Erstellt am: 16. 10. 2015 - 13:54 Uhr

Afghan forces "not up to the job"

Reality Check: US extends troop deployment in Afghanistan, life in Cuba, Manfred Nowak calls for single EU policy on refugees, refugees and human trafficking, saving the British hedgehog

The US has announced it will extend its military presence in Afghanistan beyond the 2016 deadline. The current force of 9.800 will stay in the country until the end of 2016, and 5,500 will stay on past the previous deadline, into 2017.

EPA/RON SACHS

Obama will now not preside over the end of the Afghan war, and at present, an end is not in sight any time soon.

Although not an unexpected move, it means that President Obama will not end the war in his term in office, and whoever is elected in November will take over as the third president to oversee the conflict.

While it seems some political headway is being made with the new Afghan administration under Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the country's military and security forces are still far away from being able to combat the Taliban and other insurgent groups effectively.

Military analyst, Paul Beaver, gives his views on the change in US policy.

EPA/Alejandro Ernesto

Very old cars are a trademark of post-revolutionary Cuba

Life in Cuba

Ahead of tomorrow's Reality Check Special, Johnny Bliss finds out some of the details of daily life in Cuba from a young teacher turned souvenir seller.

EU refugee policy

Human rights lawyer and former UN Special Rapporteur, Manfred Nowak, describes his solutions for the refugee crisis, and explains why a common EU policy based on solidarity is essential.

Refugees and human trafficking

Sarah Craggs of the International Organization for Migration, explains why the refugee crisis is fuelling human trafficking.

Creative Commons

Hedgehogs have been in decline in the UK for over half a century

The decline in English Hedgehogs

50 years ago, there were around 30 million hedgehogs in the UK, but today there are less than one millions.

Faye Vass of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society explains the factors that are threatening the British hedgehog.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, Saturday from 12.00 to 13.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.