Air pollution worsens from world’s biggest emitter nation
Worldfocus blogger Hsin-Yin Lee writes about her personal experience with the health consequences of climate change. She explains how the number of Taiwanese people with significant eye irritation has surged by 20-30 percent since mid-March, since the onset of the worst-ever dust storms from mainland China.
Traditions thrive in remote island chain of Tonga
Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson recently completed a series on climate change and small island nations. This report from Tonga explore the origins of tapa, an ornate papery cloth made from pounded tree bark, and the ta’ovala, the traditional woven mat worn around the waist, which is also derived from local plants.
Tonga grapples with forces of man and nature
Tonga, a remote chain of 176 lush islands spread over 500 miles of the Pacific Ocean, faces potentially devastating effects from climate change. As part of her series on small islands and climate change, Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson visited Tonga and documented the government's campaign to get the word out about the issue -- both at home and abroad.
Chinese leadership takes on an increasingly assertive tone
With its growing economic might, China is seen as increasingly turning away from the West and its demands for reform. This shift was reflected in some tough talk this weekend by the Chinese premier, as the annual meeting of China's parliament drew to a close. For more, Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Michael Kulma, and Deutsche Welle reports.
Mongolia faces climate-driven humanitarian crisis
In one of the most sparsely populated regions of the world, the hardy inhabitants are fighting for survival. Mongolia's three million people and forty million animals are now being tested by a brutal winter that followed a drought last summer. Tony Birtley of Al Jazeera English reports how grazing is under threat, and read what sources from Mongolia are saying.
Asian workers rising from top to bottom
Forbes magazine released its annual list of the world's richest people, and the number of Chinese and Indian billionaires has doubled since last year. Daljit Dhaliwal speaks to Roben Farzad of Bloomberg BusinessWeek about the growing wealth in Asia. And Rob McBride of Al Jazeera English reports on labor shortages faced by some Chinese factories.
Skater takes heat for not thanking China first
Worldfocus contributing blogger Hsin-Yin Lee writes about the controversy surrounding Chinese speed skater Zhou Yang, who won a gold medal in Vancouver. She argues that China's national program for training athletes is ripe for change.
China and India sign on to Copenhagen climate accord
China and India -- the world's two most populous countries -- have formally agreed this week to be part of the climate change accord that was worked at last December's climate change conference in Copenhagen. The nonbinding document calls for limiting the rise in global temperatures. Andrew Potter of Al Jazeera English reports on the significance of the news.
People around the world honor International Women’s Day
Today is International Women's Day, an event that has been celebrated around the world for almost a century. For more on gender issues, Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Anne Marie Goetz of the U.N. Development Fund for Women. And Jason Overdorf reports for our partner GlobalPost on how class differences influence attitudes about gender in Delhi.
Japanese government says it would defy bluefin tuna ban
Conservation groups say the Atlantic bluefin tuna is at risk of extinction if current catch rates continue. While the U.S. announced its support of a ban this week, the fish is prized for high-end sushi in Japan, where 80 percent of the fish ends up. An international conference will vote on giving the tuna endangered status at a meeting that begins next weekend.
The Worldfocus broadcast went off the air April 2. Our website will remain online, but we will not be adding new content. Thanks to our many partners, experts and viewers for your generous support.
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