Erstellt am: 12. 6. 2012 - 14:05 Uhr

Russia protests - the end or a new beginning?

Reality Check: Russia protest marches, 25th anniversary of Reagan's "tear down this wall" speech, atrocities agains children in Syria, restrictions on cosmetic surgery in Austria, Rio +20.

Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets of Moscow today calling for new elections and a new president.
The protests come soon after new laws were passed to increase fines imposed on people taking part in unofficial rallies, but that doesn't seem to have dampened the enthusiasm of the anti-government movement. Even police raids on the homes of several leading activists do not seem to have put anyone off.

However, one problem still faces the protesters that they are unlikely to overcome. The opposition is composed of dozens, maybe hundreds of different groups representing such diverse ideas and ideals, that other than opposing Vladimir Putin as President, they have almost nothing in common.

The "Occupy" movement failed to catch on in Russia. Maybe the climate in Moscow is more conducive to marching than occupying - but even the marches now seem to be at a turning point. After the long series of protests over the winter, what happens next? Are we seeing the end of an old movement, or the beginning of a new one?

Our Moscow correspondent, Charles Maynes, reports from the Russian capital.

25th anniversary of the "Tear down this wall" speech

25 years ago today, US President, Ronald Reagan made the famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate called on Mikael Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.

But glasnost and perestroika were already underway, so how much impact did the speech really have, and how do events back then resonate on today's international stage?

Political analyst, Stephen Hill, looks at the Reagan legacy.

Children tortured and used as shields in Syria

A new report by the United Nations says children are being captured, tortured and even murdered by Syrian troops. UN's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, says opposition forces are also guilty of using children on the front line in the conflict.
Chris Cummins reports.

Cosmetic surgery laws

New laws governing cosmetic surgery on young people are being discussed in the cabinet today. What exactly will the new laws mean, and how will they be implemented. The president of the Austrian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Dr. Thomas Hintringer, explains how it will work.

Rio +20 and the case for vegetarianism

Nobel laureate, Mohan Munasingue, tells Chris Cummins why eating less meat could be good for the environment and good for the developing world, as well as good for our health.

FM4 Reality Check

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