VIF Information Alerts - 25th June 2019

Pakistan blacklisting absolutely a possibility: FATF president
Published: The Hindu

25 Jun 2019

There is “absolutely a possibility” that Pakistan could be on its blacklist after the international financial watchdog’s next meeting in October in Paris, the outgoing president of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Marshall Billingslea, said on Friday. The comments were made at a press briefing at the end of the FATF plenary held in Orlando, Florida, an audio call of which was released to the press on Monday morning.Click here to read... [2]

New US sanctions target supreme leader of Iran
Published: The Tribune

25 Jun 2019

US President Donald Trump targeted Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials with new US sanctions on Monday, looking for a fresh blow to Iran’s economy after Tehran’s downing of an unmanned American drone.
With tensions running high between the two countries, Trump signed an executive order imposing the sanctions, which US. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the move would lock billions of dollars more in Iranian assets.Click here to read... [3]

Growing view administration trying to coerce India: Top US lawmaker flags concern to Pompeo
Published: DNA

25 Jun 2019

On the eve of his arrival in New Delhi, a top US lawmaker Tuesday told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that there is lack of predictability and coherence in America's strategic relationship with India. Congressman Eliot L Engel, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, in a letter urged Pompeo to not only reaffirm and strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, but also convey a coherent set of objectives and predictability to the new Indian government that will help this relationship reach its full potential.Click here to read... [4]

Discussion of Hong Kong extradition bill will not be allowed at G20 summit in Osaka, Beijing says
Published: South China Morning Post

24 Jun 2019

The public backlash and mass protests against the Hong Kong government’s now-suspended extradition bill will not be brought up or allowed to be discussed at the G20 summit in Osaka, Beijing made clear on Monday, even as protesters from the city planned to take their case to an international audience there.Click here to read... [5]

Government considering putting PSUs out of Defence Ministry range
Published: The Economic Times

25 Jun 2019

The government is examining recommendations by top two advisory bodies to move public sector units out of the supervision of the defence ministry, pointing out that there is an inherent conflict of interest that prevents full unlocking of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
While defence PSUs are fairly autonomous, they come under the authority of the Department of Defence Production and there have been frequent complaints that they are given undue preference by the ministry for large orders.Click here to read... [6]

Cabinet approves amendments to two laws to strengthen NIA
Published: The Indian Express

25 Jun 2019

The Union Cabinet is learnt to have approved a proposal to amend two laws to give more teeth to the NIA in probing terror cases in India and abroad, sources said Monday. Separate bills will be introduced in Parliament in the coming days to amend the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, they said. The amendments will also allow the NIA probe cybercrimes and cases of human trafficking, sources aware of the proposal said.Click here to read... [7]