大象传媒

Alan Johnston introduces insight and analysis from 大象传媒 correspondents around the world. In this edition, Conor Woodman hears why some Laotians don't welcome the new flood of Chinese investment in their country, while Chloe Arnold hears the life and love stories of the Russian women who came to Algeria during the Soviet era.

"Place your bets": China gambles on (and in) Laos

China's new economic might is having an impact around the world. We've heard of Chinese businessmen striking deals in the mines of the Australian Outback to the chicken markets of Africa. They're also spending money much closer to home too, in South-East Asia.

But as Conor Woodman has been finding out, their investments in Laos have sometimes been controversial. The neighbours don't always welcome the coming of the Chinese.

Marooned on a distant shore by the tides of history

A few weeks ago, Russians marked the anniversary of their historic defeat of Nazi Germany. As always, there was a victory parade with tanks rumbling across the cobblestones of Red Square. Across what used to be the Soviet Union, champagne was drunk in celebration.

Also marking the date was a group of still-patriotic exiles in Algeria. Our correspondent, Chloe Arnold was with them, and she explains how these Russian women came to be so far from home.