PROGRAM NOTES 04/26/13- This weeks show features stories from RADIO DEUTSCHE-WELLE, NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN, the VOICE OF RUSSIA, RADIO HAVANA CUBA, and SPANISH NATIONAL RADIO.

From GERMANY- EU ministers have decided to allow member states to purchase oil from Syrian rebels. NATO members have been urged to draw up contingency plans in case chemical weapons are used in Syria. The EU has voted to lift sanctions on Burma while Human Rights watch has claimed ethnic cleansing against Muslims has been taking place. The French Parliament has given final approval to same-sex marriage and adoption. South Korea threatened the North for not allowing workers to return to the shared industrial zone.

From JAPAN- Japanese lawmakers have created huge tension in Asia by visiting the Yasukuni Shrine that honors Japanese war dead and war criminals- China's Foreign Minister warned that this action should put the world on high alert about Japanese plans. The US agreed to a new round of arm sales to Israel. The IAEA is very concerned about the continued leaks of radioactive water at Fukushima. India and China are having a military standoff in disputed territory in the Himalayas. Japan has refused to sign a joint statement against the use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

From RUSSIA- Despite a financial crisis and promises to work toward nuclear disarmament, President Obama approved a $10 billion upgrade to the US nuclear arsenal. US Secretary of State Kerry announced he will double non-lethal aid to opposition forces in Syria.

From CUBA- The Egyptian government has removed its demand that Syrian President Assad step down. Assad received a large delegation of political figures from Lebanon last weekend. Venezuela established a special committee to investigate the wave of violence following the recent Presidential election.

From SPAIN- A judge in Guatemala ordered the suspension of the genocide trial of former US-backed dictator Efrain Rios Montt. Italy may have a working government soon following two months without a Parliamentary coalition. Mali's Tuareg separatist rebels have dismissed French calls to disarm before elections planned for July.

"Economics are the method; the object is to change the soul."
--Margaret Thatcher