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July 02, 2019: National Current Affairs
1. KSA oil supply on deferred payments starts
• Saudi Arabia has started supplying oil to Pakistan on deferred payments worth $9.9 billion, the Saudi embassy said on July 1, 2019.
• Also, a team from Saudi Arabia arrived in Islamabad to begin the process for the provision of immigration facilities to Pakistani pilgrims under the Road to Makkah project, the Radio Pakistan reported.
• Pakistan will start receiving monthly oil supplies worth $275 million from Saudi Arabia with effect from July 1. These supplies will continue over the next three years, with a total value of $9.9 billion.
• Last October, Saudi Arabia had announced an economic support package for Pakistan which included $3 billion for balance of external payments. Riyadh also announced providing Islamabad deferred payment facility for import of oil, worth more than $3 billion for three years – $3.2 billion per year – during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia to attend the Future Investment Initiative conference on the invitation of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
2. OGDCL managing director Zahir resigns
• The Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Zahid Mir, has resigned from his post.
• The OGDCL Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Mr Mir and appointed Dr Naseem Ahmed acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
• The Board of Directors appreciated the contribution made by Mr Mir in implementing a long-term sustainability framework for the company, besides achieving strict financial controls and discipline.
3. Carrying niswar on flights banned
• The Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) has imposed a ban on carrying niswar during air travel.
• The act has been designated as a punishable offence.
• The official notification mentioned that all Arab countries had included niswar tobacco with a dash of ash and lime in the list of narcotics and that strict action would be taken against passengers carrying niswar in their luggage.
• The ANF has displayed banners inscribed with the pledge to `clean society from drugs`, warning that in Arab countries the offence of carrying narcotics is punishable with death.
• The ANF, being a prime drug law enforcement agency, has increased vigilance on passengers travelling abroad at the airports and launched a 24-hour public complaint number 114 for registration of complaints and facilitation of the general public.
4. IGP changes 11 DIGs` portfolios, forms his own team
• Inspector General of Police retired Capt Arif Nawaz Khan established his team of senior police officers in Punjab on July 1, 2019 by changing the portfolios of 11 deputy inspectors general (DIGs).
• More importantly, he made two DIGs officers on special duty (OSD). They are Special Protection Unit (SPU) head Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry and Multan City Police Officer (CPO) Imran Mahmood on performance issues. Both the police officers have been directed to report to the Services & General Administration Department for further instructions.
• The transfer of DIG Headquarters Punjab Afzaal Kausar was also being taken another important development. He was appointed as regional police officer (RPO) Sargodha vice Khuram Ali Shah who was transferred and posted as new DIG Headquarters Punjab.
• DIG CTD Punjab Humayun Bashir Tarar was transferred and posted as RPO Sahiwal vice Shariq Kamal who was transferred and posted as DIG Welfare Punjab.
5. Sind Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah resigns
• Sindh Minister for Works and Services Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on July 1, 2019 tendered his resignation to campaign for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate in the by-election for NA-205 Ghotki-II.
• Polling will be held on July 18.
• After accepting the resignation, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah forwarded it to Governor Imran Ismail under Article 132(3) of the Constitution advising him to accept it.
July 2, 2019: International Current Affairs
6. New Zealand bans single-use plastic bags
• New Zealand officially banned single-use plastic shopping bags on July 1, 2019, introducing hefty fines for businesses that continue to provide them.
• Plastic pollution has become a growing global concern, with a million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals injured or killed every year by becoming entangled in packaging or ingesting it through the food chain.
• Companies that break New Zealand`s ban will face heavy penalties, including fines of up to $67,000.
• `New Zealanders are proud of our country`s clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it,` environment minister Eugenie Sage said.
7. Iran says it exceeds enriched uranium stockpile limit
• Iran said on July 1, 2019 it had exceeded a limit on its enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal that has edged towards collapse under Washington`s `maximum pressure` campaign.
• Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the Iranian move was a consequence of US pressure and Britain urged Iran `to avoid any further steps away` from the landmark deal.
• `Iran has crossed the 300-kilogramme limit based on its plan` announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA.
• The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran`s crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors.
• Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, on May 8 announced it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles.
8. Hong Kong protesters storm legislature in direct challenge to China
• Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters stormed the legislature on the anniversary of the city`s 1997 return to China on July 1, 2019, destroying pictures and daubing walls with graffiti in a direct challenge to China as anger over an extradition bill spiralled out of control.
• Some carried road signs, others corrugated iron sheets and pieces of scaffolding upstairs and downstairs as about a thousand gathered around the Legislative Council building in the heart of the former British colony`s financial district.
• Some sat at legislators` desks, checking their phones, while others scrawled `Withdraw anti-extradition` on walls.
• The government called for an immediate end to the violence, saying it had stopped all work on extradition bill amendments and that the legislation would automatically lapse in July next year.
July 2, 2019: Sports Current Affairs
9. Fernando-inspired Sri Lankans survive scare to beat West Indies
• Sri Lanka held off a West Indies charge at Chester-le Street on July 1, 2019 to win an exciting battle of two World Cup also-rans by 23 runs.
• Both teams came into the match aware they could not reach the semifinals but the Caribbean side came close to pulling off the highest successful chase in World Cup history.
• Sri Lanka batted brightly to post an imposing total of 338 for six in their 50 overs, thanks largely to Avishka Fernando`s first ODI century. That total looked beyond the West Indies in the early part of their innings but Nicholas Pooran dug deep, also scoring his maiden ODI ton.
10. Pakistan ladies clinch gold at BFAME bridge
• The Pakistan ladies bridge team beat India in the final to win the gold medal at the 20th BFAME 2019 Bridge Championship on July 1, 2019.
• The tournament featured teams from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Teams from Pakistan also took part in the Mixed Team, Open Team and Seniors events in which they clinched bronze medals.
• The gold medal-winning side comprised of Rubina Agha, Najm Abid, Shahnaz Pirzada, Qudsia Dossa, Rubina Hai and Fatima
