Erstellt am: 24. 3. 2015 - 14:30 Uhr

Tsipras and Merkel break the ice

Reality Check: Tsipras-Merkel talks, US-Afghan relations, Austria and smoking, Albie Sachs, being bilingual.

Greece and Germany warming up

EPA/RAINER JENSEN

A thaw in the air at the Berlin talks

The tone of talks between Greek Prime Minster, Alexis Tsipras, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is becoming more conciliatory.

After a meeting last night, there were smiles all around, but but there's still no sign of an agreement. Kerstin Fischer reports from Berlin.

Austria: the ash-tray of Europe

A new study shows that Austria still has some of the worst smoking statistics in Europe. Raya Muttarakand and Nadia Steiber, from the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis, discuss their findings.

Ashraf Ghani in Washington DC

EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Ashraf Ghani is setting a very different tone from Karzai

Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani is on his first official visit to the US capital, and is forging a very different relationship from that of his predecessor, Hamid Karzai.

However, there will be some difficult issues on the table, including the US military presence in Afghanistan.

International Security analyst, Shashank Joshi, explains the significance of the change.

Being bilingual

Language researcher, Panos Athanasopoulos , explains how being bilingual can change your perspectives and even your personality.

Albie Sachs

EPA

Albie Sachs lost an arm and one eye, but never gave up his fight to end aparartheid

"Soft Vengeance" is a film about the remarkable South African lawyer, writer and freedom fighter, Albie Sachs.

Despite torture, imprisonment and even a car bomb attempt on his life, Albie fought tirelessly against apartheid, and played a key role in forming today's South Africa.

He talks to Rosie Waites about his life and the problems still facing his country today.

FM4 Reality Check

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