Erstellt am: 23. 12. 2011 - 14:03 Uhr

The Havel legacy

Reality Check; Funeral of Vaclav Havel, Fukushima clean-up, Fatah-Hamas talks, secret Santa, uncertains future of frankincense

People across the Czech Republic observed a minute's silence today at the start of the funeral of former president, Vaclav Havel.

Havel was not only a key leader of the so called Velvet Revolution, he also brought a new integrity to politics that will have a lasting legacy. Chris Cummins looks at the significance of Vaclav Havel and his ideas both within the Czech Republic and around the world.

More on this story here

Fukushima clean-up

For Japan, much of the year has been overshadowed by the Tsunami and Fukushima disaster. The stricken plant is now in cold shut down, but how long will the clean-up take? Professor Richard Pattrick, an expert in Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning at the University of Manchester, explains why it could take decades for the region to return to normal life.

Progress in Middle East

A new deal between the rival Palestinian political parties of Hamas and Fatah signals possible reconciliation between the two groups. For over 4 years the Palestinan Territories have been split, with Fatah governing the West Bank and Hamas controlling Gaza. The rift has paralysed the peace process and meant that long overdue elections cannon be held. Our Middle East correspondent, Irris Makkler, analyses the importance of this deal and that it might mean for the peace process.

Secret Santa

Many Americans pay for their Christmas presents with "lay-away", a way of paying for them in installments before the big day. Now, some people are finding their accounts magically paid off when they go to pay the last installments. Our Washington DC correspondent, Priscilla Huff, tells Riem Higazi what is known about the "secret Santa".

The future of frankincense

According to the New Testament, the first three Christmas presents were gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is still a popular basis for Christmas gifts, and myrrh has its niche mostly in medicine, but frankincense has enjoyed the broadest career. It turns up in chuches, in toilettries, in medicines, and in all sorts of unexpected places. However, the trees that produce the frankincense resin are now under threat, as Chris Cummins has been finding out with Professor Frans Bongers.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.