A large crowd of people are shown filling Independence Square in Minsk with a long traditional red and white flag streaming through the middle.

Why the traditional Belarusian flag has become a protest symbol

Full Episode

Demonstrators carry a huge historical flag of Belarus as thousands gather for a protest at the Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus, Aug. 23, 2020.

Dmitri Lovetsky/AP

For more than two weeks now, Belarusian citizens have been in the streets calling for President Alexander Lukashenko to step down. Different symbols have popped up as the protests have turned into a movement but the most important symbol has been the traditional red and white Belarusian flag. And, a new paper shows that some 60% of Antarctica’s ice shelves are vulnerable to hydrofracture, or meltwater forcing its way into cracks in the ice and breaking them apart. Also, playing music in pubs and restaurants has been banned in Scotland, where authorities worry people shouting to be heard could help spread the coronavirus. Restaurateurs are fighting the idea, saying it’s destroying ambiance.

In This Episode

Belarus national symbols
Genomic detectives get to bottom of ‘superspreader’ event
Palaeontologist finds dinosaur bone on small Scottish isle
A man squats in rubble holding his head in a perplexed way
A new report predicts a ‘tsunami’ of mental health problems for years to come 
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Coronavirus lockdown in the Gaza Strip
Is publicizing terrorists’ actions dangerous or valuable?
Antarctica’s hydrofracture risk
A Maryland-based ukulele marching band performs during a 2019 Fourth of July parade.
Global ukulele community keeps music alive, online in pandemic
Special Coverage
empty street
British universities weigh risks of welcoming students back to campus amid coronavirus
Special Coverage
No music, no ambiance