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

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From JAPAN- The Japanese government is trying to decide whether or not to lift the state of emergency in three more prefectures, while maintaining it in others. The Japanese made anti flu drug Avigan is undergoing further clinical trials, though approval is expected this month. A report on the relaxed restrictions in the US with an extended weekend holiday beginning. At the annual assembly of the World Health Organization with key topics of developing a Covid vaccine and a plan for distribution of medical supplies. Meanwhile Mike Pompeo and Trump have stepped up criticism of China, blaming it for the spread of Covid.

From RUSSIA- On his program George Galloway interviewed Alan MacLeod about his new book called "Propaganda In The Information Age." They discuss media and journalists ignoring stories rather than writing false narratives, and their lack of questioning government leaders. Alan says that the elite are creating the outlook often contrary to the interests of the people. And that the lack of reporting on Venezuela and following the government on the pandemic are examples. Social media giants Google and Facebook are limiting the scope of what most people see in an era called the information age.

From CUBA- The Venezuelan government released a document sent to Juan Guaido billing him $1.5 million for interest on invasion services by Silvercorp USA. Trump has given the WHO 30 days to change its ways or funding will be permanently cut. Mike Pompeo threatened the International Criminal Court if they continue a war crimes investigation into Israeli actions in Palestine. Palestine has terminated all agreements with Israel and the US. Then a Viewpoint on Libya, where mercenary troops keep arriving from all over the globe to support the warring factions.

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

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From GERMANY- The Covid pandemic has transformed the streets of Brussels into a more climate friendly place with more space for pedestrians and bicycles. Protests against governmental restrictions in response to the pandemic are growing in Germany, with the far-right and conspiracy theorists trying to hijack the demonstrations. Russia now has the second largest number of Covid infections, and Santiago Chile has gone into total lockdown. US Secretary of State Pompeo spent a day in Israel, where Netanyahu and Gantz have formed a Unity government- they discussed the pandemic and the annexation of parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Fierce clashes are continuing in Yemen, backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

From CUBA- The US vetoed a resolution sponsored by France and Tunisia aimed at a global ceasefire that had been unanimously approved by every other country on the UN Security Council. The British medical journal The Lancet had an editorial stating Brazilian President Bolsonaro was the greatest threat to controlling the rapidly spreading pandemic in his country. The Cuban FM held a press conference concerning US government silence about the terrorist attack on the Cuban Embassy in Washington. The Venezuelan government apprehended 8 more mercenaries involved in the recent failed attempt to kidnap President Maduro. Then a Viewpoint on Operation Gideon, an attempted coup against Maduro, led by a consortium of a private American mercenaries and Juan Guiado.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi interviewed Frank-Jurgen Richter, former director of the World Economic Forum. They discuss the impact coronavirus will have on the European Union's unity, the possibility of class warfare and revolutions in the West comparable to Russia in 1917 and France in 1789, anti-establishment sentiment as a result of globalization, and how uncontrolled capitalism has created the conditions for mass social unrest amid Covid-19.

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

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       From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with Vandana Shiva. She criticizes world leaders for working so closely with unelected billionaire businessmen on dealing with the pandemic, vaccines, and corporate bailouts. She argues that the current democracy is a facade for a dictatorship of big money, and that the IMF and World Bank pushed through patents on seeds which is destroying agriculture. She defends her presence in the anti-environmentalist film funded by Michael Moore, Planet Of The Humans.

       From CUBA-  US backed soldiers and mercenaries have been caught twice trying to enter Venezuela allegedly with plans to assassinate President Maduro. 27 members of the US Congress have asked the US government to allow the shipment of humanitarian goods to Cuba during the Covid pandemic. Cuba wants to know the truth behind an assault rifle attack on its embassy in Washington.

       From GERMANY- Several short news reports related to the Covid pandemic including airline bailouts, Spain extends its state of pandemic alert, and Britain has surged to the lead in European deaths from the corona virus. The EU had a $7 billion pledge day for international money to develop a vaccine,  and the US and Russia did not attend. Trump said he expects the US to have a vaccine by the end of this year.

       From JAPAN- Japan has extended its state of emergency to May 31, with the government asking the public to voluntarily refrain from going out. A report on the US president's plan to get Americans back to work. US Secretary of State Pompeo continues to criticize China, blaming it for the pandemic. The health of N Korean leader Kim Jun Un has appeared in public, raising doubts about US media claims that he had heart surgery.

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

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From JAPAN- Rumors continue to swirl about the whereabouts and health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea is seeking aid from China as it struggles with US sanctions. Japan has decided to extend its state of emergency to restrain the spread of Covid-19. Then a review of government responses to the virus in numerous other nations around the world.

From GERMANY- In Lebanon anti-government protests have been ongoing for months but now more intense street confrontations with the army have become a nightly event. Germany announced a ban on the political wing of Hezbollah, declaring it a terrorist organization and raided dozens of sites on Thursday. Then short reports on the status of Covid-19 in many other countries.

From CUBA- The New York Times reported that the Covid-19 death toll in Ecuador is 15 times higher than the official government count- then reports on other Latin American countries. A Viewpoint on the annual report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute on the record global military spending in 2019, with more than a third of the entire amount from the US.

From RUSSIA- On his weekly program George Galloway spoke with Economics Professor Steve Keen. They discuss the effect the pandemic is having on the state of capitalism, and whether it will be a viable system in the future.

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

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From GERMANY- First a series of short reports about Covid 19 around the globe. Denmark has eased its lockdown, opening primary schools and daycare centers under strict conditions. There has been international condemnation for Trump's decision to freeze funding for the World Health Organization, at a time when other world leaders are calling for unity in fighting the pandemic. The WHO says it regrets Trump's action, saying that the developing world is now at much greater risk of many diseases as well as Covid 19.

From JAPAN- More stories of the pandemic spread around Europe. Americans in a number of states left their homes to protest the lockdown, organized by conservative groups who view it as an assault on freedom. China has approved human tests for 3 experimental vaccines against the virus.

From CUBA- Cuba is conducting a clinical trial for a new Covid vaccine. Medical staff in Brazil and Human Rights Watch are criticizing Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic, with a lack of equipment and extreme working hours. The disease is spreading in England's Belmarsh prison where Julian Assange was denied bail while awaiting an extradition decision. Then a Viewpoint on the unnoticed annual day of the Political Prisoner, April 17, which was established in 2005.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi interviewed Ban ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the UN. In this excerpt Ban speaks about the importance of the climate crisis around the world, and its importance even when a disease like the new coronavirus is dominating the current news.

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

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From JAPAN- On Tuesday a state of emergency was declared in parts of Japan to fight the corona virus for one month- it is not a lockdown. The government is considering nationwide drive through testing for the virus. The head of the WHO has pushed back against criticism of racial bias made by Trump. Monday was the last day of regular NHK World Radio broadcasts and they had an important report on plans to release more radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, claiming it would stay close to the shore.

From CUBA- The UN economic commission for Latin America has urged the US to the blockades against Cuba and Venezuela. A Pentagon Paper leaked to the press contradicts Trump's claim that the pandemic came out of nowhere and taken the government by surprise. The current editor of Wikileaks says that conditions in Belmarsh prison, where Julian Assange is being held, could be worse than officials admit. The Cuban foreign minister expressed support for former Ecuadorian President Correa who was sentenced to 8 years in prison in a questionable bribery case.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with esteemed journalist John Pilger. The excerpt we will hear includes the political reasons why people in the UK are suffering from coronavirus, who is responsible for the ongoing Saudi bombings in Yemen, and the US war of sanctions affecting 1/4 of the world population.

From GERMANY- A number of brief updates on the virus around the world including Saudi claims of a ceasefire. In Wuhan China the lockdown on citizens has been lifted, though epidemic prevention measures remain in force. Denmark has decided to lift its 4 week long lockdown, with many schools and businesses to reopen next week.

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

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From GERMANY- We will begin with a series of short reports on the spread of Covid 19 around the world, Spain to India, Afghanistan to Vietnam. Italy is in its 4th week of a strict lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading, leading to massive unemployment and growing poverty that could turn into civil unrest. India has gone into a complete lockdown- for the majority of people who live day to day, this is a crisis leading to a mass exodus and possible catastrophic food shortages.

From JAPAN- China says it will include silent carriers of the corona virus in its daily reports- it has been accused of underreporting the number of cases in the country. A Japanese pharmaceutical company has begun trials of an antiviral drug that could potentially treat symptoms of the corona virus. Palestinian authorities say that their efforts to control the corona virus are being hampered by the Israeli occupation. Britain, France, and Germany have found a way around US sanctions to get limited medical goods to Iran, which has been hit hard by the corona virus outbreak. The British government has postponed the next UN Climate Change Conference until next year.

From CUBA- The Washington Post reported on the medical problems made worse by the US sanctions against Iran. The former Undersecretary General of the UN and former director of the UN Office on Drugs affirmed that Venezuela has never been involved in drug trafficking between the US and Colombia as recently charged by the US.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Sputnik Radio George Galloway spoke with Professor and journalist Tim Anderson about proxy warfare, regime change, and the shift to liberal support for war.

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

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From JAPAN- The UN has called for aid funds for developing countries to fight the new corona virus. The G7 foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement about Covid-19 because the US insisted on called it the Wuhan virus. The French government has imposed fines on people who fail to comply with restrictions on movement during their lockdown. French experts say a European clinical trial of 4 experimental treatments for the virus have begun. The Iranian ambassador to Japan has asked for help getting the US to lift economic sanctions which are hampering efforts to deal with the virus.

From GERMANY- A review of how the corona pandemic is expanding and being approached in many different nations. In Austria the public broadcaster and power company have isolated healthy workers to insure that news and electricity will not be affected. The US is likely to become the epicenter of the pandemic but many health care workers say they do not have supplies to protect themselves.

From CUBA- Italy requested and has welcomed a brigade of Cuban medical workers to aid in the fight against the virus. Venezuelan President Maduro has requested that the US government lift economic sanctions in the face of the pandemic. The Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif accused the US of reaching a higher level of inhumanity by imposing new sanctions during the health crisis. A British court announced it will not release Julian Assange on bail despite the danger of the virus spreading in the maximum security prison where he is being held for the US.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi interviewed his former director at the BBC, Tariq Ali. Tariq is a journalist and political activist in Britain. The excerpts we will hear were on the 17th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War and why it is still relevant today. He also discusses the alleged torture of Julian Assange and his extradition trial.

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

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From GERMANY- German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the nation on TV Wednesday, a rare event. She urged citizens to take their obligations to society seriously and restrain the rampant spread of the virus. As I produce this show Italy has now reported more deaths from the virus than China- this is a report from Thursday morning. The EU has closed external borders to non-EU citizens for 30 days, France and Spain have enacted isolation policies, but Chinese Hubei province had a day with no new cases. Did Trump try to buy up a German company developing a corona virus vaccine exclusively for the US? Why does the US lead the world in citizens who believe Covid 19 is a hoax? The European populists do not deny the seriousness of the pandemic.

From CUBA- Cuba is producing with China medicines it says fight and and treat Covid 19, and is developing a vaccine. Major cities in Chile are importing the previously mentioned medicines at low cost through the Peoples Pharmacies chain, in over a hundred cities in the country. Last Sunday President Maduro of Venezuela declared a quarantine to stem the spread of the virus. The Bolivian constitutional court will hold a hearing to consider an appeal to allow exiled president Evo Morales to be a candidate in the next election.

From JAPAN- Schools in Japan have been closed to slow down the spread of the corona virus since March 2nd, and they are considering reopening at the end of this month.The Japanese government has provided funding for some covid 19 testing since March 6th. Tokyo Electric Power Company says it will start analyzing debris from the devastated Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2024, and complete scrapping the plant between 2041 and 2051. The Japanese environment ministry says that some of the waste produced by decontamination work at Fukushima has been washed into rivers and the ocean by a typhoon last October.

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

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From JAPAN- March 11th was the 9th anniversary of the beginning of the tragic Fukushima earthquake and nuclear disaster. Almost 50,000 people have not been able to return home because of the remaining radiation, while enormous amounts of contaminated water continue to accumulate at the site. The corona virus pandemic is spreading rapidly, and in the US groups representing Asian Americans have urged Congress to take action to stop the spread of discrimination.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi presented a press review with former UK Home Office Minister Norman Baker. First they discuss an article on US government funding Big Pharma research for the corona virus and who will get the profits. Haaretz had an article on Israeli soldiers shooting 42 Palestinians knees in one day. There are British SAS operatives working in Syria without Parliamentary knowledge.

From SPAIN- Alison Hughes updates the current ceasefire in Idlib Syria, brokered by Turkey and Russia. Idlib is where the Syrian army relocated 100k jihadist fighters. Alison then speaks to the trouble with news, with specific references to the alleged chlorine gas attacks in Douma, Syria. The OPCW (the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons) laid blame for the alleged attacks on the Syrian government and massive US led bombing in the country followed. Two OPCW whistleblowers leaked documents that suggest the blame was false, as reported by Robert Fisk.

From CUBA- The Venezuelan Foreign Minister denounced new threats coordinated by the US, Brazil, and Colombia. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern for US sanctions imposed on Venezuela. Landless women in Brazil marched across the country against racism, machismo, and violence against women. In Israel opposition groups are uniting to stop Netanyahu from becoming Prime Minister again.