World Today

Human rights issues often make headlines around the world especially in the year of 2020 amid the ravaging COVID 19 pandemic. But certain questions still need to be answered, such as, how should we address Human rights problems without politicizing them? Do countries have different priorities or understanding of it? And what guides the practice of human rights?

①H&M under fire in China over refusal to use Xinjiang cotton. ②Antony Blinken calls on NATO allies to counter China, but says the US won't force them into choosing between Washington and Beijing. ③North Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles in challenge to Biden.

①China issues report on human rights violations in US. ②China, Russia sign joint document on global governance. ③EU set to curb Covid vaccine exports for 6 weeks.

①China announces retaliatory sanctions against EU individuals and organizations. ②China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit 6 Asian countries starting this week.

①Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calls for high-level Russian-Sino cooperation against US hegemony. ②Demonstrators rally across the US against violence targeting Asian Americans. ③Vaccine battle heats up with EU ready to halt UK shipments.

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

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

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

① White House confirms having reached out to DPRK, received no response. ② More countries suspend AstraZeneca vaccinations over blood clot fears. ③ Heavy sandstorm turns Beijing sky yellow.

① U.S. top diplomatic and military officials visit Japan, ROK. ② China urges Myanmar to protect safety of Chinese nationals, companies. ③ China condemns G7's statement against HSKAR's electoral reform. ④ Syrian war: 10 years on.

China has adopted decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system with an overwhelming majority vote at the National People's Congress on Thursday. Will the improvement of HK’s electoral system bring stability back to the city? Or is it an attack on HK's democracy?

①Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets the press after the closing of the annual NPC session. ②Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva returns to political fray as court cases are tossed.

①Washington confirms direct engagement between US and Chinese diplomats. ②EU and Britain trade barbs in row over Covid-19 "vaccine nationalism". ③China's top political advisory body wraps up annual session.

①Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns of "national emergency", saying that China is 10 times ahead of the US in 5G. ②Vice Premier Han Zheng says housing problem in Hong Kong needs to be solved. ③Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview raised questions about entrenched racism in the royal family.

①Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China is ready to work with the US to put bilateral ties back on the right track. ②US, EU suspend tariffs imposed in Boeing-Airbus Dispute. ③Chinese lawmakers propose changes to Hong Kong's electoral system.

China has set an economic growth target of at least 6% for 2021. Premier Li Keqiang unveiled the target as part of a central government work report delivered to the National People’s Congress. China's top legislature is currently holding its annual meeting. In addition to general GDP target, the annual report also addresses many other economic goals like job creation, budget deficit and inflation. What does the report tell us about China’s short and long-term visions?

①China's top political advisory body starts annual session. ②US Secretary of State Antony Blinken describes China as the "biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century." ③CDC chief says China will have enough vaccines to achieve herd immunity. ④South Korea's fertility rate falls to lowest in the world.

①US and EU impose sanctions on Russia over Navalny's poisoning. ②Top China, US experts share views on future public health systems. ③Chinese mainland clarifies that the temporary ban on Taiwan's pineapples is a "scientific biosecurity measure".

①Top Chinese scientists say US and China should join forces to find the animal host of coronavirus. ②China slams UK's remarks on decision to charge 47 Hong Kong activists. ③China to issues report on human rights violations in US.

①Iran rejects offer of direct talks with the US on nuclear deal. ②Chinese investment in Australia plunged by 61% in 2020 amid tensions. ③Donald Trump returns to political stage, hinting at 2024 run at conservative conference.

Human rights theory and practices have been constantly evolving. What should be among the most basic or important human rights? Who gets to pick them? And has the concept been heavily guided by a small number of mostly Western nations?

① Xi: China contributes to the world's effort in extreme poverty eradication. ② Biden signs executive order targeting America’s supply chains in critical areas. ③ Chinese vaccine draws demand across Latin America.

① U.S. seeking seat on UN Human Rights Council: Blinken. ② EU to impose fresh round of sanctions on Russia over Navalny jailing. ③ Biden speaks with Trudeau - virtually - for his first bilateral meeting.

① Reviving Hong Kong: 'Patriots governing HK' key to 'One Country, Two Systems'. ② China backs India’s hosting of BRICS summit this year. ③ Wang Yi stresses ‘people-centered’ human rights philosophy at UNHRC.

① U.S. reaches grim milestone of 500,000 Covid deaths. ② Chinese FM Wang Yi calls for 'the healthy and steady development of China-U.S. relations'. ③ Biden declares the transatlantic alliance is back in Munich Speech.

① China honors soldiers martyred in June's China-India border conflict. ② Biden launches foreign policy at G7. ③ U.S. says ready for talks with Iran on nuclear issue.

①China calls for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines. ②Spring Festival movie-going season breaks records in China amid fast recovery of box office. ③Donald Trump declares war on Republican senate minority leader Mitch McConnell.

①China overtakes US as EU's largest trading partner. ②New global Covid cases fell 16% last week, says WHO.

①Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala makes history as World Trade Organization's new leader. ②Putin accuses the West of using Navalny to "contain" Russia.

①WHO experts slam NYT report on China trip, saying they were "misquoted". ②Donald Trump acquitted in second impeachment trial.

Today is New Year's Day on the Lunar calendar. It is now the Year of the Ox on the Chinese zodiac. The occasion is meant to be spent with family and friends, but the coronavirus pandemic means that celebrations around the world are looking different.

① Xi, Biden talk over the phone. ② Mexico grants emergency use of two Chinese COVID-19 vaccines. ③ Stay-at-home economy to shine during Spring Festival.

① WHO says 'extremely unlikely' virus leaked from lab in China. ② Trump impeachment trial Day 1: Senate says trial is constitutional. ③ China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission is arriving at the red planet. ④ Number of registered newborns in China drops 15% in 2020

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts China-Central and Eastern European countries Summit. Germany, Poland and Sweden expel three Russian diplomats in a coordinated retaliation. The European Union may follow Australia’s lead on making Google and Facebook pay for news. Is taxing the rich the way to fix inequality?

① Biden foresees ‘extreme competition’ with China, not ‘conflict’. ② Chinese-made vaccines help more countries combat COVID-19. ③ China issues new anti-monopoly rules to protect fair market competition. ④ TikTok plans e-commerce expansion with new features in the US.

Biden announced "America is back" and asserted a broad reset of American foreign policy. How does his foreign-policy agenda shape up? And what’s his plan for leading the world to meet challenges of the 21st century?

①Washington says commitment to one-China policy "has not changed". ②European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen says Covid vaccines from Russia and China could be approved for use in the bloc if they show "all the data". ③Microsoft says it would never "threaten to leave" Australia after Google said it could withdraw search engine.

①President Xi Jinping calls for intellectual property protection to stimulate innovation. ②Study shows two Chinese vaccines remained active against the variant first found in South Africa, but their effect appeared weaker. ③Former president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi set to form new Italian government.

①Senior Chinese diplomat says China is ready to work with US to strengthen ties. ②Myanmar's military tightens grip on power, amid calls for Aung San Suu Kyi to be freed. ③Germany considering Russian and Chinese vaccines to boost COVID inoculation drive.

①WHO criticizes EU over vaccine export controls. ②UK applies to join trans-Pacific trade bloc. ③China launches national carbon emissions trading scheme.

The EU and the UK are fighting over COVID-19 vaccines. German MEP Peter Liese has raised the prospect of a possible vaccine trade war. But could there be any winners? And will poorer countries which are already at the back of the line for vaccines face even longer waits?

① French president says modern capitalism 'can no longer work'. ② Boris Johnson to visit Scotland, aim to solve independence dilemma. ③ Britain and EU clash over claims to AstraZeneca vaccine.

① Global COVID-19 cases surpass 100 million. ② Russia, US extend arms pact as Biden, Putin talk. ③ Chinese Ambassador: China hopes new US govt to show rationality, sincerity on bilateral ties.

① Davos 2021: Xi's speech pivotal to multilateral cooperation. ② Scotland’s leader vows to push for second independence vote. ③ Hi-tech hub Guangdong sees higher education investments boom.

① Delay in Pfizer vaccine shipments frustrate Europe, Canada. ② Joe Biden stresses COVID, climate change in first calls with foreign leaders. ③ Pacific island nations turn to AIIB as pandemic sinks economies.

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday. He made a plea for national unity in his inaugural address as economic, health and political crises grip the nation. So Will President Biden put the nation back together? How will he handle these crisis with Trumpism lives on?

①Joe Biden takes office, moving quickly to implement agenda. ②China's actual use of foreign investment hits record high in 2020 amid global recession. ③WHO says three COVID-19 vaccines are under final review for emergency use.

Biden to be sworn in as Trump leaves White House. What will be Trump's legacy? As Kim Jong Un calls for a boost in national defense at party congress, what does that mean to the global community?

①WHO warns of global "moral failure" over vaccine inequality. ②Trump orders lifting of virus travel ban, Biden team vows to block the move. ③Russian court orders opposition leader Alexei Navalny to jail for 30 days.

①China's economy grows 2.3% in 2020. ②Foreign Minister Wang Yi stresses regional solidarity and cooperation as he wraps up visits to Southeast Asian countries. ③German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party picks Armin Laschet as new leader. ④Russia withdraws from Open Skies Treaty after US departure.

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

President Donald Trump no longer has a Twitter or Facebook account after both platforms banned him for his role in inciting a lethal riot at the U.S. Capitol last week. Apple, Google, and Amazon have all taken steps to clamp down on Parler, an alt-tech social media platform used by many of Trump’s most fervent right-wing supporters. Have tech companies gone too far in banning Trump? And whose job is it to define and enforce what is beyond the boundaries of free speech?

① Trump impeached for a second time, what is the future for Trumpism? ② Uganda is ready for presidential elections under internet blackout. ③ China demands Meng Wanzhou’s return after bullets were sent to her Vancouver home.

①Pompeo cancels last diplomatic trip after European officials snub him in wake of Capitol riot. ②WHO experts tasked with investigating the origin of the novel coronavirus will arrive in Wuhan on Thursday. ③Declassification of secret document reveals US strategy in the Indo-Pacific. ④Canada joins Britain in banning imports it claims were made by Chinese forced labor in Xinjiang.

① US democratic drive to impeach Trump after Capitol siege speeds ahead. ② Germany’s Angela Merkel says Trump Twitter ban ’problematic’. ③ US declares Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism. ④ Interview with WHO expert coming to China on COVID-19 origins.

① Wang Yi wraps up his trip to Africa, to visit Myanmar, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. ② China opposes any form of official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan. ③ U.S. Democrats ready for second Trump impeachment over Capitol violence. ④ New variant of coronavirus detected in Japan.

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

The world saw riots in Washington DC on Wednesday as thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Hill hoping to prevent the Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election win. A day later, Donald Trump condemned the violence through a video. Of course, what he didn’t mention is that it was him that told his supporters that they should walk to the Capitol to protest the election results. We look at the political chaos in the US less than two weeks before January 20.

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

①Democrats win one Senate seat in Georgia, while second race is still too close to call. ②World Bank projects China's economy to grow by 7.9% in 2021. ③China's Hebei province enters wartime mode as COVID-19 cases rise. ④Trump issues new ban on Alipay and other Chinese apps.

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

①Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi starts official visits to five African countries. ②Donald Trump, in leaked audio tape, pressured Georgia official to "find" votes to overturn election. ③Thousands march in Baghdad to mark a year since the assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. ④In Beijing, vaccination starts for high-risk groups.

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

2020 has ended with plenty of defining moments we'll always remember, and some painful ones we'd rather forget. We look back at what shaped the world in the past year, and look ahead to what could await us in 2021.

① Chinese President Xi Jinping to give 2021 New Year speech. ② China, EU complete investment agreement negotiations. ③ China’s milestone Civil Code will take effect from start of 2021.

① China's priorities for 2021 rural work: Rural vitalization and food security. ② Chinese Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine shows 79% efficacy. ③ US reports its first known case of new Covid variant. ④ Argentina approves law allowing abortion in the predominantly catholic nation. ⑤ 2020 in review, China's energy strategy.

① Xi and Putin exchange New Year greetings, reaffirm cooperation. ② U.S. House approves $2,000 COVID aid checks sought by Trump. ③ China adopts an amendment to its criminal law to intensify crackdowns on securities and futures crimes. ④ 2020 in review, China's fight against COVID-19.

① Global COVID 19 cases top 80 million, doctors fear the worst is yet to come. ② The year in review, China’s anti-poverty efforts. ③ Trump signs massive COVID-19 relief and spending package ④ The UK becomes world's fifth-largest economy again, but raising concerns of deep recession after Brexit.

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

The UK and European Union have reached a post-Brexit trade deal. The breakthrough averts a "no-deal" scenario which would have caused major disruption to the flow of goods. While the deal is giving British Prime Minister Boris Johnson a spiritual boost, Brain continues to grapple with the pandemic. Reports about a new Covid-19 variant have prompted Johnson to impose a severe Christmas lockdown, reversing an earlier promise. We take a look at how Covid and Brexit dominate the UK’s 2020 Christmas.