Erstellt am: 3. 6. 2014 - 15:33 Uhr

Assad "consolidating his gains"

Reality Check: Syria presidential elections; Spain abdication; Palestinian unity government; Oxfam warning on South Sudan; Into the Blue - Austria

EPA/SANA

Assad is expected to be elected to a third presidential term

Syria election

Syria is holding elections today amid heavy criticism that any results will be meaningless, and can only serve to exacerbate the turmoil in the country.

With the strongest rebel factions being the Islamic extremists, and the secular rebels on the retreat, President Assad is confident of winning by a large majority, and maybe, in time, the civil war. Analyst, Paul Rogers, discusses the implications of today's vote and the events of the last year.

Protests as Spain's king abdicates

King Juan Carlos is standing down in favour of his son, Felipe, but while Felipe is generally popular, the move has provoked protests against the monarchy.

EPA/ATEF SAFADI

The Palestinian government of technocrats was sworn in by President Abbas

Palestinian unity government

A rift is developing between the US and Israel over the new Palestinian unity government, which was sworn in yesterday.

Impending famine in South Sudan

Oxfam's report on the crisis looming in South Sudan as more and more people are displaced by the internal conflict.

EPA/HANS PUNZ

How pure are Austria's waterways?

Into the Blue

As a part of FM4's focus on water, Dr Helmut Burscher of Global 2000, looks at the quality of Austria's water.

FM4 Reality Check

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