Nothing is Foreign

About two weeks ago, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni approved one of the world's toughest anti-LGBTQ laws, despite the U.S. government and the United Nations calling the legislation a violation of universal human rights. Advocates on the ground have called it state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia. Same-sex relations have been criminalized in Uganda for years, and a similar law from 2014 was struck down. This new law goes much further. For example, the death penalty would be imposed for the transmission of HIV/AIDS through gay sex. A 20-year sentence would be recommended if a Ugandan was found guilty of "promoting" homosexuality. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we look at the impact of this new anti-LGBTQ+ law, the roots of homophobia within the country and the role that disinformation and religion play. Featuring: Frank Mugisha, LGBTQ advocate and executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, which was shut down in August 2022. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

The BRICS nations, a group of growing economies including: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, are reasserting themselves on the global stage. The alliance is not new, but it has gained more attention in the last year because none of the countries have taken part in sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Supporters of the BRICS alliance say a multipolar world is what's needed right now given rising geopolitical tensions, insecurity, and inequality. They are calling for power to be decentralized from Western countries like the U.S. and the U.K. Foreign ministers from each of those nations met last week to discuss their priorities: the possible creation of an alternative currency to the U.S dollar, the growth of their alternative to the World Bank, called the New Development Bank, and the likelihood of more nations joining the group. South Africa is set to hold a summit of BRICS heads of state in August. This week, we explore what the group stands for, why a non-Western power bloc is appealing to many countries in the Global South, and the skepticism around the alliance. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Two back-to-back shootings near Belgrade, Serbia, have shocked the country. One of those was carried out by a 13-year-old student and left 10 people dead. While gun ownership is common in the country, events like this are rare. Tens of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in protest, demanding an end to what they describe as a culture of violence in the country encouraged by both the media and far-right government officials. Analysts have also pointed to the lack of recognition around the country's war-scarred history as part of the problem. They say that the country has never fully come to terms with its role in the ethnic conflict in the former Yugoslavia, and the war crimes overseen by Serbian president Slobadan Milosevic in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. This week, we look at the historical roots of this culture of violence that protesters say they want addressed, the role of the media and politics in it, and how the grief brought on by two mass shootings might fuel change in Serbia. Featuring: Aleksandra Krstic, associate professor of journalism and media at the University of Belgrade. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Whether it's ChatGPT, image generators like Dall-E or celebrity deepfakes, artificial intelligence technology has grown exponentially in the last few months. That has spurred a global race to be on the leading edge of those developments. While some of the best known AI chatbots and programs are coming out of the U.S. a parallel world of products has been popping up in China. Some experts say it's all happening too fast and that regulation needs to catch up but few governments have actually proposed in-depth rules on the issue. Currently, China and the European Union are at the forefront of creating a regulatory framework for AI technologies. This week, we're digging into why there is growing alarm about the global AI race, China's role in it, and what can be learned by attempts at regulating the technology so far. Featuring: Rishi Iyengar, Global technology reporter, Foreign Policy. Zeyi Yang, China reporter, MIT Technology Review. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Over the weekend, Germany pledged an additional $4 billion Cdn of military aid to Ukraine, after a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. German defence minister Boris Pistorius said at the time: "Germany will provide all the help it can, as long as it takes." It marks a dramatic shift in the country's military policy. For decades, it has largely avoided military conflict — an approach rooted in the devastating aftermath of the Second World War. In addition to new and substantial military investments, Germany overturned its long-standing policy of not sending weapons to conflict zones, becoming one of the biggest suppliers of weapons to Ukraine. But not everyone is on board with this new stance. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we take a closer look at Germany's growing role in the Ukraine conflict and how it's bringing up complicated feelings for many Germans. Featuring: Ulrike Franke, senior fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin. Bernhard Blumenau, historian of German foreign policy, University of St. Andrews. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

How did Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-declared interim leader, end up alone in the Miami airport, carrying only a backpack, seeking protection from persecution in his home country? Back in 2019, Guaido, who was then the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, challenged the Venezuelan presidency and declared himself the rightful leader after the widely disputed re-election of President Nicolás Maduro. More than 50 countries — including the U.S. and Canada — chose to back Guaido over Maduro, precipitating a years-long presidential crisis. But since his declaration, Guaido's popularity has waned and his international backers have dropped off. In January, opposition lawmakers voted to strip him of his leadership position. More recently, he says the rhetoric and threats against him have increased — prompting his flight to Miami. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we look back at what happened during Guaido's time as the U.S backed, self-declared interim leader of Venezuela, why his movement couldn't find sustained support and what it might tell us about Venezuela's political future. Featuring: José Luis Granados Ceja, writer and podcaster for Venezuela Analysis. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

The coronation of King Charles III is just a couple days away and he's the first new British monarch to be crowned in 70 years. But according to recent polls, the majority of young people in the country don't seem to care for it. The royal event comes at a difficult time for the U.K. There's a cost of living crisis, strikes by health-care workers and the country is on its third prime minister in less than a year. With media estimates suggesting the coronation could cost British taxpayers 100 million pounds ($170 million CDN), are the Royal Family and their traditions out of touch with the lives of average British citizens? And if so, what could that mean for the future of the monarchy? Featuring: Anna Whitelock, British historian specializing in the history of the monarchy. Femi Oluwole, political commentator and anti-Brexit activist. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Two rival military generals in Sudan have been locked in a violent power struggle for the past two weeks. Hundreds are dead and thousands displaced in the North African country. Residents in the capital Khartoum have been dealing with bombardment, power cuts and shortages of food, water and medicine. Could this conflict have been avoided? Activists and analysts say the international community ignored their warnings that the clash was a long time coming. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we take a close look into how this conflict came to be, the role of western diplomats and what it all means for the future of Sudan. Featuring: Reem Abbas, freelance writer and activist. Mat Nashed, freelance journalist and analyst. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Argentina's annual inflation rate reached a staggering 104.3 per cent in March. It's one of the highest rates in the world, resulting in a cost-of-living crisis for many in the country. It's not a new problem in Argentina, where the market has been volatile for decades, especially during the 1980s debt crisis. From bartering to stocking up on goods before inflation spikes, Argentines have found inventive ways to cope with this economic reality. But there's also been growing discontent with the government, and the country's relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — especially as a general election approaches this fall. This week, we look at how people on the ground deal with this sky-high inflation rate, the historical conditions that led to this and what happens to a society when it's trapped in a cycle of debt and austerity. Featuring: Natalie Alcoba, freelance journalist based in Buenos Aires. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

This week, Northern Ireland marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. It concluded what was known as the Troubles: a period of conflict between 1968 and 1998, involving mainly Protestant communities, who wanted Northern Ireland to be part of the United Kingdom, and nationalist, mainly Catholic communities, who believed the region should join a united, independent Ireland. More than 3,500 people were killed. Though the peace accord largely stopped the violence in the region, many aspects of Northern Irish life, like in housing and education, remain largely divided along nationalist and unionist lines. And in recent years, Britain's exit from the European Union has created political tensions that have shaken the foundations of the accord. This week, we look at the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement, and the revived conversation around reunification with the Irish Republic. Featuring: Paul Johnston, boxing coach and youth mentor, Monkstown Boxing Club, Belfast. Katy Hayward, professor of political sociology, Queen's University Belfast. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

A devastating fire at a migrant facility in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico that killed at least 40 is the latest in a string of deadly incidents that point to a worsening crisis along the southern U.S.-Mexico border. With the investigation still ongoing and families searching for answers, it's bringing attention to the growing number of migrants desperately seeking settlement in the U.S. and the dangerous conditions they find themselves in. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we discuss the aftermath of the tragic fire at the Juarez detention facility, how it sheds light on the migrant crisis at the border, and what the governments on each side could be doing to address the problem. Featuring: Alicia Fernandez, freelance journalist based in Ciudad Juarez Rafael Velasquez, country director for Mexico at International Rescue Committee For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

On Tuesday another major day of action took place on the streets of France after President Emmanuel Macron’s risked his government’s future to push through a controversial raise to the retirement age for most workers. Beyond pension reform, demonstrators are fighting for their preferred way of life, defined by work-life balance and a robust social safety net. It’s one that many feel Macron has been dismantling since he was elected, with his priority of making France a more globally competitive economic power. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we look at the current instability in France due to the ongoing pension reform protests, how they challenge Macron’s vision for the country, and what that might mean for France’s political future. Featuring: Rim-Sarah Alouane, French legal scholar and civil liberties expert For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Clashes erupted in Pakistan last week after police attempted to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan at his home in Lahore. The former cricket star turned politician was kicked out of parliament after a no-confidence vote last April, but that hasn't stopped Khan's political supporters. Millions have attended his rallies, calling for an early election in Pakistan. That's despite the many charges he faces — from corruption, to terrorism, to rioting. Khan claims these charges are politically motivated. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we delve into why Imran Khan is such a polarizing figure in Pakistan, who makes up his loyal following, and what this might mean for the country's political future. Featuring: Amber Rahim Shamsi, a journalist and political commentator based in Karachi, Pakistan. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

A deadly kidnapping in Matamoros, Mexico had international media breathlessly reporting every shocking twist: first, four American tourists were kidnapped, then two were murdered, and finally the cartel allegedly involved sent out a written apology letter. But for the locals of the long cartel-held city, it was business as usual except for just one thing: the Americans were actually found. We'll hear what life alongside the Gulf Cartel is really like and the complex relationship between the community and these criminal organizations. Plus, protests erupted in South Korea last week over the government's new plan to use the country's own funds to pay for the harm caused to people who were forced to work in factories and mines during Japanese occupation from 1910-1945. We'll get into why this dispute has persisted for so many decades why South Koreans are still dealing with colonial scars today. Featuring: Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, political science professor and author of Los Zetas Inc.: Criminal Corporations, Energy, and Civil War in Mexico. Michelle Ye He Lee, Tokyo and Seoul bureau chief for the Washington Post. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

India's largest slum, Dharavi, is set for an estimated 2.4 billion dollar redevelopment headed by none other than embattled billionaire Gautam Adani and his company Adani Realty. Adani built his fortune through large industrial projects and there are concerns about the possible displacement of residents. Dharavi is home to over a million people and was famously depicted in the 2008 Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. Despite its many dilapidated tenements, it also houses a thriving informal economy. For many, Dharavi is also a symbol of wealth inequalities in India. This week, we take you to Dharavi to better understand what's at stake with the project. We'll hear from residents who are both excited by the prospect of redevelopment, but also fearful about losing their home. Featuring: Raju Korde, resident of Dharavi. Hussain Indorewala, assistant professor at Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies and urban researcher For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

In Nigeria, the japa movement is growing. Japa is a Yoruba word that means to run away, or to flee, and it's become a shorthand way for young Nigerians to say they're leaving their home country to look for opportunities abroad. According to a recent survey by the Africa Polling Institute, 69 per cent of Nigerians would relocate if given the chance — up from 40 per cent who felt that way in 2019. This ongoing exodus of young people from the country is the backdrop of Nigeria's most recent election, which happened on Saturday. Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu has been declared president-elect, but the main opposition parties have called the election a "sham" and want a new vote. This week, we dig into the reasons why so many young Nigerians are looking to leave their country, how that galvanized them in this election, and what their exodus could mean for Nigeria's future. Featuring: Cyril Aliemeke, 32, thinking about leaving Nigeria. David Hundeyin, a Nigerian investigative journalist. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Shamima Begum, a British national who left England to join ISIS forces in Syria when she was 15, lost the fight to restore her U.K. citizenship on Wednesday. Begum, who is now 23, had her citizenship stripped on national security grounds in 2019. Begum's legal team argued that she is a victim of trafficking for sexual exploitation, while Britain's Home Office argued that she was a committed ISIS volunteer. This week on Nothing is Foreign, BBC journalist Josh Baker on the many sides of Shamima Begum, why her story has struck such a chord in the U.K., and what the outcome of her citizenship fight could mean for other foreign suspected ISIS affiliates. Featuring: Josh Baker, BBC journalist, creator of "I'm Not a Monster — The Shamima Begum Story" For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Heat of the Moment is a podcast from Foreign Policy in partnership with the Climate Investment Funds. Hosted by CNN contributor John D Sutter, Heat of the Moment tells the stories of the people on the front lines of the fight against climate change. This episode from Season 3 explores the idea of a "just transition.” It’s a term often associated with coal miners and other fossil fuel workers whose jobs are going away as we move from fossil fuel use, but it’s a topic that’s so much bigger than that. As you’ll hear, this concept encapsulates broader ideals of righting past wrongs - wrongs like racism or sexism, colonialism or classism. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/heatofthemoment

This week, the Chinese government accused the U.S of sending 10 high-altitude balloons into its airspace in the past year. This came after the U.S shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon earlier this month, and amid U.S. accusations that China operates a fleet of spy balloons around the world. Both governments have denied the allegations of surveillance being levelled against them. Analysts say that these events have huge implications for the long-term relationship between the two global superpowers. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we get the view from Beijing on how the diplomatic crisis unfolded. Plus, a look at the challenges of getting aid into heavily sanctioned rebel-held Northwestern Syria after the devastating earthquake of February 6. Will easing sanctions speed the flow of aid — or will it help prop up President Bashar al-Assad's regime? Featuring: Lingling Wei, China chief correspondent, the Wall Street Journal. Monzer Al-Salal, with the Stabilization Support Unit, a non-governmental organization based in Syria. Alena Douhan, UN special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

For the first time in six decades, China's population shrank last year. It's resulted in growing fears around the future of the country's economy and has pushed government authorities and private companies to launch incentive programs to boost the population. Just last week, government officials in the Chinese province of Sichuan announced they would allow couples to have an unlimited number of children. It's a radical turn from the days of the one-child policy, which was in place from 1980 to 2015. According to Mei Fong, author of One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment, that policy has influenced a generation of young people to push back against societal expectations around marriage and childbearing. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we dig into those changing attitudes and how they might help us understand the population decline we're seeing in China today. Featuring: Mei Fong, author of One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

University students across India have been protesting the government's suppression of a recently released BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It's about his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, where over a thousand people were killed, mostly Muslims. The Indian government suppressed the documentary by using emergency powers, stemming from an IT law it created in 2021 that allows for the removal of online content considered fake or false by the government, or seen as a threat to public order. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we get into the support and backlash to Modi shutting down screenings of the BBC documentary and what that says about growing concerns around censorship and freedom of expression in the country. Featuring: Ajoy Ashirwad, political editor at The Wire, an independent news agency based in Delhi. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine drags on, experts say Vladimir Putin is preparing to do what was once unthinkable: launch another wave of mobilization. Russian military analysts say Putin is preparing the country for a long war and needs the extra recruits. In addition, Ukrainian intelligence officials have also claimed that a second round of mobilization is imminent. But what do ordinary Russians think? This week, Nothing is Foreign speaks to a Russian man who fled when he first received his draft notice. He says that if the war effort persists, he does not see a future for himself and his family in Russia. Featuring: Denis Volkov, director of the Levada Center, a non-governmental research organization based in Moscow. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, there has been a crackdown on the rights and freedoms of women in the country. Despite initially promising that a woman's right to study and work would be preserved, the Taliban has enacted policies that virtually ban women from public life. Girls are not allowed to continue their education beyond Grade 6. Afghan women have pushed back on the restrictions, and this week on Nothing is Foreign, we hear one woman's story of resistance. Sahar, whose last name we are not disclosing for her safety, teaches at a secret school for girls in Grades 7-12 in Kabul. Featuring: Obaidullah Baheer, lecturer at American University of Afghanistan. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059

On Sunday, supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country's Congress. This happened just a week after the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Thousands of demonstrators crossed security barricades, smashed windows and ransacked offices. For many who follow Brazilian politics closely, this act of violence wasn't surprising. Bolsonaro supporters have been blocking highways, and camping out at military headquarters across the country, demanding that the military reinstate the former president. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we take a closer look at Bolsonaro's support base — often described as "bibles, beef and bullets," and the culture wars that have fuelled political divisions in the country, to better understand what might have led to this week's attack on Brazil's Congress. Featuring: Cedê Silva, Brasília-based journalist, working for The Brazilian Report.

The Indonesian parliament recently approved a law that, in part, bans sex outside of marriage, making the act punishable by a year in jail. Rights groups fear this will lead to a crackdown on dissent and privacy rights, and that it will also targets the LGBTQ community given that gay marriage is illegal in Indonesia. Today on Nothing is Foreign, we dig into what this could mean for people in Indonesia, and the growing influence of conservative Muslim values in the country. Featuring: Dede Oetomo, LGBTQ right activist and founder of Gaya Nusantara. Andreas Harsono, author and Indonesia researcher for Human Rights Watch.

India’s RRR, a three-hour epic that’s made 175 million dollars around the world and found a massive audience through Netflix, has just been nominated for two Golden Globes — a first for an Indian film. And with that, RRR has brought a lot of attention to Tollywood, the South Indian Telugu-language film industry from which it was made. This comes during a rough patch for Bollywood, the country’s dominant Hindi-language film industry. There have been a string of big budget flops along and a right-wing driven movement to boycott some big stars. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we dive into the world of RRR and Tollywood’s success and why this might be connected to India’s polarizing political climate. Featuring: Aakshi Magazine, film and culture writer based in New Delhi

In many ways South Korean boy band BTS is exceptional. The group sells out stadiums around the world, and adds about $3.6 billion USD a year to their home economy. But in one crucial aspect, each of its seven members is completely ordinary. Like every young man in South Korea: they must enlist for mandatory military service before they turn 30. Last week, the oldest member of the group, Kim Seok-jin — better known as Jin — started his deployment in the county of Yeoncheon, near the North Korean border. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we pull apart all the different arguments in the debate over BTS, Korean conscription, and using K-Pop idols as the ultimate diplomatic emissaries. Featuring: Michelle Cho, professor of East Asian studies at the University of Toronto, BTS fan.

World Cup 2022 is about to wrap up this weekend, and one of the emerging storylines has been the growing solidarity between fans from different Arab nations. The success of Morocco, the first African and largely Arabic-speaking country to enter the semi-finals, is a big contributing factor to this, but many fans have also been united in their support of the Palestinian cause during the tournament. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we unpack these moments of solidarity happening between nations, and how the World Cup has provided a venue for both people to celebrate but also speak out about tensions in the region. Featuring: Vivian Nereim, Gulf bureau chief for the New York Times.

The Japanese government has launched an inquiry into the power and influence of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, also known as the Unification Church, or the Moonies. Critics have called this group a cult. This comes after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July. The murder suspect says that he targetted the politician for his connection to the Unification Church, which he alleges is responsible for draining his family’s life savings. What’s been revealed in the killing’s wake are deep, historic ties between Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church. Ex-believers have also started speaking out about the group’s alleged predatory fundraising practices. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we dig into how some of Japan’s most powerful politicians became close with the religious group better known for mass marriage ceremonies — and the costs of this association. Featuring: Koichi Nakano, political scientist with Sophia University in Tokyo

Protests erupted in cities all over China last weekend over the country's strict COVID-19 measures. People called for an end to stringent lockdowns, and in some cases, for greater democratic reforms. Civil disobedience this widespread hasn't been seen in China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we dig into what life under zero-COVID policies looks like to better understand the frustration that's led to these rare demonstrations. Featuring: Megumi Lim, video journalist working mainly with ITV news, based in Beijing.

For decades, Colombia has been plagued by violent conflict involving armed groups and drug cartels. Despite many attempts to curb the problem, including a landmark peace deal with the country's largest rebel group in 2016, cocaine production continues to proliferate in Colombia. Now, President Gustavo Petro is implementing a new "total peace" plan to deal with the drug problem. He says that the war on drugs has been a failure and wants a drug policy approach that focuses on human rights and not criminal justice. This week, the government began talks with a wide array of rebel groups in an attempt to reach a multilateral ceasefire. But will this new plan work? That's the question we're looking to answer this week on Nothing is Foreign. We'll also look at the devastating human toll of Colombia's drug war so far, and why it's an issue that has implications far beyond its borders. Featuring: David Restrepo, director of research at the Center for Studies on Security and Drugs at the University of the Andes in Bogota

More than a million soccer fans are expected to descend on Qatar this weekend, as the 2022 World Cup begins. But in the decade since the country won its bid, there's been allegations of corruption and widespread criticism of the way that the government has handled preparations for the tournament. Human rights groups point to how stadium workers, mostly from foreign countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, were forced to pay huge recruitment fees and had wages withheld and passports taken away. The Guardian also reported that at least 6,500 migrant workers have died since Qatar won its hosting bid. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we dig into the controversies surrounding this year's World Cup, and how, despite them, the tournament is set to bring in record revenues for FIFA. Featuring: Tariq Panja, global sports reporter for the New York Times.

At COP27, the UN's conference on climate change this week, countries in the Global South are calling for a loss and damage compensation fund. And for the first time, it's actually on the agenda. The central argument for the fund is that the countries most vulnerable to climate change are the least responsible for the emissions contributing to the climate crisis. Advocates for the fund say that the highest carbon-emitting countries, like the U.S. and those in the European Union, should financially help countries like Pakistan, for example, deal with flood relief. On Nothing is Foreign this week: the case for climate reparations, the pushback against them, and why they aren't enough for many living in climate-vulnerable countries. Plus, activists across Asia are concerned about Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, and what it might mean for their freedom to express dissent. We hear from a few of them. Featuring: - Nickson Barry, regional chair of the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network based in Saint Lucia. - Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International. - Yaqiu Wang, senior researcher on China for Human Rights Watch.

This week, we take you inside one environmental activist group's preparations for a protest to better understand the debate around the more brazen activist tactics in the climate movement. The UN climate conference COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt starting Sunday. Activists in Europe have been using a variety of more disruptive and brazen tactics to call attention to the climate crisis. They've thrown soup and mashed potatoes at paintings by renowned artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet, and glued themselves to a dinosaur display at Berlin's Natural History Museum. They have also blocked traffic in London, leading to major commuter delays. These more disruptive tactics have drawn anger, leading some to ask whether these disruptions help or hurt the fight against climate change. Featuring: Gilbert Rossier, supporter of Extinction Rebellion. Giordano Cioni, member of Extinction Rebellion's German chapter. Colin Davis, professor of psychology at the University of Bristol and longtime climate activist.

Almost eight million people in the United Kingdom are struggling to pay their bills right now, according to recent financial surveys. From heat to food, the cost of living has risen astronomically. Some people are even opting out of utilities to save money. This is the backdrop to the political turmoil that's been dominating the headlines in recent weeks, with Liz Truss' resigning from the prime minister's office after only 45 days of leadership, and Rishi Sunak being chosen as Britain's next leader earlier this week. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we hear from two U.K. residents about their day-to-day challenges, and what they think about the current political landscape. Featuring: Sharron Spice, in her 30s and lives in London. Christina Adane, Campaigner in residence at Bite Back 2030.

This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to receive an unprecedented third term, which would make him the longest serving leader since Mao Zedong. It comes as more than two thousand members of the Chinese Communist Party are gathering in Beijing to determine the government’s priorities for the next five years. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we look at Xi’s path to consolidating power in the country, and how events like his father’s imprisonment, and the Cultural Revolution, brought him to this point. Featuring: Sue-Lin Wong, The Economist’s China correspondent and host of “The Prince”, a podcast about Xi Jinping’s rise to power.

Brazil's Amazon rainforest is in peril. During incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro’s time in office, researchers have seen an increase in deforestation, land invasions and violence against Indigenous peoples in the area. Ahead of the runoff vote in the country’s presidential election, we speak with an Indigenous leader who says his tribe’s very existence is at stake with this election. Guests: André Karipuna, chief of the Karipuna tribe. Claudio Angelo, former climate journalist.

For the first time since Mussolini's rule during the Second World War, a far-right party has been elected to power in Italy. We take you to Mussolini's birthplace, Predappio — which, to this day, is home to souvenir shops and shrines honouring the dictator — to explore the lasting impact of fascism in the country's politics. Featuring: Carlo Magistretti, Italian freelance journalist. Piero Ignazi, political scientist. Giorgio Frasinetti, former mayor of Predappio. Roberto Canali, current mayor of Predappio.

Over the past few weeks, protests in Iran against the compulsory hijab law and the morality police have spread across the country and worldwide, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. But it's not the first time protests against the Islamic Republic's repression of women's rights have erupted. We look at what's different this time and how the current uprising is uniting Iranians from all walks of life. Featuring: Negar Mortazavi, Iranian-American journalist and political analyst, host of the Iran Podcast.

The high seas are beyond the reach of international law – and beyond the beat of most reporters. But Pulitzer-Prize-winner and former New York Times journalist, Ian Urbina, has sailed into uncharted territories. Urbina sets out on a years-long quest to investigate murder at sea, modern slave labour, environmental crimes and quixotic adventurers. Part travelog, part true-crime thriller, this 7-part series takes listeners to places where the laws of the land no longer exist. The Outlaw Ocean is brought to you by CBC Podcasts and the LA Times and produced by The Outlaw Ocean Project. More episodes are available at http://hyperurl.co/theoutlawocean

A recent string of bank hold-ups in Lebanon have gone viral on social media. Desperate depositors storm into banks, sometimes with guns, and demand tellers hand over their own money. There have been limits on withdrawals since 2019 and frustration is mounting as the economic crisis there deepens. Sally Hafez, a woman who held up a bank with a toy gun in order to withdraw money for her sister's cancer treatment, has been in hiding since videos of her heist quickly spread last week. She tells us how she pulled it off — and then we speak with a member of the Depositors Outcry Association, a group that supports her and others like her, about how the financial meltdown is leaving people in dire situations with few options. Featuring: Sally Hafez, depositor and subject of the viral video. Ibrahim Abdallah, member of the Depositors Outcry Association.

The rains in Pakistan started early this year and at one point, a third of the country's territory was inundated with water. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced and a food crisis is looming. But how did things get this bad and who is ultimately responsible when a country with low emissions faces the brunt of a global climate crisis? Plus, we take a quick look at how Queen Elizabeth's death has fuelled an ongoing reckoning with the British monarchy. Featuring: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr., artist and climate advocate, grandson of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Access to abortion has taken on urgency as the laws protecting it come under attack in the U.S. Working with American journalist Amanda Robb, host David Ridgen examines the murder of her uncle, an abortion provider in the U.S. and the resulting conviction of a fanatical sniper. Both discover that this murder may be the endgame of a series of doctor shootings that actually began in Canada. More episodes are available at hyperurl.co/sks

It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Taiwan. After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to the self-governed island last week, China followed up with several military drills over the Taiwan strait. While those drills have now stopped, tensions remain high between the U.S. and China, which claims the island as its own territory, and the people of Taiwan find themselves caught in the middle. What does life look like there now and what does it mean to be Taiwanese? Featuring: William Yang, East Asia Correspondent for Deutsche Welles based in Taipei

Mexico City has become a hot remote working destination since the start of the pandemic. But the influx of wealthy foreigners is having an impact on everything from housing affordability to pandemic safety and it's sparking a major conversation in the city about gentrification. Featuring: Zachary Berkman, English teacher living in Mexico City. Tamara Velasquez, PhD student in Global Urban Studies at Rutgers University. Cara Araneta, creative consultant living in Mexico City.

When human rights activist Karima Baloch is found drowned off the shores of Toronto, an investigation into her mysterious death leads all the way back to Pakistan, the country she had recently fled. In this six-part series, host Mary Lynk explores the rampant abductions and killings of dissidents in Pakistan, the dangers that follow those who flee to the West, and a terrifying intelligence agency with tentacles around the globe. How did Karima die? And would Pakistan really carry out an assassination far beyond its borders? This is a story that a powerful state doesn’t want you to know. More episodes are available at smarturl.it/thekilllist

Europe's latest record-breaking heat wave is sparking some real climate anxiety. Wildfires have spread rapidly across the continent, while soaring temperatures have warped roads and caused train tracks to buckle. More than 1,000 people have died due to the heat in Spain and Portugal alone. With extreme weather events on the rise, some wonder if what is happening in Europe will finally jolt leaders into action on climate change. Featuring: Zia Weise, climate reporter, Politico Europe

Sri Lanka’s president just resigned after months of protest and a deepening economic crisis. Despite Rajapaksa’s departure and the celebratory scenes of demonstrators partying at the president’s home, the people of Sri Lanka have a massive debt hole to climb out of and people have been struggling. What comes next? Plus, a look at why a maintenance shutdown of Russia’s Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany is raising alarms across Europe. Featuring: Aritha Wickramasinghe, Banking lawyer Christoph Rauwald, Bloomberg Bureau Chief, Frankfurt

Chile is on the cusp of replacing its Pinochet-era constitution with a radically progressive new alternative. Three years after mass protests swept the nation, an elected group of citizens have rewritten their constitution. It could replace the one enacted when a military dictatorship gripped the country from 1973 to 1990. The new document, which voters will have to decide on in September, brings Indigenous rights, environmental protections and public services to the forefront. But not everyone's on board with this bold new direction. We take a look at how Chile got to this point, and the obstacles that stand in the way of making it a reality. Featuring: Pablo Abufom, activist, Solidaridad

Afrobeats is dominating summer playlists. After a steady rise for the genre over the last few years, artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy and Tems are all over the Western music charts, winning big at the Grammys and BET Awards and headlining the biggest festivals. But, for the growing African diaspora that's been fueling its rise, the music goes a lot deeper than its commercial success. We get into how Afrobeats is paving a way back home for members of the diaspora and how its dominance is built on self-acceptance and cultural pride. Featuring: Christian Adofo, writer and author of A Quick Ting on Afrobeats. GuiltyBeatz, Ghanian DJ and Afrobeats producer.

The devastation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is being felt far beyond the front lines of the war. More than 20 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain exports are being blocked by Russia in the Black Sea — a vital trade route that supplies millions of people in North Africa and the Middle East; many nations in those regions now face extreme food shortages and potential famine. We explain how Ukraine's role as "breadbasket of Europe" is being used as a chess piece in the war and what can be done to solve this growing crisis. Featuring: Dr. Hassan Khannenje, Director of the HORN Institute of Strategic Studies Yevheniya Kravchuk, Ukrainian member of Parliament

Ideas with Nahlah Ayed is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. No topic is off-limits. Can you ever truly go home again? At a time when more people have been forcibly displaced from their homes than at any other time in history, IDEAS explores what it means to return years — or decades — later. This is the first episode in the new five-part series, The Idea of Home. More episodes of Ideas are available at smarturl.it/cbcideas

On June 21, a new labour law comes into effect in the U.S. requiring all importing businesses to prove that nothing in their supply chain is made with forced labour in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. That's where human rights organizations say more than a million Uyghurs have been detained, with estimates of hundreds of thousands forced to produce cotton, apparel and electronics for some of the world's biggest brands. We speak with two Uyghur advocates who tell us stories of their family heartache, the struggle for the truth and whether this new law can end these crimes against humanity. Featuring: Rayhan Asat, human rights and business practices lawyer. Jewher Ilham, Uyghur human rights activist, Project to Combat Forced Labor.

More than two years into the pandemic and North Korea finally admits it has a COVID problem — and it could be getting dire. Since May, the secretive North Korean government says more than three million people have come down with a "fever" while hundreds of thousands are confirmed COVID cases. With no vaccines and only some able to access medical care, the outbreak could already be out of control. First-hand information is hard to come by because access to the country is nearly impossible. We attempt to find out what's really happening inside the most isolated nation on earth, in the middle of a pandemic. Featuring: Jeongmin Kim, North Korea-South Korea correspondent at NK News.

Colombia's presidential election is heading to a pivotal runoff between two political outsiders: a former guerilla fighter turned senator who could become the country's first left-wing president, and a 77-year-old right-wing populist TikTok star. It's a critical time for the country, six years after a historic peace deal that was supposed to end 50 years of civil war. But instead of promised peace and a new future, Colombians have faced extreme income inequality, resurgent cocaine cartels and new militias taking up arms and causing bloodshed. With stark choices and real consequences, where does Colombia go from here? Featuring: Angelika Rettberg, professor and researcher of armed conflict and peacebuilding at the University of the Andes, in Bogota.

Ukraine's Donbas region has traditionally been a stronghold of pro-Russian support, but after months of war in its backyard, that once-unassailable loyalty to Russia in the east could be starting to dissipate. This week, we head back to the front lines of the Ukraine-Russia war and explore why some Ukrainians who once dreamed of a Russian-backed future are changing their minds. Featuring: Enrique Menendez, Ukrainian humanitarian aid worker. Mansur Mirovalev, Al Jazeera journalist covering eastern Ukraine conflicts.

An Israeli court decision could allow the government to evict around 1,200 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area in the southern West Bank. The May 4 High Court of Justice ruling rejected the prior appeals against eviction orders issued to residents of the area, which Israel declared a military firing zone in the 1980s. Palestinians say they have a right to remain on the land and have lived there for generations, but Israel argues they are squatting and do not have the right to establish permanent residence in the firing zone. The decision is being criticized by some legal experts in Israel, and the United Nations said in a statement that by upholding the eviction orders, the judicial system has given "carte blanche to the Israeli government to perpetuate the practice of systematic oppression against Palestinians." We speak to Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard about how the land of Masafer Yatta became a legal and physical battleground and check in with Palestinian journalist Basel Adra about his experiences of reporting on the 20-year-long land dispute. Featuring: Basel Adra, Palestinian journalist Michael Sfard, Israeli human rights lawyer CLARIFICATION: This episode mentions reports from Israeli media stating that the Israeli military was “not planning to investigate the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh.” Those reports specifically pertained to a criminal investigation.

In the Philippines, Bonifacio Ilagan survived prison, political violence and the disappearance of his sister — all at the hands of the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. dictatorship. Despite decades of activism, he never expected to see the family he fought to overthrow return to power in his country. But that's what happened this week when Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. won a landslide presidential victory. Ilagan reflects on how his country has forgotten one of its darkest eras, the concerted effort the Marcos family and its supporters have made to accelerate that amnesia and what it all means for the Philippines' future. Featuring: Bonifacio Ilagan, playwright, activist and Philippines martial law survivor.

The U.K.'s plan to send refugees on a one-way trip to Rwanda is causing outrage. In a controversial, multimillion-pound deal, the British government will send some asylum seekers to Rwanda instead of allowing them to stay in the U.K. This plan marks a major shift in how refugees are treated and could have a far-reaching implications for the rest of Europe — and for thousands of refugees fleeing war and persecution. We explain how the deal works, why thousands of lives could be in jeopardy, why some are calling this immigration policy "neo-colonialism" and why critics say Rwanda isn't a safe haven. Featuring: Bella Sankey, director of Detention Action. Theogene Rudasingwa, former Rwandan ambassador to the U.S.

Starting in the mid-2000s, a pulsing fusion of EDM, rap and Egyptian folk – known as Mahraganat – has risen from the streets of Cairo and become a worldwide phenomenon. But Egypt's authorities are now cracking down on the music and the artists creating it, saying it's immoral and corrupting young people. We take you inside the culture and class wars of Egypt and explore what the banning of popular music says about the African country's image and its future. Featuring: Mahmoud Refat, music producer and executive of 100Copies Music. Fady Adel, Egyptian culture journalist.

France is electing a new president this weekend — and once again the culture war over Islam is front and centre. Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate, has proposed a ban on Muslim women wearing headscarves in public, and she's in striking distance of upsetting Emmanuel Macron, France's current centrist president. With the debate over French identity and rampant Islamaphobia flaring up again, our guest, Rim-Sarah Alouane, a French legal scholar, says it's "draining" to feel as a French Muslim that "you are never enough." So what does this moment mean for Western Europe's largest Muslim population? And just how close is France to the brink of a far-right future? Featuring: Rim-Sarah Alouane, a French legal scholar and civil liberties expert.

Economically, Sri Lanka is on fire. Residents are dealing with ballooning food costs, hours-long lineups for fuel and power blackouts that last half the day. The country is facing record inflation and unemployment, the likes of which haven't been seen in 74 years. But the crisis has united a nation that's long been divided along ethnic and religious lines — all to oust the political family they blame for the disaster. This week, we hear from Sri Lankans who explain how their country landed in a $51-billion debt hole and the island nation's unprecedented protests. Featuring: Aritha Wickramasinghe, lawyer and human rights activist. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo.

If you're sitting in the West, listening to Western politicians, the Ukraine-Russia war has a pretty clear narrative: Russia is the aggressor and should be sanctioned to the fullest extent, in solidarity with Ukraine. But how does the rest of the world view this war? Much of the Global South and some of the most powerful nations in the world, like China, India and Brazil, don't see the war in black and white. They're refusing to sanction or officially condemn Russia over the invasion. Why aren't they taking a side and what does that mean for how this war can end? We speak with two geopolitical experts on the tightrope these countries are walking and whether we're witnessing a reordering of power among the biggest players on the world stage. Featuring: Swapna Kona Nayudu, associate at the Harvard University Asia Center and Indian foreign policy expert. Chidochashe Nyere, post-doctoral research fellow at the Institute of Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg.

The demands are growing in Jamaica to get Britain to pay up and offer reparations for slavery. Anti-monarchy sentiments, protests and calls for reparations made for an uncomfortable visit for Prince William and Kate through the Caribbean last week. Jamaica's prime minister said the Commonwealth realm is looking to "move on" from the monarchy and become an independent republic. One of its most urgent demands — reparations for slavery — has been decades in the making but is now gaining momentum as more Jamaicans say the intergenerational trauma of slavery has shaped the nation in a way that must be rectified. We take a closer look at Jamaica's push for reparations, the long legacy of resistance against colonialism in the country, and the Royal Family's connection to the slave trade. Featuring: Matthew J. Smith, professor of history and director of the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery. Bert Samuels, lawyer and member of Jamaica's Reparations Council.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has delivered unprecedented success for his team, London's Chelsea Football Club, in the English Premier League. But with sanctions tightening around Abramovich, who is on the list of those deemed to be enabling Russian President Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine, the team's finances and ethics are under the microscope. And that scrutiny levelled at Abramovich has expanded to other Premier League clubs that are owned by countries with questionable human rights records, leaving fans and its millions of viewers around the world asking what team they're really supporting. Does the blinding gleam of trophies cover up bigger, darker and more complicated questions about ethical ownership in sports? We look into how oligarchs and countries have used "sportswashing" to launder their reputations, the tentacles that extend from England into Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and beyond, and the reckoning underway at the highest levels of sports and business. Note, this episode contains explicit language. Featuring: Mayowa Quadri, editorial officer at Versus and Chelsea FC supporter. Ben Jacobs, sports journalist and producer, CBS Sports.

South’s Korea incoming president, Yoon Suk Yeol, demonizes feminism, blames women for the country’s low birth rate and denies the existence of gender inequality. His campaign — which capitalized on the politics of grievance — has drawn comparisons to former U.S. president Donald Trump. So much so that he is also known as K-Trump. This week, we hear from the women who are fighting for their voices, rights and safety and explore the roots of the country’s anti-feminist movement. Featuring: Jieun Choi, South Korean journalist. Haein Shim, artist and activist of Seoul-based feminist group Haeil.

Peering inside Russia — and it’s complex web of state propaganda — presents a very different view of the war in Ukraine and who the real victims are. As nations around the world condemn Russia’s invasion, many within Russia are supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin. How is Putin selling the war to the Russian people? Will thousands of anti-war protesters challenging the Kremlin make a difference to the government? We'll take you inside the alternate reality being created by Russian state propaganda, how fear and new laws have choked off dissenting voices and the difficult conversations between a Ukrainian son and a Russian father in the war over disinformation. Featuring: Alexey Kovalev, investigative editor of Meduza. Sergey Utkin, researcher and head of strategic assessment at Primakov Institute of World Economy and International relations. Misha Katsurin, Kyiv resident and creator of Papapover.com. Yulia Zhivtsova, anti-war protester in Moscow.

More than a million people have fled Ukraine into countries to the west, as Russian attacks continue. The refugee crisis has spurred an outpouring of international support, as neighbouring European countries open their borders and homes. But the support this time is strikingly different from how some countries have responded to refugees from other conflicts — like Syria and Iraq — who were kept out, in some cases with violence. The distinction is especially stark, after stories have emerged of some Black and Asian refugees fleeing Ukraine facing violence, harassment and racism at the border. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we hear from people on the ground including those who have experienced discrimination and explore how governments can treat skin colour as a visa. Featuring: Tatiana, Alexandra, Nastia, Rubi, Ahmed, all refugees from Ukraine. Sara Cincurova, a journalist covering humanitarian issues at Ukraine-Slovakia border. Chris Melzer, the senior spokesperson of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Poland.

Fears of warfare have become reality this week in Ukraine. A Russian attack is underway – with explosions and shelling filling the skies above Kyiv and troops seizing Ukrainian territory. We speak with Maksym Kyiak, a pro-democracy activist living in Kyiv, who talks about the mad dash to grab money and supplies as Russian troops move into the capital city, and Sara Cincurova, a journalist covering human rights in Kharkiv, who describes the massive lines of desperate people at the train station trying to flee. We ask what sparked these Russian attacks and why now? And what does the future hold for Ukraine?

Since the fall of Kabul six months ago, conditions in Afghanistan have been devastating: 98 percent of the country is short on food, bank accounts are frozen, thousands have left, and the economy is on the verge of total collapse. The United Nations has gone so far as to call it the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history. Now the U.S. — on top of continuing sanctions against Afghanistan and freezing the assets of its central bank — is planning on taking away billions of dollars belonging to the Afghan people. This week, we'll take you to the streets of Kabul and show you the real cost of these actions on Afghans who are just trying to survive. Featuring Obaidullah Baheer, lecturer at American University in Kabul and humanitarian, and Shelley Thakral, Afghanistan communications specialist with the United Nations World Food Programme.

Can a nation — and economy — of 6.5 million people run on bitcoin? That's the real-time experiment playing out in El Salvador, where the country's tech bro president has made the cryptocurrency legal tender. We'll take you inside El Salvador and hear from locals to see how the promise of a cryptocurrency paradise by a self-professed 'world's coolest dictator' is running up against the reality of regular people just trying to survive. Featuring investigative reporter Nelson Rauda with El Faro. Note: this episode contains explicit language.

Nothing is Foreign is a weekly world news podcast, hosted by Tamara Khandaker. Launching February 11.