Erstellt am: 22. 3. 2012 - 14:39 Uhr

Behind the scenes - negotiating a siege

Reality Check: Toulouse siege, police brutality, Mali coup, World Water Day, the science of snowflakes

Toulouse siege ends in death of suspect

The siege lasted 32 hours, and ended when the suspected killer of 7 people jumped from a window in his apartment and died.

From early this morning the news wires had been buzzing with conflicting reports, and there was evidently confusion over exactly what was happening. Some said the suspect, Mohammed Merah had taken his own life overnight, others said negotiations were still in progress. The coming days will undoubtedly bring a clearer picture of how events unfolded during the siege.

In Reality Check today, hostage and siege negotiation expert, John Potter, told Hal Rock how such situations are typically handled.

World Water Day

World Water Day sees good news in that the first phase of Millennium Development Goals on water have been achieved, but there is still a long way to go.

Margaret Batty, director of policy and campaigns at Water Aid tells Hal Rock about the successes, and the worth that is still to do.

Austrian police brutality

Human rights and anti-torture expert, Manfred Nowak, reacts to a report that says the law is not tough enough on cases of police brutality.

Mali coup

Richard Dowden of the Royal African Society reacts to the coup in Mali.

Snowflakes

We've all been told each one is unique, but is that true?

John Cummins reports on the science behind the snowflake.

FM4 Reality Check

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