Erstellt am: 1. 7. 2011 - 15:28 Uhr

Sex, Lies and Audiotape

Strauss-Kahn case on verge of collapse; pre-election tensions in Thailand; Communist Party in China turns 90; Aborigines collect remains of their ancestors from the Austrian Academy of Sciences

The case against Strauss-Kahn crumbles

In a stunning turn of events, the sexual assault case against the former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn could be about to fall apart.

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Prosecutors have apparently found major holes in the credibility of the hotel housekeeper who says Strauss-Kahn attacked her. In a recorded phone conversation she had with a man in custody on drugs charges it seems she discussed the case. Hal Rock gets details from correspondent Christian Fraser.

New laws for immigrants and asylum seekers

Austria's new controversial leglislation governing asylum and immigration comes into force today. It obliges asylum seekers to be confined to a reception centre for up to 7 days while their applications are being processed and include the "red-white-red" card laying out clear criteria for would-be immigrants wishing to remain in the country. Alexander Pollak of SOS Mitmensch tells Chris Cummins why critics say the package violates human rights and why he thinks the politicians' logic and arguments are misplaced.

Austria and Aborigines

During the 19th and early 20th centuries hundreds of skeletons of Australian Aborigines were taken from their ancestral lands and given to museums and collectors abroad.
The removal of the remains has been deeply traumatic for aboriginal people, who believe that their ancestors retain a spiritual presence after their death. The Austrian Academy of Sciences decided to hand back the remains of 30 aboriginal people, who had been brought to Austria by the anthropologist Rudolf Pöch, for reburial in Australia. John Cummins was at the handover ceremony and spoke to aboriginal representatives and those who had made the event possible.

Tensions in Thailand head of elections

People in Thailand hope that Sunday's national election will resolve the country's sometimes violent six-year political crisis but many also fear it will only fuel more turbulence. Opinion polls favour the opposition Puea Thai party led by Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. But if the opposition doesn't win outright, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democratic Party could form a coalition. Gennie Johnson finds out more from our correspondent in Bangkok, Tony Cheng.

A Communist Birthday Party

China's Communist Party was formed in 1921. To mark the 90 year anniversary of this event, China is not just painting the town red, the entire country is submerged in ‘red culture’. Riem Higazi speaks to FM4’s Beijing correspondent Jörg Winter for an eye-witness account of what this celebrations looks and feels like and for some insight into the direction that China is taking, politically speaking, in the future.