Erstellt am: 27. 6. 2012 - 14:49 Uhr

Syria: "In a state of real war"

Reality Check: Syria, Queen meet McGuinness, ESM and the Fiscal Pact, Circumcision ruled "bodily harm" in Germany, Popeye was right - spinach could make you stronger!

President Assad has finally described the situation in his country as war, and says all policies and all sectors must be focused on winning.

It's the first time the Syrian leader has described the situation as war, and up until now, many analysts believed that Assad would be reluctant to describe the situation as war, because it would then become subject to the Geneva Conventions. However, Rime Allaf says that Assad has ignored every other International treats and convention, so why should the Geneva Conventions be any different.

It's clear that the situation in Syria is deteriorating by the day, and that the situation on the ground is becoming more and more precarious and confused. One estimate suggests that a third of Syrians support the government, a third support the rebels, and a third don't support either and just want both sides to stop fighting. It's also clear that there are almost certainly "troublemaking" elements at work who just want to see chaos and instability.

A pro-government television station near Damascus has been attacked and 3 journalists killed and others injured, although the rebels say they do not target the media.

Rime Allaf says we may see many more such attacks, and warns that the harder the regime fights, the harder the rebels will fight back.

Queen to meet Martin McGuinness

Today sees a historic meeting between the Queen of England and the former IRA leader, now Deputy First Minister and Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness.

The financial divide

How EU bailout funds and budget rules are splitting the political parties.

Circumcision is "bodily harm"

A court in Germany has ruled that circumcision carried out on young boys for religious reasons amounts to "bodily harm". Hannah Cleaver reports on the ruling that could have huge moral and political implications.

Popeye was right!

New research shows that spinach, or rather the nitrates in spinach and other green vegetables, do, indeed, promote muscle strength.

So far, tests have only been conducted on mice - but if the same trend is found in humans, it could have important implications for the treatment of many muscle diseases.

When Popeye used to open a can of spinach every time he needed a little extra muscle power, perhaps he was doing the right thing!

FM4 Reality Check

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