China Fights Climate Change by Investing $361 Billion in Clean Energy

telesur | 06 January, 2017

In a bid to assert its leadership on climate change with an incoming U.S. administration that is hostile to climate science, China announced Thursday it will invest US$361 billion into renewable energy production by 2020.

The world’s most populous country, biggest polluter and largest energy market continues to shift away from dirty coal power toward cleaner fuels and is planning to invest by supporting industries such as wind and solar.

The investment will create over 13 million jobs in the sector, the country’s National Energy Administration said in a document that lays out its plan to develop the nation’s energy sector during the five-year 2016 to 2020 period.

Holiness’ “Holy” Act: An Archbishop, Reportedly, Initiates Onslaught On The “Sinful” Venezuela

by Farooque Chowdhury

Countercurrents.org | 05 January, 2017

The following news-report by Fox News says:

“On New Year’s Day, priests across Venezuela reportedly were instructed by Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, the archbishop of Caracas, to read […] a text during the homily encouraging parishioners to take a stand for democracy and not be intimidated by the socialist rule of Nicolas Maduro.”

Return to Roots

A Journal of People report

A person in the United States has found a new life as he has gone back to farming, a root he feels.
An NPR report said:
“Eighteen years ago, on New Year’s Eve, David Fisher visited an old farm in western Massachusetts, near the small town of Conway. No one was farming there at the time, and that’s what had drawn Fisher to the place. He was scouting for farmland.
“‘I remember walking out [to the fallow fields] at some point,’ Fisher recalls. ‘And in the moonlight – it was all snowy – it was like a blank canvas.’
“On that blank canvas, Fisher’s mind painted a picture of what could be there alongside the South River. He could see horses tilling the land – no tractors, no big machinery – and vegetable fields, and children running around.

Trump’s public speech, California farmers and migrant labor

A Journal of People report

Public pronouncements by US president-elect Trump are impacting US public life in enormous ways. The following news by Associated Press is an example. The news is about California farmers and migrant farm workers there.
The AP news said:
“Days after Donald Trump won the White House vowing to deport millions of people in the country illegally and fortify the Mexican border, California farmer Kevin Herman ordered nearly $600,000 in new equipment, cutting the number of workers he’ll need starting with the next harvest.
“Herman, who grows figs, persimmons and almonds in the nation’s most productive farming state, said Trump’s comments pushed him to make the purchase, larger than he would have otherwise.

Poll: PSUV Still Largest Party in Venezuela

by Lucas Koerner

Venezuelanalysis.com | 03 January, 2017

(Prensa PSUV)

Venezuela’s ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) remains the largest party in the South American country, reports a new poll.

According to the independent polling firm Hinterlaces, 27 percent of Venezuelans identify as supporters of the PSUV. Meanwhile, 12 percent of the voting public supports the opposition Popular Will party, 8.6 percent for the right-wing opposition MUD coalition in general, 7.2% for First Justice, 6 percent for Democratic Action, 1.8 percent for A New Era, and just 1 percent for the Christian Democrat party COPEI.

Venezuelans Celebrate Run-Up to Christmas

by Rachael Boothroyd Rojas

Venezuelanalysis.com | 23 December, 2016

In this image gallery Venezuelanalysis brings readers a glimpse of Venezuelan holiday season traditions from the annual Christmas fair held in the Teresa Carreño theatre in Caracas. Running from November 30th-December 23rd, the festival allows cooperatives and collectives to showcase and sell their products and is a number-one spot for buying alternative Christmas gifts. The festival also includes daily musical shows, a play area for children, and cafes with home-baked goods.

As usual, this year’s Christmas festival at the Theresa Carreño was a family affair. (Rachael Boothroyd Rojas – Venezuelanalysis.com)