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Explainers

We live in a world of too much information and too little context. Too much noise and too little insight. That’s where Vox’s explainers come in.

International arrest warrants are out for Netanyahu and Gallant. What happens next?
Israel

The International Criminal Court issued warrants over allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

By Ellen Ioanes
International arrest warrants are out for Netanyahu and Gallant. What happens next?
Israel

The International Criminal Court issued warrants over allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

By Ellen Ioanes
Could Trump actually get rid of the Department of Education?Could Trump actually get rid of the Department of Education?
Trump 2.0, explained

Getting rid of the agency would cause a lot of harm and wouldn’t really change school curriculum.

By Ellen Ioanes
Biden is letting Ukraine use a powerful new weapon. What happens next?Biden is letting Ukraine use a powerful new weapon. What happens next?
Russia

Putin’s response is renewing concerns about nuclear escalation.

By Ellen Ioanes
Want to donate to charity? Here are 10 guidelines for giving effectively.Want to donate to charity? Here are 10 guidelines for giving effectively.
Future Perfect

How to do the most good possible with the money you give.

By Dylan Matthews and Sigal Samuel

The latest in Explainers

Trump says he wants to influence interest rates. Can he?Trump says he wants to influence interest rates. Can he?
Trump 2.0, explained

There’s little Trump could immediately do to threaten the Federal Reserve’s independence.

By Ellen Ioanes
How Big Toilet Paper dupes us allHow Big Toilet Paper dupes us all
MoneyMember Exclusive

The wild, nonsensical world of toilet paper math, explained.

By Whizy Kim
Trump’s recess appointments, explainedTrump’s recess appointments, explained
Politics

The change would be a major blow to the system of checks and balances.

By Ellen Ioanes
The Delphi murders were a local tragedy. Then they became “true crime.”
Culture

The investigation into the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams sums up the messy state of true crime.

By Aja Romano
Germany’s political upheaval, explainedGermany’s political upheaval, explained
World Politics

There are economic reasons behind the ruling coalition’s collapse on Wednesday.

By Ellen Ioanes
From Bibi to Putin, here’s how world leaders reacted to Trump’s winFrom Bibi to Putin, here’s how world leaders reacted to Trump’s win
2024 Elections

Thrills, cautious optimism, stony silence: How allies, partners, and adversaries reacted to Trump’s win.

By Ellen Ioanes
How the second Trump presidency could reshape the worldHow the second Trump presidency could reshape the world
Trump 2.0, explained

Trump has won the election, and the world might never be the same.

By Ellen Ioanes
How news organizations call the election — and why you should trust themHow news organizations call the election — and why you should trust them
2024 Elections

The science of election calls, explained.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why food recalls are everywhere right nowWhy food recalls are everywhere right now
Food

Contaminated food from McDonald’s, Boar’s Head, and more is making Americans sick.

By Ellen Ioanes and Li Zhou
The conflicted history of Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah, explained The conflicted history of Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah, explained 
Israel

Lebanon’s conflict with Israel is deeper than Hezbollah.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why are political campaigns always guilt-tripping us to donate?Why are political campaigns always guilt-tripping us to donate?
Explain It to Me

And is there a better way to ask for money?

By Nicole Narea
Everything you need to know about voting right now
Even Better

From registering to vote to understanding your rights, here’s what to expect this Election Day.

By Allie Volpe
Elon Musk’s nonsensical lies about immigrant voting, briefly explainedElon Musk’s nonsensical lies about immigrant voting, briefly explained
Politics

Musk and Republicans have embraced falsehoods that undermine the legitimacy of the election.

By Li Zhou
The five biggest questions about the Eric Adams indictment, answeredThe five biggest questions about the Eric Adams indictment, answered
Politics

Fancy plane tickets, donations, and political favors: what to know about the charges.

By Li Zhou
America’s unique, enduring gun problem, explained
Gun Violence

The factors that lead to tragedies like the Birmingham shooting are deeply ingrained in US politics, culture, and law.

By Li Zhou, Nicole Narea and 2 more
Kamala Harris and Oprah humanized the consequences of state abortion bansKamala Harris and Oprah humanized the consequences of state abortion bans
Abortion

Harris and Winfrey spoke to the family of Amber Thurman, who died after doctors delayed abortion-related care.

By Ellen Ioanes
Instagram’s Teen Accounts aren’t really for teensInstagram’s Teen Accounts aren’t really for teens
Technology

What to know about Meta’s new restrictions on young people’s social media use.

By Ellen Ioanes
The messy Murdoch succession drama, explainedThe messy Murdoch succession drama, explained
Politics

It’s a case that could have big implications for the future of Fox News.

By Li Zhou
Diddy’s arrest — and the allegations against him — explainedDiddy’s arrest — and the allegations against him — explained
Culture

The rapper’s indictment on sex trafficking and other charges is the latest in a months-long saga of sexual assault and violence allegations.

By Anna North
America’s long history of anti-Haitian racism, explainedAmerica’s long history of anti-Haitian racism, explained
Politics

The US has often singled out Haitian immigrants. GOP attacks are the latest example.

By Li Zhou
Why 33,000 Boeing workers are on strikeWhy 33,000 Boeing workers are on strike
Policy

It’s the latest blow to the scandal-ridden company.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why the SpaceX spacewalk is such a huge dealWhy the SpaceX spacewalk is such a huge deal
Science

The mission tested lots of new technology for future, longer missions.

By Ellen Ioanes
How Raygun earned her breaking world champ spot — fair and squareHow Raygun earned her breaking world champ spot — fair and square
Culture

The truth behind the ongoing controversy over the highly memeable dancer.

By Aja Romano
Tyreek Hill’s disturbing detention by police, explainedTyreek Hill’s disturbing detention by police, explained
Criminal Justice

Hill was subject to a violent traffic stop that put another spotlight on police brutality.

By Li Zhou
Kamala Harris’s and Donald Trump’s wildly different tax plans, explainedKamala Harris’s and Donald Trump’s wildly different tax plans, explained
Vox’s guide to Donald Trump’s 2024 policies

Both candidates say they’ll cut taxes — but for whom?

By Ellen Ioanes
Wait — do Harris and Trump actually agree on fracking?Wait — do Harris and Trump actually agree on fracking?
Vox’s guide to Donald Trump’s 2024 policies

The case for and against fracking, politics aside.

By Umair Irfan
What are ultra-processed foods and why are they bad for you?
The Highlight

From granola bars to chips, more studies are revealing that UPFs are tied to diseases like cancer and depression.

By Jess Craig
The state of the 2024 race, explained in 7 chartsThe state of the 2024 race, explained in 7 charts
Politics

Polls show a tight race. But there are other figures that can help explain where this campaign is headed.

By Nicole Narea
Israel has launched a major operation in the West Bank. Here’s what to know.Israel has launched a major operation in the West Bank. Here’s what to know.
Palestine

The raids come amid escalating violence in the Palestinian territory.

By Ellen Ioanes
SpaceX’s risky mission will go farther into space than we’ve been in 50 yearsSpaceX’s risky mission will go farther into space than we’ve been in 50 years
Science

The privately funded venture will test out new aerospace technology.

By Ellen Ioanes
All the nonsense you need to know about Sabrina CarpenterAll the nonsense you need to know about Sabrina Carpenter
Culture

The singer’s new album, Short n’ Sweet, is full of the sexy clown wordplay she’s known for.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Canada’s railway lockout saga, briefly explainedCanada’s railway lockout saga, briefly explained
Policy

Canadian railways locked out union workers Thursday after months of contract disputes.

By Ellen Ioanes
Does RFK Jr. dropping out of the presidential race help Trump?Does RFK Jr. dropping out of the presidential race help Trump?
Politics

The weirdest 2024 candidate endorsed Trump.

By Nicole Narea
Pumpkin spice lattes — and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash — explainedPumpkin spice lattes — and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash — explained
Money

Pumpkin spice is America’s most hatable seasonal flavor. But Starbucks is leaning in even more heavily this year.

By Rebecca Jennings
Why Indian doctors are protesting after the rape and death of a colleagueWhy Indian doctors are protesting after the rape and death of a colleague
Culture

India has systemic problems with sexual violence.

By Ellen Ioanes
What we know about Trump’s claim that Iran hacked his campaignWhat we know about Trump’s claim that Iran hacked his campaign
Politics

The FBI is now investigating the former president’s claim of Iranian interference with his campaign.

By Ellen Ioanes
How the UK’s far right used a local tragedy to spur chaosHow the UK’s far right used a local tragedy to spur chaos
Audio
Today, Explained podcast

Rumors and disinformation have fueled violence across the country.

By Amanda Lewellyn and Victoria Chamberlin
The attack on US troops in Iraq, explainedThe attack on US troops in Iraq, explained
World Politics

What the attack on US troops in Iraq says about a wider Middle East war.

By Ellen Ioanes
Bangladesh’s prime minister just fled the country in a helicopter. Why?Bangladesh’s prime minister just fled the country in a helicopter. Why?
World Politics

Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina is out. What comes next?

By Ellen Ioanes
Intel was once a Silicon Valley leader. How did it fall so far?Intel was once a Silicon Valley leader. How did it fall so far?
Technology

The semiconductor manufacturer announced huge job cuts and a dividend pause after losing out on AI.

By Ellen Ioanes