Background Briefing

For years it's been one of the science community's great taboos but the idea of global climate control is starting to be openly discussed. Ideas like placing giant mirrors in space or firing sulphur particles into the stratosphere to cool the planet are no longer just in the domain of science fiction. Many scientists now believe the time for these ideas will come. Reporter, Wendy Carlisle

Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, and co-author Linda Bilmes, argue the Iraq war has led directly to America's current economic crisis. The price of a barrel of oil has quadrupled since the war began and the total cost of the invasion is staggering. Stiglitz and Bilmes describe how they came to the figure of three trillion dollars, and how difficult such an estimate is to achieve in t...

An extra 30,000 births a year has caught government by surprise, with immediate and long term consequences.

While the success of the 27-year-old Australian Institute of Sport has been the envy of other nations, the expertise it has bred is being used against us, and Australia risks falling behind in the sports science arms race. Reporter Ian Townsend

As the former KGB man Vladimir Putin passes the presidential baton to his nominated successor, the BBC's Martin Sixsmith looks at the remarkable resurgence of the Russian secret service. How did the 'new KGB', the FSB, manage to become so strong, so rich and so deeply entrenched in running the country.

As the effects of the subprime credit crunch continue to be felt around the world, the new global investors bailing out Wall Street banks are the sovereign wealth funds. These are the investment vehicles of cashed up Arab and Asian governments which are also buying into the mining boom in Australia. While their money is welcomed, are there political motivations behind the investments? Reporter: St...

Many GPs get regular education over the year, for up to date information on modern medical and prescribing practices. We examine aspects of this education of GPs and how they may be influenced by drug company sponsors. Reporter, Ray Moynihan.

Princeton Professor of Economics Paul Krugman talks about how the New Deal society has been dismantled in America, and the reasons for it. He brings it back to a revival of Southern issues about race being used by the 'Movement Conservatives' to undo various social policies during the present administration. Paul Krugman is also a writer and columnist for the New York Times. (Originally broadcast...

It's not easy being green; Kermit's lament haunts us as we are bombarded with advertising, labels and marketing promising consumers a positive outcome for the environment. How much of it is deceptive and misleading? Reporter Rachel Carbonell.

Hundreds of Australian war planes crashed in Queensland, PNG, and the Pacific during WW2. Many haven't been found, and the remains of their crew still lie where they crashed. There's a global trade in souveniring these wrecks, and surprising things are found in the jungles, the mountains and the seas. Reporter Ian Townsend.

KPMG analyst Bernard Salt says that within a few years 30 percent of people will live alone. The accompanying boom in pets is a looming political reality, and may even become an IR issue. It's good news for the pet food business. Already households spend more on pets than on childcare. Reporter, Wendy Carlisle. (Originally broadcast 28th October 2007)

No one's telling how much of our money is being stolen through the Internet because no one wants us to lose confidence in the system. The banks are making so much money out of it, they prefer to wear the costs or push them down to the customer. In the meantime, everyone has a story and global criminals are stalking our accounts, our phones and our PCs. Reporter: Ian Townsend. (Originally broadcast...

He is a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and has several other prestigious roles in the US health policy and public health system. As well, he's a practising doctor and surgeon, editor, author, and New York Magazine writer. Atul Gawande discusses what makes a good doctor, how hospitals can be improved, and what he has learnt about the imperfect science of medicine. (Originally broad...

Professor Julian Savulescu is an eminent ethicist from Oxford University. He believes we should proceed with research into enhancing not only the genetics of fighting disease, but the genetics and pharmacology of improving IQ, behaviour, mood, character and morality. He argues there are immense benefits, not only for individuals, but for society as a whole. Only by knowing, can we prevent the abus...

Pulitzer prize winning science writer Natalie Angier talks in an inspiring and entertaining way about the basics of science: from the wonders of the cell and bacteria to the mysteries of the night sky and the cultures of chimpanzees, to name a few. Science is in flux as it faces pressures from both faith-based politics in the US, and the push towards privatisation of scientific knowledge through p...

In a first for the international media, Bali bomber Ali Imron is let out of prison to explain why he's now working to stop terrorism. In this exclusive interview, Ali Imron tells of how he's battling with his radical brothers to prevent further violence. It's just one part of Indonesia's ground breaking and controversial counter terrorism strategy. Reporter: Di Martin. (Originally broadcast 23rd S...

The end of soaring waterfront properties is in sight. Insurers have begun investigating policies to cover plummeting land values as climate change predictions worsen. Inundation is the big worry for coastal councils. It's buyer beware in this legal grey area. Reporter Di Martin.

He's manufactured the image, set up the totalitarian theatrics, and stabilised Russia. Now the world will see what Vladimir Putin is really like. Russians who live in Australia like him, write music for him and make special medals. Many have bitter memories of earlier times. Reporter, Wendy Carlisle

Australian bees are doing very nicely. But unless we're careful problems plaguing American hives could turn up here. There are several theories on why colonies are collapsing in the US. Is it because the bees are overworked and poorly managed - or is the bug called varroa destructor the cause of the problems. Quarantine is tight to make sure it doesn't enter Australia as a stowaway. Reporter Stan...

Princeton Professor of Economics Paul Krugman talks about how the New Deal society has been dismantled in America, and the reasons for it. He brings it back to a revival of Southern issues about race being used by the 'Movement Conservatives' to undo various social policies during the present adminstration. Paul Krugman is also a writer and columnist for the New York Times.

There's a new kind of primary school coming -- ready or not. Bigger schools, different ways of learning, more special interest groups in class. Not just the three Rs and computers, but character and your place in society taught in all schools across the country, and a chaplain to help with behaviour and mental health. Reporter: Ian Townsend.

It's 20 years since the Grim Reaper campaign, when a hooded, decomposing creature with a scythe bowled down men women and children with Aids. Cases of HIV are rising again, across Australia, and there's about to be a new campaign - The Glam Reaper. Social norms have changed, and the world is more complex. Reporter Jane Shields.

Rebel soldier Alfredo Reinado is young, Australian trained, armed and ready for a fight. From a mountain hideout (where he says he can order pizza and cappuccino) he challenges and mocks East Timorese President Ramos Horta and the government, saying he will die rather than submit himself to the current Timorese justice system. Reporter Chris Bullock met and interviewed Alfredo Reinado in October....

KPMG analyst Bernard Salt says that within a few years 30 percent of people will live alone. The accompanying boom in pets is a looming political reality, and may even become an IR issue. It's good news for the pet food business. Already households spend more on pets than on childcare. Reporter Wendy Carlisle.

Niger has lots of uranium, and the world wants it. Australian companies are there, pegging out their stakes. There's murder, kidnapping, hijacking and rebellion in a volatile mix of Tuareg tribesmen (and musicians) at war with other ethnic groups and the government of Niger. The government is playing China and America off against each other and there are whispers that al-Qaeda is in there, too. Re...