Erstellt am: 14. 2. 2012 - 14:19 Uhr

Xi Jinping: a smiling face, but the same policies

Reality Check: Xi Jinping - Beijing's heir apparant, US budget - taxing the rich, Bahrain protests, ratings agencies, deal to limit generic drugs in the developing world

The man who is expected to become China's next president, Xi Jinping, is in Washington DC today meeting President Obama.

Xi is said to be more humourous than his predecessor, but also has rumours abounding about his part, including one that he lived for 6 years in a cave. He spent time in the US as a student, and is expected to visit his host family during the trip.

Our Beijing correspondent, Jörg Winter, profiles Xi and how his is likely to present himself to the West. He says that while Xi may have a friendlier face, there's unlikely to be much change in policy.

US budget to tax the rich

President Obama plans to cut 4 trillion dollars from the US deficit by raising taxes on the wealthy, an idea which is coming under heavy criticism from the republicans. Priscilla Huff in Washington DC looks at what is known of the budget so far, and the political implications.

Bahrain one year on

A year after the uprising in Bahrain, unrest continues on the anniversary of the first uprising amid a huge security presence on the streets.

Shashank Joshi looks at what has been achieved and the state of the pro-democracy movement today.

Controlling the ratings agencies

As Austria, France and Britain have their credit ratings cut by Moody's, the Director of Finance Watch, Thierry Phillipponnat, tells Joanna Bostock why ratings agencies have too much influence, and what must be done to curb their power.

Generic drug legislation

New EU legislation designed to protect major drug companies could lead to suffering in the developing world. Under a new trade agreement with India, Indian companies would not be allowed to produce cheap, generic versions of drugs that are sold at a high price under patents in the West. Certain antibiotics and drugs used to treat HIV are particularly affected. Katy Athersuch of Doctors Without Borders explains the legislation, and why it is potentially so damaging.

FM4 Reality Check

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