Erstellt am: 21. 5. 2013 - 14:42 Uhr

The real risks of "Tornado Alley"

Reality Check: Oklahoma tornado, record levels of CO2, what the US wants in Syria, UK gay marriage bill, the Arctic and Asia

A deadly tornado has ripped through a suburb of Oklahoma, flattening homes and killing nearly 100 people.

EPA/OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD

The Plaza Tower Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma was reduced to rubble

The town, called Moore, has been hit 4 times by tornadoes in the last 15 years, so questions are being asked as to why local authorities continue to build in what is called "tornado alley".

However, closer examination shows that while tornadoes are frequent and ferocious, their trail of devastation is usually limited to a fairly small area. Furthermore, the "tornado alley" area is very large, so the chances of any one location being hit are relatively small.

Riem Higazi talks to Dr Andrew Barrett about the facts and figures of Tornado Alley and the risks faced by the people living there.

CO2 critical level reached

Record levels of CO2 have been recorded in the atmosphere, reaching 400 particles per million - a concentration that has not been seen of over three million years. Jamie Henn of 350.org explains why this level is significant and the importance of reducing it now.

Syria and the US

What does the US wants to happen in Syria? Analyst Rime Allaf looks at the contradictory positions of the USA on Syria, and the impact this has had on the conflict.

UK gay marriage bill splits the government

EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Our London correspondent, Olly Barratt, looks at the debate going on around the controversial gay marriage bill, and the fallout this is having on David Cameron.

Arctic geopolitics

The Arctic Council is currently made up of the USA, Canada, Russia, and the Nordic Countries - but now a number of Asian countries want to join the list.

Charles Emmerson, the author of "The Future History of the Arctic" explains why the appeal of the Arctic is spreading around the world.

FM4 Reality Check

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