Background Briefing

There's a boom in funerals around the corner as the Boomers face mortality, but neither cemeteries nor crematoria are eco-friendly. The business of burials is beginning to adapt, and so are their future customers. (This program was originally broadcast on 20th July 2008.)

Our economy may fall over, but it's not just about the financial meltdown. Nature is seizing up, and it's costing big bucks. Putting a dollar value on nature might help, but how much is a bacterium in a lake really worth? (This program was originally broadcast on 19th October 2008.)

Western Sydney is set to have two more cities and, yet again, the state has canned its railway projects. Why will Canberra bail them out? Reporter Wendy Carlisle.

Abuse and torture of prisoners was much more widely spread than just Abu Ghraib. The guilt and shame of soldiers who took part continues to haunt Americans. 'The one who scars another's soul, can come away wounded as well.' American RadioWorks investigates.

As the financial downturn unfolds, is Generation Y ready? Raised on optimism and generous lines of credit, they're economically exposed in terms of assets and debt. Reporter: Madeleine Genner

We get the inside story of how the Italian diaspora was harvested for political votes, and how the little Italies found a way to make - and break - governments in Rome. Reporter: James Panichi

While remote Aboriginal communities are safer, everyday living is more complicated. There's a 600 dollar cab fare to town, and then Centrelink has to approve toys for your kids. Lorena Allam reports from Katherine in the Northern Territory.

There's an epidemic of child abuse and it's worst in Queensland. Poverty's fuelling it, but it's sparked by something deeper. To stop it, we need to turn our social policies upside down. Reporter Ian Townsend

The global economic collapse is now seen to be caused by greed and theft. There's a parallel in the looting of metals, especially copper, around the world. Reporter, Stan Correy.

Our economy may fall over, but it's not just about the financial meltdown. Nature is seizing up, and it's costing big bucks. Putting a dollar value on nature might help, but how much is a bacterium in a lake really worth? Reporter: Di Martin