World Today

No progress yet in Russia-US talks over Ukraine tensions. We take a look at what's at stake.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi wraps up his first diplomatic trip of 2022. What has been achieved?

20 years have passed since the first prisoners arrived at Guantanamo Bay. Why have attempts to close the prison failed?

Situation in Kazakhstan stabilizes, the president says. What is the aftermath of the violence? US-Russia diplomatic talks kick off amid Ukraine tension. Why are prospects dim? Tianjin starts citywide COVID-19 tests after local omicron cases found. What does this mean for the Winter Olympics? And what is behind the unprecedented group visit of GCC countries to China?

A year ago this week, a mob stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's election victory.

In a speech marking the anniversary of the attack, Biden heavily criticized his predecessor, warning that democracy is at risk.

How vulnerable is the country to another Jan. 6?

Host Zhao Ying spoke with Prof. Lisa Parshall from Daemen College, Prof. Charles Zelden from Nova Southeastern University and Aaron Kall, Director of Debate at University of Michigan.

①Australia and Japan sign landmark defense treaty. University of Bath Professor Timo Kivimaki analyzes its ramifications over Asian stability. ②North Korea confirms hypersonic missile test launch. Dr. Zhao Tong with Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy says it brings new risk to nuclear non-proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. ③ China's FAST telescope detects interstellar magnetic field. Professor Quentin Parker with U. of Hong Kong explains the significance.

①U.S. daily COVID-19 cases surpass record 1 million, but experts say there are probably more. ②One year after the Jan 6th riot, with deep division in society, has the U.S. learned anything? ③EU foreign policy chief visits Ukraine and our guest says the bloc is trying to regain its relevance as a security actor.

①Five nuclear-weapon states vow no arms race in joint statement. ②Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi starts trip to African and Asian nations. ③Iran marks second anniversary of the attack that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

①The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade agreement has come into effect. ②U.S. hits record high number of COVID cases as Omicron spreads. ③Biden vows US will act decisively in case of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year address in Beijing to ring in 2022. What are the highlights? Our host Ge Anna is joined by Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization; Dr. Liu Xicheng, Lecturer at Swansea University; Dr. Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University.

①Biden and Putin will hold telephone call amid rising Ukraine tensions. ②It's been a year since Brexit. How is it all going? ③China announces measures to reduce burden of personal income tax. ④A review of 2021 through words: “Meng Wanzhou” and “pandemic”.

①Biden signs enormous US military budget into law. ②SpaceX Starlink satellites twice came too close to China’s space station, China tells UN chief. ③A review of 2021 through words: “Taiwan” and “Xinjiang”.