VIF Information Alerts - 31 Jan 2018

Dialogue calls grow as political turmoil returns
Published: China Daily
31 Jan 2018

The Kenyan government branded opposition leader Raila Odinga's "swearing-in" in Nairobi on Tuesday illegal, with the Attorney General saying the move is punishable by death. The oath-taking ceremony was marred by confusion, despite Odinga calling it historic. He said he is representing the "People's Republic of Kenya". Click here to read... [2]

China's economy loses momentum as factory activity cools
Published: Australia Broadcasting Corporation
31 Jan 2018

The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) indicated while activity expanded, it was weaker than expected. The softer start to the year is a contrast to a better than expected GDP growth of 6.9 per cent that brought the curtain down on 2017. Click here to read... [3]

China faces far worse financial risk than US before global crisis: former FM
Published: The Indian Express
30 Jan 2018

China’s financial system was facing higher risk than that of the US before the global economic turmoil a decade ago, former finance minister Lou Jiwei has said. China’s financial system had become “severely distorted”, Lou said while speaking at Forum in Beijing recently. Click here to read... [4]

Chinese military paper urges increase in nuclear deterrence capabilities
Published: The Indian Express
30 Jan 2018

China must strengthen its nuclear deterrence and counter-strike capabilities to keep pace with the developing nuclear strategies of the United States and Russia, the official paper of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said on Tuesday. Click here to read... [5]

Six accords of cooperation signed between Gwadar, China’s Ports
Published: The Nation
29 Jan 2018

Pakistan and China on Monday inked five Agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding for strengthening collaboration between Gwadar and the Chinese port cities. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi witnessed the ceremony, as representatives of Pakistan and China inked the documents, following the inauguration of Gwadar Free Zone. Click here to read... [6]

Indian, Vietnamese armies hold first military exercise
Published: Economic Times
29 Jan 2018

For the first time, armies of India and Vietnam today began a six day-long military exercise in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, reflecting growing defence ties between the two countries.

It is the first military exercise between the two countries, a senior army official said here. The exercise, christened 'VINBAX' will continue for six days. Click here to read... [7]

‘Sri Lanka is all talk and no action on repealing terror law’
Published : The Hindu
29 Jan 2018

Criticising the Sri Lankan government for its failure to repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Human Rights Watch on Monday accused the government of being “all talk and no action”.

Releasing a report titled ‘Locked Up Without Evidence: Abuses under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act’ — based on interviews with 34 former detainees and relatives — the rights watchdog said the PTA allowed arrests without warrant for unspecified “unlawful activities,” and permitted detention for up to 18 months without producing the suspect in court. Many of the interviewees reported torture and abuse during their detention. Click here to read... [8]

The bitcoin party is over. The blockchain party has only just begun
Published: South China Morning Post
29 Jan 2018

As South Korea cracks down on bitcoin, countries including Singapore and Malaysia are backing the technology behind it to drive technological change in areas as far afield as electoral rolls and health care records. Click here to read... [9]