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June 24, 2019: National Current Affairs
1. President confers Nishan-i-Pakistan on Sheikh Tamim
• Pakistan`s highest civil award was conferred upon the visiting emir in recognition of his outstanding contribution for fostering fraternal ties between the two countries.
• The emir of Qatar held talks with Mr Alvi at the Presidency in a warm and cordial atmosphere.
• The president complimented the emir for his astute leadership, which enabled Qatar to make major strides in energy, tourism, aviation and construction sectors.
2. JF-17 becomes star attraction at Paris Air Show
• Hordes of aviation enthusiasts turned up to see the static and aerial display of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)`s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet on the last day of 53rd Paris Air Show in Le Bourget on June 23, 2019.
• The indigenously manufactured JF-17 Thunder, displayed alongside other aircraft and defence equipment at the event, remained the star attraction of the show.
• The PAF personnel briefed the eager crowd about the combat aircraft`s operational capabilities and sophisticated weaponry. The spectators were ecstatic to see the pride of Pakistan in their midst and had selfies and photographs with the PAF contingent members.
3. Ex-foreign minister Sattar passes away
• Former foreign minister of Pakistan and a renowned diplomat Abdul Sattar passed away on June 23, 2019. He was 88.
• Mr Sattar was an illustrious diplomat and an accomplished author.
• Besides serving as foreign minister for two non-consecutive terms in 1993 (as caretaker) and later in 1999-2002, Mr Sattar had also served as Pakistan`s foreign secretary from 1986 to 1988.
• His career also included his stints as Pakistan`s ambassador to Austria, India and the erstwhile Soviet Union
4. Pakistan Navy ship visits Muscat, takes part in drill
• Pakistan Navy ship Aslat with embarked AL-43 helicopter visited Port Salalah of Oman as part of overseas deployment for Regional Maritime Security Patrols (West) in North Arabian Sea.
• Deployment of PNS Aslat is primarily focused on ensuring safety and security of international shipping in these waters.
• PNS Aslat is the frontline warship of Pakistan Navy fleet & fourth ship of Sword Class frigate project, which was built at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. It is fitted with the state of art weapons and sensors, capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime operations in multi-threat environment.
June 24, 2019: International Current Affairs
5. US ‘launched cyberattacks on Iran weapons’ after drone downing
• The United States military launched cyberattacks against Iranian missile control systems and a spy network after Tehran downed an American surveillance drone, US officials have said.
• US President Donald Trump ordered a retaliatory military attack against Iran after the drone shootdown but then called it off, saying the response would not be “proportionate” and instead pledged new sanctions on the country.
• But after the drone’s downing, Trump secretly authorised US Cyber Command to carry out a retaliatory cyber attack on Iran. The broad outlines of the attack. The cyberattacks – a contingency plan developed over weeks amid escalating tensions – disabled Iranian computer systems that controlled its rocket and missile launchers.
6. FAO elects first Chinese head as climate crisis worsens
• China`s vice minister for agriculture was elected on June 23, 2019 to lead the United Nations` Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the first Chinese national to run the 74-year-old agency at a time when climate change is leaving more people hungry.
• Qu Dongyu beat French candidate Catherine Geslain-Lanelle an agronomy engineer who would have been the agency`s first female head and Georgia`s former Minister of Agriculture Davit Kirvalidze.
• Candidates from India and Cameroon withdrew before the elections.
• Qu, 55, a biologist by training, received 108 votes out of 191 nations. His four-year tenure as the FAO`s ninth director-general will run from August 2019 to July 2023.
7. Ethiopia`s army chief killed amid regional `coup` bid
• Ethiopia`s army chief and a top local leader have been shot dead during an attempt to overthrow a regional government in the north of the country, underscoring political instability as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to reform the nation.
• Violence flared on June 22, 2019 afternoon in Amhara, one of nine autonomous regions, when a `hit squad` attacked a meeting of top officials.
• The Amhara `coup attempt` was led by local security chief Asaminew Tsige, who was only last year released from almost a decade in prison over a 2009 coup plot.
• State president Ambachew Mekonnen and his adviser were `gravely injured in the attack and later died of their wounds, the regional attorney general had been seriously wounded.
8. ASEAN leaders call for restraint amid sea row, US-China rift
• Southeast Asian leaders on June 23, 2019 pressed their call for self-restraint in the disputed South China Sea and renewed their alarm over the US-China trade war, with one leader warning it may spiral out of control.
• The long-raging territorial conflicts and the protracted dispute between the two global economic powerhouses are high on the agenda in the final of two days of meetings of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It`s an annual summit steeped in diplomacy, protocol and cultural colour in the Thai capital.
• Facing regional predicaments such as the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, the leaders took the stage and clasped their hands together in a trademark Asean handshake to project unity.
• Founded in 1967 in Bangkok in the Cold War era, the diverse 10-nation bloc lumps together an absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchies, along with socialist republics and fledgling democracies.
9. Modi remains silent as religious freedom shrinks in India: US report
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seldom condemns mob violence while religious freedom in India continued a downward trend last year, according to a US report released this week.
• The US State Department`s annual report on religious freedom also accused Indian officials of encouraging mob violence against religious minorities.
• The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which compiled this report, again placed India on its Tier 2 list of countries that engage in or tolerate violations of religious freedom.
• Pakistan is also in this category.
• The commission claimed that extremist groups within the Hindutva movement have openly stated they would like to `see all non-Hindus expelled, killed, or converted to Hinduism`.
June 24, 2019: Sports Current Affairs
10. Ruthless Sohail revives Pakistan`s hopes
• Pakistan is alive and kicking in the 2019 World Cup with an emphatic 49-run win over South Africa at Lord`s on June 24, 2019.
• Setting their opponents 309 for victory, Pakistan dominated from Mohammad Amir`s first ball. The rejuvenated left-armer trapped Hashim Amla leg before wicket with a sharp in-ducker. This was Amir of old, adding swing to a penetrating line rediscovered during this tournament.
• South Africa threatened briefly through Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, but Shadab Khan played a decisive hand, inducing a miscued attacking stroke just as de Kock was set to fire South Africa. Amir encouraged du Plessis into a swipe that he top edged high in to the airas Sarfraz jogged round gratefully
