VIF Information Alerts - 4 September 2018

Jinping offers $60 bn Africa aid

Published: The Hindu
03 Sep 2018

China has pledged a $60 billion fund to bolster industry, counter hunger, and enhance security in Africa, a continent that has been chronically plagued by piracy and terrorism. In his inaugural address at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping was authoritative in messaging that Beijing had become the locomotive of Africa’s all-round progress. He listed eight focal areas of funding that would premise the emergence of the “China- Africa community with a shared future in the new era”.Click here to read.... [2]

India has a space mission, why give it aid, ask UK lawmakers

Published: Hindustan Times
03 Sep 2018

Britain ended traditional aid to India years ago, but continues to fund projects in some states, prompting ruling party MPs to ask: when India can finance a project to Moon, why spend money there when it is badly needed in the UK? A favourite of the tabloid press, the story made its appearance again in the Daily Express and the Daily Mail, with headlines such as “Anger at £98m aid for India” and “We’re sponsoring their Moon launch!” over the weekend.Click here to read.... [3]

US to cancel $300m military aid to Pak

Published: The Tribune
02 Sep 2018

The US will cancel $300 million in military aid to Pakistan over its failure to take “decisive actions” to support President Donald Trump’s new South Asia policy and act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Pentagon has said. The announcement comes just days ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pakistan to meet the country’s new PM, Imran Khan. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/us-to-cancel-300m-military-aid-to-pak/646981.html" target="_blank">Click here to read.... [4]

Pak to host China FM amid US 'aid' row

Published: The Tribune
04 Sep 2018

In messaging not lost especially on the United States, Pakistan is expected to host China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week in Islamabad.

According to sources in Pakistan, Wang is expected to be in Islamabad from September 7 to 9. Importantly, Wang's visit to Pakistan, just days after the new Imran Khan government has come to power, will take place immediately after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wraps up his first stop over at the country.Click here to read.... [5]

Facebook’s definition of terrorism could help govts curb dissent: UN expert writes to Mark Zuckerberg

Published: Hindustan Times
03 Sep 2018

Facebook needs to narrow its “sweeping” definition of terrorism to stop governments arbitrarily blocking legitimate opposition groups and dissenting voices, a UN Human Rights Council independent expert said in a statement on Monday. The UN Special Rapporteur on promoting and protecting human rights, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, while countering terrorism has written to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to express concern about the company’s efforts to block “terrorists” from using its platform, according to a statement.Click here to read.... [6]

UK used secret threats to keep Chagos Islands, court hears

Published: The Guardian
03 Sep 2018

The UK has retained possession of a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean that includes the strategic US airbase of Diego Garcia through political pressure and secret threats, the international court of justice has been told. In the opening submissions of a legal challenge to British sovereignty of the Chagos Islands at the court in The Hague, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Mauritius’s defence minister, alleged that his country was coerced into giving up a large swathe of its territory before independence.
Click here to read.... [7]

China visa spat almost derailed Pacific leaders summit in Nauru

Published: The Guardian
04 Sep 2018

A visa row between China and host nation Nauru almost derailed the Pacific’s largest annual diplomatic summit, it emerged on Tuesday, exposing sensitivities about Beijing’s rising influence in the region. As formal discussions began at the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum, leaked letters revealed some members threatened to boycott the meeting over Nauru’s treatment of Chinese delegates.

Nauru does not have diplomatic relations with China, instead recognising self-ruled Taiwan, which has paid for much of the infrastructure being used to host the PIF summit.Click here to read.... [8]