Obama and the World: Relations between U.S. and Russia
Vladimir Lensky of Russia’s Channel One and former Soviet foreign ministry official Sergey Shestakov join Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss Obama's progress in resetting American-Russian relations, Russia's cooperation in war effort in Afghanistan, relations with Iran and Russia's own economic downturn.
Obama and the World: The Global Economy
Marcus Mabry, international business editor of The New York Times, and John Authers, the investment editor for the Financial Times, join Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the impact of U.S. economic policies overseas, the risk of inflation in China, the fate of Japan's economy and recovery in Europe.
Class warfare looms in 2010 British general election
The 2010 British General Election, which must be held by June 3, pits embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the Labour Party against David Cameron of the Conservatives. Jamie Macfarlane writes about the perennial issue of class as a potential factor in the race.
With purported new bin Laden tape, al-Qaeda resurfaces
The attempted Christmas day bombing -- and a recent message purportedly from Osama bin Laden -- have focused new attention on al-Qaeda. A report from a former senior C.I.A. official warns that al-Qaeda is being patient but has not abandoned its mission. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, and Al Jazeera English's Nadim Baba reports from London.
French panel recommends partial ban on full face veil
A French parliamentary panel recommended today that France impose a ban on wearing the full face veil in public -- buses, subways and hospitals. Under the proposal, women would have to show their faces when entering a facility and remain uncovered. The ban could take effect by the end of the year -- but would not apply to wearing the veil on the street or in private.
Money and politics at issue in countries around the world
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on campaign advertising. Kevin Casas-Zamora, senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution and a former vice president of Costa Rica, joins Martin Savidge to discuss how countries from India to Western Europe regulate political campaigns and election financing.
World Bank predicts strong 2010 global economic growth
The World Bank released its annual economic report this week, predicting that the global economy will grow by 2.7 percent in 2010. Yet, today the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced an increase in unemployment, and GM said that it will cut 8,300 more jobs in Europe. Also, economists are worried about asset bubbles in China and about stimulus packages wearing off.
China commits massive funds to future high-speed rail
High-speed train travel is set to take over in China. New lines linking major cities are providing faster and faster routes. China has committed almost $300 billion over the next decade to build the planet's most expansive high-speed network. The world's fastest train covers the 664-mile Guangzhou-Wuhan trip in just three hours -- an average speed of 217 mph.
Turkey frees man who attempted to kill pope John Paul II
Mehmet Ali Agca was released from a prison on the outskirts of Ankara and taken away in a motorcade. In 1983, two years after his incarceration, the pontiff visited Agca and forgave him for the shooting. Yet, authorities are still unsure what motivated the assassination attempt. Agca is said to be mentally unstable and even told reporters today that he is a messenger of God.
Imposing big taxes on Wall Street bankers’ bonuses
President Obama is expected to announce a plan tomorrow to impose fees on U.S. financial firms, to recover shortfalls from government bailouts. Many firms that received bailout money are again making huge profits. Britain and France are imposing hefty taxes on bankers' bonuses. For more on the new taxes, Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Andrew Clark of The Guardian.
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