Erstellt am: 20. 1. 2015 - 15:19 Uhr

Japanese hostages next in line?

Reality Check: Boots on the ground and Japanese hostages in Iraq, Libya and its oil, TTIP, Armenia shooting, avalanche safety.

Further escalation in Iraq

For a long time we've been told there are not, and will not be, "boots on the ground" in Iraq. Just to be clear what I mean here, "boots on the ground" is the expression that has been adopted to mean western boots, on the feet of western combat troops.

If that is the case, who were those Canadians who were involved in an exchange of fire with Islamic State militants? It's also being reported that the incident was the first ground battle involving Western troops in Iraq, by which it is meant the first ground battle in the current war. However, where one war stopped and the next one started is unclear.

Security analyst, Shashank Joshi, says it's now clear that whatever the official line may be, boots are on the ground, and have been for some time. However, the progress they are making is definitely unclear.

"Preposterous" demand for Japanese hostages

EPA/KHALED ELFIQI

Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is pledging to rescue the Japanese hostages

With two more hostages appearing on an Islamic State video alongside an I.S. militant demanding 200 million dollars, there's no sign that they are backing down. The latest hostages are Japanese citizens who, according to I.S., were taken in revenge for Japan's support of the states fighting against the militants, but they may have just been the first hostages to hand as I.S. revives its propaganda campaign. As Shashank says, it's unlikely they have any expectation that such a high ransom will be paid - but it will bring attention back to the region.

Libya and its oil

Political chaos and major security problems continue to plague Libya, but somehow it's oil supply to the world is unaffected. Malcolm Bracken, is an investment manager at Redmayne-Bentley, explains why the oil keeps on flowing.

EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

Cecilia Malmstrom

TTIP

The EU's Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom is in Vienna today for discussions with parliamentarians and the general public on the controversial free trade deal between the EU and US. However, with feelings running high on both sides, it seems unlikely she will be able to change any opinions.

Editor in Chief of Forbes Austria, Hans Weitmayr, discusses the visit and its implications.

Armenia Shooting

The shooting of an Armenian family by a Russian soldier who had deserted from his barracks has led to major protests on the streets. Alexei Korolyov reports.

Chris Cummins

Freeride Weeks coordinator, Matthias Mayr

The ever present danger of avalanches

After two people died in an avalanche in St. Anton yesterday in the latest skiing tragedy this season.

Chris Cummins looks at the ever present danger and why this winter, despite the warm weather, is no different.

FM4 Reality Check

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