News of the World
This is CFAIR's official radio show on ASU's Blaze Radio. Here, club members do a one-hour show talking about current international events and analyzing their potential consequences. Take a listen to our episodes below!
"Prince" Tries to Reclaim 1888, Peru's Congress Divorces from President and Canada's Ignorance Toward MMIW
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Mia Osmonbekov, Jeremy Yurow
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
Today, we talked about the arrests of coup plotters in the Federal Republic of Germany, the removal of Pedro Castillo as president of the Republic of Peru after trying to dissolve Congress, and the ongoing missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) crisis in Canada. We then did a speed-run: secret Chinese police stations in other countries, a change in voting legislation in the Republic of Korea, the Griner-Bout prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia, and the mail strike in the U.K.
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25 coup plotters were arrested in Germany. An aristocrat, previous members of the armed forces, and politicians wanted to overthrow the democratic government and restore the German Empire in what they called "Day X." Heinrich XIII, a member of the Reuss noble family, would have been installed as head of state. The plotters' plans also included kidnapping and replacing government ministers with their own. The group seems to have associations with the Reichsbürger Movement, where members refuse to recognize the modern German state, seeing the German Empire as the only legitimate government.
Peru's Congress has removed its president after he tried to dissolve the body and rule by decree. Pedro Castillo has been arrested and is now in police custody. He is also being charged with rebellion. In a 101-6 vote, Castillo was impeached and removed, with Dina Boluarte being sworn in as the new president of the republic. This removal is another chapter to Lima's political volatility. Past presidents have either resigned, attempted a coup, were ousted, or a mixture of all three.
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In Canada, a man was arrested in connection to the murders of three indigenous women and an unidentified fourth woman. The First Nations makes up around 9% of Canada's population, however 33% of victims of violent crimes is made up by it. Local authorities are refusing to investigate the location of where the victims are suspected to be citing that it would be too costly and too big of an area. Now, the First Nations are pressuring Parliament to do more. MPs are already speaking out including Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan and Churchill–Keewatinook Aski MP Niki Ashton. This contributes to the wider inequalities the First Nations have experienced under the Canadian government.
FIFA Corruption 101, Chinese Challenge COVID Confinement, Scottish Independence Defeated Once Again, and COP27 and Broken Promises
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Jeremy Yurow
Friday, Dec. 2, 2022
Today, we talked about the problems with FIFA and the World Cup host the State of Qatar, COVID-19 protests in the People's Republic of China, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rejecting a call for a Scottish independence referendum, and the COP27 climate conference in Egypt.
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The FIFA World Cup is seen as the soccer world's gala. It is seen as a unifying force around the world. However, the decision to host the World Cup in a nation where alleged human rights abuses are taking place has tarnished the image of the sport. FIFA, an organization that has had numerous corruption scandals, is trying to present a spotless image to the international community. Qatar is doing the same thing: It is trying to sell a positive image. How can balance be achieved between enjoying and supporting a sport and a team, and recognizing that there are problems within how
the sport is run and organized?
After an apartment fire in the Chinese city of Urumqi killed 10 people, protests erupted across the country after allegations were made online that COVID-19 lockdowns, being the most stringent in the world, prevented rescue efforts. Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and other major cities saw protestors demanding that COVID-19 restrictions be lifted. Some even demanded that Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party step down, a level of open opposition not seen since the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989.
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The U.K. Supreme Court has rejected a case calling for a Scottish independence referendum. The Court has said that another referendum cannot be held without the consent of the British Parliament in London. This has negatively affected the leadership of Scottish First
Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is seen as the face of this movement. However, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has stated it will continue to find a way to achieve independence. However, it is likely that the Scottish population will be more evenly split between wanting independence and staying with the Union. Before, 55% of Scots voted to stay with the U.K. in the first independence referendum.
The United Nations held its COP27 climate conference in Egypt. The main development of the conference is the passage of a loss and damages fund. It is a process where richer countries will put money into a fund for poorer countries more affected by climate change to use. However, the details of the fund are vague. Some see it as a positive, but perceive the whole conference as "greenwashing." Overall, COP27 was marred by gridlock, special interests and protestors who want more done.
Brazil Makes Its Choice, Recession Knocks on Britain's Door, Ethiopia's Armistice and Korea in Grief
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Mia Osmonbekov, Boi Ngoc Thai
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022
Today, we talked about the presidential election in the Federative Republic of Brazil, the economic volatility within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a ceasefire between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray rebels, and the tragedy in the Republic of Korea.
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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defeated incumbent Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election. Subsequently, Bolsonaro supporters are protesting the results, blocking roads and asking for military intervention to keep Bolsonaro in power. Bolsonaro has not said anything since the results came out. This is a culmination of an at times volatile campaign, with instances of violence breaking out between the Lula and Bolsonaro camps. Jair Bolsonaro has also sowed doubt in the election system, claiming
that there will be irregularities. Some Bolsonaro allies have already congratulated Lula.
Great Britain is now in a recession, with unemployment being at 6.4%. The Bank of England is trying its best to stabilize the situation. Many are pointing fingers at many factors; Brexit, the mini-budget, politics, and other things are being named the culprit. Average British citizens are now seeing prices rise, adding more worry to the current cost-of-living crisis. Estimates are now saying that it will take at least two years for the economic situation to stabilize.
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A ceasefire has been brokered between Ethiopia and its rebel region of Tigray. It is expected that humanitarian aid can resume and that a short peace can take place. However, it is not guaranteed that the ceasefire will last
since previous agreements have been broken, resuming conflict. European colonialism is one of the factors that have contributed to other similar conflicts in Africa.
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On Oct. 29, 154 Koreans died in a stampede during Halloween festivities in Seoul's Itaewon district. Witnesses describe the difficulty of trying to escape the packed scenes within the small alleyways. Individuals began to "fall like dominoes." According to the Associated Press, it was practically impossible for emergency services to reach the victims due to the density of people. Korean citizens had to take up the role of the authorities to administer CPR and medical treatment to those in need. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has said his "heart is heavy" with sorrow. He has promised to support the families of victims and said the government will conduct a full investigation.
A Victory for Cabbages, Ukraine Awaits U.S. Midterms and China's Communist Gala
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Mia Osmonbekov, Jeremy Yurow
Friday, Oct. 21, 2022
Today, we talked about the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America's future support for Ukraine after the midterm elections, and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
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Liz Truss stated that she was a fighter and not a quitter. A day later, she resigned from the top office in the U.K., becoming the shortest-serving prime minister in the country's history serving for 44 days. Her inability to pass her mini-budget, infighting within the Conservative Party, and overall disunity within the government played a role in her resignation. Now, the Conservatives are holding another leadership election to select a new prime minister. Boris Johnson, Truss' predecessor, and Rishi Sunak are expected to be the frontrunners.
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Kevin McCarthy, minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, has stated that if the Republicans took back the House, they would be more hesitant in funding Ukraine's efforts against Russia. This
comes on the heels of rising inflation and a murky economic outlook. There are criticisms within the U.S. about the expense of supporting Ukraine versus focusing on the home front. However, there are others that are concerned about the potential consequences of cutting off funding from Ukraine and giving Russia potential wiggle room.
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In the People's Republic of China, the Communist Party of China held its 20th National Congress. President Xi Jinping gave a report to party members about the country's progress, the party's future goals, and what policies will be implemented. Xi focused mainly on national defense, COVID-19, and the party's future outlook. On security, he emphasized the mainland's desire of opposing Taiwanese independence and taking control of the Hong Kong SAR. At the end of his report, he told members to follow the Party and to advance Chinese civilization. Overall, Xi tried to strike a balance between appeasing the international community and the home front, however, he leaned more toward appeasing the Party and the nationalists within.
Truss Tumbles, Haiti's Distress Call and Biden Snubs Saudis for Ukraine
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Mia Osmonbekov
Friday, Oct. 14, 2022
In this broadcast, we talked about the ongoing chaos in the premiership of Liz Truss in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the security crisis in the Republic of Haiti, and the United States of America shifting its sale of weaponry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ukraine.
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U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked her Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng and replaced him with Jeremy Hunt. She is also having internal fights with her Conservative Party, even having disputes with MP Jacob Rees-Mogg over solar energy policy. The political turmoil is having negative effects across all sectors and the Labour Party is amplifying its call for a general election. During her weekly meeting with King Charles III, even the monarch was disappointed, saying, "Back again? Dear, oh dear."
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Since the assassination of Haitian President
Jovenel Moïse, the country is experiencing an economic, political, security, and public health crisis. As a result, Prime Minister Ariel Henry and other members of the Haitian government are asking the United Nations to send a peacekeeping force to establish stability in lieu of Haitian gangs controlling about 60% of the capital Port-au-Prince, taking hostage a strategic fuel port, and terrorizing civilians. Reports of humanitarian raids and sexual violence are rampant.
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In response to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announcing it would cut oil production by two million barrels a day, U.S. President Joe Biden stated he would shift American weapon sales from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine. This shift in foreign policy is seen by some as a move by the Biden administration to distance itself from a country marred by allegations of human rights violations.
ASU Italian Professor Talks Meloni and Russia's Sham Acquisition
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Mia Osmonbekov, Boi Ngoc Thai, Jeremy Yurow, Fiona Flaherty, Dr. Chiara Dal Martello
Friday, Sept. 30, 2022
In this broadcast, we talked about the elections in the Republic of Italy and the referendums run by the Russian Federation in occupied Ukrainian territory.
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Giorgia Meloni, a member of the right-wing Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, is on her way to become the country's first female prime minister. In lieu of this, the country will also have its most right-wing government since the Second World War. The panel is joined by Chiara Dal Martello, principal lecturer in Italian at Arizona State University, to give context on the country's political system, what is to be expected from Meloni, and
how this will affect the wider European continent.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated. Moscow held Russian-run referendums in four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The results show that the four regions heavily voted in favor of being annexed. Internationally, the elections are seen as a sham, with several reports of coercion and were widely viewed as neither free nor fair. Furthermore, the Kremlin has enacted partial mobilization. In response, hundreds of thousands of Russian men are fleeing the country. Ethnic minorities in Russia are also protesting the draft since there are allegations that the Kremlin will heavily draft them.
Unveiling Iran, Taiwan Tensions and Truss' Trust Fall
Pacey Smith-Garcia, Kevinjonah Paguio, Mia Osmonbekov, Boi Ngoc Thai
Friday, Sept. 23, 2022
Today, we talked about the protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the tensions between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America over Taiwan, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland's new prime minister, Liz Truss.
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On Sept. 16, 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of Iran's morality police. Subsequently, Iranians in dozens of cities protested, even demanding the abandoning theocratic rule. Women have cut their hair; burned their hijabs, which is mandatory to wear; and chanting, "Women, life, freedom!" These protests are the biggest threat to Iran's theocratic government in years.
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Tensions between China and the U.S. have
increased since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in early August. U.S. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his support for Taiwan while his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, has doubled down on his country's claim over the island. Regional players such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines are closely watching the situation, too, since many in the region are politically and economically involved with both China and the U.S.
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After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Liz Truss is taking up the mantle from her conservative predecessor Boris Johnson in implementing the Conservative Party's policies and goals; from energy, the economy and foreign policy, Truss has a steep hill to climb.