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Policy Archive

Archives for August 2016

Ford plans to have a fleet of fully autonomous cars operating in a ride-hail service by 2021
Technology

The company has invested in four startups as part of that effort.

By Johana Bhuiyan
For Milwaukee, the police shooting of Sylville Smith was the last straw on a huge pile
Politics

It’s not just one police shooting. It’s segregation, bad schools, and mass incarceration.

By German Lopez
I asked 8 researchers why the science of nutrition is so messy. Here’s what they said.
Features

Studying food and health is something of an art.

By Julia Belluz
Ford and Baidu invest $150 million into self-driving technology company Velodyne
Technology

Many automakers and autonomous tech developers see “lidar” as a fundamental part of any autonomous driving system.

By Johana Bhuiyan
Donald Trump’s plan to subject immigrants to “ideological tests,” explained
Explainers

Making it harder to enter the US — and even harder than that to move here for good.

By Dara Lind
Politics
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke blames riots on “black cultural dysfunction”Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke blames riots on “black cultural dysfunction”
Politics

And yet structural inequalities literally make the city the worst place for African Americans.

By Victoria M. Massie
Audi’s newest cars will be able to tell drivers when a red light will turn green
Technology

The technology is set to be usable in a few cities later this year.

By Ina Fried
Life
Implicit bias means we’re all probably at least a little bit racistImplicit bias means we’re all probably at least a little bit racist
Life

Think of it as “thoughts about people you didn’t know you had.”

By Jenée Desmond-Harris
Politics
How systemic racism entangles all police officers — even black copsHow systemic racism entangles all police officers — even black cops
Politics

“In many ways the color blue becomes more important than black and white.”

By German Lopez
Culture
The Night Of heads to trial — and ruins everybody’s livesThe Night Of heads to trial — and ruins everybody’s lives
Culture

The criminal justice system chews up everything and everyone on this show.

By Emily St. James
Even with an Uber drivers’ ‘union,’ little has changed in their fight for in-app tipping
Technology

The group has launched an online petition and awareness campaign similar to those launched by drivers before the Independent Drivers Guild was formed.

By Johana Bhuiyan
Here’s how Uber and Brazil’s own 99 prepared to compete at the Rio Olympics
Technology

Language barriers shouldn’t be an issue — so long as you speak English.

By Johana Bhuiyan
A federal judge smacked down John Kasich’s attempt to defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio
Politics

The law would have specifically blocked funds for maternal health programs and cancer screenings.

By Emily Crockett
Culture
Simone Manuel calls out police brutality after historic Olympic swimming victorySimone Manuel calls out police brutality after historic Olympic swimming victory
Culture

The swimmer speaks out against racial injustice like African-American Olympians of the past.

By Victoria M. Massie
Technology
Why do traffic jams sometimes form for no reason?Why do traffic jams sometimes form for no reason?
Technology

Scientists have solved the infuriating mystery.

By Joseph Stromberg