The Heat

July 3, 2024

The Heat: U.S. presidential race

U.S. President Joe Biden works to reassure voters and members of his party after a disappointing debate. And a New York judge delays the sentencing for Donald Trump in his hush money case after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision.

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July 1, 2024

The Heat: French elections

Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party wins the first round of France’s parliamentary elections. What does it mean for the country and beyond?

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June 28, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

International reaction continues to pour in after Thursday night’s U.S. presidential debate between President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump.  We take a look at the aftermath of the first 2024 U.S. presidential debate with our guests:  Spencer Critchley is a two-time campaign adviser […]

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June 27, 2024

The Heat: Summer Davos

China has welcomed business and tech leaders from more than 100  countries and regions to Summer Davos in Dalian city. This year’s theme is the “Next Frontiers for Growth.” Chinese Premier Li Qiang addressed the conference, stressing the importance of global cooperation and innovation to […]

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June 26, 2024

The Heat: China-Peru Relations

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte is on her first state visit to China as both nations are looking to strengthen ties and boost bilateral cooperation after more than 50 years of diplomatic relations.   Joining the discussion:  Gustavo Ribeiro is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of “The Brazilian […]

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June 25, 2024

The Heat: Extreme Weather

Deadly heatwaves scorched cities on four continents as the Northern Hemisphere marked the first day of summer last week. In China, Beijing issued its third-highest heat warning with many other regions in northern China suffering from heatwaves and droughts. What’s behind the extreme weather making […]

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June 24, 2024

The Heat: South Africa’s Future

The African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in last month’s elections in South Africa. That led the ANC to form a power-sharing agreement with the Democratic Alliance and some other smaller parties.  Meanwhile, Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second term as […]

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June 21, 2024

The Heat: Israel-Hamas Conflict

According to the Gaza health ministry more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive. Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, says more than 50,000 children in Gaza require medical treatment for acute malnutrition Joining the discussion:  Mustafa Barghouti is […]

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June 20, 2024

The Heat: Artificial Intelligence Trends

Artificial Intelligence is predicted to grow increasingly pervasive as technology develops, revolutionizing sectors from healthcare to warfare. The threat that machines will one day takeover has been the subject of science fiction movies for decades. Now some leading AI scientists are concerned that an AI […]

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June 19, 2024

The Heat: China’s Diplomacy

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is on a major three-nation tour that has taken him to New Zealand, Australia and now Malaysia. Improving diplomatic relations and developing economic ties are high on the agenda.  Joining the discussion: Victor Gao is chair professor at Soochow University.  Majid […]

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June 18, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

Spouses of U.S. citizens who entered the country illegally will now be able to apply for legal residency without leaving the United States. It’s a major change to the country’s immigration policy that will offer protection to an estimated half-million people.  Joining the discussion: Rina […]

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June 14, 2024

The Heat: Global Economy

The global economy is expected to stabilize for the first time in three years, but more weakly than in previous recoveries, according to a new report from the World Bank. Inflation, higher interest rates, as well as trade and geopolitical tensions could make this decade […]

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June 13, 2024

The Heat: UN Climate Change Conference

Some 6,000 people attended the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany.  The key focus of the 10-day meeting was climate finance, as nations prepare for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  As some of the poorest countries are among those hit hardest by […]

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June 12, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

U.S. President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, got convicted on gun related charges. He was found guilty of lying on a form about his drug use during a 2018 handgun purchase. This comes two weeks after Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony charges […]

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June 11, 2024

The Heat: European Elections

The far-right makes gains in European elections but the center-right holds strong. After millions of Europeans voted across 27 EU member states, what does the outcome mean for the political landscape in Europe? Joining the discussion: Cecilia Sottilotta is Professor of Politics at the University […]

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June 10, 2024

The Heat: China-Pakistan Ties

Investment and strategic cooperation were high on the agenda as Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited China. The Pakistani leader made his first trip to China since his re-election in March. Pakistan is trying to navigate a prolonged economic crisis by pursuing foreign investments and […]

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June 7, 2024

The Heat: South Africa Elections

In South Africa, senior officials with the African National Congress held a critical meeting to discuss post-election steps after losing their parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC has a constitutional deadline to finalize a plan so parliament can convene and […]

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June 6, 2024

The Heat: Mexico Election

Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico’s first female president after winning a landslide election victory. Set to take office on October 1st, she promised to continue the work of her mentor and outgoing leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.  Joining the discussion:  Arturo Sarukhan is former Mexican Ambassador […]

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June 5, 2024

The Heat: India Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims victory in India’s general election, after a surprisingly disappointing performance from his own party.  400 seats was the expectation by the ruling BJP alliance. In the end they will end up with fewer than 300. A sharp decline from 2019 […]

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June 4, 2024

The Heat: World Environment Day

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40% of the Earth’s land is degraded, affecting half of the world’s population. Vital ecosystems are under threat because of severe droughts and rising temperatures. That’s why on World Environment Day, the UN is […]

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June 1, 2024

The Heat: Donald Trump Convicted

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 charges of falsifying documents to cover the traces of a hush payment to an adult film star during the 2016 elections. Trump says he will appeal his felony conviction. Will the outcome hurt or […]

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May 30, 2024

The Heat: Global Economy

According to the IMF, China’s economic growth is projected to remain resilient at 5% this year, driven by its strong first-quarter data. The move underscored growing global confidence for a continued rebound in the world’s second-largest economy. Meanwhile, the UN reports global economic prospects have […]

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May 29, 2024

The Heat: Global Energy Transition

Renewable energy is expected to shrink fossil fuels’ reigning share of the global electricity market for the first time, according to Ember, a leading energy think tank. China is considered a global leader in clean energy, with the manufacturing and installation of solar panels and […]

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May 28, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

Defense lawyers and prosecutors made their final case to the jurors in the U.S. President Donald Trump’s hush money trial. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with 2016 hush money payment to an adult film actress. It marks the […]

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May 27, 2024

The Heat: Trilateral Summit

After more than a four-year hiatus, China, South Korea and Japan have resumed their trilateral meetings. They made progress towards a trilateral free-trade agreement in two days of talks in Seoul. China’s premier Li Qiang urged Japan and South Korea to reject protectionism and uphold […]

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May 24, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

The race for the White House is heating up with less than six months to go. Key issues such as abortion, immigration and the economy hang over the presidential election in November.  Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business […]

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May 23, 2024

The Heat: Global Migration

There is now a record number of displaced people around the world, as violence and climate change forcibly remove people from their homelands, according to a report from the United Nations. What are the challenges of mass migration? Joining the discussion:  Shada Islam is the […]

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May 22, 2024

The Heat: Biodiversity Day

Scientists say climate change is making torrential rains more frequent around the world. The southern part of Brazil is devastated by persistent rains and floods over the past couple of weeks. Flooding has also hit China and Africa. Dubai had the highest volume of rain […]

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May 21, 2024

The Heat: Pakistan’s Priorities

As a new government in Pakistan settles in, we examine Islamabad’s relations with the U.S. and China, the impact of CPEC, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, as well as its economic challenges.    Joining the discussion:  Masood Khan is Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Khurram Shahzad […]

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May 20, 2024

The Heat: Israel-Hamas Conflict

Spain and Ireland, along with Slovenia and Malta, have reportedly agreed to take the first steps towards recognition of a Palestinian state, seeing a two-state solution as essential for lasting peace. In the wake of the Gaza conflict, support for Palestine has been gaining momentum. […]

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May 17, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a challenge to his adversary, Donald Trump, to debate him. Trump quickly accepted it and they will face off twice, months before the election. Meanwhile, the former President is still dealing with the hush money trial. Joining the discussion:  Eleanor […]

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May 16, 2024

The Heat: Arab League Summit

Arab leaders representing 22 countries gathered in Bahrain for the 33rd Arab Summit on Thursday. The Israel-Hamas conflict topped the agenda as Israel intensifies its military operation against Hamas in eastern Rafah.  Joining the discussion:  Mohamed Higazy is a former ambassador and former assistant Foreign […]

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May 15, 2024

The Heat: AUKUS in Asia

China says  efforts to expand the AUKUS security pact will destabilize Asia and the Indo-Pacific. AUKUS, the security alliance formed by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, is reaching out to other nations including Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Canada.  Would expansion […]

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May 14, 2024

The Heat: China-Pakistan Ties

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is in China for four days of talks.  Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has pledged more than $65 billion for road, rail and other infrastructure […]

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May 13, 2024

The Heat: Western Forces Leave Sahel

African countries in the Sahel region have asked western forces to withdraw. Burkina-Faso, Mali, Chad and Niger have expelled the French military and now Chad and Niger have revoked security pacts with the Americans. What is behind that move and how will that impact the […]

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May 10, 2024

The Heat: Columbine 25 Years Later

April 20, 1999 is a day etched in the memories of many Americans who watched 24-hour news coverage of a mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Two gunmen shot and killed twelve fellow students and a teacher and injured two dozen others. Since […]

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May 9, 2024

The Heat: China-Europe Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to France, Serbia and Hungary this week. The visits were intended to inject momentum towards the further development of China-Europe relations. Economic, trade and cultural cooperation were high on the agenda as the Chinese president met with leaders to chart […]

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May 8, 2024

The Heat: China’s Lunar Mission

China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has officially entered lunar orbit. The China National Space Administration’s mission to the far side of the Moon launched last Friday in the first human endeavor to collect and retrieve lunar samples. How will it impact future lunar missions? Joining the discussion:  […]

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May 7, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

Key witness Stormy Daniels took the stand to describe her alleged sexual encounter with the former U.S. President Donald Trump and how she received payment to keep quiet about it during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, a payment that may have broken election laws.  Joining the […]

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May 7, 2024

The Heat: President Xi’s France State Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Europe this week and his first stop is in France. President Xi met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. During the trip, he also met with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen […]

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May 3, 2024

The Heat: Haiti Crisis

Violence erupts again in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, days after Haiti’s transitional council names a new Prime Minister. 

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May 2, 2024

The Heat: Global Economy

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development updated its global economic growth forecast to 3.1 percent this year. The organization’s Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said the outlook is positive. However, there are still concerns about the impact of ongoing regional conflicts and looming international debt. Joining […]

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May 1, 2024

The Heat: BRICS Expansion

China, Russia, Brazil, and India came together in 2009 to form the initial BRIC group. South Africa was added in 2010. Now, those five countries have been joined by five more countries in a newly-expanded trade, economic, and political alliance. What kind of impact will […]

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April 30, 2024

The Heat: UK Asylum Controversy

The UK parliament has passed a controversial bill that will allow the government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Thousands of migrants could now be forced to leave the United Kingdom as early as July. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the scheme will deter […]

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April 29, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Politics

Hundreds of students and faculty members have been arrested over the weekend as Pro-Palestinian protests intensify across college campuses in the U.S. Some colleges have even canceled graduation ceremonies over security fears and the threat of violence.  Meanwhile, Donald Trump will be back in court […]

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April 26, 2024

The Heat: Climate Change Crisis

It was the hottest March on record as global temperatures over the past 12 months soared past pre-industrial levels. Forecasters are expecting another sweltering summer in the northern hemisphere. The impact of record-breaking heat is already affecting some of the most vulnerable parts of our […]

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April 25, 2024

The Heat: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa

South Africa marks 30 years of democracy. On April 26th 1994, the country closed the door on apartheid and entered a new system of governance under President Nelson Mandela. But the cracks are showing with mounting challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime and weak economic […]

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April 24, 2024

The Heat: U.S. Foreign Policy

The U.S. Senate has approved a major $95 billion foreign aid package with the bulk of it going to Ukraine and Israel. The package includes $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine to bolster it in its fight with Russia. And $26 billion for Israel […]

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