VICE NewsSæson 2020
Most of this years long form content was broadcast as part of "VICE" on Showtime, or "VICE News Tonight" on VICE TV.
Hvor man kan se VICE News • Sæson 2020
175 episoder
- How Internet Shutdowns Became A Weapon of RepressionE2
How Internet Shutdowns Became A Weapon of Repression Internet shutdowns by governments are becoming the new normal with a big spike in 2019. Many of the shutdowns lasted longer and increasingly aimed to control the flow of information and silence dissent, particularly during election periods and times of civil unrest. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of countries engaged in internet shutdowns shot up by 40 percent, according to Access Now’s latest figures provided to VICE News. The digital rights group documented shutdowns in 35 countries last year, an uptick from 25 countries in 2018. Some shutdowns are total internet blackouts, but in other cases, governments block certain apps and websites like Facebook. These internet disruptions often create a climate of fear and panic, making it difficult for civilians and media to report human rights abuses. - Brown & Black - Biden: Bernie Is Lying About My Position on Social SecurityE3
Brown & Black - Biden: Bernie Is Lying About My Position on Social Security Former Vice President Joe Biden has taken flack in recent weeks for saying when he was a senator that he’d negotiate with Republicans on entitlements in order to balance the budget. On Monday, Biden tried to make clear that would never happen if he becomes president. - Brown & Black - Think Bernie Is ‘Radical’? He Disagrees.E4
Brown & Black - Think Bernie Is ‘Radical’? He Disagrees. “Guaranteeing healthcare to all people through a Medicare for All program, is that radical?” Sanders asked the crowd at the 2020 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum. “Raising the minimum wage to 15 bucks an hour, is that radical? Making all public colleges and universities tuition-free, canceling all student debt through a tax on Wall Street speculation: radical? Dealing with climate change: radical? Immigration reform: radical? Criminal justice reform — radical? Protecting a woman's right to control her body, — radical? Sane gun policy — radical?” Sanders said. “I beg your pardon.” With each question, the diverse audience responded with a louder “no,” before giving him a round of applause. - Brown & Black - Warren Says Troops Are Coming Home and Black Colleges Are Getting FundedE5
Brown & Black - Warren Says Troops Are Coming Home and Black Colleges Are Getting FundedSen. Elizabeth Warren confirmed she would pull combat troops out of the Middle East in her first term and would not commit to military campaigns without Congressional approval. The answers came during an interview at the 2020 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum, the nation’s oldest minority-focused presidential forum, presented by VICE News. - Brown & Black - Andrew Yang Says Joking About Asians Being Good at Math Is Not a ‘Bad Thing’E6
Brown & Black - Andrew Yang Says Joking About Asians Being Good at Math Is Not a ‘Bad Thing’Businessman Andrew Yang laments that he’s one of few Democrats of color still in the presidential race. But he also makes light of his heritage with jokes about how he’s good at math and knows “a lot of doctors.” On Monday at the 2020 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum in Des Moines, he told VICE News that jokes can be a helpful way to address racist stereotypes. - Brown & Black - Pete Buttigieg Admits His City Struggled to Retain Black Police OfficersE7
Brown & Black - Pete Buttigieg Admits His City Struggled to Retain Black Police OfficersDuring Pete Buttigieg’s tenure as mayor of South Bend, nearly half the city’s black police officers left the force. He admitted Monday that was a failure of his administration. “This is an area where I’ve admitted we’re not where we want to be,” Buttigieg said at the 2020 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum in Des Moines. But in a tense exchange with the VICE News moderator, Buttigieg defended his overall record as mayor and argued that reports that he’d ignored the city’s black police officers were taken out of context — including an investigation by The Root and The Young Turks that found a pattern of Buttigieg ignoring black officers’ concerns. - Brown & Black - Amy Klobuchar Talks About Her Moderate MessageE8
Brown & Black - Amy Klobuchar Talks About Her Moderate Message Amy Klobuchar’s been gaining steam on the campaign trail recently with her moderate message, but on Martin Luther King Day, she was asked if she was the kind of “white moderate” that King once wrote “prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.” Klobuchar was unequivocal: “No.” “At the time, there were plenty of whites that would perhaps profess to be helpful to African-Americans but were actually holding back a lot of federal civil rights legislation. That is not me,” the Minnesota senator said at the 2020 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum, presented by VICE News. The forum featured nine Democratic candidates addressing issues of concern to black and Latinx voters. - Brown & Black - Michael Bennet Agrees He's the Bland White Guy in the Room — But He's Still HereE9
Brown & Black - Michael Bennet Agrees He's the Bland White Guy in the Room — But He's Still Here Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet doesn’t mind being the bland white guy in the Democratic presidential field. “Let’s address the elephant in the room,” VICE News’ Alzo Slade asked the Colorado senator at the 2020 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum in Des Moines on Monday. “New York Magazine described you as ‘a bland white guy you’ve never heard of.’” “That’s a fair description,” Bennet responded. That, after all, is basically his thing. His pitch to voters, shortly after he launched his campaign, was that if he were elected, Americans wouldn’t have to think about him all the time, unlike the guy currently in the White House. - Brown & Black - John Delaney Wants Everyone Insured...E10
Brown & Black - John Delaney Wants Everyone Insured...John Delaney wants everyone to have health insurance — but Medicare for All isn’t how he’d get everyone covered. The former congressman emphasized that he’s for “universal” health care and placed himself alongside Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in supporting coverage for everyone. But his competitors’ Medicare for All plans, Delaney said, are “political suicide.” - Here's What Iowans Really Think About 2020E11
Here's What Iowans Really Think About 2020 Iowa is a predominantly white state, so we sent VICE News's Roberto Ferdman to Des Moines to talk to minorities about the issues they care about and the presidential candidates they'll support, ahead of the Iowa Caucus in February. - Here’s How Scientists Think Coronavirus Spreads from Bats to HumansE15
Here’s How Scientists Think Coronavirus Spreads from Bats to Humans Bats carry tons of viruses. But scientists think one in particular has recently infected the human population and killed nearly 1,400 people: China’s new coronavirus. Scientists don’t really know why, but bats usually don’t get sick from the viruses inside them. A recent genetic study, however, found that the coronavirus in bats and the one making humans sick are a 96% match. - How China Targets Muslims for 'Re-Education' Camps — and Spies on Their FamiliesE16
How China Targets Muslims for 'Re-Education' Camps — and Spies on Their Families The goal of China’s so-called re-education camps in the region of Xinjiang is to assimilate long-marginalized Muslim minorities, mostly Uighurs and Kazakhs, into Han Chinese culture. The government says the centers have expanded development and helped prevent terrorism. But the internee records reviewed by VICE News reveal that the vast majority of people sent to the camps were detained for mundane and legal behavior, including wearing a hijab, having “thick beards,” visiting a foreign website, applying for a passport, traveling abroad to a “sensitive country” or having family members living in one, or being part of a “religious family.” - These Botanists Are Scaling Cliffs to Save Endangered PlantsE17
These Botanists Are Scaling Cliffs to Save Endangered Plants Adam Williams and Ben Nyberg are like the Indiana Joneses of plant conservation, leading the crusade to preserve Hawaii’s most distinct — and endangered — plants. Hawaii’s biodiversity is unique, largely because of its isolation: Nearly 90% of native plants don’t grow anywhere else in the world, according to the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. But that isolation has also left it vulnerable to threats like invasive species and environmental changes. So even though Hawaii makes up less than 1% of U.S. landmass, it’s now home to nearly 45% of all endangered and threatened plants in the U.S. - Vic Berger Presents: TV Pastor Jim Bakker Really Wants You to Think He Can Cure CoronavirusE20
Vic Berger Presents: TV Pastor Jim Bakker Really Wants You to Think He Can Cure Coronavirus The coronavirus outbreak has spread around the world causing fear and uncertainty about the health of humanity. Thankfully, televangelist Jim Bakker and his wife Lori have a cure. - We Asked People Around the World How They're Coping with CoronavirusE21
We Asked People Around the World How They're Coping with Coronavirus The coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China, in late December has now spread to more than 170 countries. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Some countries, including much of Europe, Asia, and parts of the U.S., have shut schools and restaurants and even closed borders as a response. We talked to people living in countries impacted by the pandemic to hear how their governments have responded — and how it’s affecting them. - Coronavirus Is Changing Lives All Across the Globe. VICE Reporters Tell Us HowE23
Coronavirus Is Changing Lives All Across the Globe. VICE Reporters Tell Us How An estimated 161 countries and territories now have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Find out how countries are battling the pandemic from VICE Reporters around the world. - How Iceland Could Hold The Key To Understanding CoronavirusE24
How Iceland Could Hold The Key To Understanding Coronavirus Back in 2013, a little-known genetics company in Iceland made international headlines when it developed the Islendiga-App (App of Icelanders"), an app that would alert users if they were related to one another. The idea was to prevent accidental incest on the tiny Icelandic dating scene. - How Coronavirus Could Actually Give Americans a Stronger Financial Safety NetE25
How Coronavirus Could Actually Give Americans a Stronger Financial Safety Net Progressive goals that long seemed like pipe dreams suddenly don’t look so far-fetched as the novel coronavirus ravages the economy. Progressives have long fought for universal paid sick and family leave. Expanded unemployment insurance has been a top priority as well. And liberals have stewed over corporations buying back their own stock after getting government help. More recently, universal basic income — direct cash payments to all Americans — has become popular in some liberal circles. - The Netherlands Is Letting People Get Sick to Beat CoronavirusE27
The Netherlands Is Letting People Get Sick to Beat Coronavirus As most of the world practices social distancing, the Dutch are trying a different strategy to protect the vulnerable from the coronavirus: They’re aiming for so-called “herd immunity,” or what happens when enough people have survived the illness to effectively slow its spread. - Coronavirus Has Left This American Student Stranded in PeruE28
Coronavirus Has Left This American Student Stranded in Peru In an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Peru has completely closed its borders. We spoke with Nurin Abdulwassy, a student from Augusta University in Georgia who is currently trapped in the city of Cusco. - Coronavirus Has Put These People Out of WorkE30
Coronavirus Has Put These People Out of Work VICE News spoke with an actor, a teacher, a food worker who cannot do their jobs in self-quarantine, one of whom was laid off amidst coronavirus cuts. We look at the ways these individuals have managed to cope and get creative in their new lives. - Why Congress Can't Agree on a Roughly $2 Trillion Coronavirus BillE31
Why Congress Can't Agree on a Roughly $2 Trillion Coronavirus Bill As the Senate negotiates a third coronavirus stimulus package of roughly $2 trillion, Vice News spoke to Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, about why Republicans and Democrats can't agree on how to move forward during the COVID-19 crisis. - People in Lebanon Can Only Get $100 a Week of Their Own MoneyE33
People in Lebanon Can Only Get $100 a Week of Their Own Money For the lebanese, Coronavirus is only piling on top of an already dire situation. On Monday, the Lebanese government announced it would stop paying all around $30 billion worth of foreign loans, defaulting for the second time on part of its 90 billion dollar debt this year. - Coronavirus Deaths Are Skyrocketing in SpainE34
Coronavirus Deaths Are Skyrocketing in Spain MADRID -- Before the outbreak in Spain began, the only people who went in and out of the small hospital where Alfonso Molina Moreno works as a nurse were visitors, staffers, and cleaning crews. Patients come to Hospital La Fuenfria for long-term, palliative care and Moreno, who has worked as a nurse for 16 years, found a sense of purpose in bringing them care and company at the end of their lives. - 3D-Printed Face Shields Are Protecting Hospital Workers From CoronavirusE35
3D-Printed Face Shields Are Protecting Hospital Workers From Coronavirus New York hospitals are running dangerously low on protective gear for medical workers. A college librarian and a doctor are teaming up to help solve the problem using 3D-printed face shields. - What It's Like to Quarantine as a Member of CongressE37
What It's Like to Quarantine as a Member of Congress Several members of Congress- both in the House and Senate- are in self-quarantine after coming into contact with other membership who have tested positive for COVID-19. Congressman Joe Cunningham of South Carolina is one of them and today, his test came back positive for Coronavirus. VICE News' Liz Landers spoke to him yesterday while he was self isolating at his house in Charleston, SC. - Time Is Running out for African Countries to Combat CoronavirusE38
Time Is Running out for African Countries to Combat Coronavirus African countries are scrambling to avoid the worst as coronavirus cases tick up across the continent and the World Health Organization admits that most healthcare systems won’t be able to deal with the coming crush of cases. - Meet the Conservatives Lobbying Lawmakers to Act on Climate ChangeE39
Meet the Conservatives Lobbying Lawmakers to Act on Climate Change Last month, conservatives from around the country gathered in DC for the first ever Conservative Climate Lobby Day. They represent a growing number of conservatives who worry that the Republican party is losing ground on the issue of climate change. - This Vietnam Veterans Memorial Changed the Way the U.S. Thought of the WarE40
This Vietnam Veterans Memorial Changed the Way the U.S. Thought of the War “A civil war really broke out between the military veterans of Vietnam over this design,” said Jan Scruggs, founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. - San Francisco's District Attorney Has a Plan to Overhaul the Criminal Justice SystemE41
San Francisco's District Attorney Has a Plan to Overhaul the Criminal Justice System Progressive district attorneys across the country are trying to make the criminal justice system more equal — Chesa Boudin is one of them. - Coronavirus Is Helping the Environment — for NowE42
Coronavirus Is Helping the Environment — for Now The pandemic closing factories and keeping cars off roads may be good for emissions, but all of those gains are short term. While millions of workers are spending days at home, the Trump administration hasn’t dropped its work to counteract environmental progress. Today, it’s set to announce one of the most sweeping and consequential regulatory rollbacks of Trump’s presidency: a reversal of vehicle emissions standards enacted by the Obama administration. - Protesting in Venezuela Means Facing Injury, Imprisonment, or DeathE43
Protesting in Venezuela Means Facing Injury, Imprisonment, or Death In 2019, Juan Guiado became the face of Venezuela’s opposition movement. He used a loophole in the country's constitution to declare himself president and promised to oust President Nicolas Maduro and a transition to free and fair elections. - South Sudan Just Ended Its Civil War — for NowE44
South Sudan Just Ended Its Civil War — for Now Almost since declaring independence in 2011, South Sudan has suffered through a civil war that has killed 400,000 people and displaced millions. But after more than a year of negotiations, warring leaders President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President Riek Machar, have reunited to form a new government. While the news means hope for the traumatized nation, some problems remain unsolved. - Meet the Guardian Angels Keeping New York City's Homeless Safe from CoronavirusE45
Meet the Guardian Angels Keeping New York City's Homeless Safe from Coronavirus New York's "Guardian Angels" have made it their mission to protect homeless people from COVID by passing out food — as well as hand sanitizer. We went with them. - These Bonds Designed to Help Developing Countries Fight Pandemics Haven’t Ever Been Paid OutE46
These Bonds Designed to Help Developing Countries Fight Pandemics Haven’t Ever Been Paid Out As Ebola spread through West Africa five years ago, the international community struggled to raise enough funds to help local governments control it. The World Bank decided it needed a way to quickly funnel money to developing countries so they can stop the spread of diseases before they become pandemics. Its answer was to start selling pandemic bonds — essentially insurance from private sector investors that would payout in the case of a large outbreak. - Doctors Around the World Explain What It's Like to Battle CoronavirusE47
Doctors Around the World Explain What It's Like to Battle Coronavirus More than half of the world’s population has now been asked or ordered by their government to stay at home, in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. Doctors across the globe have rushed to the frontline to manage this unprecedented crisis, often plagued by a lack of resources and overburdened health-care systems. We talked to five hospital doctors in various hot-spots across the world — The U.S., U.K., Italy, Belgium and South Korea — to hear what it’s like for them, and what they want you to understand about this pandemic. While their experiences differ, and they are finding out new information about the virus every day, there is one thing all of them want you to know: the lockdown measures are working - so continue social distancing and washing your hands. - How Coronavirus Is Finally Fulfilling the Internet's PromiseE49
How Coronavirus Is Finally Fulfilling the Internet's Promise This spring, teens are trying out their rented dresses and tuxedos, perfecting their makeup, and practicing their dance moves to get ready for that big prom night out in their own homes. Vacations have become staycations, and let’s-meet-at-Katra-Lounge-but-if-that’s-too-far-let’s-just-do-something-in-Williamsburg birthday plans have evolved into virtual parties that start with the exciting step of downloading Zoom. Before the era of COVID-19, people were anxious about screen time destroying our ability to connect with each other in real life. But for those 13-year-olds who don’t want to cancel their bar mitzvahs and that couple who had their heart set on that anniversary trip, screens are now the best consolation prize. - Ex-FEMA Chief Says Trump Owns the Coronavirus CrisisE50
Ex-FEMA Chief Says Trump Owns the Coronavirus Crisis Former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate knows a thing or two about mobilizing a nation during a crisis: he was the FEMA administrator during President Barack Obama’s administration and oversaw the response to numerous natural disasters, and Hurricane Sandy. He told VICE News in a video interview from his home that the current president can’t blame a previous administration for "empty shelves”- something Trump has been accusing his predecessor of repeatedly. - Yes, Your Pet Can Catch Coronavirus — But Don't Freak OutE51
Yes, Your Pet Can Catch Coronavirus — But Don't Freak Out In West Hollywood, California, Dr. J.D. Caslyn is implementing social distancing in his veterinary practice. That's more for the human owners than his patients. “If cats and dogs can get infected, we should be seeing this and we are not,” Dr. Calsyn says. Regardless, he’s taking precautions. - An Entire Swedish Town Is Moving Because the Ground Is Caving InE52
An Entire Swedish Town Is Moving Because the Ground Is Caving In Sweden’s northernmost town was founded by miners in 1900. Today it’s home to the largest underground iron ore mine in the world. Only now the mine that built Kiruna threatens to destroy it. Cracks are reaching up towards the town center, caused by the continued expansion of excavation. That’s why the state-run company that controls the mine, LKAB is helping pull off an audacious plan: to move a third of the town 2 miles to the east. - We Took a Tour of Prince's Home Before Coronavirus Shut it DownE56
We Took a Tour of Prince's Home Before Coronavirus Shut it Down When Prince was still alive, an invitation to Paisley Park was the stuff of dreams for a Prince fan. But now, anyone with $50 can visit. You just have to drop off any camera equipment, including your phone, in the lobby – and be satisfied with committing the experience to memory. - Coronavirus Is Changing the Way the U.S. Uses Public LandsE58
Coronavirus Is Changing the Way the U.S. Uses Public Lands VICE News looks at some of the ways public lands are serving a new purpose during the pandemic all the while fulfilling their original intent - acting as spaces to restore and reflect. - What Anti-Lockdown Protests Look Like Around the WorldE61
What Anti-Lockdown Protests Look Like Around the World Protesters around the world are demanding their respective governments reopen their economies despite the coronavirus pandemic. Assault-style rifles and QAnon signs have been spotted alongside American flags. This anger over the strict lockdown measures has been echoed around the world. And many international protests have exhibited similar far-right rhetoric in recent days. - These Doctors Are Hitting the Street to Protect Athens' Homeless from CoronavirusE62
These Doctors Are Hitting the Street to Protect Athens' Homeless from Coronavirus Coronavirus lockdowns mean even greater hardships for homeless people, so a group of doctors in Athens are reaching out to the city’s vulnerable homeless population to try to protect them. Volunteer medics from the Doctors of the World (Medecins du Monde) human rights organization have been scouring the streets of the mostly deserted Greek capital, checking in with people, connecting them with medical help if needed, and distributing kits with masks, soap, and a pamphlet explaining the pandemic. - Sweden Is Ushering in a New Digital FutureE63
Sweden Is Ushering in a New Digital Future Walk through Sweden’s bustling capital and you’ll find abandoned cash machines, card-only parking meters and market vendors who only accept mobile payments. “Ninety-seven percent of the transactions are done without bills,” Anders Ygeman, Sweden’s Minister for Energy and Digital Development told VICE News. Known globally for its welfare system, the Scandinavian country of 10 million has been embracing new technologies for decades - from tax subsidies for home computers in the 90’s, to mobile technology infrastructure. The country is nearing complete digitization of both public and private sectors, and has now its sight set on artificial intelligence all with the goal of making life more convenient, efficient and equitable for its citizens. - A Doctor Reviews DIY Coronavirus Face MasksE64
A Doctor Reviews DIY Coronavirus Face Masks With the CDC recommending people wear masks in public amidst a shortage of medical masks for healthcare works, Americans are starting to get creative. People have found a way to make just about anything into a mask. Take a jockstrap or an orange peel, and make it fashion. - Scientists Are Worried About Wild Animals That Could Get Coronavirus From HumansE65
Scientists Are Worried About Wild Animals That Could Get Coronavirus From Humans Your cats and dogs are probably going to be fine but some particularly vulnerable animals, like bats and endangered ferrets, may not be. Here's how scientists are trying to protect them. - RIP Lil Bub: This Is What Happens When Famous Pets DieE68
RIP Lil Bub: This Is What Happens When Famous Pets Die Three weeks after Lil Bub died, her owner Mike Bridavsky sat disheveled in his recording studio listening to his audio archive of the cat’s meows, purrs, “chirpy purrs”, snorts, and snores. “No other cat makes sounds like that” he said with unabashed pride. “There’s like, syllables and stuff.” Bridavsky started building his collection of Lil Bub’s noises after adopting her from a feral litter near his home in Bloomington Indiana. The cat’s sounds have been used in stuffed animals and bobble-heads, and a full-length electronic music LP record. - These Funeral Directors Are Dissolving Bodies in Water to Help Save the EarthE69
These Funeral Directors Are Dissolving Bodies in Water to Help Save the Earth Within the last few years, some funeral directors have invested in more eco-friendly alternatives to traditional burials and flame cremations. One of these methods is a process known as Alkaline Hydrolysis, or water cremation. - Coronavirus Is Forcing Farmers to Give Their Pigs Away on Craigslist — And Even Euthanize ThemE70
Coronavirus Is Forcing Farmers to Give Their Pigs Away on Craigslist — And Even Euthanize Them Tens of thousands of pigs are being euthanized each day and dumped into landfills or used as biofuel. That’s because farmers have a pig problem— oversupply. 300-pound hogs that should’ve gone to market are now being sold for fractions of a dollar or straight up given away on Craigslist. And that’s under some of the best of circumstances. In many cases, the farmers’ only solution to the pig problem is euthanasia. It all started with a massive outbreak of COVID-19 at the major meatpacking plants. Almost 3500 workers tested positive for the virus and at least 17 died. This incited public outrage and forced nearly two dozen plants to close. The shutdowns shine a light on a dark American reality: An oligopoly controls the meat industry, and they just broke the supply chain. - These Are the People Who Teach You How to Behave at WorkE73
These Are the People Who Teach You How to Behave at Work Earlier this year, a group of actors gathered at a theater in Sacramento for their latest performance—starring in a video about sexual harassment that would be used in compliance training courses at workplaces across the country. In the scene, a recruiter receives a dirty photo from a candidate they were planning to hire. - Campus Sexual Assault Hearings Will Now Look More Like Criminal TrialsE75
Campus Sexual Assault Hearings Will Now Look More Like Criminal Trials VICE News spoke to students and advisors involved in Title IX investigations at different schools to see how the process works now, and how it might change going forward. - Watch A ‘Murder Hornet’ Destroy An Entire Honeybee HiveE77
Watch A ‘Murder Hornet’ Destroy An Entire Honeybee Hive Right when we thought 2020 couldn’t get worse, ‘Murder Hornets’ made their big U.S. debut. But are murder hornets as ‘murderous’ as their nickname suggests? Asian Giant Hornets are responsible for up to 50 deaths a year in Asia, especially in Japan, which has been dealing with the problem for thousands of years. But it takes multiple stings to kill a person. But the real victim and biggest concern is the already declining honeybee population. Murder hornets were first spotted in Washington State in December, and beekeepers there are terrified. The Asian Giant Hornet is the biggest known hornet in the world. The hornet can grow up to 2 inches long with a curved stinger long enough to puncture a bee suit. - Fire Ants Are Invading Hawaii, so Helicopters Are Blasting Them With Birth ControlE79
Fire Ants Are Invading Hawaii, so Helicopters Are Blasting Them With Birth Control 'Murder hornets' might have everyone freaking out the mainland, but Hawaii has its own little, huge problem: Invasive ants. These aren't just any ant. Two species — yellow crazy ants and little fire ants — are destroying the islands’ native biodiversity and making life miserable for residents. Scientists have struggled to eradicate what are considered some of the world’s worst invasive species. Now, they are unleashing helicopters dropping ant birth control to stop them from expanding territory. It's the first time conservationists are spraying a non-toxic bait from helicopters to stop ants from reproducing, and it could provide a successful model for other places trying to control invasive bugs. - Navajo Nation May Finally Get a Better Shot at Voting in the Presidential ElectionE80
Navajo Nation May Finally Get a Better Shot at Voting in the Presidential Election VICE News spent time on Navajo Nation, before COVID-19 hit the reservation, to see how advocates are using technology to bring change to this often disenfranchised community. - Why LGBTQ YouTubers Are Suing Google for DiscriminationE82
Why LGBTQ YouTubers Are Suing Google for Discrimination A group of LGBTQ YouTubers is suing Google for alleged discrimination over the algorithm it uses to moderate its platforms. After months of delays, their case will be heard in a California court today. - Why Ethiopian Jews Are Building a Movement Against Racism in IsraelE84
Why Ethiopian Jews Are Building a Movement Against Racism in Israel Solidarity marches for U.S. protesters rippling around the world reached Israel on Tuesday where hundreds of protesters waved “Black Lives Matter” signs and chanted “George Floyd.” They also called out another name: Solomon Teka. Over the past five years, six young men of Ethiopian descent have been killed by cops, according to the Association for Education and Social Integration of Ethiopian Jews. Police data also shows Ethiopian Israelis are still disproportionately overrepresented in arrests and indictments even though they make up 2 percent of the population. Young Ethiopian Israelis have led the protest movement against racism and called for systemic reform. - Coronavirus Changed Mourning in a Black-Owned Funeral HomeE86
Coronavirus Changed Mourning in a Black-Owned Funeral Home As COVID-19 has ravaged the United States and killed more than 100,000 people, the impact has been felt hardest in black communities. In New Jersey, black people account for nearly 20 percent of deaths — almost double the size of the population as a percentage -- according to the state’s Department of Health. - These Doctors Are Joining the George Floyd Protests — Despite the PandemicE87
These Doctors Are Joining the George Floyd Protests — Despite the Pandemic Medical workers across New York City are joining the George Floyd protests, despite being in the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. These doctors and nurses say that racism is a public health crisis, and that police brutality and the disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths among African Americans are symptoms of the same problem. VICE News joins doctors as they take to the streets. - Rep. Bobby Rush Thinks Police Departments Are Worse Now Than in His Black Panther DaysE89
Rep. Bobby Rush Thinks Police Departments Are Worse Now Than in His Black Panther Days “The police department is probably more vicious now than even in the ‘60s,” Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) told VICE News in an interview. There’s more of an institutional protection: The F.O.P., the Fraternal Order of Police, and other organized reactionary right-wing structures protecting the police departments.” - George Floyd's Childhood Friend Couldn't Come to His Funeral — Here's What He Has to SayE90
George Floyd's Childhood Friend Couldn't Come to His Funeral — Here's What He Has to Say VICE News was in Houston for the funeral of George Floyd and we speak to Gregory Lamont Dotson, a lifelong friend of Floyd, who couldn't attend the service because he is locked up. Here is what he has to say. - What Happened After 8:46E91
What Happened After 8:46 George Floyd’s death at the hands of men sworn to serve and protect him was a literal and symbolic tragedy which has now reverberated around the world. As news of his death spread, sorrow, fatigue, and frustration filled the streets. Many of us have witnessed this chain reaction of events in pieces both distant and personal. This is a distilled representation of those pieces: fragments of hope, of horror, of hardship, and community action. It is not meant to speak for everyone and could never fully represent what took place in the days after Mr. Floyd was murdered, but we hope that it is a reminder of how strong the people are, and how immediate the issue of police militarization and brutality is to all people. - German Soccer Is Back, Just Without the FansE92
German Soccer Is Back, Just Without the Fans When soccer clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund meet on the pitch it’s called “The Classic,” and it’s a big deal in German soccer. The success of Germany’s lockdown means alongside shops, restaurants, and museums, soccer is now back on the pitch. Meaning Bayern and Dortmund can finally battle it out for top of the league. If you think this would make the fans happy you’re wrong. Because the rules governing soccer’s return bans all fans from attending games. “Without fans, it's not football, football lives from the fans,” says Aymen Gabsi, a die-hard Dortmund supporter. - Mayan Ruins in Guatemala Could Become a U.S.-Funded Tourist AttractionE93
Mayan Ruins in Guatemala Could Become a U.S.-Funded Tourist Attraction Deep in a dense, tropical Guatemalan forest lies the ancient Mayan city of El Mirador. It is more than 2,000 years old, but the site at the center of a current debate over who gets to dictate its future, as well as that of the surrounding jungle: local communities, or foreign scientists. On one side of the battle is Dr. Richard Hansen. An American archeologist who's dedicated much of his life to El Mirador, Hansen has been trying to build a privately-managed park in the area for the last 20 years. He says it would protect the ruins and jungle -- a UNESCO-designated forest called the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) -- more effectively than the Guatemalan state is willing or able to. - What It's Like Being Arrested By the NYPD for ProtestingE94
What It's Like Being Arrested By the NYPD for Protesting Protests against racism and police violence erupted in Minneapolis after the killing of George Floyd. The movement spread across the country. In New York City, tens of thousands marched. Within a week, the New York Police Department had arrested more than 2,000. VICE News spoke to protesters who know first-hand what happens when the NYPD take you into their custody. - Prisoners Are Using Smuggled Cellphones to Show the Coronavirus Nightmare Behind BarsE95
Prisoners Are Using Smuggled Cellphones to Show the Coronavirus Nightmare Behind Bars The coronavirus has killed dozens of federal prisons and infected more than 6,000. Prisoners say they have been stuck in grim conditions that make social distancing impossible. To support their claims, some prisoners have used contraband cell phones that have been smuggled into prisons to post videos on Facebook and other social media sites. VICE News contacted one of the prisoners, 34-year-old Aaron Campbell, held at a federal prison in Ohio, who said he was punished for making his video by being sent to solitary confinement. In a letter, Campbell said officials told him he would not face additional discipline if he issued a statement saying the video was fake. He refused. (The BOP did not respond to questions about his allegations.) - Black Lives Matter Greater NY Wants Radical Change– So They're Taking Matters Into Their Own HandsE96
Black Lives Matter Greater NY Wants Radical Change– So They're Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands While the world erupted in protests responding to the police killing of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter Greater NY went to work — building a plan of action. VICE News follows co-founder Hawk Newsome to a rally in Times Square, where he shares his plan to form Black O.P.T.S., a team of so-called “peace officers," to police the police. - The NRA For Black People Wants to Get PoliticalE97
The NRA For Black People Wants to Get Political The NRA has been influential in shaping gun policy in America for generations, but another lesser-known gun group is hoping to also shape the narrative around gun ownership. The National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) is the largest minority gun group in the country. - North Korea Is Provoking South Korea, But the Real Enemy Is the U.S.E98
North Korea Is Provoking South Korea, But the Real Enemy Is the U.S. Escalating tensions between North and South Korea came to a head this week when North Korea blew up a joint liaison office and threatened to move troops into the demilitarized zone. VICE News explores the significance of the symbolic move by North Korea and what it means for the future of diplomacy between the neighboring countries. - Invading Cicadas May Turn Into Sex-Crazed Zombies This SummerE101
Invading Cicadas May Turn Into Sex-Crazed Zombies This Summer The cicada summer is here. Millions of periodic cicadas are emerging across the Mid-Atlantic after hibernating underground for 17 years. They’ve missed everything from the creation of YouTube to Trump being elected. The cicadas’ unique life cycle comes as a means of “predator avoidance.” Scientists theorize cicadas spend a prime number of years underground, 13 or 17 years, depending on the species, to avoid synching up with predators. Then by descending in unison, the millions of clumsy, defenseless cicadas can overwhelm predators and stand a chance of survival. But they’ve got an even bigger thing to worry about above surface: a hallucinogenic fungus that turns them into sex-crazed zombies. - This Texas Town Locked Down for the Coronavirus to SurviveE102
This Texas Town Locked Down for the Coronavirus to Survive When the coronavirus hit Texas, Marfa had no choice but to shut down. Now as the outbreak worsens, the tourist hotspot is faced with the tough decision of reopening and increasing the spread, or staying shut and protecting their own. - Inside the Sinaloa Cartel’s Fentanyl Smuggling OperationsE103
Inside the Sinaloa Cartel’s Fentanyl Smuggling Operations VICE News gained access to a Sinaloa Cartel fentanyl-trafficking operation for a few days last year, during the production of our new podcast series called “Painkiller: America’s Fentanyl Crisis.” We watched masked cartel members hauling bundles of precursor chemicals out of the ocean, interviewed local bosses, and followed the process of cooking fentanyl into heroin, a combination of drugs that has fueled a surge in overdose deaths across the U.S. - Mississippi Is Changing Its State Flag, Confederate Statues Could Be NextE105
Mississippi Is Changing Its State Flag, Confederate Statues Could Be Next Mississippi no longer has a state flag, after lawmakers voted Sunday to remove the Confederate symbol, making it the final state in the U.S. to do so. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) will be signing the bill at 6 pm local time today. - Coronavirus Is Devastating Navajo NationE107
Coronavirus Is Devastating Navajo Nation About 30 to 40% of residents don’t have running water, which makes following basic CDC guidelines, such as hand-washing, almost impossible. The Navajo reservation, about the size of West Virginia, has had one of the highest per-capita rates of COVID infection in the U.S. As of July 19, Navajo Nation tallied 8,593 cases and 422 deaths — that's more confirmed cases than 10 states and more deaths than 16. About 30 to 40% of residents in the reservation don’t have running water, which makes following basic CDC guidelines, such as hand-washing, almost impossible. On top of that, there are only 12 healthcare centers and 13 grocery stores for the 173,000 people who live on the reservation. - North Korea Is Building a New Hospital but the Country Supposedly Doesn't Have COVID-19E109
North Korea Is Building a New Hospital but the Country Supposedly Doesn't Have COVID-19Kim Jong Un is yelling at construction crews North Korea, a 23-year-old in Hong Kong is taking on the Chinese government and all the other news you may have missed this week. - Why This Year's Locust Invasion Is Setting Off Global PanicE110
Why This Year's Locust Invasion Is Setting Off Global PanicAs if 2020 hasn’t thrown enough curveballs, desert locusts are setting off a global panic. From Kenya to Pakistan to, most recently, Argentina, locust swarms have been on the move. The infestation is most advanced in East Africa, which is experiencing the worst locust outbreak in generations. - Got Milk? Probably Not, But You're Paying For It Anyway | ComplexifyE111
Got Milk? Probably Not, But You're Paying For It Anyway | ComplexifyVICE News’ “Complexify” series takes you down the rabbit hole, to show you why just about everything is more convoluted than you think. We ventured into milk’s creamy abyss, wading through disgusting YouTube stunts and newfangled nut milks to better understand the world of dairy. Here’s what we learned. - Women in Egypt Are Using Instagram to Out Alleged Sexual PredatorsE113
Women in Egypt Are Using Instagram to Out Alleged Sexual PredatorsEgypt is finally facing its sexual violence problem after an Instagram account drew scores of women publicizing their encounters with a young man from an elite family. - Tornadoes Are Nearly Impossible to Predict, Blaming Them On Climate Change Is Even HarderE114
Tornadoes Are Nearly Impossible to Predict, Blaming Them On Climate Change Is Even HarderThis year’s tornado season was one of the least active in almost 70 years. But don’t get your hopes up. This isn’t a part of a larger, descending trend. In fact, it’s almost impossible to detect any sort of tornado trend since we can barely forecast them. It feels only natural to blame tornado activity on climate change — but it’s not that easy. Unlike other extreme weather events like hurricanes and droughts, scientists don’t know how exactly climate change might impact tornadoes. - Big Tech’s Morality Police Are Going After Adult PerformersE115
Big Tech’s Morality Police Are Going After Adult PerformersOver the past two years an online decency campaign has discreetly swept the internet. Tumblr dropped porn, Reddit removed certain threads, and Facebook effectively banned sexually suggestive content, including some emojis. And those caught in the middle of this crusade like artist, model and photographer Kate “Kato” Lambert, have been left very confused as to why they have become a target of the content police. - Navy Vet Chris David Describes Getting Beaten and Pepper Sprayed in PortlandE116
Navy Vet Chris David Describes Getting Beaten and Pepper Sprayed in PortlandNavy veteran Chris David describes getting beaten and pepper sprayed by Trump's secret police in Portland. "It was like having flaming gasoline poured in my eyeballs." - Sex Scenes Are Awkward and Dangerous — Intimacy Directors Are Trying To Fix ThatE117
Sex Scenes Are Awkward and Dangerous — Intimacy Directors Are Trying To Fix ThatThe theater world is finally catching up to society’s # metoo cultural reckoning, by employing full-time intimacy directors. Intimacy directors are like stunt directors, for simulated sex scenes. This year, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival– a regional repertory theatre in Ashland, Oregon — announced that it hired its first resident Intimacy Director, in a move that acknowledges this position as an essential, salaried position. VICE News profiles OSF’s Intimacy Director, to see what her role entails. We also speak with the original creator of the intimacy directing method, Tonia Sina, who created the method to fill a massive and immediate void in theater production. - Trump's New Favorite 'Demon Sperm' Dr. Has Lots of Thoughts on WitchcraftE118
Trump's New Favorite 'Demon Sperm' Dr. Has Lots of Thoughts on WitchcraftTrump praised Dr. Stella Immanuel who has made many discredited claims about COVID-19. It's not the first time the Texas-based physician and minister has made controversial statements. - Rep. Jordan Tries to Make Dr. Fauci Say Protests Spread COVID-19E120
Rep. Jordan Tries to Make Dr. Fauci Say Protests Spread COVID-19"I'm not going to opine on limiting anything. I'm telling you what is the danger, and you can make your own conclusion about that. You should stay away from crowds, no matter where the crowds are," Dr. Fauci tells Rep. Jim Jordan during Friday's House Oversight Committee hearing. - Black Liberty U Students Want Jerry Falwell Jr. to Resign Over Racist TweetsE121
Black Liberty U Students Want Jerry Falwell Jr. to Resign Over Racist TweetsStudents, faculty and alumni are calling on Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr. to resign, a signal that Trump's evangelical base may be slipping. - Hindu Zealots Razed a Mosque. Now Modi Wants A Temple in its Place.E127
Hindu Zealots Razed a Mosque. Now Modi Wants A Temple in its Place.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundations of the Ram Mandir, on the ruins of a mosque razed by Hindu zealots in 1992. We explain why this temple is a victory for Hindu nationalists, and why Pakistan is warning of a Muslim genocide in India. - This Russian City You've Never Heard of Is Revolting Against PutinE128
This Russian City You've Never Heard of Is Revolting Against PutinIn Khabarovsk, tens of thousands are protesting in response to the arrest of the popular local governor Sergei Furgal. We find out why this remote city on the Chinese border has become a source of outspoken opposition to Putin. - Land: What You Buy But Never Really Own | ComplexifyE131
Land: What You Buy But Never Really Own | ComplexifyIn this episode of Complexify, we wade deep into the murky waters of property law and custom to discover that while it sounds nice in theory to own some land, there may not be any such thing. VICE News’ “Complexify” series takes you down the rabbit hole, to show you why just about everything is more convoluted than you think. - Her Wedding Video Caught Beirut's Deadly Explosion on CameraE132
Her Wedding Video Caught Beirut's Deadly Explosion on CameraThe Lebanese capital Beirut was hit by a colossal explosion Tuesday afternoon, killing dozens of people and injuring thousands of others as it unleashed a massive shockwave across the city. The explosion destroyed entire blocks of residential and office buildings, causing widespread casualties. At least 50 people have been killed and some 2,750 wounded, Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan told reporters, with the death toll expected to rise further as rescue teams work their way through the rubble. - Watch Michelle Obama’s Fiery Speech Against TrumpE138
Watch Michelle Obama’s Fiery Speech Against TrumpMichelle Obama stepped outside the traditional role of a former first lady and delivered a blistering attack on President Donald Trump, saying the job of leading the country was “over his head.” The former first lady was speaking in support of Joe Biden on the first night of a highly unusual Democratic National Convention, which was held virtually for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic. - We Went to a Support Group for Black People in AmericaE139
We Went to a Support Group for Black People in AmericaAlzo Slade participates in an “Emotional Emancipation Circle,” an Afrocentric support group created by the Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists. It’s a safe space for Black people to share personal experiences with racism and to process racial trauma. Check out the latest episode of the VICE News Tonight series, "Trauma: Black Mental Health." - These New Orleans Sanitation Workers Are On Strike For Hazard Pay and a Living WageE142
These New Orleans Sanitation Workers Are On Strike For Hazard Pay and a Living WageOne major side-effect of the pandemic is trash; food scraps, used PPE, and general garbage is left to sanitation workers to pick up. VICE News met with a group of waste workers in New Orleans who have been on strike for months, demanding the same hazard pay as others on the frontline of the pandemic. - Meet Postmaster General Louis DeJoy: The Man At The Center of the USPS ControversyE146
Meet Postmaster General Louis DeJoy: The Man At The Center of the USPS ControversyThe Postmaster General has taken a lot of heat over his controversial actions since he stepped into the role. On Tuesday, he announced that he’d be suspending most of his proposed changes until after November to ensure election security. - You Can't Dance in Ibiza Anymore Because COVID Ruins EverythingE148
You Can't Dance in Ibiza Anymore Because COVID Ruins EverythingThe clubbing scene on Ibiza is facing an uncertain future, with the coronavirus pandemic meaning dancing has been outlawed on the Spanish island. Ibiza is home to some of the largest and most famous clubs on the planet. But the cavernous venues are not allowed to open this year - and it isn’t clear whether they’ll be opening in 2021. Note: This report originally aired Monday, August 17, before tighter restrictions were placed on the island. - You Won’t Make Money From Buying Art, But Rich People Can — And Do | ComplexifyE151
You Won’t Make Money From Buying Art, But Rich People Can — And Do | Complexify We dipped our brushes in the art world’s oily pigments, blending abstract investment schemes and bizarre internet masterpieces to bring you an unvarnished portrait of the trade. Here’s what we learned. - BLM Protesters Chased Far-Right Activists Out of Downtown Portland In a Bear Mace FightE153
BLM Protesters Chased Far-Right Activists Out of Downtown Portland In a Bear Mace Fight Far-right protesters sparred with BLM and Antifa counter-protesters for hours on Saturday, shooting paintballs and mace at each other. It’s the latest in weeks of increasing far-right activity in Portland. - Here Are The 7 Scariest Minutes of Trump’s GOP ConventionE157
Here Are The 7 Scariest Minutes of Trump’s GOP Convention President Trump told Americans his Republican National Convention would offer an uplifting counterpoint to what he derisively called the Democrats’ “gloomiest convention in American history.” Instead, Trump and other speakers produced a remarkable palette of dark tones, warning that the intermittent scenes of violence that have accompanied protests against police brutality and racial injustice this summer are really a window into Biden’s America — regardless of the fact that these episodes are, distinctly, playing out in Trump’s America. - What Can We Learn About Harlem Through a Closed BarbershopE158
What Can We Learn About Harlem Through a Closed Barbershop Jeffrey Henson Scales has been photographing Harlem since he moved there in the '80s. For six of those years he photographed House's Barbershop, a neighborhood staple that served Jazz Legends and Civil Rights Icons. Scales walked VICE News around his changing neighborhood. - Why Mass Animal Killings Are Used To Save Endangered SpeciesE161
Why Mass Animal Killings Are Used To Save Endangered Species The world is pretty obsessed with killing invasive species — for conservation! The U.S. alone spends $3 billion on invasive species control each year. The goal of many eradication efforts worldwide is to protect a native or endangered species from that threat. So we end up killing one species to save another. One nation does not shy away for purging pests: New Zealand. The government plans to remove all invasive predators by 2050 through a nationwide initiative called Predator Free 2050. - The Sardines Are Trying To Stop the Rise of the Far Right in ItalyE164
The Sardines Are Trying To Stop the Rise of the Far Right in Italy Italians are going to the polls in seven regional elections this month. The regional elections will be a test to see if Matteo Salvini’s Far-Right League Party will take over in traditional left-leaning strongholds. In January, before Italy was the epicenter of Europe’s COVID-19 crisis, VICE News traveled to Emilia-Romagna to meet the Sardines, a left-leaning, grassroots movement that played a role in preventing the League from winning. It meant Salvini, didn’t have the power call for early national elections like he hoped. But with Italy facing another round of regional elections in September many are asking if the Sardines will be able to stop the League again. - Thailand’s Youth are Challenging the Government in the Biggest Push for Democracy YetE165
Thailand’s Youth are Challenging the Government in the Biggest Push for Democracy Yet The streets of Bangkok have become the site of some of the biggest anti-government protests in years, with tens of thousands of protesters massing to demand an end to military-backed rule and a shift to a true democracy. It’s the latest round of pro-democracy protests since the military seized control in a 2014 coup, but this time is different—the protesters are young, their movement is popular, and they’re not afraid to cross some of the country’s most taboo topics—criticizing the monarchy directly. VICE News went inside the protest movement to meet those leading the charge, and risking up to 15 years in jail in the process. - Are Taller People Really Better Off? | ComplexifyE166
Are Taller People Really Better Off? | Complexify We took a measuring tape to the world of human stature, high-stepping through everything from the science of growth to bogus height-enhancing drugs, to bring you every inch of this extensive subject. Here’s what we learned. - This Is What a Supreme Court Vacancy Means for the ElectionE167
This Is What a Supreme Court Vacancy Means for the Election Mitch McConnell doesn't care about your feelings... Clarification: Democrats are threatening to cut Republicans out of everything in 2021, not 2020, if Senate Majority Leader McConnell pushes through a new Supreme Court justice while President Trump is in office. - The First Presidential Debate Was an Absolute TrainwreckE170
The First Presidential Debate Was an Absolute Trainwreck The presidential debate finally arrived. And it was ridiculous. President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden met on Tuesday night in Cleveland as nominees of their respective parties to honor the great American tradition of debating who should run the country as the next president of the United States. - Here's Why Your Phone Battery Sucks | ComplexifyE172
Here's Why Your Phone Battery Sucks | Complexify Everyone wishes their phone's battery would last just a little bit longer, but that's easier said than done. In this episode of Complexify, we charged our way into the world of energy storage, powering through the positives and negatives to bring you a current view of the battery game. Here’s what we learned.