World Today

Russia has announced it will stop abiding by the now-defunct INF treaty with the United States.The announcement came just days after Trump ordered the repositioning of two nuclear submarines in response to what he called "threatening comments" from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia's security council.Is this the beginning of a new nuclear arms race? What happens when nuclear posturing, once considered a taboo topic, plays out over social media between world leaders? And eighty years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have we forgotten the reality of nuclear war and the moral restraint that once held it at bay?Host Zhao Ying is joined by Kamal Makili-Aliyev, Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Joseph Siracusa, Professor of Global Futures, Curtin University in Australia, Zhang Xin, Deputy Director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University.

① China’s July exports sharply topped market expectations and imports recorded the biggest jump in a year. How strongly has foreign trade supported China’s economy so far this year? (00:53)② US President Donald Trump is threatening to impose a 100% tariff on foreign semiconductors. Can the US restore its past chip manufacturing capacity through tariffs or other means? (14:23)③ Why is “Dead to Rights”, a film about the Nanjing Massacre, dominating China’s summer box office? (24:37)④ A conversation with Jim Rogers, an investor and author, on China’s attractiveness to foreign investors over the next five years. (34:52)⑤ Italy has given its final approval for a landmark bridge linking Sicily to the mainland. Why has Italy waited for almost six decades for its approval? (43:21)

① The UN has warned against possible full Israeli military takeover of Gaza. Why is Israel’s capability to sustain a long-term occupation of Gaza questionable? (00:54)② Will Poland face years of political deadlock under its new president Karol Nawrocki? (14:23)③ We take a look at a robots-focused shopping festival in Beijing, and the industry behind it. (25:02)④ A conversation with the executive director of the United Nations Office for Project Services on global climate governance. (36:15)⑤ The mayor of Japan’s Nagoya is seeking to resume exchanges with China’s Nanjing after a years-long suspension over his predecessor’s denial of Nanjing Massacre. What efforts should be made to achieve this goal? (45:12)

① President Xi Jinping has called for absorbing netizens’ opinions in formulating China’s next five-year plan. How does China integrate seeking advices from the public with its top-level decision-making process? (00:54)② Several Chinese government bodies have held mid-year meetings to better support economic growth for the rest of the year. We explore their key messages. (13:02)③ Japan has clinched a $6.5 billion deal to build Australia’s next-generation warships. With a military export ban no longer in place, is Japan moving further away from its postwar pacifism? (24:57)④ Moscow says it is anticipating talks with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff later this week. We explore the ongoing bargain between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war. (34:27)⑤ The global roller-coaster ride of Donald Trump’s tariffs has entered its latest phase. Is America really winning? (43:10)

① Hamas says it is prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions. Is Israel likely to accept Hamas’s conditions? (00:54)② US employment growth was weaker than expected in July. Will the weaker figure put a September interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve back on the table? (13:47)③ FBI plans to open an office in New Zealand to counter Chinese influence. Why could this move undermine regional peace and stability? (24:53)④ China’s 2025 summer box office has exceeded 7 billion yuan. What is driving the strong performance? (34:18)⑤ South Korea has begun removing propaganda loudspeakers along the border with North Korea. Is it possible to reestablish dialogue between the two sides? (44:22)

Fueled by rising consumption and attractive packages offered by tourism authorities, this summer promises to be a bumper season for tourism in China. Railway trips from July to August are projected to exceed 950 million, up 6% year-on-year. Group tour bookings have jumped over 35%, and a national campaign will feature 39,000 cultural events. Meanwhile, outbound travel is also surging — visa applications for countries like Italy, Norway, and Germany are up over 80%. What does this summer’s travel frenzy reveal about the evolving patterns of Chinese consumer behavior?Host Ge Anna is joined by Mario Cavolo, Founder and CEO of M Communications Group; Chen Jiahe, chief investment officer at Novem Arcae Technologies; Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics.

①China has announced a key meeting in October to set economic and social goals for the next five years. What to expect? (00:39)②Added value of China's "three new" economy accounted for 18% of GDP in 2024. (13:55)③The US hits brazil with 50% tariffs and sanctions. (24:14)④Canada has joined France and Britain in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state. (33:20)⑤An interview with Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China (42:22)

①China and the US have wrapped up two days of trade talks in Stockholm. What are the key outcomes?②The IMF has raised its economic growth forecast for China this year. What's driving this revision? ③Britain says it'll recognize Palestine as a state unless Israel agrees to an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza. ④Trump sets a new deadline of 10 or 12 days for Russia to act on Ukraine. ⑤China has unveiled childcare subsidies to boost its birth rate. How effective could the policy be?

①Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng meets with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm. What's on the agenda? (00:41)②Thailand and Cambodia agree to an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. Can it pave the way to ending the conflict? (11:38)③Germany plans to establish an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip with the support of Jordan. (24:34)④China designates "Drone Flight Planner" as a new profession. (33:53)⑤US government probes Duke University in latest federal funding threat. (43:36)

①China and the US are entering a fresh round of trade talks in Stockholm. What can we expect? (00:39)②China has proposed the creation of a global AI cooperation organization. What's behind the initiative? (11:16)③The US and EU have agreed to a trade deal with a 15% US tariff on most EU goods. Who are the winners and losers? (24:14)④China's tax and fee revenue during 14th Five-Year Plan is expect to top 155 trillion yuan. (34:26)⑤Houthis vow to step up shipping attacks to press Israel on Gaza. (43:32)