1 big thing

More than 7 million people in Somalia are in dire need of food assistance. And the UN has warned that famine there is “at the door." East Africa has had four straight failed rainy seasons, for the first time in more than half a century. That, combined with rising food prices exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, are endangering an estimated 20 million people in the Horn of Africa region.Plus, how a ruling on HIV PrEP meds could affect access to other preventative care.Guests: Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath, Emily Peck, and Tina Reed.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: "Famine is at the door" in Somalia, UN aid chief warns Federal judge rules that mandated HIV PrEP coverage violates religious freedom

Russia has stopped gas flow to Europe. The Nord Stream pipeline has been a key source of natural gas for decades, providing heat and electricity across the region. And the result of Russia’s actions are already being felt keenly in Europe - even before cold weather sets in. Plus, could zero-down mortgages close the racial homeownership gap? And, the California power grid struggles against more extreme heat. Guests: Axios' Matt Phillips and Megan Rose Dickey; Logan Mohtashami, Lead Data Analyst for HousingWireCredits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Bank of America Tests No-Down-Payment Mortgages in Black and Hispanic Neighborhoods R.I.P. Europe's energy system [please update] Heat wave in West breaks records, threatens California grid

How soon after a COVID infection, or after your last booster, can you get the new shot? Axios' Adriel Bettelheim explains what we know about the new boosters tailored to the Omicron sub-variants that are now widely available. Plus, state legislatures see a record number of first-generation immigrants. Israel admits one of its military involved in "friendly fire" death of Palestinian-American Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. And, a win for Team Trump in the DOJ probe. Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim, and Sophia Cai.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Judge grants Trump request for special master to review Mar-a-Lago docs Israeli investigation finds Shireen Abu Akleh likely killed by unintentional IDF fire What to know about new COVID boosters State legislatures see record number of first-generation immigrants

President Biden spoke in Philadelphia last night, with a warning about former President Trump, his followers, and what he said was their potential to harm American democracy. Plus, the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi continues. And, the stakes for the Artemis mission to the moon. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Miriam Kramer.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Mississippi flood prompts National Guard deployment, schools move online NASA prepares to launch SLS Moon rocket for 1st time

Labor Day is just around the corner, and unions haven't been this popular in 50 years. Almost 71% of Americans now say they approve of unions. That's up almost 10% from pre-pandemic levels. And this week, the California Senate passed a bill that could raise wages for fast food workers to as high as $22 per hour. It has the potential to revitalize the way unions work in the US. Plus, players in The Sims are bringing abortion to their virtual world. And, Serena’s last twirl. Guests: Axios' Emily Peck and Stephen Totilo.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: California fast-food bill marks pivotal moment for low-wage workers Popular game mods add abortion to The Sims

Climate concerns and the global energy crisis are pressuring countries to seriously consider nuclear power for the first time since the 1970s. California, Germany and Japan are considering walking back closures, and even reopening nuclear plants. Plus, climate change is affecting monsoons and hurricanes. And, why Americans are holiday shopping earlier this year. Guests: Axios' Matt Phillips, Kelly Tyko, and Andrew Freedman.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Nuclear power is having a moment in the West [please update] Pakistan dubs floods "climate catastrophe" as deaths surpass 1,000 Holiday shopping season starts early amid inflation

Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in the south of the country, to retake Russian occupied Kherson. The highly anticipated move could change the shape of the war. Meanwhile, UN nuclear watchdogs are headed to assess the Zaporizhzhia power plant in the southeast of Ukraine, as shelling has been stoking fears of nuclear disaster. Plus, clothing brands respond to our growing waistlines. And, why $20 an hr is the new $15 an hr. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler and Jennifer Kingson.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Emily Peck, Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Ukraine launches counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied Kherson UN nuclear watchdog team leaves for Zaporizhzhia power plant

The first updated coronavirus vaccines will be available as soon as the week after Labor Day. These will target the dominant strain of COVID-19 that's circulating in the U.S., in hopes of providing better protection than the vaccines we have now. Plus, the world's top economic experts say volatility is here to stay. And, women’s sports are commanding bigger rights deals than ever. Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim, Neil Irwin, and Sara Fischer.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Erica Pandey, Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Omicron booster shots are right around the corner The new Jackson Hole consensus: A more volatile world is here to stay Women's sports commanding bigger rights deals

The primaries this week solidified a stunning turnaround for Democrats in this election cycle, fueled by passion around the abortion rights issue. How much does that change the assumption that Republicans will run away with control of both the House and the Senate? And, Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan splits Washington. Plus, all eyes on fed chair Jerome Powell ahead of Friday's speech from Jackson Hole. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Neil Irwin.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Democrats' stunning turnaround Democrats' student loan backlash

President Biden yesterday announced a sweeping plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for Pell grant recipients, and up to $10,000 for qualifying individual borrowers. But for future students, college costs look as bad as ever. The average price of tuition for a four-year public college is more than $9,000 per year. Out-of-state residents can expect to pay more than $23,000 - and it can be double that for private institutions. Plus, what’s behind the viral trend of “quiet quitting.” And, cable TV is no longer king. Guests: Axios' Dan Primack and Erica Pandey.Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Alex Sugiura, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: The next student loans crisis Finish Line: What Gen Z, millennials want you to know ("quiet quitting") Streaming surpasses cable as top way to consume TV