Erstellt am: 29. 10. 2012 - 14:14 Uhr

"Frankenstorm" closes in on the East Coast

Reality Check: Hurricane Sandy, Austrian citizenship proposals, Greek ultra-rich exposed, social business

It's being called "Frankenstorm", and it looks as though the combination of hurricane Sandy and a winter storm moving in from the west is likely to put the east coast's civil defences, as well as the presidential candidates, to the test.

New Yorkers, who had become rather blasé after Hurricane Irene did not turn into the catastrophic storm predicted, have finally got the message that Sandy will almost certainly be a "biggy". Shops are selling out of food as people prepare to stay indoors for several days, and over 300.000 people have left their homes.

On the official level, the authorities are not taking any risks. Over 7.200 flights have been cancelled, the subways have been closed, trains have stopped running, schools are closed and everyone is holding their breath.

President Obama has cancelled his campaigning engagements to return to the White House to monitor the storm, which could, in fact, be the make or break factor in the elections.

If the president is seen to act swiftly and effectively in reponse to the storm, that could sway undecided voters his way. If he's seen not to handle it well, it could lose him the election.

Sandy is expected to make landfall tonight at around midnight local time (around 5a.m. tomorrow, C.E.T.). On today's Reality Check, David Kriegleder reports from New York about how people are preparing, and Priscilla Huff looks at the potential political fallout for the presidential candidates.

• Kurz's citizenship proposals

Analysis of Sebastien Kurz's proposals to change the citizenship laws for well integrated immigrants.

• Greek journalist whistleblower

The Greek journalist was arrested after released the names of 2.000 of Greece's ultra-rich who are holding bank accounts in Switzerland and are accused of tax evasion.

• Next generation social business

The importance of new blood in the world of social business. Hans Reitz talks about the next generation of social entrepreneurs ahead of the Global Social Business Summit in Vienna.

FM4 Reality Check

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