Russia
Russia pledges continued military support for Bashar al-Assad
As Vladamir Putin vows to continue support for Syria's military, it's emerged that the offer to have Syria's dictator step aside was made three years ago, but it was ignored. Audio
Record-setting cosmonaut back on Earth
Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka has spent more time in space than anyone else - 879 days over five missions.
More foreign pork on menu for NZ
Russia's new import sanctions are pushing more foreign pork into New Zealand, an industry body says.
Some Russian dairy import restrictions to be lifted
Russian authorities are lifting restrictions on some New Zealand dairy products - two years after the Fonterra botulism scare. Audio
Russia rejects MH17 tribunal
The United Nations' Security Council is voting on a bid for an international tribunal to prosecute those suspected of downing the Malaysian Airlines plane, MH17, over the Ukraine last year. Audio
One less independent voice in Russia, as journalist is forced to quit
After working as a foreign correspondent in Russia for 30 years Helen Womack has been blacklisted by the authorities and forced to stop working as a journalist, so she's decided to leave. We speak to… Audio
Beware the killer selfie Russian police warn youth
Beware the killer selfie is the message from police to Russian youth after a dozens of deaths related to self photography attempted while performing dangerous stunts. Audio
Peter Pomerantsev: Putin’s Russia
Senior fellow at the Legatum Institute who spent nine years as a television producer in Russia. He writes for The Atlantic and the London Review of Books, and is the author of Nothing Is True and… Audio
Shostakovich - the Strains of Cinema
Michael Vinten looks at Shostakovich's film-scores. Audio
Estonia
Editor-in-chief of online magazine Estonian World, Silver Tambur reports from the Baltic region of Northern Europe, the Republic of Estonia, pop. 1,315,819 (est. 2014). Dealing with Russian… Audio
On the streets of hard labour with Mary Ocher
The Moscow born musician and performance artist on standing out and staying fresh. Audio
Making Sense of Carnage
In 1915 the British and French allies wanted to seize the Dardanelle Straits to allow their navies to get to Constantinople and defeat the Turks. Their attempt was a disaster. Audio
Western sanctions will strengthen Russia - Putin
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, says he expects Russia to return to growth within two years, despite Western sanctions. Audio
Vanuatu seeks Russian assistance with rebuild
Vanuatu says it is pleased with Russia's offer of assistance with the relief effort after cyclone Pam and has asked Russia to assist in the reconstruction phase.
US won't say if Russia was behing cyber attacks
US officials have insisted a cyber attack late last year did not compromise White House classified systems, but refused to confirm reports Russia was behind the breach. Audio
Russia promises Vanuatu more aid
The Vanuatu foreign minister, Sato Kilman, and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, have discussed further aid assistance at a meeting in Moscow.
Spying, mass surveillance, and code names from Monty Python
The UK journalist discusses the extraordinary story of Edward Snowden, and considers the action of spy agencies and their mass surveillance of populations the world over. Harding's interaction with… Audio
Crimea Peninsula has 'returned to its homeland'
Crimea's Prime Minister says the peninsula has finally returned to its homeland of Russia. Audio
Nemtsov murder accused coerced into confession
The main suspect in the shooting of Russian opposition politician, Boris Nemtsov, says he was forced into making a confession. Audio
Putin admits ordering Crimea annexation
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has admitted for the first time that he ordered the annexation of the Ukrainian province of Crimea last year. Audio
