The world this week 2v6d66

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The former vice-president was the big winner in the races to choose a Democrat candidate. Only Bernie Sanders now stands in his way. Also in this programme: the US and the Taliban sign an agreement preparing the way for peace; a ceasefire is declared in Idlib after Turkey attacks Syrian government targets; the clash in Britain between a government minister accused of bullying and her top official; and what Renaissance Italy can teach us about fighting coronavirus. (Picture: Joe Biden at a Super Tuesday campaign event in Los Angeles. Credit: Getty Images)

Stock markets have been plunging. Will the virus spell an end to globalisation? Also in this edition: worries about what the virus is doing in Iran; the upshot of the Weinstein verdict; riots in Delhi; Qatar edges back in from the cold; and why 'Sue, you're shouting at tea' has become A Thing. (Picture: a trader at the New York Stock Exchange as stock prices fell. Credit: AFP/Getty)

As profits plunge, HSBC says it will axe 35,000 jobs, and move back to its roots in Hong Kong and Shanghai. But is this wise, given the economic effect of the coronavirus outbreak? Also: the UK introduces an immigration points scheme to deter low-skilled workers; the Amazon CEO promises ten billion dollars to save the planet, and it's the end of the road for the much-loved Australian Holden car. Photo: Business man ing by an HSBC Bank sign in Hong Kong; Credit: Getty Images

Sinn Fein shed its terror-linked past to poll the most votes. Now it's in or near government on both sides of the Irish border. Also in this edition: Angela Merkel's hand-picked successor bows out; the Philippines moves towards ending its defence agreement with the US; Mike Bloomberg strengthens his electoral position - without even standing; and what the Oscars mean to South Korea. (Picture: Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald greets one of her newly-elected of the Irish parliament. Credit: EPA)

The president was acquitted, while the Democrats' Iowa caucuses ended in chaos. He also delivered a barnstorming State of the Union address. Also in the programme: locusts in Africa; the dead doctor who's shaken the Chinese leadership; the price of the battle between logging and butterflies in Mexico; and how do liberal democracies cope with terror prisoners determined to attack after their release. (Picture: President Trump holding a newspaper with the headline Trump acquitted. Credit: Reuters)

President Trump laid out his plan. The Palestinians weren't involved. But Israel liked it. Also in this programme: the economic cost of the new virus from China; an arrest too far in Russia; Kashmir gets some internet restored; and Brexit actually happens. (Picture: President Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House. Credit: EPA)

What is the virus that's disrupting the Lunar New Year celebrations? Doctors are worried because we know so little about it. Also in this edition: the outside world starts to take an interest in Libya - maybe; what the charges against Isabel dos Santos mean for Angola and the world; Britain and the US edge towards a trade and tariff battle over tech taxes; and in the week that Terry Jones died we ask: why does Monty Python live on? (Picture: a deserted Tianhe airport in Wuhan Credit: AFP/Getty)

President Trump's trial in the Senate is due to begin on Tuesday. But might it actually help him and the Republicans? Also in this edition: how dangerous are the street protests in Iran for Ayatollah Khamenei?; President Putin shakes up the Russian constitution and government; tries to take the fight to jihadists in the Sahel; the lessons from the election in Taiwan; and repopulating Espanola: why we've all been concentrating on the wrong tortoise. (Picture: US chief justice John Roberts presides over a preliminary hearing in the Senate. Credit: Reuters)

The US and Iran stepped back from the brink. But a Ukrainian civilian airliner was brought down with heavy loss of life - apparently by an Iranian air defence error. Also in this edition: Beijing's new man in Hong Kong; the surprising Right/Green new government in Austria; Bangladesh tries not to drown in plastic; and how semi-detached can a Royal be? (Picture: Iranian image of a rocket reportedly fired at a US airbase in Iraq. Credit: AFP/Getty)

A drone strike in Baghdad killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds force. It came days after ers of a pro-Iranian militia attacked the US embassy in Baghdad. Also in this edition: Turkey offers help to Libya - as a rush for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean gathers pace; the astonishing argument over who's to blame for World War 2; and - is crazy weather the new normal? (Picture: An Iranian picture of Qasem Soleimani. Credit: Iranian Supreme Leader's office via EPA)

This was the week when Australian firefighters were pushed to the limit, when Somalia's locust invasion got even worse and Benjamin Netanyahu saw off a challenge to his leadership (Picture: Australian firefighters combat bushfires Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

The House of Representatives voted to send the President for trial in the Senate. Donald Trump becomes only the third president in US history to be impeached. Also this week: why is India's new citizenship law so controversial? Rob Watson on what the future holds for the UK, post-election. The repercussions for Boeing's suspension of its 737 Max aircraft production. And Vincent Dowd on The Simpsons reflecting thirty years of American culture. (Photo: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talking to the media after Donald Trump's impeachment, at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. December 19, 2019. Credit: Reuters)

The British prime minister secured a huge majority in the general election. It means he can carry out his campaign slogan - get Brexit done. (Picture: the British prime minister Boris Johnson standing before the front door of 10 Downing Street. Credit: EPA)

The alliance decided to focus on China - and to answer criticism from the US president. But he had worries of his own at home. Also in this edition: the prime minister of Malta says he'll resign because of the scandal over the murder of a journalist; China ramps up facial recognition; and a final look at the UK general election campaign. (Picture: NATO leaders at Buckingham Palace in London apparently laughing at President Trump's behaviour. Credit: AFP/Getty)

Life expectancy in the US has fallen for the past three years. It's a similar story in Britain. Why? Also in this edition: why is fighting Islamist rebels in the Sahel; two key moments in the UK general election; takes action against violence against women; and the challenge facing the young winners from the Hong Kong elections. (Picture: elderly man in a chair. Credit: PA)

Prince Andrew gave a television interview which aroused public outrage. He failed to express sympathy for victims of his paedophile friend Jeffrey Epstein. Also in this programme: an audience laughs at Britain's would-be prime ministers; evidence from a Trump donor makes impeachment more likely; Iran quells its worst protests in years; and the crucial role of onions in South Asian politics. (Picture: Prince Andrew being interviewed by the BBC's Emily Maitlis. Credit: BBC)

Television is carrying the evidence as officials give it. It's likely to make a bigger impact on the public. Also in this programme: the long-serving president of Bolivia is forced from office; what the British general election means in Northern Ireland; new weapons against Ebola; and the deeper meaning of India's Ayodhya ruling. (Picture: US diplomats George Kent and William Taylor are sworn in before giving public evidence to the Trump impeachment inquiry in Washington. Credit: Reuters)

There's growing pushback against Iranian involvement in Iraq and Lebanon. Iran is being seen by some as the kind of interfering foreign state it often criticises. Also in this programme: the British general election campaign gets under way - though rather badly for both main parties; President Trump's impeachment woes mount up; why the Victoria Falls waterfall is in trouble; and 30 years on: another set of German certainties crumble. (Picture: demonstrators in front of the Iranian consulate in the Iraqi city of Kerbala. Credit: Reuters)

President Trump said the IS leader detonated a suicide vest during a US attack. It's a blow to the Islamists, and a boost for Mr Trump's political prospects. Also in the programme: Britain calls a general election instead of leaving the EU; the left takes power in Argentina; and the political Cold War between Twitter and Facebook. (Picture: the late leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in an image released by the US Department of Defense. Credit: Reuters)