A line of people are shown with many people wrapping large blankets around themselves.

Rolling blackouts affect millions and force factory closures in Mexico

Full Episode

People wait in line to fill propane tanks in Houston, Texas. Customers waited over an hour in the freezing rain to fill their tanks, Feb. 17, 2021.

David J. Phillip/AP

The freezing temperatures have resulted in rolling blackouts across Texas, that extend to most of northern Mexico. Millions are stuck without power and thousands of factories have shut down. And, Australian Facebook saw a total news blackout on Thursday after the company preempted a proposed law that would have forced the company to pay media organizations for news content on the tech platform. Also, Seiko Hashimoto, a seven-time Olympian, has been named the new head of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics.

In This Episode

Blackouts across northern Mexico highlight country’s energy dependence on Texas
Unwinding “Remain in Mexico” program at the border
Facebook imposes restrictions on posting and sharing news in Australia 
Biden administration unveils immigration bill 
Ethiopian American Musician Meklit Hadero hosts an ongoing series at The World about stories of music and migration.
Ethiopian American musician Meklit Hadero: ‘We use music to talk about the things that are hard to talk about’
Special Coverage
A man rides a bike by a slogan pasted on a wall reading "Avoid a rape trial: Become chief of police," in Paris, Saturday, July 11, 2020.
France’s 2nd #MeToo movement reckons with incest, child rape 
Special Coverage
Tokyo Olympics gets new leader