What A Day

Latest Episodes:

Like A G7 Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

The G7 summit ended on Sunday, with President Joe Biden and several other world leaders pledging to send one billion COVID vaccines to poorer nations and endorsing the idea of a global minimum tax. Today, Biden is set to meet with NATO leaders before meeting with Vladimir Putin in Geneva on Wednesday.

Yesterday in Israel, the Knesset voted to approve the new coalition government which includes eight different parties of varying politics who unified to oust former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett was sworn in as the new prime minister. He and most of his cabinet worked in Netanyahu’s at various times during his 12 year tenure, indicating that massive changes won’t come quickly.

And in headlines: Darnella Frazier receives an honorary Pulitzer Prize, Nancy Pelosi promises to probe the Trump DOJ, and a ride on Bezos’s rocket sells for $28 million.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Drought Of Control Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

On Saturday, four Republican-led states will pull out of the federal government’s pandemic-related unemployment benefits program early. Congress hasn't moved on the wage issue at all, either, with Senate GOP members this week blocking the Paycheck Fairness Act.

An extreme drought is affecting the West, with the entirety of Oregon, California, Utah, and Nevada under drought conditions, along with parts of other states. Unfortunately, things are expected to heat up and dry out from here, with certain places in the Southwest facing temperatures as high as 120 degrees next week.

Plus, we’re joined by comedian and actor Maz Jobrani for headlines: National Geographic says there's a new ocean, Starbucks sees shortages of ingredients, and Kim Jong-Un's body transformation.

Show Notes:

CNET: "Is your state ending unemployment benefits this weekend? Update on $300 bonus checks" – https://cnet.co/2SoasXe

Washington Post: "These businesses found a way around the worker shortage: Raising wages to $15 an hour or more" – https://wapo.st/3gnaIxT

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

The Shots Sent Around The World Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

President Biden is expected to announce a deal today where the U.S. will buy 500 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID vaccine and send them to 100 countries that are short on shots. This is great, but those doses alone won't help us achieve global vaccine equity. We discuss what else is being done and what more can be done.

Biden's attempt to agree on an infrastructure bill with Senate Republicans broke down this week, with Republicans fulfilling their promise of obstructing the President whenever possible. Now, Biden is working with a bipartisan group of senators and is examining the possibility of passing a bill through budget reconciliation.

And in headlines: the Keystone XL Pipeline is cancelled, Nicaragua's dictatorial president arrests opposition candidates, and Uber drivers aren't seeing proportional benefits from surging prices.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

The Legend Of Delta Variant Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

A more infectious coronavirus variant called the Delta variant is becoming the dominant strain in the UK, accounting for more than 60 percent of new infections there. We discuss what we know and don't know about the variant, which has yet to take hold in a major way in the U.S.

International law enforcement agencies arrested more than 800 people in a sting operation that had criminals sending messages through an app they believed was secure...but was actually created and overseen by the FBI.

And in headlines: activists protest a pipeline's construction in Minnesota, U.S. billionaires pay little in federal taxes, and Sir Richard Branson could try to race Jeff Bezos to space.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

The End Of COVID Benefits Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Several social programs launched during the pandemic are set to expire soon, including an eviction moratorium and enhanced unemployment benefits. Federal student loan payments will be due again starting October 1st, with no movement from the White House yet towards cancellation.

The Supreme Court ruled that immigrants who came to the U.S. for humanitarian reasons can’t apply for a green card if they entered unlawfully. SCOTUS will continue issuing big decisions through the end of the month on issues that include healthcare, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and more.

And in headlines: a deadly train crash in Pakistan, Google pays $270 million for anti-trust violations in France, and the FDA approves a new Alzheimer’s treatment.

Show Notes:

Washington Post: "The eviction moratorium is about to end. Rent relief hasn’t arrived. These renters decided to take action" - https://wapo.st/3iqTK43

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

The Long Good Bibi Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

The twelve year tenure of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may come to an end as early as this week if the broad coalition of officials that are set to replace him can hold together and form a new government. We spoke with Haggai Matar, the executive director of +972 magazine in Israel about the coalition, which includes representatives from eight ideologically distinct parties.

Last week, U.S. Marshals shot and killed 32-year-old Winston “Boogie” Smith Jr. in Minneapolis while attempting to arrest him. Now, people in the city are calling for more transparency into the shooting and asking that anyone who might have video footage come forward.

And in headlines: a federal judge overturns California’s 30 year ban on assault weapons, Vice President Kamala Harris travels to Central America, and Joe Manchin reiterates his support for the filibuster and opposition to HR1.

Show Notes:

+972 Magazine's Haggai Matar – https://twitter.com/Ha_Matar

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

Stonk If You Love AMC Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

President Biden had hoped to have 70 percent of adults in the U.S. vaccinated with at least one shot by Independence Day, and we’re close to hitting that goal. Biden also elaborated on his plan to share 80 million vaccine doses by the end of the month, with the first batch of doses headed for South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

This was another banner week in the world of meme stocks, or stocks that have surged in value thanks to attention from retail investors on the Internet. We walk through what went on with AMC, and how the company is responding.

Plus, we’re joined by comedian and actress Aparna Nancherla for headlines: Donald Jr. is on Cameo, two kids drive a car to see dolphins, and fifteen elephants are on a mysterious journey in China.

Show Notes:

NYT: "See How Vaccinations Are Going in Your County and State" – https://nyti.ms/2TK5k0d

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

The Crisis In Ethiopia With Nima Elbagir Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

Yesterday, the U.S., Canada, and a number of European countries called for a ceasefire in Ethiopia, where government forces have targeted an ethnic group called Tigrayans with horrific attacks that have been described with elements of a "genocide." Reports have suggested that millions of people have been displaced with an unknown number killed. We spoke with Nima Elbagir, a senior international correspondent at CNN, about the ongoing crisis in the country.

And in headlines: opposition leaders agreed to form a coalition to lead Israel, a cargo ship burns and sinks in Sri Lanka, and NASA will send spaceships to Venus.

Show Notes:

CNN: Nima Elbagir's coverage of Ethiopia – https://www.cnn.com/profiles/nima-elbagir

How to help those in Ethiopia:

International Rescue Committee – https://www.rescue.org/country/ethiopia
The UN Refugee Agency – https://bit.ly/3uIC2eZ
Doctors Without Borders – https://bit.ly/3uLaQfJ

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

Variants Are All Greek Letters To Me Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

As most of the U.S. prepares to reopen by the end of this month, a World Health Organization official warned, “It would be a monumental error for any country to think the danger has passed.” Peru recently reported that COVID deaths in the country are almost triple than what was previously reported. Plus, the WHO moved to rename variants using letters of the Greek alphabet in part to remove the stigma from countries where they were first identified.

Joe Biden became the first president to commemorate the massacre of Black residents in Tulsa’s Greenwood District on its 100th anniversary. He used the event to propose a wide-ranging plan to narrow the racial wealth gap.

And in headlines: Canada reckons with its history of residential schools, a ransomware attack holds the world’s beef hostage, and theatre-going roars back with “A Quiet Place Part 2.”

For a transcript of this show, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

Revisiting Our Favorite Conversations on Coronavirus Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

The past year and more were filled with extreme ups and extreme downs, and as we reflect on that time, we’re looking back on some conversations that moved us, informed us, and made us smile.

Today’s show includes interviews with 6th grade special education teacher Monice Seward, NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Sana Khan, a student of public health at the University of Arizona.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

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