Database fined

THE operators of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), a leading online academic database, have been penalized for illegal handling of users’ personal information, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced Wednesday.

A fine of 50 million yuan (US$6.95 million) has been imposed on three major operators of CNKI, the CAC said in a statement.

The statement said the operators collected users’ personal information without consent on the 14 CNKI-related apps and illegally kept their information after they closed their accounts.

7 missing in landslides

AT least seven people were missing and three others injured as heavy rains triggered mountain torrents and landslides in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, authorities said Thursday.

Two townships in Xiahe County of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture were hit by the landslides at around 3 a.m. Thursday and the accumulated precipitations reached 50.2 mm and 31.8 mm, respectively.

Joint exercise

THE bilateral training exercise between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Singapore Armed Forces kicked off at the Jurong Camp in Singapore on Wednesday, focusing on urban counter-terrorism operations.

Over 280 elite military personnel from both armies will perform equipment operations, small-arms live firing, real force counter-terrorism drills and command post exercise during the event.