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Explainers Archive

Archives for December 2022

Explainers
The big-deal bills Congress needs to pass before the end of the yearThe big-deal bills Congress needs to pass before the end of the year
Explainers

Lawmakers are going down to the wire on vital government funding and defense policy bills.

By Ellen Ioanes
NASA’s latest moon mission is the dawn of a new space age
Technology

The Orion capsule splashed down on Sunday, wrapping up the historic Artemis 1 mission.

By Rebecca Heilweil and Ellen Ioanes
World Politics
China’s alliance with Saudi Arabia signals a potential shift in the global orderChina’s alliance with Saudi Arabia signals a potential shift in the global order
World Politics

The US’s decades-long relationship with Saudi Arabia continues to crumble.

By Ellen Ioanes
Science
The World Cup is missing its climate goals. It should still keep taking shots.The World Cup is missing its climate goals. It should still keep taking shots.
Science

Why we shouldn’t give up on reducing the climate impact of sports.

By Umair Irfan
An incomplete guide to this very weird year, in charts
Technology

From concerts to crypto and from unions to Ukraine: 14 charts that explain this wild year.

By Rani Molla
Politics
Amy Coney Barrett appears likely to block the GOP’s latest attack on democracyAmy Coney Barrett appears likely to block the GOP’s latest attack on democracy
Politics

Moore v. Harper, one of the scariest election cases in the Supreme Court’s modern history, probably won’t end in catastrophe.

By Ian Millhiser
Down to Earth
World leaders have 2 weeks to agree on a plan to save natureWorld leaders have 2 weeks to agree on a plan to save nature
Down to Earth

At COP15 in Montreal, officials will try to hash out a deal to protect animals and ecosystems. It won’t be easy.

By Benji Jones
Politics
What Congress can do with Trump’s tax returnsWhat Congress can do with Trump’s tax returns
Politics

The public isn’t likely to get its hands on the documents any time soon.

By Ellen Ioanes
World Politics
Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ policies, explainedQatar’s anti-LGBTQ policies, explained
World Politics

The FIFA World Cup has highlighted Qatar’s laws and attitudes towards homosexuality.

By Ellen Ioanes
World Politics
Biden and Putin just said they’re open to talks. Don’t count on it happening soon.Biden and Putin just said they’re open to talks. Don’t count on it happening soon.
World Politics

The president’s statements on talks with Russia aren’t that different from his previous positions.

By Ellen Ioanes
Politics
Why Trump is still the 2024 GOP frontrunner — for nowWhy Trump is still the 2024 GOP frontrunner — for now
Politics

Donald Trump is less popular now than he was, but he still has his base.

By Ben Jacobs