Beijing has launched the experiment of using the yuan as a reserve currency in relations with 8 countries. Chinese exporters are asking to charge in yuan instead of dollars, because the U.S. currency is losing value. But China needs to revise its model of development, too much inspired by eighteenth century mercantilism.

January 3, 2009: Milan, Italy (AsiaNews) – While the comments of economic observers have focused on what is happening to U.S. public debt and to financial markets overseas, the news media rarely mention what is happening in Asia, almost as if there were not a strong correlation between the two phenomena. But it is logical that a substantial accumulation of foreign exchange reserves in China, Japan and throughout Asia corresponds to an unprecedented supply of dollars, the global reserve currency.

Ask a group of Christians why they support Israel’s efforts against the Palestinians and you’ll probably hear back that Jews hold the deed to the dirt. God gave it to them.

This can be quickly verified by checking the Old Testament: “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring’” (Deut. 34:4). Numerous passages in Genesis and Exodus speak to the same thing. But this is not the whole story.

Jan. 7 (Bloomberg) – “Russian natural gas exports through Ukraine to Europe halted for the first time in three years, threatening to create shortages as freezing weather spurred demand for power.”

It seems as if it’s going to be a long, cold winter. So much for global warming – and Hollywood told us the story once again – twelve years ago. 

Plotting to Socialize Medicine: President-elect Obama believes that his health care gimmicks should be part of his economic recovery schemes. While you and I were decking the halls, and kissing our sweethearts under the mistletoe, he was stealthily advancing his agenda.

During the last half of December the Obama transition team held house meetings across the country. They took the feedback from these socialist trysts, then posted it at their interactive site, Change.gov. The Obama administration is conspiring to hit the ground running in January, using the claim that these meetings represent public support to compel Congress to act . . .  and pass the package quickly.

Where will Canadians escape to get health care?