This is a fortnightly round-up of FAQs, pegged on news events, published on The Straits Times' website. Go to http://str.sg/Z9Zr for more.

This fortnight's explainers ran the gamut from the quirky to the serious. There was a listicle about Feb 29 and the leap year and a guide to checking your homes for mosquito-breeding zones, as well as two heavyweight political explainers about the South China Sea disputes and Super Tuesday.

What you should know about the leap year

Why is there an extra day for February in a leap year? What have a Roman emperor and a Pope got to do with the leap year? Learn about the Gregorian calendar and the solar year, and the reason for a leap year at http://str.sg/ZC9r.

How to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in your home

All home owners found to be breeding mosquitoes will face a $200 fine. So which are the hot spots in your home which you need to check to ensure they are mosquito-free?

There is a checklist of places to clear and things to do, to ensure mosquitoes do not breed in your home, at http://str.sg/ZyMA

The who and what of the South China Sea disputes

The South China Sea is dotted with islands and reefs. With the area potentially rich in resources and the host of a major shipping route, several countries have laid claim to various parts of the area. Take a look at who claims what, and the positions of China and the United States on the disputes, at http://str.sg/ZCvb

What exactly is Super Tuesday?

The big event in the hotly contested United States presidential race happened on March 1 with Super Tuesday. But what exactly is Super Tuesday? The Straits Times' US Bureau Chief Jeremy Au Yong offers a quick explainer on why this day is so important in the primary season at http://str.sg/ZyAH