World Today

Putin recognize two "independent republics" in east Ukraine's Donbas. Is war inevitable? Why is Hong Kong seeing higher COVID-19 case counts? And10 Days to go for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, how well-prepared is the host city?

50th anniversary of Nixon’s visit to China, will it shine a light on the fraught China-US ties? How likely will the Putin-Biden "in Principle" Summit take place? Why is the UK scrapping COVID-19 self-isolation rules? And Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Review: "One World, One Family."

Americans are quitting their jobs in record numbers, rethinking their career plans and their way of life.

Economists call it "The Great Resignation".

On Reddit, an "antiwork" community went viral during the pandemic.

What’s going on? Is Covid-19 a wake-up call for Americans? Will it shift the power between capital and labor?

Host Zhao Ying is joined by Prof. Marc Weinstein from Florida International University, Prof. Chris Brewster from University of Reading, Prof. Chris Rowley from City, University of London and Prof. Michael Powers from Tsinghua University.

①Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron discuss China-France ties and the Ukraine issue in phone conversation. What has been achieved? ②The International Olympic Committee reports that Beijing 2022 is the most watched and digitally engaged Winter Games ever. What contributed to this achievement? ③Hong Kong battles a serious wave of COVID-19. What's the latest?

①Ukraine urges more effort to de-escalate tension with Russia. What's the latest across the Russia-Ukraine border? ②Sandy Hook families reach $73 million settlement with gunmaker Remington. What's the significance of the settlement? ③South Korea's presidential election campaign kicks off. Who are in the race and how competitive is it?

① Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declares public order emergency to end truck blockades. Does the protest in Canada carry the risk of spreading to other parts of the world? ② We talk to the Director of Sustainability of the International Olympic Committee about efforts that have gone into environmental protection at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. ③ Russia's Defense Ministry has announced the start of a pullback of some of its forces along its border with Ukraine. Is that a sign of easing tension?

① Ukrainian and U.S. presidents discuss security situation over phone. Will it ease the tension across the Ukraine border? ② Afghan central bank calls for reversal of U.S. decision on splitting Afghanistan assets. We talk to an Afghan professor about his thoughts on the U.S. decision. ③ China's foreign ministry spokesperson said no one has a better claim to "master of coercion" title than the U.S., when responding to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's claim that China coerced Australia by economic means.

China’s diplomatic efforts continue even as its people celebrate Spring Festival, the country’s most important holiday, and watch the Beijing Winter Olympics. Chinese officials have met with their counterparts from Russia, Argentina, Pakistan, and other nations. How will these meetings shape China’s diplomacy in 2022? Host Ge Anna is joined by Fiona Edwards, a member of the Organizing Committee of the No Cold War campaign; Zoon Ahmed Khan, Research Fellow with the Center for China and Globalization; and Dr. He Wenping, Senior Research Fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

As the truckers' protest in Canada continues, we look at how it is inspiring copycat protests in other parts of the world. China voices support for Argentina's sovereignty claim over Islas Malvinas. What's behind the sovereignty dispute? And we take a look at an article published by MIT Technology Review about Shi Zhengli, China's bat woman, to see how she has become the victim of a Western political witch hunt.

Moscow dismisses Emmanuel Macron's claim that Putin pledged not to escalate Ukraine crisis. What's behind the contradictory statements? US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Australia and Fiji. We look at why he is heading to the Pacific region amid the Ukraine crisis. EU plans multi-billion euro boost for chip production to ease supply disruptions. Will this lead to a subsidy race in the semiconductor industry?