This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, France 24, Radio Havana Cuba, and George Galloway.

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220513.mp3 (29:00)

From JAPAN- South Korea has a new conservative President. Northern Pakistan has had a record heatwave, causing glaciers to melt resulting in a massive flood. Chinese President Xi and French president Macron agree that the Ukraine crisis should be resolved through negotiations, not more military assistance. The US approved a new $40 billion package of mostly military aid to Ukraine, while Britain is adding $1.6 billion in military support. Russian controls on media are blocking citizens from getting foreign news and social media sites, much like the EU and the US.

From FRANCE- World leaders are meeting in Ivory Coast at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference to find strategies for limiting desertification and drought, accelerated by global warming. Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva officially launched his campaign against Bolsonaro. A renowned Palestinian American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, was killed while covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank.

From CUBA- Israeli authorities have reportedly informed western allies that assassination teams were being prepared to carry out targeted killings of Hamas leaders who live abroad. Bolivian President Luis Arce announced he will not participate in the Summit of the Americas to be held in Los Angeles because the US has banned Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua from the summit.

From UK- An interview George Galloway did with journalist Wyatt Reed about Venezuela, the Summit of the Americas, and lithium. From Galloways independent production, Mother of all talk shows.

This week's show features stories from France 24, Radio Havana Cuba, Radio Deutsche-Welle, and NHK Japan.

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220506.mp3 (29:00)

From FRANCE- India is experiencing an unprecedented heat wave, creating more demand for electricity, 70% of which is derived from burning coal. There were Mayday rallies across France, calling for wage increases and to stop the plan to raise the retirement age.

From CUBA- they also have a youtube channel called france24 english. On to RHC. A brief report on Mayday around the world and its history. Oil company profits are soaring and the UN Secretary General criticized them. Then a Viewpoint about Press Freedom Day, and what is happening in the US to alternative and independent media outlets that challenge the Wests reporting on events in Ukraine.

From GERMANY- Reporters Without Borders says that media freedom in Russia has deteriorated this year, with the government blocking access to international and independent news sources concerning the war in Ukraine. What is the role of propaganda in war? The leader of the European Commission has called for a ban in Europe of Russian oil, as well as banning 3 more Russian networks in Europe, in addition to Sputnik Radio and Russia Today which are already blocked. After many decades of pacifism, both Germany and Japan are changing their policy on offensive weapons and are developing rearmament plans.

From JAPAN- A planned multibillion dollar US arms sale to Taiwan has been delayed because of increased demand for in other parts of the globe. The Chinese Navy did more military drills with its warships in the western Pacific Ocean. Russian commanders complain that the west is filling Ukraine with weapons, so they are going to target train transport of the arms. More on the Japanese plans to increase military power, with the assistance of the US military.

This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, France 24, Radio Havana Cuba, and NHK Japan.

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220429.mp3 (29:00)

From GERMANY- Emmanuel Macron was reelected president of France- many chose him as the lesser of two evils, many skipped voting or left the ballots blank. For the seventh year in a row countries have spent record sums of money on weapons- the war on Ukraine is pushing the figures even higher. Last year 2 trillion dollars were spent, with the US way out in front.

From FRANCE- More weapons spending on Ukraine was pledged at a US airbase in Germany- Germany had been hesitant about sending heavy weapons to Ukraine but under pressure offered 50 anti-aircraft tanks. Analysis and a press review about how close the influx of weapons to Ukraine is to crossing a redline from a Russian perspective. Russia had warned that advancing a proxy war could quickly become world war 3.

From CUBA- The government of Nicaragua announced the expulsion of the Organization of American States (the OAS) from its territory, due to its interference in their country. Venezuelan president Maduro denounced his Colombian counterpart Duque of orchestrating a plan to assassinate both military and police. A new study finds that the prosecution of corporate criminals in the US dropped by half in 2021. Steven Donziger was released from a thousand days of house arrest. Iran warned Israel that it knows the placement of all its nuclear weapon sites.

From JAPAN-The Japanese government has begun subsidizing fuel to ease the price for consumers. Shanghai has been on a strict Covid lockdown for a month. The US Navy sailed a guided missile destroyer through the Taiwan Strait, causing Chinese consternation. China will launch a third aircraft carrier later this year.

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

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220422.mp3 (29:00)

From JAPAN- UN Sec General Guterres has asked to meet with Putin and Zelensky in their capitols to mediate peace in Ukraine. The US and South Korean militaries have begun another drill despite pleas from North Korea to cancel them. North Korea will hold a military parade next Monday, the 90th anniversary of their armed forces. China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands just days before a visit from the US. The US and Philippine defense ministers met in Washington. Japanese researchers say that the concentration of the greenhouse gas methane in the atmosphere is at its highest level ever recorded. Japanese corporations are working together to produce and sell Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAFs), a biofuel that is mixed into jet fuel which can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about to 80%.

From GERMANY- The Mexican congress passed a bill to nationalize lithium mining. The Russian foreign minister Lavrov says that Russian objectives in Ukraine have not changed- an Oxford professor analyzes and critiques what Lavrov said, and whether sanctions against Russia are changing the course of the war. Israeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip after Palestinian extremists fired 4 rockets into southern Israel.

From YOUTUBE- RT, Russia Today, has not had new programs from its British producers Afshin Rattansi and George Galloway for weeks. I finally found out why from Galloway's YouTube channel.

From CUBA-A British court moved one step closer to extraditing Julian Assange to the US. Climate campaigners with Extinction Rebellion shut down 4 major bridges in London, demanding an end to fossil fuels. Israeli settlers stormed the al-aqsa mosque under the protection of the Israeli military. Then a Viewpoint on British PM Boris Johnson announced that asylum seekers will be flown 7000 km away to Rawanda where they will be given visas to stay there.

This week's show features stories from France 24, NHK Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, and Sputnik Radio.

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From FRANCE- First two pieces from a press review. Incumbent President Macron will face far-right candidate Marine LePen in the final election on April 24- in 2017 the candidates faced each other with Macron receiving 2/3's of the votes but this time will be closer. As a result of a 13 year drought, Chileans are looking at water rationing. European countries are moving toward increased renewable energy, with Spain greatly expanding wind and solar power- wind is the leading source of energy in the country, and the goal is to have 74% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030. Germany is building floating solar power plants on abandoned quarry lakes.

From JAPAN- In the Chinese commercial capitol of Shanghai there has been a three week lockdown because of Covid, leading to a food and supply shortages. President Biden met online with Indian Prime Minister Modi about Ukraine- Modi has spoken to both Putin and Zelensky and attempted to get them to dialogue, and Biden warned India against buying Russian oil. A US Navy nuclear aircraft carrier is conducting a joint military drill with Japanese Defense Forces in the Sea of Japan. A memorial museum in Hiroshima has reset a peace clock that shows the number of days since the worlds most recent nuclear weapons test- it was a protest against US subcritical nuclear tests conducted in June and September of 2021 in Nevada.

From CUBA- The US published its most recent report on human rights globally. Cathy Scott-Clark spoke about her new book called "The Forever Prisoner," exposing controversial methods of dealing with men held captive by the CIA at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay prisons. Israeli forces have been killing Palestinians in retaliation for Palestinians murdering Israelis. Scientists around the world have been taking part, and being arrested, in climate protests led by Extinction Rebellion.

From RUSSIA-George and Gayatri Galloway spoke with Steven Sahiounie, the Syrian-based chief editor of Mideast Discourse News, about Syria, regime change, Ukraine, and false flag chemical attacks in Syria.

This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, NHK Japan, France 24, and Radio Havana Cuba.

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220408.mp3 (29:00)

From GERMANY- Germany produces a weekly video series called Business Beyond- Going Behind The Headlines. This week the topic was Making A Killing: Who Profits From The Global Arms Trade. They discuss how much of the global export of weapons is about profit rather than national security. The invasion of Ukraine has stimulated a windfall for arms manufacturers. The US produces 37% of all weapons sold in the world. Corporations make the profit and the countries of origin must approve the sales. One fifth of the worlds children are living in active armed conflict, including in Yemen which is being attacked by Saudi Arabia, which gets 80% of its weaponry from the US. 110 states have signed the international Arms Trade Treaty- neither the US nor Russia have signed it.

From JAPAN- The US remains committed to the Indo-Pacific region even as attention is focused on Ukraine. The US has approved a potential deal to sell Patriot Missile equipment to Taiwan, including training and support- China is outraged. Australia, Britain, and the US are teaming up to develop hypersonic weapons. The head of the Japanese fisheries federation has reiterated firm opposition to the plan to dump treated, but still radioactive, water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

From FRANCE- A press review on how not everyone outside of Europe is supporting the the Ukrainians. Then an update on the third IPCC climate report saying there are less than 3 years to stop the rise in global CO2 emissions.

From CUBA- Peru imposed a curfew as citizens protested rising fuel and food costs, and extreme inflation. The Taliban announced a total ban on the production of opium.

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

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220401.mp3 (29:00)

From RUSSIA- On his program called Sputnik Orbiting the World, host George Galloway spoke with American journalist and radio producer Randy Credico, from WBAI and the legendary Christmas Coup Comedy Players. Randy is a friend of Julian Assange and talks about the British prison wedding of Julian and Stella Assange, how different our knowledge of world events might be if Julian had not spent the last three years in a maximum security prison, and how Americans are being gaslighted. He points to the political resistance that some American entertainers used to express, how fear and censorship are curtailing any questioning of the military industrial complex, and how public radio is the only safe haven for any dissent. Even Anglo-sphere commercial political comedy is superficial, and our mainstream news media is not scrutinizing what is being reported about war, energy, and climate change.

From JAPAN- The US and Philippines have launched their largest ever military drills in the South China Sea. A week after quasi-emergency measures against Covid were lifted, there are strong signs of a rebound in cases in Japan.

From CUBA- Mexican President Obrador confirmed that the 2014 case of the missing 43 teachers is continuing with new revelations. The Peruviam congress rejected a motion to impeach President Castillo. Bolivia is delaying the start of the trial against Jeanine Anez. A UN Human rights special rapporteur called on the Colombian government to crack down on violence against indigenous people. A US General told Congress that Iran is expanding its economic and security in Latin America. Deaths from Covid in Europe are on the rise again. Then a Viewpoint Biden's call for regime change in Russia.

This week's show features stories from France 24, Sputnik Radio, and Radio Havana Cuba.

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220325.mp3 (29:00)

From FRANCE- British Royalty Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Jamaica to attempt to keep the former slave state to remain within the British Commonwealth- large protests greeted them, with many demanding reparations for slavery and a democratic process. A Dutch court threw out a case brought by Nigerian widows against Shell oil for bribing witnesses which led to the execution of nine Ogoni men in 1995- they had campaigned against the exploitation of oil in the Niger delta, and included author Ken Sar0-Wiwa.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with retired Col Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to US Secretary of State Colin Powell. He discusses the context of Russia's invasion, citing NATO expansion after the fall of the Soviet Union as one of Washington's greatest strategic mistakes. He addresses the deepening international isolation of Russia and President Vladimir Putin, calling it insane. He outlines what a diplomatic solution needs to look like in order for there to be peace in Ukraine, and his belief that NATO and the CSTO should be scrapped in favor of a united European security infrastructure.

From CUBA- Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, said that the model of the international financial system prevents construction of a more equitable world. He also stated that the world is sleepwalking to a climate catastrophe because of the addiction to fossil fuel. He went on to say that racism poisons institutions, social structures and daily life all around the world. There was a protest in front of Raytheon weapons company in Cambridge Mass., against war as a business. Then a Viewpoint on why it has taken so long to begin negotiations on a treaty to stop the war in Ukraine from escalating.

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

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220318.mp3 (29:00)

From GERMANY-Germany and most other European countries are greatly increasing their military spending in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released a report on who is buying and who is selling all types of weaponry.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi of the University of Tehran. He discusses ongoing negotiations with the US to restart the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the impact of American sanctions on Tehran. He also talks about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, why Iran opposes the invasion, and the consequences for US hegemony and the unipolar world order. He also criticizes the media for cheerleading a war and compares it to coverage of the Gulf war, shock and awe.

From CUBA- President Obrador of Mexico is promoting the integration of Latin American and Caribbean countries. The UK Supreme Court denied the appeal to stop the extradition of Julian Assange to the US. Activists from around the world launched a campaign demanding an end to the siege on Yemen. Last Saturday the kingdom of Saudi Arabia beheaded 81 people on terrorism charges. Then a Viewpoint on the oversimplification of seeing the world divided into good guys and bad guys.

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

http://youthspeaksout.net/swr220311.mp3 (29:00)

From JAPAN-Broadcasts of NHK Japan have been suspended in Russia, though they are available on the internet. The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine met in Turkey but failed to make any agreements. The US Congress passed a $13 billion aid package for Ukraine including $3.5 billion in weapons and $3 billion to deploy US troops to neighboring countries. South Koreans elected a new more conservative president. The war in Ukraine is threatening the global food supply, especially in war torn areas like Yemen.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with Medea Benjamin from Codepink. She discusses how Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has strengthened NATO and given it purpose after embarrassment in Afghanistan, her concerns about sanctions against Russia hurting the working people, not just oligarchs, Russia's assault as an illegal invasion of a sovereign country, the US confiscation of $7 billion of Afghan Central Bank assets, and the war in Yemen.

From CUBA- President Maduro of Venezuela met with US representatives over the weekend to talk about oil supplies. President-elect Boric of Chile promised to work for truth, justice and reparations over the Pinochet years. Lula da Silva is suing those who accused him of corruption now that all charges against him have been annulled. China has warned the US against creating an Asian NATO. Tony Blair has admitted that he may have been wrong about his decision to invade Iraq.