VIF Information Alerts - 15 Jan 2018

The US military is fighting terrorism in 76 countries around the world - here's where
Published – Business Insider
15 Jan 2018

Between October 2015 and October 2017, the US fought teror in 76 countries, or 39% of the total number of countries in the world, according to data recently published by Brown University's Costs of War Project.

The graphic shows where the US military had troops and bases, where it trained other forces in counterrorism and where it conducted drone and air strikes. Click here to read... [2]

Japan’s defence chief criticises China over submarine near disputed islands
Published –The Indian Express
15 Jan 2018

Japan’s defence minister criticised China on Monday for sailing an advanced stealthy nuclear submarine close to disputed islands claimed by Japan and China, saying the action had stoked tension. The submarine, which Japan detected in the East China Sea, was a 110 metre-long Shang-class vessel, which is able to dive deeper and for longer than older boats and is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defence, reports news agency Reuters. Click here to read... [3]

Rohingya refugees_ Government talks to NE states on liberal border trade plan with Myanmar
Published – The Economic Times
15 Jan 2018

The country's top security officials have sought a feedback from the northeastern states and other stakeholders on safety implications of the land border crossing agreement with Myanmar, given the fear Rohingya refugees may take advantage to cross over this side of 1600 km-long fence. Click here to read... [4]

WEF ranks India 30th on global manufacturing index
Published – The Hindu Business Line
14 Jan 2018

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked India at 30th position on a global manufacturing index - below China’s 5th place but above other BRICS peers, Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

Japan has been found to have the best structure of production in the Geneva-based WEF’s first ‘Readiness for the future of production report’ and is followed by South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, the US, Sweden, Austria and Ireland in the top 10. Among BRICS nations, Russia is ranked 35th, Brazil 41st and South Africa at 45th place. Click here to read... [5]

Apple to keep Chinese data in China, privacy picture unclear
Published – A Times
14 Jan 2018

Beijing has made it compulsory that all overseas tech firms must store all data from their Chinese users within the nation’s borders, a move that it insists is in line with international practice.

In response, Apple announced last week that it is partnering with a Chinese government-backed data center operator to provide remote iCloud storage to 131 million iPhone users (and millions of iPad and Mac users) in China, starting from February 28. Click here to read... [6]

China breaks India’s internet monopoly in Nepal
Published – The Hindu
12 Jan 2018

China on Friday became Nepal’s second internet service provider, breaking India’s monopoly in providing internet access to the Himalayan Kingdom.
The Hong Kong and Beijing based China Telecom Global (CTG) — a company formed in 2012 — has teamed up with Nepal Telecom to provide alternate cyber-connectivity to Nepal. Click here to read... [7]