The Shortwave Report

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr220107.mp3

From FRANCE- At the UN the 5 countries with the most nuclear weapons agreed that nuclear war should be avoided, and said they are committed to a full disarmament in the future. The Canadian government agreed to compensate First Nation people who were taken from their families and to repair the child welfare system. The Italian government unanimously approved making vaccines mandatory for everyone over 50. French President Macron said he wanted to piss off the unvaccinated, and that those who act irresponsibly were not citizens.

From CUBA- The Puebla Group is a political forum consisting of 19 Latin American countries and Spain- they support the initiative presented by Mexican President Obrador to offer asylum to Australian journalist and founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange. As of Thursday more than 700,000 people have signed a petition at Change.org to have the knighthood granted to ex-British PM Tony Blair be rescinded, and that he be held for war crimes instead. An uncharged Palestinian prisoner, Hisham Abu Hawwash, who was on a 141 day hunger strike reached a deal with Israel to be released next month. Thousands of protesters defied authorities and gathered in the Dutch capital Amsterdam on Sunday to oppose coronavirus restrictions, leading to clashes and arrests.

From GERMANY- First an interview with American political scientist Ian Bremmer about the current state of American democracy and its credibility to the rest of the world, a year after the January 6th attempted coup. In Eurpoe there is an argument over what forms of energy are green- notably over nuclear power and the substitution of natural gas for its fossil fuel cousin coal.

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

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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.

This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, Sputnik Radio, Radio Havana, and NHK Japan. http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211224.mp3 From GERMANY- The Belgian government has agreed to shut down their nuclear power plants by 2025. German and Chinese leaders discussed deepening bilateral ties. Germany and Russia are at odds over a murder charge, Putin says the west must guarantee no further NATO expansion, and Ukraine is testing new US supplied missiles. Then brief Covid and vaccine news from Europe. From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi interviewed Judge Kevin Sharp, lawyer of Leonard Peltier, the indigenous rights activist who remains the longest serving political prisoner in the US. He discusses the failing health of Peltier and attempts to appeal to presidents to free him, evidence that he is innocent and not responsible for the murder of two FBI agents, and whether on not Cointelpro still exists. From CUBA- Three retired US army generals wrote in the Washington Post about their worries of another insurrection in the US in 2024 if the election results were not accepted by rogue units in the US military. The Palestinian Authority has hailed a UN General Assembly vote recognizing Palestinian sovereignty over their natural resources. Then a Viewpoint on the presidential election in Chile, where Gabriel Boric, a 35 year old leftist defeated a far-right candidate. From JAPAN- An anti-nuclear group in Japan discussed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with government officials. Islamic countries have agreed to establish an international fund to help the Afghani people acquire food and salaries. Japan has also offered a second aid package to Afghanistan. Covid and vaccine updates from Asian countries and Britain.

This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, Radio Deutsche-Welle, Sputnik Radio, and Radio Havana. http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211217.mp3 From JAPAN- This weekend people in Taiwan are voting on maintaining a ban on US pork because it can contain ractopamine, a leanness-enhancing substance banned in 160 countries, including China and the European Union. Foreign ministers at the G-7 meeting agreed that China is using coercive economic policies. Australia and South Korea struck a defense supply deal and boosted military cooperation. The new $768 billion US defense bill includes $7 billion for deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and $300 million to support the Ukrainian military. The US defense department ruled that the drone strike which killed 10 civilians in Afghanistan requires no accountability. The treated radioactive waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant will be discharged into the Pacific ocean through a tunnel in the seabed. The number of Covid cases in Japan remain relatively low. From GERMANY- Brief Covid and vaccine reports from Europe, South Korea, and New Zealand. Countries involved agree in principle to end the Korean War. The Philippines were hit with a super typhoon, and scientists have confirmed last summers record temperatures in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Russian and Chinese leaders held a video summit. From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi interviewed Prof. Richard Sakwa from the University of Kent. They discussed the summit between Putin and Biden over the Ukraine crisis, the unresolved issues at the end of Cold War 1 that led to Cold War 2 between the US and Russia, NATO expansion towards Russia's borders contrary to promises made prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the threat of nuclear war. From CUBA- Cuban President Diaz-Canel said that the US lacks the moral authority to judge and decide on democracy, based on actions in Latin America. Former Ecuadorian President Correa says that those going after Julian Assange want to discourage others from exposing war crimes. A Chinese spokesperson said the Assange case exposes the double standards of the US on human rights and freedom of speech.

This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, Sputnik Radio, Radio Havana, and NHK Japan. http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211210.mp3 From GERMANY- Olaf Scholz was sworn in as the new German Chancellor. Biden and Putin spoke for 2 hours to defuse the tension over Russian troops on the border with Ukraine. The global arms trade recorded a growth in profits last year despite the Covid economic downturn. The UN reports that a million children could die of hunger in Afghanistan this winter. From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi interviewed Prof. Kehinde Andrews about his new book called "The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World." He discusses how the Queen and the British royal family are the 'premier symbol' of white supremacy, the racist worldview that informed Enlightenment thinking and how it brought genocide and colonialism to people of color around the world, their suffering being integral to the Industrial Revolution and the absence of this history from western curricula, and how the same forces of colonialism and racism still dominate the world today. From CUBA- Before the 2020 elections in Bolivia coup president Anez requested military equipment from the US and the UK. A settlement has been reached in Bolivia over the massacres during the de facto government of Anez. The Confederation of Indigenous of Ecuador has ratified its state of resistance to right-wing president Lasso. The recently elected left wing president of Peru says he is the target of media alleging corruption. From JAPAN- Following the US lead, the UK, Australia, and Canada are declaring diplomatic boycotts of the Winter Olympics in China. Biden’s Summit for Democracy began on Thursday, excluding Russia and China, but including Taiwan. China critiqued problems with US democracy. The president of Taiwan is keen to join a US led economic framework for the Indo-Pacific region.

This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, Sputnik Radio, and Radio Havana. http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211203.mp3 From JAPAN- Japan has reported fewer Covid cases- the Omicron variant led the government to at first restrict all air traffic but then rolled back the order. South Korea, which is 80% fully vaccinated, has reached a record high for new Covid infections. China has pledged to provide one billion doses of vaccine to the African continent. Russia is denouncing the upcoming US led Summit For Democracy, and criticizing the US for failing to create democracies after imposing regime changes. The US led military exercises in the waters around Japan now include forces from Germany, Australia, and Canada. The US defense Department completed a review of its global military posture- China is firmly opposed to the expansion into the Asian region. Putin defends the Chinese build up in the Indo-Pacific, and criticized AUKUS, the new military pact between the US, UK, and Australia. From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi interviewed the former UN special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crepeau. They discuss the closing of borders over Omicron coronavirus variant fears and why the strategy will likely be ineffective, the death of 27 migrants in the English Channel and why migrant crises and the business of illegal smuggling is a recent phenomenon. Francois also describes what motivates politicians on the migration issue. From CUBA- In Honduras, leftist Xiomara Castro became the country's first female president after 12 years of rightwing governance. In Bolivia, Jeanine Anez who was president after leading a coup, was indicted for crimes committed when she was a senator. Then a Viewpoint on the US denouncing the recent Venezuelan elections while a UN expert denounced new US state laws to prevent millions of minorities from voting. Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen and their boats.

This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, Sputnik Radio, Radio Havana Cuba, and Radio Deutsche-Welle. http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211126.mp3 From JAPAN- Money is being set aside for fishermen as the Japanese government moves forward with plans for releasing much larger quantities of contaminated water from the devastated Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The US has invited Taiwan to a democracy summit next month- China which is not invited opposes the move. From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi interviewed Oliver Stone about his just released documentary called "JFK Revisited- Through The Looking Glass." Joe Biden just blocked releasing secret documents that might prove CIA involvement in the assassination of John Kennedy and they discuss why. Stone talks about the power of the Pentagon and CIA, why Kennedy was targeted, what shape democracy is in in the US, and why Castro couldn't be killed but Kennedy could. Also why Robert Kennedy, who was likely to become president, needed to be killed. I have seen this documentary and highly recommend it. From CUBA- The Cuban president stated that the US and his country could have a civilized coexistence even with their ideological differences. Nicaragua announced it will leave the OAS following criticism of the recent reelection of Daniel Ortega- the Foreign Minister said the OAS was the instrument of the US for interference in the governments of Latin America. From GERMANY- As Covid infections are rapidly increasing in Europe, several countries have placed new restrictions on citizens. There were many large protests last weekend against vaccine mandates, and the German health minister warned that by the end of winter everyone will either be vaccinated, cured, or dead. A coalition of Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats are working on dealing with the 100k Covid deaths in Germany, and the need to take rapid actions to limit the climate catastrophe. Some global Covid reports and the US is supplying Ukraine with ammunition and patrol boats for military exercises.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211119.mp3

From GERMANY- Intense rains have caused floods and landslides devastating parts of British Columbia. Several reviews of the COP 26 environmental summit- in the aftermath there was a focus on China and India's coal use, but there were many failures to change the status quo. Interviews with a Zimbabwean climate activist and a German Green leader. Every day for weeks now the Covid crisis in Germany has worsened. Gaddafi's son has announced his candidacy for president in Libya next month, along with the leader of the opposition military.

From RUSSIA- George and Gayatri Galloway interviewed Scott Ritter, former Marine officer and chief UN Weapons Inspector. He discusses the Taliban in Afghanistan, how they came to be, and their struggle with the so-called Islamic State. Scott believes the US and other countries should release Afghan money, help the Taliban rebuild the country, and fight back ISIS. He also talks about the situation in Iraq where the government and military are controlled by the US through the CIA.

From CUBA- The White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the US supports regime change in Cuba. Venezuelan President Maduro rejected the US State Department attempts to discredit in advance elections happening this Sunday.

From JAPAN- A review of the summit between the leaders of China and the US.While the talks were underway, the US Navy and Japanese defense forces were conducting a military drill in the South China Sea. Taiwan is rapidly updating and increasing its supply of F16 fighter jets from the US.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211112.mp3

From JAPAN- On Tuesday members of the US congress arrived in Taiwan- they were brought on a US military aircraft which China considered an escalation of tensions. In Thailand a court ruled that calls for reform of the monarchy are an attempt to overthrow the constitution. India hosted a regional security meeting on the situation in Afghanistan. The WHO and UN launched a polio vaccine campaign in Afghanistan with the support of the Taliban. The Japanese nuclear safety regulator is investigating a nuclear power plant which has a damaged foundation. French President Macron announced plans to build 6 new nuclear reactors to help meet the goal of carbon neutrality.

From GERMANY- More on the French decision to begin building new nuclear power plants in an interview with Ian Lowe, an environmental scientist from Australia- he questions the need for increasing nuclear reactors given the unresolved problems with nuclear waste, the fact that it is more expensive than solar or wind energy, and the risks to the areas where they are located- also that reducing demand by efficiency is better than increasing energy supplies. The US and China announced they would work together to cut emissions in the next decade, though they announced no specific commitments- Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, discusses the US/China statement and the COP 26 summit in general. Covid-19 infections are at record highs in Germany, and the WHO says Europe is the only region where infections and deaths are increasing. The EU is planning new sanctions against Belarus for bringing migrants to the EU border in Poland.

From CUBA- Mexican President Obrador presented a plan at the UN Security Council to uplift 750 million people who live on less than $2 a day. Daniel Ortega was reelected President of Nicaragua. The Israeli spyware Pegasus was used to spy on the staff of Palestinian civil societies that were recently outlawed by the Israeli government.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211105.mp3

From GERMANY- Covid infections and deaths are on the rise in much of Europe, and the UK has authorized the use of a new Covid medication. The COP 26 climate summit has been one of the major topics in international news, with most of it focusing on the politicians and the agreements on methane, deforestation, and coal. DW spoke with many youth activists- here is a woman from Poland speaking about the difference between what the citizens demand and what the government says. The UK led 190 nations and organizations to agree to cease using coal for electrical production by 2030- The US, China, and India did not sign the pact.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground host Afshin Rattansi spoke with Lord Deben at Cop 26. Deben is the chairman of the UK independent committee on climate change, and advises Boris Johnson. Deben is enthusiastic about the summit, very critical of the absence of the Russian and Chinese leaders, though their negotiators were there and involved. In the excerpt hey discuss Boris Johnson's climate hypocrisy on coal and oil development, the possibility of fraud in Net Zero claims, and regenerative farming.

From JAPAN- Developing countries were promised money to help them tackle climate change, but wealthier nations have not delivered on their promises. The Japanese government will subsidize factory construction for electric vehicle batteries. An update on negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal. The US defense Department is alarmed that China may be increasing it nuclear weapon stockpile above the 200 it has now- the US has 3750 nuclear warheads.

From CUBA- The Chinese Foreign Minister has urged the US to tackle racism against people of Asian origin. Israeli settlers again stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to infuriate Palestinians. Then a Viewpoint the so-called Good Neighbor Policy toward Latin America, stated in 1933 by Franklin Roosevelt.