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 October 29, 2018: National Current Affairs

 1. Prime Minister launches citizens` complaint receiving system

• Prime Minister Imran Khan launched on October 28, 2018 a citizens` complaint receiving system aimed at improving governance and addressing people`s problems under his own supervision as soon as possible.
• The system, to be known as Pakistan Citizens` Portal (PCP), has been established by the Prime Minister`s Performance Delivery Unit, which is run by those who had established a similar system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• The system has been connected to 60 per cent of government offices in the federal capital and provinces through internet to receive people`s complaints and transmit them to the officials concerned.
• However, it is feared that like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the PCP could be used as a tool for arm-twisting of political opponents by punishing bureaucrats who have a soft corner for them.

2. Islamabad police chief transferred

• The Islamabad police chief, Deputy Inspector General of Police Jan Mohammad, was posted out from the force and his services were surrendered to the establishment division on October 27, 2018.
• The officer, who is in Malaysia on ex-Pakistan leave to attend a course, will return on November 5 and hand over the charge to his successor if the government appointed any officer in his place by then.
• Currently, DIG Security Waqar Chohan has been looking after the office of the IGP Islamabad in his absence.
• According to a notification issued by the establishment division, retired lieutenant Jan Mohammad, a BS-20 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), presently serving as the IGP Islamabad under interior division, is transferred and directed to report to the establishment division with immediate effect and until further orders.

3. Pakistan has no intention of establishing ties with Israel

• President Dr Arif Alvi said on October 28, 2018 that Pakistan had no intention of establishing any type of relations with Israel and that there was no truth in media reports that an Israeli aircraft had landed at Islamabad recently.
• `Pakistan is not going to establish ties with Israel because we support the Palestinians,` the president said at the Islamabad International Airport before leaving for Turkey on a three-day official visit.
• He said the people of Gaza were facing unprecedented atrocities at the hands of Israelis, similar to those being faced by Kashmiris at the hands of Indian forces.
• The president termed the reports about landing of an Israeli air craft in Islamabad `baseless` and `unfounded`.

4. MoU signed to create awareness about child rights

• The Drug and Narcotics Educational Services for Humanity (Danesh) Balochistan, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), with the support of UNICEF, on October 28, 2018 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Secondary of Education Department, Balochistan, for promotion of child rights and creating child protection awareness in schoolteachers, students and parents.
• Keeping in view the current child protection scenario and in accordance with the Balochistan Child Protection Act, 2016, there was dire need to educate parents, teachers and children about child rights and their protection issues.

October 29, 2018: International Current Affairs

5. Iran sells oil thru exchange in bid to counter sanctions

• Iran sold oil to private buyers through its energy exchange for the first time on October 28, 2018, as part of its efforts to counter the imminent return of US sanctions.
• Only 280,000 barrels were sold out of one million offered, and went for $74.85 per barrel, more than $4 below the initial asking price.
• The identity of the buyer remained a secret, with the conservative Fars news agency saying only that a conglomerate of private firms had made the purchase through three brokerages.
• The US is set to re-impose sanctions on Iran`s oil industry on Nov 5, following President Donald Trump`s decision to walk out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May.
• The plan to sell oil to private companies on the energy exchange was floated back in July by first vice-president Eshaq Jahangiri with the aim of `defeating America`s efforts … to stop Iran`s oil exports`.

6. Reformed exit visa system comes into force in Qatar

• Long-awaited reform of Qatar`s controversial exit visa system, which requires foreign workers to obtain their bosses` permission to leave the country, came into force on October 28, 2018.
• Law No. 13 of 2018 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates is being implemented starting today.
• Qatar announced in September it had approved legislation to scrap the visa system a lynchpin of the country`s `kafala`, or sponsorship, system which many liken to modern-day slavery.
• Under the new law, all but five per cent of a company`s workforce reportedly those in the most senior positions can leave without prior permission from employers.
• Those not allowed to leave Qatar `for any reason` can file a complaint to the Expatriate Exit Grievance Committee that will `take a decision within three working days.
• Some anxious workers took to government social media websites on Sunday, to ask how they could find out if they were among the five per cent.

7. Israeli anthem played at UAE event in presence of minister

• Israel`s national anthem was played at a judo tournament in Abu Dhabi on October 28, 2018 after one of its athletes won gold in what was thought to be a first in the Gulf emirate.
• The playing of the national anthem and Israeli Sports Minister Miri Regev`s attendance at the tournament were the latest milestones in the country`s bid for rapprochement with Arab states.
• Regev cried and sang along as the anthem played, according to footage broadcast on Israeli television.
• Her presence in the United Arab Emirates capital also marked the first time a minister from Israel attended a sports event in the Gulf.
• It was the first time an Israeli delegation participated there under its national flag, after the International Judo Federation warned UAE organisers they would cancel the competition unless all athletes were allowed to participate on an equal footing.
• Sagi Muki won gold on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and sang along to his national anthem as he stood on the podium.

8. Merkel`s party suffers heavy losses in state vote

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel`s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party suffered heavy losses in October 28, 2018 regional election in Hesse state, according to an exit poll.
• The CDU remained the largest party, but lost around 10 percentage points to score 28 per cent of the vote, public broadcaster ARD reported, while junior federal government partners the Social Democrats (SPD) shed almost 11 points to land on just 20 per cent.
• Chancellor Angela Merkel`s conservatives were in the lead in the vote for the central region of Hesse`s state legislature. Her centre left governing partners were on course for a dismal result, running neck-and-neck with the Greens for second place.

9. Syria`s national museum reopens its doors in war-scarred Damascus

• Syria`s National Museum of Damascus opened its rich trove of antiquities to visitors again on October 28, 2018, seven years after war forced them to close and months after the government recaptured all rebel are as near the capital.
• Only part of the museum, and its collection drawn from the civilisations that have ruled Syria over the millennia, will be reopened immediately.
• A bloody army offensive this spring forced rebels to surrender eastern Ghouta in April, and the remaining insurgents enclaves near Damascus capitulated in the following weeks.

October 29, 2018: Sports Current Affairs

10. Pakistan whitewash Australia

• Opener Babar Azam struck a half-century and leg-spinner Shadab Khan claimed three wickets as Pakistan secured a 3-0 T20 series whitewash over Australia with a 33-run victory in Dubai on October 28, 2018.
• It is Pakistan`s first whitewash against Australia in a limited-over series and their 10th series win under Sarfraz Ahmed since he took over as captain in September 2016.
• Pakistan justified their number one ranking in the shortest format of the game by outclassing Australia in all departments of the game in the series.
• Australia`s batting attack never recovered from being bowled out for 89 in the first game.