PROGRAM NOTES 11/23/12- This weeks show features stories from THE VOICE OF RUSSIA, RADIO HAVANA CUBA, RADIO DEUTSCHE-WELLE, NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN, and SPANISH NATIONAL RADIO.

From RUSSIA- Voters in Washington state and Colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana. How will this affect the 40 year old "War on Drugs" in Latin American nations?

From CUBA- Peace talks are continuing in Cuba between FARC rebels and the Colombian government. There were many reports about the war in Gaza this week, here are two. Three Palestinian journalists were killed in their car by an Israeli airstrike, following missile strikes on the media center buildings in Gaza. By Tuesday Latin American leaders had expressed their concerns over Israel's attacks in the Gaza strip and demanded UN intervention.

From GERMANY- After 8 days of violence between the militaries of Israel and Palestine a ceasefire was brokered by Egypt. Britain and France have formally recognized the Syrian opposition coalition. France has pulled its troops from Afghanistan. US credit rating agency Moodys stripped France of its top government bond rating. Germany's Green Party has made preparations for general elections in September of next year.

From JAPAN- Attempts to produce biofuel from algae are underway in Japan. The WTO has ruled against Ontario Canada's policy of limitations on buying back solar power if the panels are not made in Canada. The World Bank issued a new warning on global warming. The acidity of the Pacific Ocean south of Japan is rising rapidly, negatively affecting the oceanic ecosystem.

From SPAIN- Several press reviews covering this weekend's elections in Catalonia, doctors and healthcare workers protesting against privatization of hospitals, and the fate of college graduates who are not finding employment in their fields of expertise. The Spanish government has passed a decree to help the most needy families facing eviction, responding to a homeowner suicide last week. The Spanish government is considering granting residence permits to any foreigner buying an apartment costing more than 160,000 Euros.

"I never said half the crap people said I did."
--Albert Einstein