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Glossary

21 words from the news, explained in plain language.

In the news now

World

Sanctions

Penalties such as trade bans, asset freezes or travel bans imposed by one or more countries on another country, group or person.

In 1 recent story

AI

Artificial intelligence

Computer systems that perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognising images or making decisions.

In 1 recent story

Entertainment

Streaming service

A subscription or ad-supported service that delivers films, series or music over the internet on demand.

In 1 recent story

A

Business

Acquisition

The purchase of one company by another, giving the buyer control of the target's business.

AI

Artificial intelligence

Computer systems that perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognising images or making decisions.

B

Business

Bankruptcy

A legal process for people or companies that cannot repay their debts, in which assets are sold or debts restructured under court supervision.

Finance

Bond

A loan made by an investor to a government or company, which pays interest and returns the money on a set date.

Entertainment

Box office

The money a film earns from cinema ticket sales, reported for opening weekends and in total.

Economy

Budget deficit

The amount by which a government's spending exceeds its revenue in a given year, covered by borrowing.

C

Environment

Climate change

The long-term rise in global temperatures and changes in weather patterns, driven mainly by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.

D

AI

Deepfake

A realistic but fake image, video or audio clip made with AI to show someone saying or doing something they did not.

I

Health

Influenza

A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, with seasonal outbreaks each year.

L

Business

Layoffs

The dismissal of employees by a company, usually for business reasons such as cost cutting rather than performance.

M

Health

Mental health

A person's emotional, psychological and social well-being, which affects how they think, feel and cope.

Business

Merger

The combination of two companies into one, often negotiated alongside an acquisition, where one company buys another.

O

Sports

Olympic Games

The leading international multi-sport event, held every four years in summer and winter editions.

Q

Business

Quarterly results

A public company's report of its revenue, profit and outlook for a three-month period.

R

Business

Revenue

The total money a company earns from selling goods or services before any costs are subtracted.

S

World

Sanctions

Penalties such as trade bans, asset freezes or travel bans imposed by one or more countries on another country, group or person.

Science

Satellite

An object that orbits a planet; usually a spacecraft used for communication, navigation, weather or observation.

Energy

Solar power

Electricity or heat produced from sunlight, usually with photovoltaic panels.

Entertainment

Streaming service

A subscription or ad-supported service that delivers films, series or music over the internet on demand.

T

Politics

Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

U

World

United Nations

An international organisation of nearly all the world's countries, founded in 1945 to maintain peace and promote cooperation.

From the blog