of the Year
On the cusp of a big election year, Vox’s Matthew Yglesias reviews President Trump’s accomplishments thus far.
21 min
1242
Song of the Year
“Old Town Road” is unlike anything that’s ever happened in American popular music.
23 min
1243
Person of the Year
Time named Greta Thunberg its ‘Person of the Year.’ David Wallace-Wells from New York Magazine explains why.
16 min
1244
The Queen of Christmas
A quarter-century after its release, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Call it a "Christmas Mariahcle."
22 min
1245
Debate 6: Enter the Wine Cave
The sixth and final Democratic debate of the year was less diverse, more substantive, and also featured a fight about a wine cave. Vox's Emily Stewart explains.
23 min
1246
Aging in America
By 2035, there will be more elderly people than children in America. The country isn’t ready.
20 min
1247
Impeachment Day
The House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump today. Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains what comes next.
17 min
1248
Trump v. Taxes
The Supreme Court will decide whether President Trump has to turn over his tax returns, but WNYC's Andrea Bernstein says the Court is really deciding whether Trump can literally get away with murder.
16 min
1249
Big Bezos is watching you
In under 20 years, Amazon grew from an online bookstore to the eyes and ears in our homes. OneZero's Will Oremus says we should be concerned about what comes next.
25 min
1250
Space Farce
The Democrats gave President Trump his Space Force this week. But what is it?