The Syrian rebel stronghold of Aleppo is almost encircled now by Bashar al-Assad's forces. Foreign Affairs Correspondent Ruadhán Mac Cormaic details how the tide has turned against the rebels and the major role played by Russia.

In part two, Paris Correspondent Lara Marlowe explains why the French are up in arms about changes to their spelling.

Plus: Bernie Sanders is the best known American socialist, but he's not the only one. Seattle city council member Kshama Sawant was in Dublin last week and spoke with Paddy about life on the left in the U.S.A. and why Bernie is wrong to run as a Democrat.