PROGRAM NOTES 01/29/10- This weeks show features stories from China Radio International, Radio Netherlands, Radio Havana Cuba, and the Voice of Russia

From CHINA- China's largest oil company won a 20 year contract to develop oil fields in Iraq. China has again urged the US to end arm sales to Taiwan. The largest internet search engine in China, Baidu, has been cleared of piracy charges involving music downloads. The "one child policy" in China has been loosened for some couples. North and South Korea have exchanged artillery fire over disputed waters in the Yellow Sea. Former Honduran President Zelaya is moving to the Dominican Republic. France successfully launched new nuclear capable ballistic missiles from a submarine.

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.

In France, new laws will make muslim women subject to arrest for wearing burkas in many public places. 17% of European Union citizens live well below the poverty line, and plans to reduce this number are underway.

From CUBA- The Obama White House has renewed the policy of targeted assassinations of US citizens abroad. Secret detention is also continuing, while the United Nations is poised to declare the practice a crime against humanity. US backed secret assassinations have taken out scores of people in Yemen. The World Social Forum is underway in Brazil, seeking to improve social justice around the world. Then a Viewpoint on the rescue efforts in Haiti from Latin American nations, along with the plans for rebuilding the country.

From RUSSIA- A commentary on the United States goal of spreading democracy around the globe, as well as being the police force for the world.

--"I am worried that students will take their obedient place in society and look to become successful cogs in the wheel - let the wheel spin them around as it wants without taking a look at what they're doing. I'm concerned that students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that's handed down to them from the White House, the media, textbooks, teachers and preachers."
--Howard Zinn