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A ‘tailings dam’ collapse in Brazil has killed many people, burying them alive. We ask why and how such dangerous structures are built and discuss the humanitarian and environmental risk they pose.

Denisovans, a Siberian cave is revealing more about this early human species, a range of dating techniques show evidence that ancient tools and jewellery found there go back to the era before modern humans dominated the earth.

And going back further, 550 million years to a moment in time when the earth’s magnetic field seemed to temporarily weaken dramatically. Intriguingly this coincides with an evolutionary explosion – could the two events be connected?

Waste, trash, garbage – whatever you call it, unwanted materials have become a major presence in many of our lives and our environment. Every year it is estimated that humans around the world produce 2 billion metric tonnes of waste. Listener Clare from Devon in the UK wants to start tackling this herself. She would like to know if she can not just sort but process all her own recycling at home.

(Image: Members of a rescue team search for victims after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed. Credit: Reuters)