The Panama Canal is drying up

AI is in everything these days. But should it be in our nuclear arsenal? This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Avishay Artsy, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. A screen grab image shows Russia conducting large-scale nuclear exercises last month. Photo by Russian Defense Ministry/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You know those annoying scam texts offering an easy remote job? We find out how they work, why they're so ubiquitous, and the dark world behind them. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here.  Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should they be? Let’s see. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly with help from Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Millions of Americans are about to lose their SNAP benefits. The fight over who deserves them has been juiced by online videos that claim to show recipients behaving badly. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. There's always a fight when food aid is involved. Photo by Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is sending warships to Venezuela and bombing so-called drug boats off the coast. His aggression toward Venezuela smells a lot like the beginnings of a war. But it may just be a way to expand presidential power. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Boats off the coast of Venezuela are being targeted by the US. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP) Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices