Apparently K Rudd is now "hardline" when it comes to "illegal immigrants" after he stopped a boatload of refugees from Sri Lanka. But given we know how small the proportion of boat people are to the overall influx of refugees, why is this still an issue? Featured in story: David Manne- Director Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre.

Pakistan has experienced four major militant attacks over the past eight days that have killed more than 120 people, injuring many others. It began last Monday with the bombing of the UN offices at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad, followed on Friday by a suicide bombing in a market in central Peshawar. This weekend saw a 22-hour siege on the Pakistan military’s headquarters, and yesterday a suicide bomber hit a military convoy. So what’s behind the upsurge in militant violence? Featured in story: Dr Christopher Snedden, senior lecturer at the School of International and Political Studies, Deakin University, Melbourne; and Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at the University of Western Australia.

Direct marketing of drugs to consumers is illegal in Australia, but Dr Agnes Vitry says that indirect marketing has a similar affect. Featured in story: Dr Agnes Vitry- Senior Research Fellow at the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of South Australia, Adam Hunt- freelance advertising consultant and Brendan Shaw- Acting Chief Executive of Medicines Australia.

A Newcastle family, the Blinmans, made national headlines today. Their eight year old son, Aaron, has intensive care needs. His parents made the trek to the NSW Parliament to argue their case for appropriate care for Aaron. They are unable to provide the 24 hour care that he needs. Their plea got responses from the New South Wales Government and Opposition, but does it signal a deeper malaise in support for carers in Australia? Featured in story: David Holst - Disability Speaks and Joan Hughes - Carers Australia.

There’s concern that high school students could suffer back and neck problems from using computers provided under the Rudd Government’s ‘Digital Education Revolution’. The scheme aims to give every student access to a computer at school, and students in some states will be given laptops to use in the classroom and at home. But an Australian expert on ergonomics is concerned students aren’t being protected from occupational injuries. Featured in this story: Professor Leon Straker, director of research at Curtin University School of Physiotherapy; Neil Foster, senior lecturer in OHS law at Newcastle University.