PROGRAM NOTES 05/03/13- This weeks show features stories from RADIO DEUTSCHE-WELLE, RADIO HAVANA CUBA, the VOICE OF RUSSIA, and NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN.

From GERMANY- The Green party in Germany has joined with the Social Democrats, ending 8 years of separation. Unemployment in the EU has reached another record high level. As Italy's new government was being sworn in a man in a gray suit and tie shot 2 policemen. The Arab League called for small land swaps to further a peace deal between Palestine and Israel. Egypt walked out of a round of global nuclear talks in protest of delays in making the Middle East a nuclear weapon free zone. Two reports on May Day activities- first a global roundup, then events in the EU.

From CUBA- May Day saw street events in most of Latin America. A session of the Venezuelan Parliament ended up in fist fights between members over the outcome of the recent Presidential election. Brazil will invest all oil development royalties into the educational system. Bolivia expelled the US Agency for International Development after accusing them of plotting against the government and Bolivian people.

From RUSSIA- Venezuela arrested an American filmmaker, accusing him of being an intelligence agent and trying to provoke a civil war. The US federal government has filed a lawsuit against Novartis, a Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer, for setting up a huge kickback scheme with doctors.

From JAPAN- Labor unions staged May Day rallies across Japan. The experimental fast breeder nuclear reactor in Japan is built on earthquake faults- the operator of the plant has determined that the faults are not active. US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the US does not take sides in territorial disputes, but went on to say that the US would defend the islands for Japan in its dispute with China. Japanese self-defense forces will conduct a joint amphibious landing with US forces on the California coast.

"Fear is not a good teacher. The lessons of fear are quickly forgotten."
--Mary Catherine Bateson