VIF Information Alerts - 4th October 2018

US withdraws from international accords, says UN world court ‘politicized’

Published: The Indian Express
04 Oct 2018

The Trump administration on Wednesday pulled out of two international agreements after Iran and the Palestinians complained to the International Court of Justice about US policies, the latest withdrawal by Washington from multilateral accords.

The US national security adviser John Bolton slammed the highest United Nations tribunal as “politicized and ineffective” as he announced that the United States would review all international agreements that could expose it to binding decisions by the ICJ.Click here to read.... [2]

International Court of Justice orders U.S. to lift sanctions on humanitarian goods' import by Iran

Published: The Hindu
03 Oct 2018

The United Nations’ highest court on Wednesday ordered the United States to lift sanctions on Iran that affect imports of humanitarian goods and products and services linked to the safety of civil aviation. The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is legally binding, but it remains to be seen if the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump will comply.Click here to read.... [3]

India launches 'Operation Samudra Maitri' to help tsunami-hit Indonesia

Published: The Economic Times
03 Oct 2018

India has launched a massive operation to provide assistance to the earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia, dispatching two aircraft and three naval ships carrying relief material to the country, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.

'Operation Samudra Maitri' for humanitarian assistance was launched after a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on October 1, and following Indonesia's acceptance of international aid, the MEA said in a statement.Click here to read.... [4]

For first time, India deports seven Rohingya immigrants to Myanmar

Published: The Economic Times
04 Oct 2018

India on Thursday deported seven Rohingya immigrants, who have been staying in Assam illegally, to their country of origin Myanmar, in a first such move. The illegal immigrants were detained in 2012 and since then they had been lodged in Cachar Central Jail in Assam's Silchar.Click here to read.... [5]

Bangladesh scraps unpopular quota scheme for government jobs

Published: The Hindu
03 Oct 2018

Bangladesh on Wednesday abolished a controversial quota system for civil service jobs that had been the target of major street protests that paralysed parts of the country earlier this year. The cabinet announced the end of the decades-long policy that reserved more than half of all government jobs for the offspring of veterans from Bangladesh's war of independence and disadvantaged ethnic minorities.Click here to read.... [6]

Lawmaker accuses neighbouring country of rigging Maldives election

Published: Maldives Independent
04 Oct 2018

The opposition colluded with the intelligence agency of an unnamed neighbouring country to rig the September 23 presidential election, a ruling party lawmaker has alleged. MP Dr Abdulla Khaleel tweeted Wednesday night that the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party also came to power in 2008 through electoral fraud.

The new claim comes after the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives demanded an investigation into alleged graft by Elections Commission chief Ahmed Shareef.Click here to read.... [7]

Outgoing Maldives president ‘received USD 1.5 million’: reports

Published: The Asian Age
03 Oct 2018

The outgoing strongman president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen, faced allegations Tuesday that he received nearly USD 1.5 million in illicit payments just before his surprise election defeat last month. The allegations that two cash deposits were made into a private account in Yameen’s name came to light after local media reported that the Maldivian Monetary Authority (MMA) had lodged a police complaint.Click here to read.... [8]