Podcast
The Heat
Hosted by CGTN America · EN
The Heat delves into one big news story every episode and breaks down how these stories impact people like you. We are talking to experts and journalists from around to world with the goal of bringing your perspectives based on first-hand accounts.
10episodes
Episodes
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Is the Modi government to blame for India’s second COVID surge?
May 4, 202100:14:08Tap to summarizeA second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is battering India with nearly 20 million people infected and close to 220,000 dead — although unofficial figures are believed to be much higher. Overwhelmed hospitals are dealing with a shortage of vaccines, ventilators and oxygen as thousands of bodies are being burned every day in makeshift crematoriums across the country. Critics have blamed the surge on the federal government for allowing religious gathering and rallies. The international community is rushing aid to India — but experts warn it could be months before cases and fatalities subside in the country. https://youtu.be/JQtWB5t0VgM Anand Naidoo spoke with journalist Asad Ashraf who’s on the ground covering the pandemic in India.
Transcribe →Oliver Stone on the history of U.S. intervention
Apr 30, 202100:25:51Tap to summarizeThis year marks the 60th anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba. Planned by the CIA, it was a plot to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The mission ended in a humiliating defeat for a group of U.S.-trained Cuban exiles who invaded the island’s southern shore. As Cubans mark that anniversary, Anand Naidoo had an indepth discussion with acclaimed film-maker Oliver Stone on U.S. foreign policy over the past 60 years.
Transcribe →How California is fighting climate change
Apr 26, 202100:14:44Tap to summarizeChinese President Xi Jinping joined his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden and other world leaders to pledge drastic action against climate change. Speaking at a virtual Earth Day summit, President Xi said China will aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. President Biden promised to drastically cut U.S. emissions in the next nine years. One American state that’s reeling from the impact of climate change in California. It’s the largest economy in the United States and home to some of the world’s biggest healthcare, construction and technology companies. Jared Blumenfeld, California’s Secretary of Environmental Protection, told Anand Naidoo about his state’s efforts to deal with the climate crisis.
Transcribe →Ukraine-Russia tensions
Apr 17, 202100:14:06Tap to summarizeTensions are running high in Eastern Europe with tens of thousands of Russian soldiers gathering near the Ukrainian border. The Kremlin says it’s responding to increased violence in Ukraine’s Donbass region where pro-Russians separatists are fighting Ukranian forces. This conflict began in April 2014 and has escalated in recent weeks after months of low-intensity combat. Russia says NATO is escalating the crisis in the region while western powers accuse Moscow of trying to annex more parts of Ukraine after it seized Crimea seven years ago. Will the latest spike in violence plunge the region into another crisis? Mike Walter spoke with Volodymyr Yelchenko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States — and Anton Fedyashin, professor of history at American University who specializes in Eurasian politics.
Transcribe →IMF chief lays out priorities and challenges ahead
Apr 2, 202100:17:51Tap to summarizeThe International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are about to hold their major Spring meetings. In a major speech ahead of the gathering, the IMF’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva laid out her expectations for the global economy in 2021-2022. She spoke to Anand Naidoo about a range of issues including the IMF’s projections for the world’s economic recovery, its plans to help the world’s poorest nations and China’s role in mitigating debt.
Transcribe →Can China and the U.S. turn a corner in Alaska?
Mar 19, 202100:11:47Tap to summarizeSnowy and frigid Alaska is perhaps an apt metaphor — for the current state of Sino-U.S. relations. American and Chinese officials are meeting in Anchorage for the first time since Joe Biden became U.S. president. They’re trying to chart a path forward after four tumultuous years of Donald Trump when bilateral ties plunged to their lowest ebb. Both sides are cautious about the outcome of the summit with several outstanding issues on the table. So how will the world’s two largest economies and trading partners move forward on critical issues from trade to human rights? In a wide-ranging discussion, former U.S. ambassador to China, Gary Locke underlined why it’s imperative for the two nations to find common ground despite their sharp differences.
Transcribe →Can Brazil recover from COVID-19?
Mar 13, 202100:13:29Tap to summarizeBrazil, the largest country in Latin America has been hit hard by COVID-19. Recently the country overtook the US in the highest number of daily cases and deaths. The pandemic has had a dire impact on the daily lives of Brazilians on both an economic and social front. What will Brazil have to do to recover after COVID-19 has passed? On this episode of The Heat Podcast, we spoke to Brazilian Ambassador to the United States Nestor Forster on current state of affairs in Brazil and potential ways forward.
Transcribe →Former U.S. Amb. to China speaks on the future of Sino-US relations
Feb 12, 202100:11:52Tap to summarizeOne of the biggest foreign policy challenges for U.S. President Joe Biden is how to repair relations with China. Ties between the world’s two largest economies deteriorated Ties between China and the US took a hit under the Trump administration, as both sides clashed on a number of issues ranging from the handling of the coronavirus pandemic to trade and technology and Hong Kong’s national security law. Now, China is hoping to turn a page and usher in a new era in China-US ties. So how will the Biden administration respond? What are the key areas of cooperation and conflict? On the latest episode of The Heat podcast, we spoke with former U.S. ambassador to China, Gary Locke.
Transcribe →How dangerous are right-wing militias in the US?
Oct 23, 202000:19:07Tap to summarizeThe recent arrest of 13 men, some accused of plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan and planning to start a civil war, has drawn new attention to the threat posed by right-wing militias in the United States. Heavily armed militia members showed up on the steps of the state capitol to protest the governor’s coronavirus restrictions. Some have also taken to the streets in cities across the U.S. this summer in response to the protests against police brutality. On this week’s episode we are looking into the rise of Right-wing militias in the United States. What do they want? And, what sort of threat do they actually pose? Our panel this week included the following individuals: Mark Potok who has studied militias for over 20 years and is a former Senior Fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Muhammad Fraser-Rahim, an expert on violent extremism. Mary C. Curtis, a columnist for the political publication, Roll Call and host of the “Equal Time” podcast. Colin P. Clarke, a Senior Research Fellow at the Soufan.
Transcribe →What is the UN doing to help combat COVID-19?
Sep 25, 202000:13:44Tap to summarizeGlobal poverty levels are rising for the first time in 20 years as a result of COVID-19. Over 4 billion people around the world still do not have access to social protections such as basic healthcare. As the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary, what role has it played in helping poorer countries cope with the pandemic and what should be the key take-aways when all this has passed. On this week’s episode of the Heat Podcast, we spoke with Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, about the key challenges facing the world today, from COVID-19 to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change.
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