Background Briefing

Concerns were raised when federal funding for chaplains in schools was introduced. Now some parents have evidence evangelism has seeped into the secular public school system. Others are staunch supporters. The controversy is now headed for the High Court. Reporter Hagar Cohen. Photograph: Andrew Turner

We're diagnosing dementia younger, we're living with it longer, and more Australians will have it in future. How are we to deal with this devastating and costly disease? Like cancer 30 years ago, we prefer not to talk about it. But it needs increasing attention as the dementia epidemic breaks over our health and aged care systems. Reporter: Di Martin

Australia and Zambia are resource rich countries that both wanted to tax the super profits of mining companies during the world's biggest commodity boom. Find out why they failed. Reporter: Stan Correy

Even silicon valley says the world is overconnected, corporations are overwhelmed, and we're heading for another global crisis because the internet is now cowboy country, out of control. Internet high priest, historian, and author Bill Davidow says international regulations - or some way of making it all smaller is vital. Producer, Kirsten Garrett.

As Japan's nuclear emergency continues, some food produced near the stricken Fukushima power plant has been found to contain abnormal radiation levels. Radiation traces have also been found in tap water in Tokyo and it's been detected in the air as far away as eastern Russia and the west coast of the US. What will be the health effects? Does the disaster prove nuclear power is inherently unsafe? Paul Barclay hosts the discussion this week. Photo: AFP Digital Globe

Orphaned in the wild sea storm, nine-year-old Iranian boy Seena Akhlaqi has become the political pawn of 'stop the boats'. Why was a traumatised boy left in an overcrowded detention centre, with substandard care, for over two months? Was it a bungle or a cover-up? Reporter: Wendy Carlisle Photo: Getty images

Even silicon valley says the world is overconnected, corporations are overwhelmed, and we're heading for another global crisis because the internet is now cowboy country, out of control. Internet high priest, historian, and author Bill Davidow says international regulations - or some way of making it all smaller is vital. Producer, Kirsten Garrett.

Nature's forces - floods, cyclones, fires and this week the earthquake in Christchurch - won't stop, yet we still live on flood plains, in the bush, on the beach and in earthquake zones. Rescue services struggle. Communications fail. Insurance companies spread the cost. It comes back to educating the people. Reporter Ian Townsend.

Story update: The High Court has rejected the challenge made by tobacco companies to the plain packing laws.

It's 70 years since the death of Banjo Patterson, and tourists will drive the Banjo Route from Narrambla to Corryong armed with a book of his poems.