Explainers
Explainer
Science
'We're not running out of dinosaurs': Why is there a boom in fossils?
More than 20 years since Jurassic Park roared onto screens, interest in dinosaurs is not going out of fashion. What is Australia's dinosaur history? And what more is there to discover?
- by Sherryn Groch
Latest
Explainer
Coronavirus outbreak
What is coronavirus and how worried should we be?
Experts warn the window is closing to stop the spread of COVID-19 across the world. What do we know about the virus so far and how bad could it get?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
US votes 2020
Spectacular, expensive, complicated: how the Democratic primaries work
Who will go up against Trump at the presidential elections in November? Democrats are deciding in a series of contests involving rock bands, streamers and fierce debate. How do the primaries work?
- by Matthew Knott
Explainer
Science
Why do we have leap years and will we be paid for an extra day?
Every four years, more or less, the world is gifted an entire extra day. Why? What would happen without it? And what does Cleopatra have to do with it?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
Coronavirus outbreak
How will the coronavirus outbreak affect your travel plans?
Travel arrangements are being thrown into doubt, and many are wondering whether it's worth going overseas in the first place. What should you do if you've booked a trip?
- by Bianca Hall and Josh Dye
Explainer
Coronavirus outbreak
How does an epidemic spread and what does the wildlife trade have to do with it?
It's worth billions of dollars to organised crime – after gun-running, drugs and human trafficking. But why is the illegal wildlife trade at the centre of the coronavirus epidemic?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
Weinstein trial
'Jekyll and Hyde': What you need to know about the Weinstein verdict
The scandal that rocked Hollywood is reaching its final act with the trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
Coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus outbreak: How the COVID-19 vaccine is being made
Scientists around the world are working at lightning speed to make a COVID-19 vaccine – and Australian experts are bringing breakthrough technology to the effort. How do you make a vaccine and what's new about this Australian innovation?
- by Liam Mannix
Explainer
Syrian conflict
'Humanitarian horror story': What is happening in Syria now?
It's the most devastating round of fighting yet in a war that has caused havoc in the past nine years. Why is Idlib under attack and what are the likely ramifications?
- by Michael Bachelard
Explainer
Wage scandal
Underpayment as business model: what is wage theft?
It's rife in a range of industries: workers being ripped off by their employers. How does it happen and where is it most common?
- by Adele Ferguson and Ben Schneiders
Explainer
5G rollout
Why are Huawei and 5G such a big deal around the world?
The UK will use Huawei technology in its 5G network upgrade. Australia and the US have warned against this. Why? And what is 5G anyway?
- by Latika Bourke