Explainers
Explainer
Coronavirus pandemic
Does it hurt? Will it make you sick? Why can’t it be a tablet? We answer kids’ COVID vaccine questions
Children told us what they wanted to know about the COVID-19 vaccine ... and we asked an expert for answers.
- by Rachel Clun
Latest
Explainer
Water safety
How does drowning happen and how can you prevent it?
The idea that a drowning person splashes and calls for help is mostly a myth. How do you spot someone in trouble? What are their chances of surviving once you do? And how well should a child be able to swim?
- by Julie Power
Explainer
The Science of Sport
They’re three letters athletes dread. What is a ruptured ACL and how do you fix it?
ACL injuries are on the rise in Australia. How do they happen and how can you avoid one?
- by Amelia McGuire
Explainer
Future Power
Hype or holy grail: What’s driving the hydrogen rush?
What is green hydrogen? How could it help the environment? And what’s its future in Australia?
- by Nick Toscano
Explainer
Pandora Papers
The Pandora Papers explained
The Pandora Papers have been described as one of the world’s biggest data leaks and lifts the lid on the parallel economy of offshore finance.
- by Charlotte Grieve
Explainer
Daylight saving
Where did daylight saving come from and which states have it?
How does the time change affect people (and cows)? And which way should we wind the clocks?
- by Rachael Houlihan
Your questions answered: Mandatory vaccines for authorised workers in Victoria
Victoria’s vaccine mandate for authorised workers has raised plenty of questions. Here we answer some of the most common.
- by Michael Fowler
Explainer
Draft
Free agents, pre-agency, pick swaps: What does AFL trade jargon mean?
What do you call a free agent who isn’t actually free? How do you hire a rookie when the rookie draft is closed?
- by Daniel Cherny
Explainer
Defence
Quantum sensors, sea drones and hypersonic missiles: what are the new frontiers of war?
As well as subs, the AUKUS powers will work together on AI, cyber, quantum, hypersonic missiles and other “undersea capabilities”. What do these mean, and how will they change the game?
- by Sherryn Groch and Felicity Lewis
Explainer
Putin's Russia
Russia votes, no big surprises: How does Putin’s ‘vertical of power’ work?
The Kremlin has kept its grip on Russian parliament after its latest election, but not without cost. So how does Russia’s political system (and Putin’s empire) work?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
National security
What is a nuclear submarine and why would you want one?
A fast guide to the fast (and stealthy) new subs on the horizon for Australia.
- by Sherryn Groch and Felicity Lewis