Erstellt am: 30. 11. 2012 - 14:23 Uhr

The new "observer state" at the UN

Reality Check: new status for Palestinians, fiscal cliff, Syria, the missing trillions, film director Matthieu Bron

The United Nations has voted overwhelmingly to upgrade the Palestinan status from "observer entity" to "observer state". The news is being welcomed with celebrations in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, but in not Israel.

David Witzthum reports on Israeli reaction and why this vote comes as a very bad time for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The fiscal cliff

US politial and economic analyst Stephen Hill explains how Barack Obama is trying to get his own way on the "fiscal cliff" and why it should not be compared to Europe's financial problems.

Syrian violence

Two Austrian soldiers have been injured in fighting around Damascus airport as their convoy they were tavelling in was attacked. There is also a widespread telecommunications blackout across Syria, which some people say indicates the Assad regime is about to launch a major attack on the rebel strongholds. Security analyst Paul Rogers gives his view of the latest developments and the risks that face peacekeeping forces in times of crisis.

The missing trillions

The Tax Justice Network says betweem 20 and 30 TRILLION dollars - equal to the GDP of the United States and Japan combined - is hidden away in offshore accounts. The author of the report, James Henry, tells Joanna King how this situation has arisen and what can be done about it.

Matthieu Bron

Director Mattheiu Bron talks to Joanna Bostock about his film Body and Soul which follows the lives of 3 young people in Mozambique with physical disabilities and how they deal with the challenges of their daily lives.

However, he says the film is not about disability, but about life and love.

Body and Soul was supported by Licht for die Welt and is being screened this Sunday in Vienna at the Filmcasino in the 5th district. Doors open at 10 a.m, the film starts at 1030 and entrance is free.

FM4 Reality Check

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