Explainers
- Explainer
- Trump's White House
‘Your head will spin’: What Trump will do on ‘Day One’
Most US presidents are judged on their first 100 days. Donald Trump plans to get plenty done on “Day One”. But how much can he actually pull off?
- Angus Holland
Latest
- Explainer
- Earthquakes
Scientists know where the big earthquakes will hit. They just don’t know when
A lurch in the Earth’s tectonic plates can wreak havoc at any time – as we’ve just seen in Vanuatu. How do scientists measure quakes, and are we doing enough to prepare?
- Sherryn Groch
- Explainer
- Early childhood
A good toy can be the building blocks of a career, or just a way to skip church
Not all toys say “educational” on the box. Still, some can spark lifelong learning. Here’s what the experts put in toy boxes.
- Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- Language
‘Peak popularity’: Why names go in and out of vogue
One of the earliest names ever recorded was Enpap-x. But Alexander and Freya are ancient too. Some names catch on, others fade from glory. Why? And what are the rules on trading in your name for a new one?
- Angus Holland and Angus Delaney
- Explainer
- Aviation
‘Cleared for take-off’: Who keeps us safe in the skies?
We’re told flying is safe and the statistics confirm it. So why are there still mishaps? And what happens behind the scenes when an engine goes “bang”?
- Angus Holland and Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- Water
‘The tipping point’: Where does our water come from – and could it run out?
In cities, we tend to take our water for granted. How does it get to us – and how do you put a price on it?
- Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- US Votes 2024
The polls say it’s neck and neck. But can you even trust them?
It’s almost a dead heat between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, say the polls. But then there are the unknowns. What are they?
- Angus Holland and Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- US Votes 2024
‘They cheat like hell’: The fallout from the attack on the Capitol
Hare-brained schemes and legal loopholes helped cause havoc after the last presidential election. But there are many ways to contest a result. How?
- Angus Holland
- Explainer
- Animals
‘Avian architecture’: Why birds’ nests are truly grand designs
Some are cup-shaped, some have domes, others have been likened to apartment complexes. How do birds build their nurseries?
- Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- Middle East at war
‘Cat and mouse’: What we know about Iran’s secretive nuclear program
It’s shadowy, underground and back on the world’s radar. Could Tehran one day have nuclear weapons?
- Jackson Graham and Angus Holland
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/topic/explainers-1lz9