PROGRAM NOTES 09/03/10- This weeks show features stories from China Radio International, Radio Netherlands, Radio Havana Cuba, and the Voice of Russia

From CHINA- A representative from the European Union is in China to get a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the country. Japan has begun destroying chemical weapons they produced and abandoned in China during WWII. N Korean President Kim Jong-il has visited in China again and says he wants to restart the 6-party talks, following new US sanctions on the country after Jimmy Carters visit last week. Russia has launched its section of a new oil pipeline from Siberia to China.

From NETHERLANDS- Tony Blair has released his new memoir of his time as Prime Minister, defending his choice to go create war in Iraq. An anti-Islamic group called the English Defense League is to hold a summit of similar groups in continental Europe. Portugal and France are fighting increasing fires due to a heat wave. Following the killing of 4 Israelis, RN asked for comments from a Palestinian and an Israeli settler who both live in Hebron.

From CUBA- The flooding in Pakistan has subsided, leaving 20 million people homeless. President Obama is expanding the war against al-Qaeda by carrying out strikes in Africa and Asia. Lawsuits have been launched against the Obamas administration for claiming to have the authority to assassinate US citizens accused of being involved overseas in terrorist activities. The US Agency for International Development is funding opposition groups in Venezuela. A Viewpoint on the need to force Israel to admit to the international community the extent of their nuclear weapons and to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

From RUSSIA- The Kremlin is attempting to prevent price gouging for food following the fires and drought last month. The foreign ministers of France and Romania are discussing the 500 Romanian gypsies deported last month. Russia will construct 2 fast breeder reactors in China. Iran will have the first nuclear fusion research reactor by 2020. The mountains of Central Europe received very unseasonable snowfall on August 31st. An observation on the so-called reset of relations between Russia and the US.