Briefings
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Advent calendars
December has arrived, which means that it is time to start opening the doors on this year’s Advent calendar. But what is Advent – and where did the tradition of calendars come from?
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Black Friday
Today, it is recognised by retailers as the most important shopping day of the year, with people spending millions on purchases. But that was not always true. What is the history of Black...
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International Space Station
In the same month that astronauts celebrate 20 years of life on the International Space Station, the first commercial SpaceX crew arrives on board for a historic six month stay.
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Animals of war
Throughout human history, people have fought in wars – and they have taken animals with them. But what did these animal war heroes do? And how are they honoured on Remembrance Day?
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US Election results
The winner of Tuesday’s election will have a huge influence on the future not only of the US – but of the whole world. What does it take to win? And when will we know the full result?
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Halloween
Covid-19 has done little to thwart Halloween plans in the US, with 148 million planning to celebrate the holiday – that’s more than the whole population of Russia. What makes it so popular?
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Fake news
When an explosive story about Joe Biden’s son began ciruclating last week, social media sites restricted its spread to fight misinformation. What is fake news – and why is it a problem?
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US Election
With three weeks until the presidential election on 3 November, many are carefully following the situation in the battleground states. But which states are they – and why do they matter?
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Great campaigners
As we continue to celebrate inspiring lives, we turn to four phenomenal black women who have succeeded in breaking down barriers. But what are their stories – and what are they doing now?
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Carbon offsetting
Google recently claimed it had eliminated its carbon footprint. Meanwhile, China has announced plans to do the same by 2060. How do they do it – and why are some people not convinced?
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Boycotts
Last week, a group of celebrities took part in an Instagram and Facebook “freeze” to protest fake news and online hate. Boycotting is not a new idea — but how does it actually work?
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Cloning
Scientists have cloned an endangered horse using cells preserved for 40 years. Some think cloning could help to prevent more species from dying out. But what is cloning? And how does it work?
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The evolution of money
Cashless transactions have dramatically increased since the onset of the pandemic, leading many to wonder if the days of coins and notes are numbered. But what is the history of money?
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Food scarcity
Studies suggest that our most vital crops are in danger of extinction, and climate crisis is partly to blame. The answer could lie in eating different types of food — including insects.
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Fracking
Fracking is one of the most controversial technologies of our time, with activists arguing it poses a grave environmental threat. But what exactly is fracking? And why is it disputed?