Explainers
Explainer
Animals
Why do magpies swoop, and how can you avoid it?
It’s the season where charming caroling can give way to frightening aerial manoeuvres from magpies. Are they marauding creatures or simply concerned parents?
- by Stuart Layt
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Explainer
China relations
Why does China say the US is ‘playing with fire’ over Taiwan? And what does it mean for Australia?
Nancy Pelosi is the highest-ranked US official to go to Taiwan in decades. Why is her visit causing so much consternation?
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Explainer
Indigenous Voice
What’s an Indigenous Voice to parliament? What are the steps to make it happen?
An Indigenous Voice was the first key policy of the Uluru Statement. But what is a Voice and what does it look like?
- by Cameron Gooley and Jack Latimore
Explainer
Crime
How do police match a bullet to the gun that fired it?
When a detective finds a bullet at a crime scene, an expert team of sleuths will put it under the microscope. What are they looking for?
- by David Estcourt
Explainer
Inflation
‘Inflation, huh?’ Your ultimate dinner party survival guide to the economy
What is inflation? Why is it bad? Why aren’t real wages rising – and what does that even mean?
- by Jessica Irvine
Explainer
Political leadership
Why can’t anyone get an answer in question time?
The prime minister wants to lift the tone of debate in parliament. How will the most unruly hour of the day change?
- by Katina Curtis
Explainer
Monkeypox
Monkeypox is now a public health emergency. Is the virus changing?
The disease is spreading for the first time among people who have not travelled to Africa. What’s different about these cases?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
Psychology
This neuroscientist accidentally discovered he was a psychopath. How can you pick them?
People are often happy to diagnose their “psycho” boss or “sociopathic” in-laws but what do these conditions actually mean? How are they detected? And what’s it like to live with them?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
Biosecurity
What is foot and mouth disease? Can humans catch it?
With foot and mouth disease now in Indonesia, Australia is on alert to stop it spreading here. What is the disease, and why are the stakes so high?
- by Millie Muroi
Explainer
Coronavirus pandemic
What are COVID antivirals and who can have them?
COVID-19 antiviral drugs have been made available to more people. What are they? And who’s eligible to take them?
- by Najma Sambul
Explainer
Psychology
Why do smart people join cults? And how do they get out of them?
It’s not just doomsday bunkers and goat’s blood. Cults are all around the world, including in Australia. What are the red flags and how do cult leaders operate?
- by Sherryn Groch