Record breakers

Q What are some of the longest lifespans in fish? A Technically the longest lifespan lies with the Greenland shark, which live a staggering 250-plus years – perhaps even more than 500, in some cases.

Q What is the coldest winter the UK has experienced? A In more recent times the Met Office points to the winter of 1963, which was the coldest since 1740, with temperatures dropping to as low as -20°C

Quiz of the week 1) Name the BBC’s ...

Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight

Did you know that Thomas Müntzer, leader of the German Peasants’ War in 1525, used a rainbow flag to rally his followers? It’s an aptly exuberant image for the radical charisma of Müntzer, and for the

In prison in Iran Few people will ever ...