VIF Information Alerts - 15th October 2018

China meddled in U.S. elections too, says Trump

Published: The Hindu
15 Oct 2018

President Donald Trump has alleged China, in addition to Russia, meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. Last month, chairing a UN Security Council meeting on the sidelines of the UN general Assembly in New York, Mr. Trump had alleged that China was trying to interfere in the 2018 mid-term polls and that it did not want him to be the President. China has denied these allegations. However, for the first time Mr. Trump came out in open to say that China also meddled in the 2016 presidential elections.Click here to read.... [2]

At ceremony, Abe renews pledge to revise Constitution

Published: The Japan Times
14 Oct 2018

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe renewed his pledge Sunday to push for a revision to the country’s war-renouncing Constitution, in which he wants the Self-Defense Forces explicitly mentioned. Speaking before a field of about 4,000 troops, Abe said that a revision is needed to give his troops a sense of pride.Click here to read.... [3]

Syrian jihadists signal last-minute acceptance of Idlib deal

Published: The Sydney Morning Herald
15 Oct 2018

Syria's main jihadist group has signalled it will abide by the terms of a Russian-Turkish deal to prevent a Syrian government offensive on rebel-held Idlib the day before a critical deadline. Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance spearheaded by al Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate previously known as the Nusra Front, said it had adopted its stance after taking time for "consultation".

Although it did not explicitly say it would abide by the deal, it said it would seek to provide security for people in the area it controls and that it appreciated efforts to protect that area, an apparent reference to Turkey.Click here to read.... [4]

ISIS Seeks New Stronghold in Central Asia, Activate 'Sleeper Cells'

Published: Albawaba News
14 Oct 2018

Andrey Novikov, the head of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Anti-Terrorism Center, maintains IS is establishing a new foothold in the region to form a new "caliphate" while planting new sleeper cells and invigorating existing ones. He said the group is currently recruiting, training and reactivating armed cells in Europe, central Asia, southeast Asia and Russia.Click here to read.... [5]

Pakistan to share CPEC debt details with IMF: Asad Umar

Published: The Express Tribune
13 Oct 2018

Pakistan is ready to share details of the debt related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the decision to approach the Fund was taken after consultations with friendly countries, said Finance Minister Asad Umar on Saturday. Umar, however, rejected the US State Department’s statement, suggesting that the debt accrued on CPEC projects was to blame for the country’s current economic crisis.Click here to read.... [6]

Maldives risks sanctions as toppled Yameen fights back

Published: The Tribune
15 Oct 2018

Maldives judges on Sunday heard a petition by strongman President Abdulla Yameen to have his recent election defeat annulled, potentially triggering US sanctions and plunging the archipelago into fresh turmoil.Click here to read.... [7]

New alliance launched

Published: The Daily Star
14 Oct 2018

After weeks of talks and intense negotiations, the BNP and three other political parties formally launched an alliance called Jatiya Oikyafront yesterday, just months before the national election. The alliance, which also includes Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, unveiled an 11-point goal and promised to bring sweeping reforms in governance system if voted to power.

"We are making a call for a national unity in the interest of the nation, not for any particular political party. We expect others to join the Jatiya Oikyafront," Dr Kamal told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club last evening.Click here to read.... [8]