The Shortwave Report

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211029.mp3 (29:00)

From JAPAN- Members of ASEAN (Association of South East Asia Nations) met this week and are very concerned about the continuing conflict between China and the US allies in the South China Sea- they also discussed attempts to resolve the coup in Myanmar. The Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about his country's relationship with the UN and the US growing pressure in Asia. The Taiwanese president confirmed the presence of US troops working as military advisers. The US, Britain, and France joined the adoption of a draft resolution on nuclear disarmament presented annually at the UN by Japan. Iran wants to restart talks on a nuclear deal, but first wants Biden to release $10 billion of Iranian assets seized by the US. A senior Taliban official met with envoys from 14 nations for assistance in unfreezing their overseas assets and recognizing their government. A UN climate survey shows a record high in greenhouse gas concentration last year.

From GERMANY- Activists are calling on world leaders to make stronger commitments to deal with the catastrophic impacts of greenhouse gas emissions at the UN COP26 summit in Glasgow. Putin has ordered an increase in gas supplies for Europe which is experiencing shortages. The European court of justice is fining Poland 1 million euros a day (by withholding Covid relief funds) until it reverses controversial legal reforms. Polish lawmakers are voting on building a wall at the Belarus border. Despite international pressure Israel has approved 3000 new settler homes in Occupied Palestine. There is a national strike in Ecuador against the conservative government, and France will return 26 of the 5000 stolen cultural artifacts that Benin has requested- 90% of Africa's cultural heritage still resides in Europe.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with author and historian Tariq Ali. In this brief excerpt they discuss Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld, global media lies, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the shifting profits to weapons manufacturers and the heroin industry, and Julian Assange.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211022.mp3

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi spoke with Prof Karen Greenberg, author of "Subtle Tools: the dismantling of American Democracy." She discusses what she calls the "subtle tools" of international coercion, such as torture and drone strikes, which have furthered US foreign policy since 9/11. She talks about the degradation of language to make policy boundaries deliberately vague, enabling broader US military interventions. She describes how Obama continued the practice, Trump expanded the use, and how Biden is perpetuating it in immigration policy and at the southern border.

From GERMANY- Germany is moving toward a coalition between the Free Democrats, the Greens, and the Social Democrats. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Europe is ready to go, and gas and fuel prices have skyrocketed in Europe. A series of brief global Covid reports from the UK, Russia and more. Brazilian Senators want to bring charges against Bolsonaro for his catastrophic handling of the pandemic, including crimes against humanity. Russia hosted a regional conference on Afghanistan, bringing the Taliban together with diplomats from neighboring countries. The first annual Earthshot awards were announced, giving $1.4 million grants to develop ideas for tackling the climate crisis- the five winners included the Republic of Costa Rica, and innovators in India, Bahamas, Milan Italy, and clean hydrogen fuel production in Thailand.

From CUBA- The World Meteorological Organization warned that 100 million poor people across Africa are severely threatened by climate change. Indigenous communities from Ecuador's rainforest have filed a lawsuit against the government plans for a massive expansion of oil and mining extraction. Then a report on US human rights lawyer Steven Donziger who won a case in 2011 against Chevron for destroying vast lands in Ecuador which resulted in thousands of deaths. Since then Chevron has hired thousands of lawyers to stall any settlement payments, limit media reporting, and to get Donziger placed under house arrest for over 2 years.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211015.mp3

From GERMANY- A series of brief stories including protests by Poles who want to remain in the EU, the Polish government wants to build a wall to stop migrants from Belarus, several Covid reports, Israel told the US they will use force to stop Iran from acquiring an atomic bomb, and Venezuela is taking the Colombian president to the ICC for exterminating Venezuelan migrants.

From CUBA- Tuesday was the UN international Day of Indigenous Peoples. In Guatemala there was a large demonstration in the capital against discrimination and in favor of indigenous and black dignity. The Chilean president announced a state of emergency and sent troops to control the indigenous Mapuche people who demand a return of their lands currently being logged and farmed. Thousands of Bolivians gathered in opposition to the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Between 25 and 70 thousand climate protestors blocked streets in Brussels, the capital of the EU, demanding climate justice. More climate protestors gathered for 5 days in Washington DC to advise Biden to declare a national climate emergency and end projects involving fossil fuels. Greenpeace members were arrested in London for shutting down traffic on Downing Street with a 12 foot mock statue of Boris Johnson splattered in oil. Doctors Without Borders reported that a 5 day course of Merck's anti-Covid pill costs $17 to produce and the US taxpayers are set to pay $712.

From JAPAN- An update on the Covid pandemic in Japan. The president of Taiwan declared opposition to recent Chinese actions and then paraded a display of missiles. The North Korean leader questioned US sincerity in denying hostility to his country while parading their latest weapons. The International Energy Agency warned that countries need to triple clean energy investment for this decade to meet their 2050 emission targets. A major Japanese oil distributor will buy the largest Japanese renewable energy company. A UN conference on Biodiversity was held in China and delegates replaced goals set 11 years ago that were never reached. On the first day of issuance the EU raised $13 billion in Green Bonds to finance environmental projects.

From RUSSIA- George Galloway spoke with Max Keiser about the release of the Pandora Papers, which reveals the leaders in offshore tax havens. In this excerpt, George wanted to know why there were no Americans among the 300 politicians and celebrities named in the papers. He also describes how the vast amounts of money printed in the last 2 decades end up in the hands of oligarchs from around the world.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211008.mp3

From FRANCE- I wanted to find a story with details about what is in the Pandora Papers, a leak of 12 million confidential documents that name heads of state, billionaires and celebrities who use offshore companies to avoid taxes and transparency. France 24 has a daily program called The Debate and the host Francois Picard has guests cover a topic in depth. On this show Luc Hermann, Craig Copetas, and Nathalie Janson, gave limited details about the names revealed, but brought up interesting facts about South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, and Delaware - they have areas with special laws that are offshore tax havens for what may be the largest amount of tax free and secretive financial institutions.

From CUBA- In El Salvador protests continue against the president and his recent legislation making Bitcoin an official currency. In Milan Italy preparatory talks were held for the upcoming Cop26 summit in Scotland- they urged countries to do more now to show they are serious about tackling global warming. Last week Canada held its first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honoring victims and survivors of Canada's residential schools, which sought to forcefully assimilate indigenous children.

From JAPAN- Communication lines between North and South Korea were reopened this week. The Japanese Defense Ministry has been testing F-35 Stealth fighter jets on naval destroyers. Taiwan warned that China could be capable of invasion of the island by 2025.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground, Afshin Rattansi spoke with Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization. They discuss US and NATO militaries building up in the nearby waters, the West using freedom of navigation to challenge China's sovereignty, and the recent energy crisis in China. Victor also spoke of the danger of the AUKUS agreement, planning for Australian nuclear submarines.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr211001.mp3

From GERMANY- Elections were held in Germany and it is not yet clear who will replace the retiring Angela Merkel as Chancellor. Climate was a big topic during the election and here is a discussion about whether promises will be enacted. Greta Thunberg spoke at the Youth For Climate event in Italy, a rare tornado hit Germany, and the Right Livelihood awards were presented. Coca farmers in Bolivia are fighting for control of their product, and a prison in Ecuador saw over 100 inmates die in rioting. Youtube shut down several German language channels of Russia Today for airing doctors speaking in alternative ways about Covid and vaccines.

From CUBA- People in Ecuador are demonstrating for the decriminalization of abortion. At the UN general assembly the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua demanded an end to all illegal coercive measures unilaterally imposed by imperialist countries. Journalists around the world were shocked by revelations the members of the Trump administration and the CIA had plotted to assassinate Julian Assange. At the UN general assembly several Latin American countries renewed their call for the total prohibition of nuclear weapons.

From RUSSIA- Afshin Rattansi interviewed Gem Romuld, the Australian Director of the International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons. She discussed reactions to the announcement of the AUKUS pact which aims to build nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, and increase tension in the region.

From JAPAN- North Korea test fired a so-called hypersonic missile this week- an expert predicts future actions, and a report on what the North Korea leader says he wants.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr210924.mp3

From JAPAN- AUKUS is a military alliance between Australia, the UK, and the US. Part of the agreement is to get Australia to accept nuclear-powered submarines which could in the future be fitted with nuclear weapons, and to increase pressure on China and its developments in the S China Sea. Asian nations are very concerned about the increased militarism in the area. At the opening of a new UN General Assembly, Secretary-General Guterres said the world is at the edge of an abyss and needs to wake up. The Chinese President criticized the formation of AUKUS as a zero sum game, and pledged to work toward the reduction of coal-fired power plants. The Taliban have made a written request to speak at the UN Assembly, while struggling with having all international aid cut off. The White House says it will look into the US drone strike that killed 10 Afghan civilians last month.

From GERMANY- First a more in-depth report on the opening of the new UN General Assembly- Biden said that the US was not seeking a new cold war or a world divided into blocs, a few days after announcing the military alliance with the UK and Australia, clearly aimed at China. And continental Europe is questioning the support it can expect from the US. UN Secretary-General Guterres called the international community heavy on self-centeredness, short on empathy- he said the global inequality on vaccines was obscene. Biden announced that it will double the US donation of vaccines globally, though only 15% of the first half have been distributed so far. Both Germany and Australia, as well as France, are worried about the radicalization of anti-vaxxers.

From CUBA- The UN Secretary-General implored the US and China to repair their "completely dysfunctional relationship"- he also called on the US to meet its commitment to a global climate fund. The Bolivian President Arce affirmed that the OAS does not represent Latin America, but rather interferes. A region of Bolivia is demanding a trial against former coup leader Jeanine Anez. Then a Viewpoint on the ongoing and historic role US banks have played in laundering illegal drug money.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr210917.mp3

From RUSSIA- On his program called Going Underground Afshin Rattansi interviewed retired Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to US Secretary of State Colin Powell. They discuss 9/11, the military-industrial complex and its desire for endless war which in part fueled the expansion of NATO, how 9/11 can be laid at the feet of Saudi Arabia which he considers the biggest state sponsor of terrorism, and Biden's executive orders to declassify 9/11 documents.

From CUBA- More on the profits made by weapon manufacturers and military contractors after 9/11. A Viewpoint on the US prison at Guantanamo Naval Base, still in operation 9 years after Obama pledged to shut it down. 17 Latin American countries are meeting in Mexico to discuss the future of the OAS, which most countries want to replace.

From JAPAN- The UN Sec General Guterres says it is time to end the war on our planet and the wars on each other, and focus on the pandemic and climate change. In Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi was back in court after two months of not being seen in public- a recent call by pro-democracy forces to push back against the military junta has resulted in many deaths. North and South Korea both launched missiles this week, further increasing tensions in the region.

From GERMANY- The US, Australia, and the UK are forming a new military alliance for the Indo-Pacific region to increase pressure on China, which called the action Cold War mentality. A German warship was rejected from a Chinese port, Putin met with the Syrian president, and carbon emissions are back at pre-pandemic levels. The left won elections in Norway, campaigning on climate responsibility, though the country is very dependent on oil and gas revenues. The Taliban thanked the world for pledging $1 billion in emergency aid.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr210910.mp3

From JAPAN- The Japanese government is extending its covid state of emergency until the end of September. Police in Hong Kong have arrested pro-democracy activists creating vigils for victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre. In Myanmar the national pro-democracy unity government has called for a nationwide uprising against the military junta. The IAEA plans to send a team of experts to examine the plan to intentionally dump radioactive water from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean.

From RUSSIA- Afshin Rattansi spoke with documentary filmmaker John Pilger on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pilger says the war must be seen as another chapter in Western imperialism which is shifting its focus to China now. He refutes the notion that this was a good war, and points out the cooperation between the Taliban and the US in the 80s and 90s. Also the natural gas pipeline that had been proposed by Unocal with the assistance of Halliburton, whose CEO in 1998 was Dick Cheney- before he became VP in 2000.

From GERMANY- A series of news briefs from Afghanistan, the Gaza Strip, France in Syria, activists given long prison terms in Belarus, a coup in Guinea, and Mexico decriminalizes abortion. In Brazil president Bolsonaro rallied his supporters to not trust the Supreme Court or upcoming election results- opposition rallies occurred at the same time.

From CUBA- Joe Biden signed on Tuesday another year extension of the so-called trading with the enemy act, in order to sustain the economic blockade on the people of Cuba. Mexico City removed a statue of Christopher Columbus which will be replaced by that of an Olmec woman as part of a celebration of indigenous women. In Venezuela President Maduro insisted that Juan Guaido will be prosecuted for stealing $8 billion, bringing coup attempts, and sanctions on the people.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr210903.mp3

From GERMANY- In China children are now limited to 3 hours of online video gaming per week to protect their physical and mental health. A series of reports on extreme weather globally, and Extinction Rebellion is staging large protests every day this week in London, demanding action on climate change. Many fires continue in California and Haiti lacks food. Defense and foreign ministers from the EU are meeting to discuss Afghanistan and the need for a EU defense force. In Venezuela the opposition has decided to vote in upcoming regional elections, and security forces in southern Mexico have stopped a caravan of Central American migrants on foot to the US.

From CUBA- In Mexico the government of President Obrador has proposed to abolish the Organization of American States, the OAS, and to create a new regional body to eliminate interventionism. In Brazil, protests continue demanding that President Bolsonaro deal with unemployment, poverty, and the Covid crisis. Bolsonaro addressed a crowd in the capitol and urged everyone to get rifles as soon as possible. The UN reported that Israel has forced 31 Palestinians to demolish their homes in the West Bank in the past 2 weeks. The Afghan health care system is at risk of collapse after foreign donors stopped providing aid after the Taliban takeover. The US drone strike in Kabul, intended to prevent a bomb attack, instead killed 10 members of an Afghan family, 7 of them children.

From RUSSIA- On his program called Sputnik Orbiting The World George Galloway spoke with Paul Rogers, professor of peace studies at the University of Bradford. They discuss the origins of the war in Afghanistan, which countries will extend their influence in the vacuum created by the withdrawals, and how the Taliban oppose groups like ISIS.

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

http://www.outfarpress.com/swr210827.mp3

From CUBA- In Bolivia, Jeanine Anez who seized the presidency following a coup, has been charged with genocide and other crimes- the US demands her release. Venezuela release a report on the damages caused to the country by the US unilateral blockade, and is seeking charges at the ICC. In Peru, right-wing factions and part of the army are accused of planning to create a coup against President Castillo. A new report by UNICEF warns that nearly half of the world's 2.2 billion children are endangered by the climate crisis. British journalist George Monbiot released a report on how the media helped to create climate change by giving equal time to deniers whenever discussing the scientific evidence.

From JAPAN- Japan has extended a state of emergency on the Covid crisis to half of the country- the spread of infections continues to surge with hospitals under pressure. On her tour of SE Asia, US VP Kamala Harris called on Vietnam to challenge what she called Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. The presidents of China and Russia say they are willing to work with other countries to restore stability in Afghanistan. The Japanese Defense Force scrambled jets after Chinese military aircraft flew between southern Japanese islands- this was two days after Japanese forces held a joint military exercise with a strike group from the UK aircraft carrier in waters south of Okinawa.

From GERMANY- There was new massive rain and flooding in China, Tennessee, Kenya, and Venezuela this week. Wildfires are raging in central Russia as well as California and the Northwest. Indigenous Brazilians continue protests against president Bolsonaro, while in Bolivia clashes erupted outside the prison housing former coup president Anez. Israel's new PM is visiting Washington, while Israeli bombing of Gaza continues. For years Turkey has been besieged by refugees from Syria and elsewhere, and is saying it will not warehouse Afghanis fleeing the Taliban turnover in their homeland.