This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, and Radio Deutsche-Welle.

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211231.mp3

From JAPAN- Parts of Japan have received snowfall breaking records for 24 hour periods, as has happened here in California. Japan plans to put its own astronauts on the moon by 2030. The Japanese Prime Minister Kishida will attend the upcoming UN non-proliferation conference by video. Japan has compiled a $260 million plan to address reputational damage to industries after they begin releasing radioactively contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. President Biden has signed the $770 billion defense bill which now includes $7 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, and suggests inviting the Taiwan military to take part in a drill called the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. Coal-fired power plants in the US have increased output by 22% in 2021, the first increase since 2014.

From CUBA- Extreme rains have hit the northeast of Brazil, causing two dams to fail, leading to deaths and emergencies in 72 cities. A study found that 37% of low income Brazilians do not have enough food. In El Salvador 3 women were released from 30 year prison sentences for having obstetric emergencies requiring abortions. Israel plans to double the number of settlers living in occupied parts of the Golan Heights in Syria. The US Justice Department fined Taylor Energy $43 million for the oil spill that has been leaking for 17 years 11 miles off the coast of Louisiana.

From GERMANY- DW replayed a few highlights from 2021 including this report on how militaries are exempt from international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions- I was unable to fit this report in when it came out in August. Germany is shutting down most nuclear power plants this week, with the remaining ones going in 2022- 43% of Germany's energy comes from renewable sources. Talks over the Iranian nuclear program and the sanctions it struggles under are underway in Austria. Covid infections are skyrocketing in Europe. New Covid restrictions came into effect in Germany, along with large protests the day before. China is angry over Elon Musk's Starlink satellites nearly colliding with the Chinese space station. The Russian courts shut down two human rights organizations. Anti-Apartheid leader Bishop Desmond Tutu passed away and many tributes were broadcast.