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July 4, 2018
- Bajwa, Alice agree to continue engagement
- Pakistan and the United States on July 3, 2018 reaffirmed the commitment to the common goal of peace and stability in the region and discussed measures towards that end. They also agreed on continued engagement at multiple levels.
- Both sides expressed this resolve during a meeting between US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Alice G Wells and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi.
- During the meeting, issues of mutual interest, regional security and cooperation between both the countries came under discussion.
- Wells commended the sacrifices and resilience of the people and armed forces of Pakistan and appreciated the role Pakistan Army in battling the scourge of terrorism.
- Ambassador Alice Wells visited Islamabad from July 1 to July 3.
- Ambassador Wells met with Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Gen Qamar Bajwa and Chief of General Staff Lt-Gen Bilal Akbar during her stay in Pakistan. She also met with business leaders and ambassadors from other embassies in Islamabad.
- 3 officers promoted to air marshal rank
- The government has promoted three officers of the Pakistan Air Force to the rank of air marshal.
- They include Air Vice-Marshal Syed Noman Ali, Air Vice-Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar and Air Vice-Marshal Javad Saeed.
- Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali was commissioned in GD (P) branch of Pakistan Air Force in April 1986. He is a qualified flying instructor. He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Air War College, Air War College (USA), and National Defence University. In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).
- Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar was commissioned in GD (P) branch of Pakistan Air Force in April 1986. In recognition of his outstanding services, he has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).
- Air Marshal Javad Saeed was commissioned in GD (P) branch of Pakistan Air Force in November 1986. In recognition of his commendable services, he has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).
- 40 countries object at WTO to US car tariff plan
- Major US trading partners including the European Union, China and Japan voiced deep concern at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 3, 2018 about possible US measures imposing additional duties on imported autos and parts.
- Japan, which along with Russia had initiated the discussion at the WTO Council on Trade in Goods, warned that such measures could trigger a spiral of counter-measures and result in the collapse of the rules-based multilateral trading system, an official who attended the meeting said.
- Over 40 WTO members, including the 28 countries of the European Union – warned that the US action could seriously disrupt the world market and threaten the WTO system, given the importance of cars to world trade.
- The United States has imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports and is conducting another national security study that could lead to tariffs on imports of cars and car parts. Both sets of tariffs would be based on concerns about US national security.
- US President Donald Trump said on June 29 that the probe would be completed in 3-4 weeks.
- 40 countries object at WTO to US car tariff plan
- Major US trading partners including the European Union, China and Japan voiced deep concern at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 3, 2018 about possible US measures imposing additional duties on imported autos and parts.
- Over 40 WTO members, including the 28 countries of the European Union – warned that the US action could seriously disrupt the world market and threaten the WTO system, given the importance of cars to world trade.
- The United States has imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports and is conducting another national security study that could lead to tariffs on imports of cars and car parts. Both sets of tariffs would be based on concerns about US national security.
- US President Donald Trump said on June 29 that the probe would be completed in 3-4 weeks
- Former Malaysian PM Najib arrested over huge graft probe
- Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was arrested by anti-corruption investigators July 3, 2018, the latest dramatic development in a widening graft probe that has engulfed the ex-leader.
- Najib, 64, will be charged, a taskforce set up to probe wrongdoing at state fund 1MDB said in a statement, adding he was apprehended “at his home”.
- The arrest is the latest in a series of stunning moves by investigators that suggest the legal noose is tightening around Najib, his family and many of his close political and business allies.
- Malaysia’s official news agency Bernama said the former premier is expected to face more than 10 counts of committing criminal breach of trust linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB.
- China issues US travel warning amid trade tensions
- China’s embassy in Washington has issued a security advisory to Chinese nationals travelling to the United States, the latest such warning as trade tensions escalate between the two countries.
- The embassy warned Chinese tourists to be aware of issues including expensive medical bills, the threats of public shootings and robberies, searches and seizures by customs agents, telecommunications fraud and natural disasters. Public security in the United States is not good. Cases of shootings, robberies, and theft are frequent.
- Aside from an additional warning about the risk of natural disasters, the advisory was similar to one the embassy posted in January.
- Tensions are high between the two countries over the threat of tariffs.
- China firm develops ‘laser gun’
- A Chinese firm has developed a laser gun designed for police use that can set fire to protesters’ hair or banners from a range of almost one kilometre.
- The weapon would “immediately” produce a “strong pain response” in the target but stressed it was designed to be “non-lethal”.
- The weapon is designed to do things such as setting fire to illegal banners at a protest or setting fire to the hair or clothing of a protester.
- “It is not designed explicitly for killing like a gun that uses bullets and cannot cause the ‘instant carbonisation’ of human skin and tissues.
- The 15-mm calibre weapon weighs three kilogrammes (6.6 pounds), has a range of 800 metres (2,600 feet) and can pass through glass and other transparent obstacles.
- Finch record 172 in Australia’s biggest T20 win
- Aaron Finch bludgeoned his way to within three runs of Chris Gayle’s world-record Twenty20 score and bettered his own chart-topper in Twenty20 internationals as Australia cantered to a second victory in as many days in the triangular series in Harare.
- Placing his stamp on the tournament and Australia’s short-form captaincy, Finch blazed 10 sixes in an opening stand of 223 – with a more subdued D’Arcy Short – that lasted until the final over of the visitors’ innings after they were sent in by Zimbabwe. Left with three balls to make the four runs he required to set a new world record score in all T20 matches, Finch was dismissed hit wicket when aiming for one more mighty blow. Still, he walked off having delivered a comfortably match-winning total for his team.
- ICC Board brings in tougher code of conduct, sanctions
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) concluded its five-day Annual Conference in Dublin with strong support for strengthening the ICC Code of Conduct and a range of new sanctions introduced.
- A plan for stabilizing the financial, cricket and management structures at Zimbabwe cricket was also agreed upon at the meeting taking place in Dublin.
- ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: “It has been a productive week of meetings here in Dublin and it has been good to have all ICC Members in attendance at our 75th Annual Conference. I and my fellow Board directors were unanimous in supporting the recommendations of the Cricket Committee and Chief Executives’ Committee to drive improved behavior across our sport.
- Australian scientists crack genetic code of koalas
- A team of Australian and international scientists, led by Professor Rebecca Johnson, Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute and Professor Katherine Belov, University of Sydney, have made a significant break-through successfully sequencing the full koala genome.
- Considered to be the most complete marsupial genome sequenced to date, it is in terms of quality, on par with the human genome.
- The highly accurate genomic data will provide scientists with new information that will inform conservation efforts, aid in the treatment of diseases, and help to ensure the koala’s long-term survival.
- The Koala Genome Consortium has been an ambitious journey affording us great insights into the genetic building blocks that make up a koala-one of Australia’s, as well as the world’s, most charismatic and iconic mammals