Political philosophy

China Communists must slash membership

Agence France-PresseMay 20, 2013 03:34

China's ruling Communist Party should cut its more than 80 million members by nearly half to avoid the bloat that felled the Soviet Union, a political scientist has written in a party magazine. The Communist Party of China is the world's largest political party, having recruited a wide swathe of citizens in recent years in an effort to broaden support as its original ideological underpinning has changed.

U.S. contractor jailed in Cuba settles suit against employer

Agencia EFEMay 17, 2013 14:15

Washington, May 17 (EFE).- Alan Gross, the U.S. contractor serving a 15-sentence in Cuba for subversion, has settled a lawsuit against the firm that hired him for a project on the Communist-ruled island, his lawyers said Friday. The terms of the settlement, filed Thursday with the U.S. District Court in Washington, are confidential and subject to a non-disclosure agreement, a spokeswoman for the Scott Gilbert law firm said.

'Action plan' due for eurozone straggler Slovenia

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 15:27

The new government of struggling eurozone member Slovenia is expected to announce Thursday an action plan aimed at avoiding a bailout, reportedly including privatisations, "crisis" taxes and austerity cuts. Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek's programme, which will be sent to Brussels, is crucially also expected to set a timeframe for the "bad bank" to stop Slovenia's lenders from drowning in a sea of debts.

Women lead struggle against China's inequalities

Agencia EFEMay 10, 2013 17:15

Beijing, May 10 (EFE).- Chinese women, after centuries of submission and devotion to the home, are taking advantage of the country's economic growth to free themselves and assume a strong role in the country, above all in the struggle against poverty and social inequality. According to the 2011 Census, there are more than 656 million women in China, but not one of them occupies a top position in government, and in most sectors men are still the bosses.

Argentine congress passes judicial reform bill

Thomson ReutersMay 9, 2013 20:45

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's Senate passed a court reform law on Wednesday aimed at "democratizing the judiciary," but critics said the move would leave judges vulnerable to political influence. Under the reform, backed by President Cristina Fernandez and passed by 38 votes to 30, members of the board that chooses federal judges will be elected. The measure had already been approved by the lower house of Congress.

Sharp rise in China exports sparks concerns about data

Agencia EFEMay 8, 2013 13:45

Beijing, May 8 (EFE).- Chinese exports rose by 14.7 percent in April compared to the same month last year, indicating a recovery in demand for the Asian giant's products but also prompting skepticism about the data. Chinese exports in April were valued at 1.17 trillion yuan ($187.1 billion), the country's General Administration of Customs said Wednesday. The data exceeded economists' forecasts and was up relative to March, when exports rose 10 percent.

Exclusive: EU to propose duties on Chinese solar panels

Thomson ReutersMay 7, 2013 12:54

By Robin Emmott and Francesco Guarascio BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU's trade chief will recommend placing punitive import duties on billions of euros of solar panels from China, people close to the matter say, putting up a barrier to protect European producers but risking upsetting Beijing. The case, the biggest the Commission has ever targeted, highlights the balancing act facing Brussels as Europe tries to protect against cheap imports while needing China, the EU's second largest trading partner, to help it emerge from recession.

Espionage fuels China's fast-paced military buildup: Pentagon

Thomson ReutersMay 7, 2013 11:37

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China is using state-sponsored industrial espionage to acquire the technology it needs to forge ahead with a fast-paced military modernization program and cut its reliance on foreign arms makers, the Pentagon said in a new report on Monday.

Espionage fuels China's fast-paced military buildup: Pentagon

Thomson ReutersMay 7, 2013 10:31

By David Alexander and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China is using espionage to acquire technologies to fuel its fast-paced military modernization program, the Pentagon said on Monday in an annual report that for the first time accused Beijing of trying to break into U.S. defense computer networks.

Maduro in Havana to ratify alliance with Cuba

Agencia EFEApril 27, 2013 19:45

Havana, Apr 27 (EFE).- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is on an official visit to Cuba, his first to the island since his election on April 14, to ratify the two countries' strategic alliance. Since his arrival he has been in Havana attending the 13th Meeting of the Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Commission, presided over by Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez and by Cuba's Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca.