The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.

Steve Backshall reveals the influence that insects and their relatives have on Earth's ecosystems, from ants in South American grasslands to a tiny ocean creature. Show more

In the 1980s, rallying was more popular than Formula 1, but its unregulated mayhem using extremely powerful cars would end abruptly in 1986 after a series of horrific tragedies. Show more

Ben MacIntyre reveals the true story of Britain's most extraordinary wartime double agent, Eddie Chapman. Featuring remarkable footage of Chapman three years before his death. Show more

Waldemar Januszczak examines the early artistic explorations of the first Muslims, the development of their mosques and their scientific achievements. Show more

Multi-layered documentary revealing the human story of Marie Curie, whose pioneering research on radioactivity made her the world's most famous female scientist. Show more

In attempting to answer the question of what is energy, Jim Al-Khalili investigates a strange set of laws that link together everything from engines to humans to stars. Show more

Military historian Saul David explores how wars are really fought - in the backroom of military planning. He begins by looking at how to keep an army fed and housed.

Andrew Graham-Dixon examines how a period of economic boom driven by a burgeoning and secular middle class led to the Dutch golden age of the 17th century. Show more

Multi-layered documentary revealing the human story of Marie Curie, whose pioneering research on radioactivity made her the world's most famous female scientist. Show more