When Congress misses its funding deadline, parts of the federal government close. Here is what stops, what keeps running, and why it ends the way it does.
| Story | Topic | Updated (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| What a government shutdown really means | U.S. & Politics | 09:40 |
| Tariffs, explained in plain language | Business | 08:00 |
| Hurricane categories, explained simply | Climate & Weather | 08:10 |
| Inflation, explained in plain language | Business | 08:05 |
Washington, elections and policy, translated into plain language.
Jobs, prices and markets, and what they mean for your wallet.
The technology stories everyone is talking about, without the jargon.
Outbreaks, studies and rules: what is proven, what is not.
Every explainer is written from primary sources: official statements, court and government documents, and wire reporting: cited at the bottom of the page. We correct errors openly and stamp every page with its last update time.
One email, the day’s top stories explained. Free, every weekday.