PROGRAM NOTES 01/15/10- This weeks show features stories from China Radio International, Radio Netherlands, Radio Havana Cuba, and the Voice of Russia

From CHINA- Google is threatening to pull out of China because of censorship. China's largest internet search engine, Baidu, was shut down by a cyberattack for 3 hours on Tuesday. North Korea says it will return to nuclear talks if sanctions are lifted and if the Korean war is formally ended. Iran's Foreign Minister accused the US, Britain, and Israel of attempting to occupy Yemen. Israel finalized plans to erect two new walls along its border with Egypt. Turkish and Lebanese leaders accuse Israel of threatening peace by possessing nuclear weapons, flying military jets into Lebanon, and violating over 100 UN resolutions.

From NETHERLANDS- Radio Netherlands has eliminated SW broadcasts to North America. The decision is based on their surveys that find very few listeners in N America. If you ever listen to RN on shortwave please let them know- by email to letters@rnw.nl or send them a letter to RNW Worldwide, PO Box 222, 1200JG, Hilversum, The Netherlands.

Migrant farm workers continue to be attacked in parts of Italy. A politician from the Council of Europe has accused pharmaceutical companies of exaggerating the threat of the N1H1 virus to profit on the production of vaccines. The UK has banned an Islamic group under anti-terror laws, giving a 10 year jail sentence to anyone who is a member. NATO is rethinking its purpose and strategy, due to its involvement in Afghanistan.

From CUBA- The company formerly known as Blackwater is in the running for a 1 billion dollar contract to train the Afghan police force. The US military is intensifying the use of drone attacks in Pakistan. NATO has begun using drone attacks on suspected militants in Afghanistan. NATO occupation troops opened fire on protestors in Afghanistan, killing 13 and wounding dozens of others.

From RUSSIA- A former Iraqi politician now in prison is suing Tony Blair for unleashing an illegal war on Iraq. Israel has begun using drone attacks on the Gaza Strip. A commentary on the death of a British journalist in Afghanistan, while officials say the occupation will continue for at least 5 years.

--"We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home."
--Edward R Murrow