Erstellt am: 13. 12. 2013 - 14:50 Uhr

A (very) fresh face in the cabinet

Reality Check: Sebastian Kurz as foreign minister, winter and the war in Syria, North Korea, Catalonia referendum, Nathaniel Rich.

EPA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

Sebastian Kurz becomes Austria's youngest ever minister

Sebastian Kurz is to take over as foreign minister in the new government - but is the 27 year old really able to represent the country on the international stage?

Political Scientist Reinhard Heinisch of Salzburg University looks at the challenges Kurz will face, and the place Austria now holds on the international stage.

EPA/JAMAL NASRALLAH

Syrian refugees face floods and freezing temperatures as winter sets in

Winter and the Syrian war

As winter approaches, conditions are deteriorating for the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees living in temporary accommodation. What will winter mean for them, and for the fighters.

EPA/Rodong Sinmun

Jang Song-thaek was tried and executed in an unprecedented way

North Korea executes senior official

The uncle of North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has been tried and executed for "acts of treachery" in an extraordinary show of force by leader, Kim Jong Un.

While it may send a strong message in the short term, it may not work in the leader's favour in the future.

Professor Rüdiger Frank from the University of Vienna explains why this latest development is so significant.

EPA/ALEJANDRO GARCIA

Catalonian regional President Artur Mas announced the referendum to the press

Catalonia referendum

Spain says it will block Catalonia's plans to hold an referendum on independence in November next year.

Guy Hedgecoe reports from Madrid on the two sides and how it is likely to be resolved.

Creative Commons

Rich says being a novelist is not as glamorous as you might think

Nathaniel Rich

American novelist Nathaniel Rich has produced his first three successful novels - but it's taken him well over a decade.

Nathaniel talks to Chris Cummins about the realities of life as a writer.

FM4 Reality Check

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