Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid fifty times more potent than heroin, is fueling the worst drug crisis in the US. Preliminary CDC data shows over 109,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdose in 2022, a new record. That’s equivalent to one person dying every five minutes.

The skyrocketing death rate and the $1.5 trillion annual cost to the economy are driving a national debate on how to solve the crisis. This week, the House of Representatives passed a bill looking to make permanent harsh criminal penalties on fentanyl-related drugs. However, many health experts don’t support this approach, suggesting it will only make things worse.

Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Joseph Siracusa, Dean of Global Futures with Curtin University; Rick Dunham, former White House reporter of Businessweek, and Co-director of Global Business Journalism Program at Tsinghua University; Harvey Dzodin, Former Vice President of ABC TV network, and Senior Fellow of the Center for China and Globalization.

Panel: Can America contain its fentanyl crisis?

With in-depth panel discussions on domestic and global news and current affairs, World Today gives you the story behind the headlines.

News

①Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for Chongqing to further deepen reforms and opening up across the board and to constantly write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. (00:48) ②Police have arrested students in several top U.S. universities amid wide-spread pro-Palestinian protests. (12:00) ③China's State Council stresses the need to improve the function of capital markets in the country's modernization drive. (25:30) ④The UK government's effort to send migrants to Rwanda has won approval in Parliament. (35:55) ⑤China targets Thursday evening to launch its Shenzhou-18 manned mission to the Tiangong Space Station. (44:48)

Pro-Palestinian protests sweep across U.S. universities

①China says it welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit and will focus on five key missions in the bilateral talks.(00:53) ②Nearly 200 navy representatives from dozens of countries gather this week in eastern China to attend the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao.(14:10) ③China's general public budget revenue sustained recovery momentum during the first quarter of this year.(25:01) ④The main ruling party in the Maldives, the People's National Congress, has won the country's parliamentary election.(34:38) ⑤The World Anti-Doping Agency has defended its decision to clear 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned heart medication ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.(43:56)

What can we expect from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's China trip?

①Visiting Phnom Penh, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China is ready to work with Cambodia to strengthen cooperation in building the bilateral community with a shared future. What's the latest? (00:53) ②The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a 95 billion dollar legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. What are the details? (12:48) ③China responds to western accusations of new industry overcapacity.(25:20) ④The International Monetary Fund has warned that huge U.S. fiscal deficits pose "significant risk" to the global economy.(37:42) ⑤Indians go to the poll for the country's general election.(44:20)

What's in the 95 billion dollar foreign aid package just approved by U.S. House?

The 4th China International Consumer Products Expo has just concluded in Hainan.

Themed on sharing opportunities and creating a better life, the expo attracted over 4000 brands from 71 countries and regions.

How does the event reflect China's latest consumption trends and market landscape? What are the prospects for China’s consumption growth, and how will it impact businesses both domestically and internationally?

Host Zhao Ying is joined by Subramania Bhatt, Founder and CEO of China Trading Desk; Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Dr. Digby James Wren, Senior Special Advisor and Director of the Mekong Research Center at the International Relations Institute, Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Panel: Hainan Expo: Can consumption fuel China's economic growth?

① China says it firmly opposes a US investigation into China’s policies in shipbuilding and maritime logistics industries. We take a look at the politics behind the probe as well as Biden’s call for tripling tariffs on Chinese steel. (00:59)
② What’s at stake in Chinese foreign minister’s six-day trip to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea? (15:29)
③ The US and the Philippines have announced plans to carry out their first-ever joint military exercises outside the Philippines’ territorial waters. We explore the possible danger that could be associated with the drill. (24:41)
④ China recorded a robust rebound in inbound and outbound trips in the first quarter of 2024. What has driven it? (34:51)
⑤ The US has returned dozens of ancient cultural artifacts to China. We take a look at artifact repatriation cooperation between the two countries. (43:36)

Panel: Can America contain its fentanyl crisis?

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