Today in Washington, D.C., President Obama welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House. It was described as a "muted" meeting -- with neither a joint press conference nor public fanfare. The administration's low-key approach was aimed at not offending the Chinese government. For more, Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Robert Barnett.
Asia-Pacific
Dalai Lama meets Obama for private chat in Map Room
Travel the Trans-Siberian Railroad with Google Maps
Google and Russian Railways have teamed up to provide a virtual tour of the world's longest continuous railroad. Worldfocus researcher Christine Kiernan explains how you can take one of the great train journeys of the world without leaving the comfort of your home.
Worldfocus Radio: Burmese Political Change
Myanmar is on President Obama's list of countries deserving of direct diplomatic engagement. Many observers are hopeful that the Southeast Asian nation of 48 million people will respond to U.S. overtures and will hold a free and fair election in fall 2010. Joshua of Burma VJ and Suzanne DiMaggio join Martin Savidge to discuss political change in Burma.
Australia’s new Aboriginal policy falls short of expectations
In February 2008, newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a historic apology to Australia's Aboriginal population. No other Western leader has made such an unqualified acknowledgment of wrongdoing toward an indigenous population. Two years later, Rudd has reported to parliament on what he promised would mark a new chapter in Australian history.
Throngs of Chinese go home on motorbikes for New Year
Millions of people in China will be heading home this weekend for the most important holiday of the year -- the Lunar New Year. The Ministry of Railways estimates that more than 200 million passengers will be traveling by train alone. Then there are those who travel on the cheap. CCTV reports on how some are getting home for the holidays.
China surges past competitors in clean energy technology
China is rapidly becoming the leading manufacturer of clean energy. The country has become the largest producer of wind turbines and solar panels and also provides almost 97 percent of the world's supply of rare-earth materials. The world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter could also make the rest of the world reliant on its alternative energy products.
Toyota seeks to make amends for engineering defects
The world's largest automaker is attempting to fix its cars and its reputation. The company announced its latest recall -- more than 400,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide -- bringing the total recalls to 8.5 million. The announcement was accompanied by a new apology by Toyota's chairman. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Roben Farzad for more.
U.S. media and politicians catch irrational China hysteria
Worldfocus contributing blogger Nina Hachigian, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, argues that recent criticism of President Obama's China policy is both overwrought and inaccurate.
Hip hop monk wins over Tokyo fans with Buddhist rap
Worldfocus partner Al Jazeera English called this unique Japanese religious icon a practitioner of "Holy Hip Hop," and we're calling him the hip hop monk. He calls himself MC Happiness, and he's become a rap sensation in Tokyo. Zayna Awad of AJE explains this monk's fusion of music and religion.
Week in Review: China and the United States
David Andelman, editor of the World Policy Journal, and Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, join us for our weekly roundtable to talk about relations between the United States and China. The two countries have been at odds over trade, Tibet, and Taiwan in recent days.