Why don’t we give drug companies enough credit?

The blogosphere is alive with comments about the record breaking US$2.3bn fine that the American Department of Justice has slapped on drug company Pfizer. A quick look at the blogs will show you that according to many “Big Pharma” is finally getting the expensive medicine it deserves.

But is that entirely fair?

“Terror in the Skies” – a UFO story

Help us on The World Today to write a story about UFOs. We’re using the news that the Ministry of Defence in London has released previously secret files on Unidentified Flying Objects, to write our own rolling fictional adventure.

The first two paragraphs below have been written by Nick Pope, a writer who used to run the Ministry of Defence UFO department.

Parents who make you cringe?

Dad on the dancefloor? Mum singing in front of your friends? Or, when you first introduce your new boyfriend or girlfriend to your parents, them spouting off about what you were like as a baby? Yes, it’s happened to us all. Moments when your parents make you want to die of embarrassment. But is it your fault or theirs?

Keeping your head above the gloom?

Things have been looking pretty grim on the US economic front of late: a string of bank failures and mergers, jitters on Wall St, and even the President predicting possible financial panic there if Congress doesn’t act immediately to ease the crisis. Stories of foreclosures and job losses have been filling the press. And of course, what affects the US is likely to affect the rest of the global economy. Is the bad news swamping you? Or have you got ways of staying positive in the face of the onslaught? If so, what are your tips to see the silver lining in every cloud?

Michael Jordan meets Tchaikovsky

“Poetry in motion!” That’s a description applied to some of the best moments in sport. But instead of poetry, what about music? Chinese pianist Lang Lang – the 26-year-old who played at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics – has been speaking to the BBC about some of his sporting inspirations as he caresses the keys. When he plays Tchaikovsky? It’s basketball player, Michael Jordan, who comes to mind. But Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt also fill his fingers with fire. Is it the same for you? Do you forever link some sport or sports stars with pieces of music? Or do they inspire you to other works of art? And why?

A ring tone to die (of shame) for?

It’s one of the first rules of radio — switch off your mobile phone before going into the on-air studio. Or, better still, leave it outside. Sounds easy enough. But most radio producers have committed this cardinal sin at some point — breezing in, forgetting to turn the damn thing off. And most of the time you’ll get away with it. But not always…

Your national anthem: Olympic pride? Or can’t abide?

The Olympics are now in full flight, and medal ceremonies are coming thick and fast. But does your national anthem make your breast swell with pride or make you want to cringe behind the sofa? And what are the alternatives?

Room for diplomacy… but not as you know it?

It’s all about showing respect, the US Ambassador to Paraguay says. Well, it certainly wasn’t part of his diplomatic training, but Ambassador James Cason has been tugging at his host nation’s heart strings by releasing an album of local folksongs, sung in the indigenous Guarani language.

WHYS has won a Sony Radio Academy Award in GOLD

We are pleased to announce that World Have Your Say has topped the tables in this year’s ‘Listener Participation’ category at the Sony Radio Academy Awards. A huge thank you to all those who have contributed to the programme in the past. You continue to make WHYS what it is and we couldn’t have pulled it off without you.

Are we afraid of teenagers?

A 13-year old British girl who was part of the emo movement recently committed suicide.

An inquest into the death of Hannah Bond was told that she killed herself after becoming obsessed by ’emo’ – a group which is characterised by dark clothes and music about death and negative emotions.