The Globalist

Crimea votes to join Russia – we get the latest analysis from our correspondents and experts in the region. We also launch our series on cultural diplomacy, discuss the business news in Denmark and review the morning newspapers with Bruno Garcez.

Journalist Paulo Moura explains why a media-blackout war is brewing in Crimea as pro and anti-Russian TV channels vie for prominence in the run-up to Sunday's referendum. We look ahead to the weekend's presidential vote in Slovakia and get the latest business news from Iceland.

A day after thousands of people took to the streets of Istanbul to attend the funeral of a 15-year-old caught up in last year's Gezi Park protests, we assess how far this latest wave of unrest might seep. Plus: journalist David Willey discusses Pope Francis' first year at the helm and we ponder the fate of the Spratly islands in the South China Sea.

The Arab League and Syrian National Coalition meet in Cairo as president Bashar al-Assad shifts his focus to his re-election campaign. We also ask whether Thailand is about to lift its state of emergency and take the temperature of the shoe industry in Milan.

We're in Tokyo as Japan marks three years since the tsunami and earthquake that killed nearly 16,000 people. We also discuss flight safety as the search for flight MH370 continues and in the second episode of our Contested Territories series, Guy De Launey discusses Kosovo.

Our correspondents around Southeast Asia react to the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight 37. We also assess the growth of India's domestic arms industry and begin our series on contested territories around the world.

Bloomberg's Ryan Chilcote explains how freezing the assets of those accused of bringing instability to Ukraine might work. Transport editor Tristan McAllister reports from the Geneva Motor Show and we ask whether Helsinki's new library needs a sauna within its walls.

Ed Blanche assesses the implications of Syria's strikes on neighbouring Lebanon on Wednesday. We also discuss the latest stage of free-trade negotiations between China and Australia and check in with our transport editor at the Geneva Motor Show.

Commentators John Owen and Brett Mason assess the trial of Al Jazeera journalists in Cairo, whose trial resumes today. We also assess the relationship between Japan and Iran as their foreign ministers meet in Tokyo and hear why Norway's prison system has succeeded and failed in equal measure.

We assess the meeting between Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu, look at CNN’s plans to launch a major broadcasting hub in Indonesia and, in the second instalment of our prison series, hear from the US, where terminally ill lifers are cared for by other prisoners.

As world powers urge restraint in Ukraine, Steve Novetsky and Stash Luczkiw assess where the crisis may go next. And as Thailand's protesters vacate the streets of Bangkok, we ask whether it amounts to a victory for embattled prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Plus: we bring you live reaction to this year's Academy Awards ceremony.

We look at the prospects of a possible Russian invasion in Ukraine, hear about a new Australian Saturday newspaper that is going up against some big competitors and get the week's business news from Istanbul.

We discuss the future of Qantas as it struggles to save itself, look at the reasons why China's currency is crashing and preview Serbia's national elections.

Tom Burgess Watson reports on France's extended presence in the CAR, we speak to John Swenson-Wright about the politics of apologies in Japan and we continue our series on global elections with India.

We profile John Tory, who hopes to replace Rob Ford as the mayor of Toronto, find out how Switzerland's latest immigration bill has business leaders worried and go through the day's papers with Adam Hug from London’s Foreign Policy Centre.