This week a Texas judge halted the so-called ‘heartbeat bill’ which bans abortions after 6 weeks, calling it “flagrantly unconstitutional”. But the ruling is temporary, and Texas has already appealed it. It’s already testing the landmark Roe v Wade decision made by the Supreme Court in 1973.After recently going to Texas to report on the abortion restrictions in effect, US Correspondent Martha Kelner and US Producer Sarah Gough sit down to explain what’s happening with the ‘heartbeat bill’, and what’s next for abortion rights across the States.

Divided States

Abortion in America: Texas' 'heartbeat bill' and beyond

It's been the most extraordinary week for Afghanistan, for Joe Biden and for America’s allies. Why was there such chaos in Kabul? How will this Taliban takeover play out - on the ground and in the White House? Can President Biden recover from this?In this episode, Sky News' new US Correspondent Mark Stone speaks to Charity Wallace - former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush - about the potentially catastrophic impact the US withdrawal will have on Afghanistan's women and girls. He also chats to Charles Lister, counter terrorism and foreign policy expert at the Middle East institute, about the impact Biden's decision making is having in the US and across the world.

Abandoning Afghanistan: Biden's darkest hour?

In a corner of southwest Detroit, there's a community that's spent years grappling with the air they're breathing in. The 48217 district has become known as Michigan's "most polluted zip code". There are more than two dozen pollutant-producing facilities owned by multiple companies scattered in and around the area, and residents say it's severely harming their health. The story of the 48217 district bears the hallmarks of many poor communities of colour in the US. Joe Biden has touted an extremely ambitious plan to help tackle climate change and environmental pollution. His challenge, though, will be balancing his big green ideas with big job generation.US Correspondent speaks to renowned environmental activist Erin Brockovich about the situation in Detroit, and how the climate crisis at large should be tackled.

Toxic air, dirty water: Erin Brockovich on solving America's climate crisis

Racism is persistent and pervasive in America's history and present, but what about its future? US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch reflects on whether the US has reached a true turning point, with promises of institutional reform starting to come into effect, and the upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin throwing George Floyd's tragic killing into the spotlight once more. All this in the context of Oprah's explosive Harry and Meghan interview where allegations of racism within the British royal family caused waves on both sides of the Atlantic.

Racist America: Will we see change?

QAnon has gone from fringe conspiracy theory to mainstream news. The latest prophecy of the group was that Donald Trump would be inaugurated again on 4th March 2021. Of course, that didn't come to fruition. So, what now?In the first deep-dive episode of a new Divided States series, US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch interviews former Q followers to understand its devastating impact, and talks to conspiracy expert Mike Rothschild about where it all goes from here.

What now for QAnon?

Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, and his VP pick Kamala Harris made history as the first black woman to hold such high office. Does a new administration mean a new era?US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington Bureau Chief Emily Purser Brown discuss the many problems facing the new team - not least a pandemic that's still raging. This week they're joined by former Trump aide Omarosa Manigault Newman to gauge what Donald Trump may do next.

46th President with 99+ problems

In the first fortnight of 2021 we have seen extraordinary events in the United States. After a violent pro-Trump mob stormed the United States Capitol, Donald Trump has become the only US President to be impeached twice. The security threat in Washington DC and other state capitals is at an all-time high as the country prepares to inaugurate President-elect Joe Biden. US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington Bureau Chief Emily Purser Brown reflect on a crazy couple of weeks. 

Insurrection, impeachment, inauguration

It might be a year we'd all like to forget, but 2020 will need chapters upon chapters of history books written about it. Trump on trial, pandemic politics and a racial reckoning - all themes of an extraordinary 12 months. US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington bureau chief Emily Purser Brown reflect upon the moments that stuck out, with the help of Washington Post Senior Correspondent and author of 'Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath' Kevin Sullivan.Divided States will be back in the new year.

2020 reflections: How pandemic politics changed America

There are two tandem stories going on in America: a race for a vaccine and a President still trying to claim election victory. This week Cordelia Lynch and Emily Purser Brown digest Sky News' interview with the White House's chief immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci, and talk to Chris Ruddy - the CEO of Newsmax, a channel which has garnered a new audience by airing the President's claims of electoral fraud.

Dr Fauci and Newsmax CEO: The interviews

It's Thanksgiving in the US - and with it comes one zany tradition: the official presidential pardon of a prize turkey. And it wasn't President Trump's only pardon of the week.US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington bureau chief Emily Purser Brown unpick developments in Washington, where a now lame duck president is formally transitioning out of the job, but continuing to question the integrity of the election.

Lame duck pardons turkey

Joe Biden is the president-elect, but Donald Trump is yet to concede. His loyalists are pursuing legal challenges, but we still haven't seen any evidence of electoral fraud.US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington bureau chief Emily Purser Brown discuss why Washington has gone quiet, the global response to a Biden/Harris White House and whether we can ever expect a concession speech from Donald Trump.They're joined this week by longtime Republican strategist Rory Cooper.

A transition in limbo

America finally decided after more than three days of uncertainty while election ballots were counted.In his first speech since being named US president-elect, Joe Biden promised to “unify” the country and heal deep divisions. But what more do we know about the 77-year-old, who, after his inauguration on 20 January, will officially become the next US commander-in-chief? On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast, Dermot Murnaghan is joined by our diplomatic editor Dominic Waghorn to take a closer look at what we can expect from a President Biden.Plus, Sharon Manitta from Democrats Abroad UK talks about the new first lady – what role might Jill Biden play in the White House?Daily podcast team:Podcast producer - Annie JoycePodcast producer - Nicola EyersPodcast producer – Emma-Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer - Oli FosterArchive - Simon WindsorMusic - Steven Wheeler

BONUS: President-elect Joe Biden – the man, the politician and the new FLOTUS

After a long wait, a victory in Pennsylvania helped win Joe Biden the presidency of the United States. While Democrats celebrated history being made, Donald Trump golfed, and his lawyers upped the ante on challenging the electoral process. US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington bureau chief Emily Purser Brown reflect on the day, the week, and the campaign that made this moment. What will a Joe Biden presidency mean for America? What will Donald Trump do next? And where does a divided America go from here?

Joe Biden wins the presidency, Donald Trump golfs

The votes are still coming in, and America hasn't yet picked a President - where do we go from here?US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington Bureau Chief Emily Purser Brown bring you this episode of Divided States from a tented roof in Washington DC to unpick the key moments of election night and debate the potential paths to victory for both Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the hours and days ahead.

Too early to call

From the Sky News Daily team: Will Donald Trump defeat Joe Biden to secure a second term in the White House? Or has his Democratic opponent done enough to win over US voters?On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan, we hear from Americans Joe Radinovich and Samuel Mangold-Lenett on what the election means to them and who they want as their commander-in-chief for the next four years.But how does a US election actually work?Dermot is joined by Assistant Professor of History at the University of Sunderland, Dr Kevin Yuill, to discuss the American political system – plus our US correspondent Cordelia Lynch gives us her analysis of the election campaign.

BONUS: America Decides: How does the US election work?

Divided States is the American politics podcast from Sky News looking at all the issues that divide the most powerful country on the planet.

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Divided States

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