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July 25, 2019

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1. PM receives royal reception in Qatar on way back home

• Prime Minister Imran Khan on July 24, 2019 addressed members of the US Congress at Capitol Hill, telling them that he wanted to reinvigorate the long-standing ties between the United States and Pakistan, before he wrapped up his highly successful three-day visit.
• On way back home, the prime minister received a royal reception during his brief stopover in Doha on July 24, 2019.
• Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani welcomed his Pakistani counterpart at Hamd International Airport.
• PM’s Adviser on Commerce and Trade Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari and Secretary Foreign Affairs Sohail Mehmood also accompanied the premier.
• After the reception at the airport, the two sides held discussed bilateral ties and matters of mutual interest at the Qatari premier’s residence.

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2. SBP removes Bank of Punjab’s president

• The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) July 24, 2019 officially removed the president of Bank of Punjab (BOP). The State Bank in a statement said that the President BOP was not ‘fit and proper’ to hold the portfolio any longer.
• President BOP Talib Rizvi was appointed by the Government of Punjab.
• He was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the BOP in April, this year.
• The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) clarified on July 22 that it had not allowed banks and their branches to sell and buy foreign currencies from the public across the country.

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3. Chinese firm to invest $20m in cab, cargo services

• A Chinese firm is working on comprehensive business plan to provide five important services in Pakistan, initially investing $20 million, with future prospects of $600m.
• Chinese company Timesaco intends to provide a rapid services platform to citizens by launching five special services including a taxi service, heavy cargo delivery , orders delivery, moving automated teller machines (ATM) and vehicle advertisement facilities, Chief Operating Officer Timesaco, Donald Li said on July 24, 2019.
• Initially these instant services would be launche din the six major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar and would be extended to other urban centers, he added.

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July 25, 2019: International Current Affairs

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4. Boris becomes UK premier

• One-nation conservative’ Boris Johnson, the new British Prime Minister, is a friend of both premier Imran Khan and Indian PM Narendra Modi.
• But he is not expected to reconcile the two mutual friends on the Kashmir issue which has caused several wars and skirmishes between Pakistan and India.
• On his visit to Pakistan as the Foreign Secretary in 2016, Johnson had made it clear his country will not become a mediator between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue but advocated a peaceful solution to the dispute.
• His estranged wife Marina Wheeler – whom he married in 1993 – has both Pakistan and Indian roots. Marina Wheeler, a British lawyer and columnist, and Boris Johnson have four children together – two daughters and two sons. She is the niece of late editor and writer Khushwant Singh.

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5. Sajid Javid named UK treasury chief

• Boris Johnson appointed Sajid Javid Britain`s new treasury chief, one of the most senior jobs in cabinet, soon after taking oath as prime minister on July 24, 2019.
• Javid will be responsible for spending and economic policy in Johnson`s government.
• Javid, a former banker and ex-home secretary, is the first ethnic minority politician to hold the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer.
• Priti Patel was named home secretary, replacing Javid.
• Formerly interior minister under Theresa May, 49-year old Javid takes over at the British treasury from Philip Hammond, who has held the job since 2016.

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6. Switzerland world`s most-innovative country in latest rankings

• Switzerland is the world`s most innovative country for a second consecutive year while Asian giant India made the biggest strides among major economies, a global indicator showed on July 24, 2019.
• The annual Global Innovation Index compiled by World Intellectual Property Organisation, Cornell University and INSEAD ranks 129 world economies on 80 parameters including research, technology and creativity.
• Switzerland was closely followed by Sweden and the United States, with Israel rounding out the top10.
• India, where the announcement was made, was ranked 52nd but has leaped upthe rankings in recent years, WIPO assistant director-general Naresh Prasad said.

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7. US slaps $5bn fine on Facebook

• US regulators on July 24, 2019 slapped a record $5 billion fine on Facebook for privacy violations in a wide-ranging settlement that calls for revamping privacy controls and oversight at the social network.
• The Federal Trade Commission said the penalty was the largest ever imposed on any company for violating consumers’ privacy and one of the largest penalties ever assessed by the US government for any violation.
• However, two Democratic members of the five-member FTC dissented, arguing the agreement failed to go far enough to rein in Facebook business practices that endanger consumers.

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8. Flying Frenchman to fulfil Channel crossing `dream`

• A daredevil French inventor said on July 24, 2019 he was ready to realise his dream of flying between France and Britain across the Channel on a jet-powered `flyboard` after finally overcoming bureaucratic obstacles.
• Franky Zapata, a former jet skiing champion, aims to soar above the Channel `like a bird` on Thursday morning in a scene likely to resemble a science fiction film.
• In a tribute to past aviation heroes, the 40-year-old has picked the day that marks 110 years since pioneer Louis Bleriot made the first airplane flight across the Channel on July 25, 1909.

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July 25, 2019: Sports Current Affairs

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9. Pellegrini wins 8th world medal in 200 free

• Federica Pellegrini began the countdown to the end of her stellar career in style. The Italian defeated a field of younger competitors, minus ailing Katie Ledecky, to win the 200-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships on July 24, 2019 night.
• Pellegrini, who turns 31 next month, is competing at her final worlds. She’s aiming to make a fifth Olympics in Tokyo next year before retiring. She overtook 18-year-old Australian Ariarne Titmus down the stretch to earn her fourth career gold — and record eighth consecutive medal — in her signature event. The Italian touched in 1 minute, 54.22 seconds. “I’m not sad, I’m so happy,” Pellegrini said. “I’m so happy because it’s an amazing world championships, an amazing 200 and I hope next year, my last Olympic championship, and after that a new life.”

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