Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Umair Irfan

Umair Irfan

Former correspondent

    Latest articles by Umair Irfan

    Health
    The FBI and Energy Department think Covid-19 came from a lab. Now what?The FBI and Energy Department think Covid-19 came from a lab. Now what?
    Health

    We don’t need to know how this pandemic started to begin to prevent the next one.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    People living near the Ohio train derailment will have to watch their health for yearsPeople living near the Ohio train derailment will have to watch their health for years
    Science

    It’s the beginning of a years-long effort to clean up and track the effects of chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio.

    By Umair Irfan
    Politics
    The East Palestine, Ohio, train wreck didn’t have to be this badThe East Palestine, Ohio, train wreck didn’t have to be this bad
    Politics

    The train derailment and chemical spill was the culmination of a long trend of cost-cutting in the rail industry.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    It doesn’t take that many electric cars to improve public healthIt doesn’t take that many electric cars to improve public health
    Climate

    Researchers have found that California’s electric cars are already keeping asthma patients out of ERs.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    Clean energy is taking over the Texas grid. State officials are trying to stop it.Clean energy is taking over the Texas grid. State officials are trying to stop it.
    Science

    Wind and solar are rapidly growing, but Texas Republicans want to throw a lifeline to natural gas.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    The Federal Reserve is starting a climate experimentThe Federal Reserve is starting a climate experiment
    Science

    The central bank is studying climate risks at major banks, but Fed chair Jerome Powell doesn’t want to get involved in policy.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    Travel is almost back to pre-Covid levels. So are carbon dioxide emissions.Travel is almost back to pre-Covid levels. So are carbon dioxide emissions.
    Science

    Economic growth outpaced the increase in carbon dioxide pollution.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    How the latest Covid-19 variant is shaping the course of the pandemicHow the latest Covid-19 variant is shaping the course of the pandemic
    Science

    XBB.1.5, a subvariant of omicron, is gaining ground in the US, but deaths can still be avoided.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    America’s most important EV is also its goofiestAmerica’s most important EV is also its goofiest
    Science

    A new fleet of electric mail trucks heralds the next phase of the EV revolution.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    One of our best Covid-19 treatments doesn’t work anymore. What now?One of our best Covid-19 treatments doesn’t work anymore. What now?
    Science

    There aren’t any monoclonal antibody drugs that can treat the latest Covid-19 variants.

    By Umair Irfan