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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.

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
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 nowEverything 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

The latest in Explainers

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
J.K. Rowling’s transphobia: A history
Culture

An exhausting — if not exhaustive — timeline of J.K. Rowling’s transphobia.

By Aja Romano
Why the 9/11 plea agreements are such a big dealWhy the 9/11 plea agreements are such a big deal
Politics

It’s the end of a drawn-out legal process, haunted by the failure of the war on terror.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why two astronauts are stuck in spaceWhy two astronauts are stuck in space
Science

The Starliner test mission is just one of Boeing’s many woes.

By Ellen Ioanes
From Sabrina Carpenter to “blush blindness,” why’s everyone wearing blush?From Sabrina Carpenter to “blush blindness,” why’s everyone wearing blush?
Culture

The blush craze is more than a TikTok beauty trend — it’s a statement.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Venezuela’s Maduro just tightened his grip on power. What comes next?Venezuela’s Maduro just tightened his grip on power. What comes next?
World Politics

Nicolás Maduro has presided over Venezuela’s economic decline — while increasing his authoritarian tendencies.

By Ellen Ioanes
So what does Joe Biden do now?So what does Joe Biden do now?
Politics

In an Oval Office speech, Biden said his farewells. But his job isn’t done yet.

By Nicole Narea
Could a short campaign be exactly what Kamala Harris needs?Could a short campaign be exactly what Kamala Harris needs?
Politics

Dozens of other democracies have short election cycles. Can the Democrats learn something from them?

By Ellen Ioanes
Will Harris automatically replace Biden? Plus six other questions about the next steps, answered.Will Harris automatically replace Biden? Plus six other questions about the next steps, answered.
Politics

Does Harris automatically replace Biden now? Your questions about the process, answered.

By Nicole Narea
Biden is out of the 2024 race. What happens to his campaign donations?Biden is out of the 2024 race. What happens to his campaign donations?
Joe Biden

Kamala Harris is the only Democrat who could seamlessly access Biden’s hundreds of millions in campaign cash.

By Nicole Narea
Kamala Harris’s strengths — and vulnerabilities — explainedKamala Harris’s strengths — and vulnerabilities — explained
Politics

Harris would be a strong nominee. She also has to overcome some challenges.

By Li Zhou
Can Glen Powell be a movie star in a post-movie-star era?Can Glen Powell be a movie star in a post-movie-star era?
Culture

The Twisters actor’s career explains a lot about the state of the industry.

By Constance Grady
Vox, explain it to meVox, explain it to me
Explainers

Want to inspire a Vox story? Share your ideas with us.

By Gabriela Fernandez
5 causes — and accelerants — of political violence5 causes — and accelerants — of political violence
Politics

While we can’t always predict public political violence, Vox spoke to four experts who can help us understand it.

By Ellen Ioanes
A right-wing judge just threw out a case against Trump in a brazen abuse of powerA right-wing judge just threw out a case against Trump in a brazen abuse of power
Politics

The classified documents case against Trump hits another major setback before the 2024 election.

By Nicole Narea