paquin Phoe der Globes Winner Pog Soleimani's ath, Army (Amendment) ae ati e ihe alae 7 a STUDY MATERIAL TO CRACK Dow DOWNLOAD _ iin? css EXAM 2020 PAS Take)WEEKLY Nie, eceniber209 Serene gee HSMCS§S§ Ya Mecca SIN rc a Ur Iter eyeet ce) TTT Senet Te Parada Beets Pring JUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com MAIN STORIES. 02 Solemani survived the horror of Iran's long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republic's foreign campaigns. Weekly HSM CSS Times January 1 to7 Iranian General Qusem Soleimani Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, was killed in aUS strike at Baghdad International Airport on January 3. Soleimani was considered one of the most powerful men in Tran and the architect of Tehran's foreign policy in the region. For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been hardline clerics, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure. For the U.S. and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Iran's proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths ‘of American troops in Iraq. What has the US said? The US Department of Defense has stated that the US military had taken the “decisive step to protect US personnel abroad by killing Soleimani, the head of Quds Force, which is the overseas operations wing of the IRGC and a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation.” According to the State Department, the regime in Tehran “is responsible for the deaths of at least 603 American service members in Iraq since 2003”. This, according to the US, “accounts for 17% of all deaths of US personnel in Iraq from 2003 to 2011, and is in addition to the many thousands of Iraqis killed by the IRGC's proxies”. In recent years, Quds Force plots have been uncovered in countries including Germany, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Kenya, Bahrain, and Turkey. Background- Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC): Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini set up the IRGC in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution ended to protect the Islamic order of the new Iranian government. IRGC has contributed roughly 125,000 men to Iran's forces and has the capability of undertaking asymmetric warfare and covert operations. This includes the Quds Force that over the years has established links with the Hezbollah of Lebanon, Shi'ite militias in Iraq, Shi'ites in Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. What is the Quds Force? Quds is the Arabic word for Jerusalem, and is responsible for carrying out unconventional warfare and intelligence activities. The force is responsible for training, financing and providing assistance to some extremist groups overseas. It also undertakes Iranian missions in other countries, including covert ones. What does Soleimani’s death mean for US-Iran relations? ‘Soleimani’s death would result in a dramatic escalation in relations between the US and Iran. ‘The strike has left the Middle East on edge, with possible repercussions beyond the region. ‘The killing would make Iran more decisive in resisting the US, while anti-US forces would exact revenge across the Muslim world. The killing could have a ripple effect in any number of countries across the Middle East where Iran and the US compete for influence. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comWeekly HSM CSS Times January 1 to7 MAIN STORIES. Tran Soleimani killing: US denies Iraq pullout amid letter confusion US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has denied US troops are pulling out of Iraq, after a letter from a US general there suggested a withdrawal. The letter said the US would be “repositioning forces in the coming days and weeks" after Iraqi MPs had called for them to leave. Mr Esper said there had been "no decision whatsoever to leave". The confusion came amid threats to American forces after the US killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. He died in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday on the orders of Mr Trump. What was in the letter? It appeared to have been sent by Brig Gen William H Seely, head of the US military's task force in Iraq, to Abdul Amir, the deputy director of Combined Joint Operations. It starts: "Sir, in due deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament, and the Prime Minister, CSTF-OIR (Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve) will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement." The letter says certain measures, including increased air traffic, will be conducted "during hours of darkness” to "ensure the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner". It would also “alleviate any perception that we may be bringing more Coalition Forces into the IZ (Green Zone in Baghdad)". How has it been explained? Mr Esper told reporters in Washington: "There's been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq. I don't know what that letter is... We're trying to find out where that's coming from, what that is. “But there's been no decision made to leave Iraq. Period.” The highest-ranking US soldier, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, then appeared at a briefing, saying the letter was "a mistake". He said it was a draft which was poorly worded, had not been signed and should not have been released. It was UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com 03 Se RUC ROL] Bore cet nt) EB cyt There are just over 5,000 US troops in Iraq, part of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, which was set up in 2014 to tackle the Islamic State group after it had captured a large swathe of Syria and Iraq, There are about a dozen primary member countries, and scores more providing non- combat support. The main focus of the task force is to train and equip Iraqi forces. On Sunday, Iraqi MPs passed a non-binding resolution calling for foreign troops to leave in the wake of Soleimani's assassination. President Trump then threatened severe sanctions against Iraq if US troops left. "We have a very extraordinarily expensive airbase that's there. It cost billions of dollars to build. We're not leaving unless they pay us back for it," he told reporters. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comWeeks UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com jeekly HSM CSS Times MAIN STORIES. 04 January 1 to7 being circulated for input, including from with the Iraqis, but gave no details. Iraqis. BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale [The letter] was sent over to some key Iraqi _said he had been told by a coalition source military guys in order to get things co- that the letter was to let the Iraqis know the ordinated for air movements, etc. Then it went from that guy’s hands to another guy's hands and then it went to your hands. Now it's a kerfuffle.” joa reiterated that US troops were Not sources, telling separate reporters that the So what is happening? move was to “thin out" the Baghdad Gen Milley said the issue was being "worked" Personnel. US was moving troops out of the Green Zone to provide protection elsewhere and did not mean a withdrawal This has been backed up by other coalition Who is Esmail Qaani? The new man leading Iran's Iran’s Qaani elite military force New Militia Leader with Close Ties to Soleimani Following the assassination Mr Qaani became the new chief of Iran's elite Quds force. oeeeD Cry Esmail Qaani Rota err) f ae’ pomgres | \ i be A Quds is the overseas arm of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), set up in the wake of the Iranian revolution in 1979 to defend the country's Islamic system. Mr Qaani, 63, was born in the north-eastern city of Mashad, Iran's second most populous city and an important pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims. He joined the IRGC in 1980. Like Soleimani, Mr Qaani is a veteran of the bloody 1980- 1988 Iran-Iraq war, which pitted performed more of a day-to-day, administrative role in the the forces of the new Iranian _ forces. In a mark of his seniority in the organisation, Mr government against those of __Qaani was sanctioned by the US in 2012 for his work funding then Iraqi President Saddam the Quds operations around the world. Hussein: Soleimani worked to bolster the Iranian state's influence in the Middle East, playing an active role in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon Mr Qaaniis also said to have —_and Yemen. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com MAIN STORIES... 05. Weekly HSM CSS Times What the world could lose in an Iran conflict As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, significant cultural heritage sites could become collateral damage. President Trump's weekend series of tweets warning that the U.S. will target Iranian cultural sites ("...those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD," he wrote) prompted many commentators to call the announcement what it actually is—a threat to commit war crimes. There are 22 UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites in Iran, ranging from the great capitals of the Persian Empire to Christian monasteries and Sufi religious centers. (For comparison, the U.S. has only 12 cultural sites ‘on the World Heritage list). At this time, President Trump has not explicitly stated which—if any—of these Iranian cultural sites he plans to target. Following Trump's tweets on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did not expressly endorse the president's threats to attack sites portant to Iran & [sic] the Iranian culture,” but said that "We're going to do the things that are right and the things that are consistent with American law," and that targets will be “lawful” The protection of cultural heritage is enshrined in the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage—international conventions that both the U.S. and Iran are signatory to. (Many argue that the 1954 Hague Convention has its, origins in an earlier, uniquely American document signed into law by Abraham Lincoln at the height of the Civil War. The Lieber Code states in part: Classical works of art, libraries, scientific collections, or precious instruments, such as astronomical telescopes, as well as hospitals, must be secured against all avoidable injury, even when they are contained in fortified places whilst besieged or bombarded.) Hours after Pompeo's statements, Trump questioned the validity of the 1954 Hague Convention to reporters aboard Air Force One: “[Iran is] allowed to torture and maim our people. They're allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we're not allowed to touch their cultural site? It doesn't work that way.” There's a good reason why cultural heritage is explicitly protected during times of war: The physical objects and monuments that reflect the values of a community or culture provide a critical sense of cohesion and continuity. Destroying these monuments is an act of erasing human identity. This is why the Islamic State specifically targeted Muslim monuments of religious groups they fought against. This is why Serbian forces bombed Sarajevo's National Library. And we're reminded how wrenching these losses can be even in peace time with the burning of Notre Dame and Brazil's National Museum. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.commais cus 2019-20 CadUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times January 1 to7 CURRENT AFFAIRS Army Act Amendment Bill 2020 approved in National Assembly National Assembly of Pakistan on Tuesday (Jan 7, 2020) has passed a crucial law which will ensure the ‘controversial, extension of Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for an another three years. The lower house in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister passed three separate bills to amend the Pakistan Army Act 195 Pakistan Air Force Act 1953 and Pakiste Navy Ordinance 1961, allowing for Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | extension in tenure of three service: reported APP, Pakistan's official ney agency. The new law limiting the maximum age and tenure of the country armed forces’ chiefs is a significant move to ensure ‘seamless’ extension of armed forces chiefs whenever necessary to do so by the elected government. ‘The legislation came after the supreme court last year challenged Prime Minist decision to extend the appointment of army 1 For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com HSM CSS chief General Qamer Javed Bajwa, 59, by a further three years. The court also gave six- month extension to General Bajwa on the condition that the law must be approved in the parliament. It means that no General Bajwa's extension will get through and he will continue to serve for another three years. The legislation also sets a maximum age of 64 for the chiefs of the army, air force and navy. They normally retire at the age of 60 but now will be able to serve until the age of 64 if they are given extension by the government. The bill will be tabled in the Senate (the Upper House of the parliament), where it is expected to pass smoothly before being, signed into law by the Pakistan President. What is the new law The three bills introduced in the House were Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2020, Pakistan Air force (Amendment) Bill 2020 and Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill imes CURRENT AFFAIRS 8 20. These bills also determined the tenure, reappointment or extension in tenure of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Pakistan Army Amendment According to the statement of objects and reasons of the three bills, the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2020 seeks to amend the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, so as to empower the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to specify the tenure and terms and conditions of service of the Chief of the Army Staff or the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee including the grant of extension and re- appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff or Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill The Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2020 seeks to amend the provisions of the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 so as to empower the President, on the advice of the Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times Prime Minister, to specify the tenure and the terms and conditions of service of the Chief of the Air Staff or Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, including the grant of extension, and re-appointment of the Chief of Air Staff or the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Pakistan Navy Amendment Bill The Pakistan Navy Amendment Act 2020 seeks to amend the provisions of the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 so as to empower the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to specify the tenure and the terms and conditions of service of the Chief of the Naval Staff or the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee including the grant of extension, and re-appointment of the Chief of the Naval Staff or the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Why the parliament passes the bills The bills were presented in the National Assembly in light of the Supreme Court's judgement November 28, 2019, passed in the constitution petition No. 39 of 2019. ‘These pieces of legislation, after passage by the Parliament and assented by the President, shall come into force at once and shall be deemed to have taken effect on November 27, 2019. How it works ‘The President appoints the Services Chiefs on the advice of the Prime Minister for a tenure of three years and their tenures would be extendable to further three years. The President on the advice of the Prime Minister would also determine the terms and conditions of the Services Chiefs in the national security interest or exigencies from time to time. Cannot be challenged in the court According to the bills, notwithstanding, anything contained in these acts or any other law, or any order or judgement of any court, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the army, air force or navy chiefs, or the exercise of discretion by the appointing authority in this regard, shall CURRENT AFFAIRS not be called into question before any court on any ground whatsoever. Maximum age According to the bills, the retirement age and service limits prescribed for a General, under the rules and regulations made under the act, shall not be applicable to the Chief of the Army Staff, during his tenure of appointment, reappointment or extension, subject to a maximum age of sixty four years. Throughout such tenure, the Chief of the Army Staff shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army. The retirement age and service limits prescribed for an Air Chief Marshal, under the Rules and Regulations made under the act shall not be applicable to the Chief of the Air Staff, during his tenure of appointment, reappointment or extension, subject to a maximum age of sixty four years. Throughout such tenure, the Chief of the Air Staff shall continue to serve as an Air Chief Marshal in the Pakistan Air Force. The retirement age and service limits prescribed for an Admiral, under the rules and regulations made under this ordinance, shall not be applicable to the Chief of the Naval Staff, during his tenure of appointment, reappointment or extension, subject to a maximum age of sixty four years, Throughout such tenure, the Chief of the Naval Staff shall continue to serve as an Admiral in the Pakistan Navy. The President may on the advice of the Prime Minister appoint a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee from among Generals in the Pakistan Army, Admirals in the Pakistan Navy, or Air Chief Marshals in the Pakistan Air Force for a tenure of three years ‘The term for a military chief is supposed to be three years, but Bajwa was the latest in a long line of generals to see their tenure extended. Bajwa was appointed to lead the military in 2016, taking over from the General Raheel Sharif. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comPakistan & WorldUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com s CURRENT AFFAIRS On January 1, 2020, Pakistan and India exchanged their nuclear installations under an agreement that prevents them from attacking atomic facilities. The practice is being followed for 29 years for now. Highlights India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations under the Agreement on Prohibition of attack against nuclear installations. The exchange was done based on diplomatic channels simultaneously in Islamabad and New Delhi. The first of the exchange took place on January 1,1992 Agreement on Prohibition of attack against Nuclear Installations ‘The agreement was signed between Pakistan Prime Minister Shaheed Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi. It was signed on December 31,1988. Signed: December 31, 1988 (Islamabad) Instruments of Ratification Exchanged: December 1990 (Entry into Force) The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of India, hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Parties, reaffirming their commitment to durable peace and the development of friendly and harmonious bilateral relations; conscious of the role of confidence building measures in promoting such bilateral relations based on mutual trust and goodwill; have agreed as follows: 1. (1) Each party shall refrain from undertaking, encouraging or participating in, directly or indirectly, any action aimed at causing the destruction of, or damage to, any nuclear installation or facility in the other country. (2) The term "nuclear installation or facility” includes nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotopes separation and reprocessing facilities as well as any other installations with fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form and establishments storing significant quantities of radio-active materials. CURRENT AFFAIRS 2. Each Contracting Party shall inform the other on ist January of each calendar year of the latitude and longitude of its nuclear installations and facilities and whenever there is any change. 3. This Agreement is subject to ratification. It shall come into force with effect from the date on which the Instruments of Ratification are exchan; Done at Islamabad on this Thirty-first day of December 1988, in, two copies each in Urdu, Hindi and English, the English text being authentic in case of any difference or dispute of interpretation. [Signed:] Humayun Khan Foreign Secretary Islamic Republic of Pakistan K.P.S. Menon Foreign Secretary Republic of India The India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement is a unique bilateral agreement that expands, in a sense, the scope of Articles 56 and 15 of the first and second protocols to the Geneva Convention. These articles state, "Works or installations containing dangerous forces, namely dams, dykes and nuclear electrical generating stations, shall not be made the object of attack, even where these objects are military objectives, if such attack may cause the release of Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | 12 For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com HSM CSS Times ry 1 to7 dangerous forces and consequent severe losses among the civilian population." Provisions ‘The agreement provides for refraining from undertaking, encouraging, or participating in, directly or indirectly, any action aimed at causing destruction or damage to any nuclear installation or facility in each country. It describes a nuclear installation or facility and requires each party to inform the other of the precise locations (latitude and longitude) of installations and facilities by 1 January of each calendar year and whenever there is any change. The agreement does not provide for detailed disclosures of nuclear-related activities. The agreement defines nuclear installation or facilities against which attack is prohibited as "nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotopes separation and reproce: facilities as well as any other installations with fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form and establishments storing significant quantities of radioactive materials." CURRENT AFFAIRS 3 India has consistently proposed extending the agreement to include non-attack on civilian and economic targets, but Pakistan has continuously rejected these proposals. However, India’s recent draft nuclear doctrine involves a deterrent capability based on unacceptable damage to an opponent; thus, the likelihood of expanding the agreement to include counter-value (non-military) targets may now be small. Starting in January 1992, India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of their respective civilian nuclear-related facilities. However, each side has questioned the completeness of the other's list. Verification and Compliance The Agreement requires an annual exchange of lists detailing the location of all nuclear-related facilities in each country. The measure further pledges both sides not to attack listed facilities. Though lists of nuclear facilities have been exehanged each year, the definition of nuclear facilities to be declared is unclear. There are no compliance measures in this Agreement. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.coma a EUR ats * , 2016-2019 =o eons a3 poop . F, : € ae oy rn * ee HM nil lL oT me TeWeekly HSM CSS Times January 1 to7 CSS Times Pakistan at a glance National Assembly approves services chiefs’ tenure bills The National Assembly on Tuesday approved three bills regarding the tenure of the services chiefs — chief of army staff, chief of air staff and chief of naval staff — and the chairman of the joint chief of staff committee. The three bills are: the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2020, the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Supreme Court had while deciding on the legal challenge to the second tenure for Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa asked the government to define the tenure, terms and conditions of service of the army chief and to get their approval from the parliament within six months. In an unusual haste, the federal cabinet had approved the proposed amendments at an emergency session last Wednesday. UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com PAKISTAN & WORLD 15 The extension conundrum Prime Minister Imran Khan had previously extended Gen Bajwa's tenure through a notification in August 2019, but the top court suspended it on Nov 26, 2019, due to irregularities in the manner of extension. After three days of heightened uncertainty, the apex court, through a short order on Nov 28, 2019, had announced that Gen Bajwa would remain the COAS for another six months during which the parliament would legislate on the army chief's extension/reappointment. In its detailed verdict released on Dec 16, 2019, the top court had emphasised that it was up to the parliament to carry out legislation that would provide "certainty and predictability” to the post of the COAS for all times to come. ‘Pakistan will not become part of US-Iran conflict’: Foreign Minister Qureshi Pakistan will not take sides in the escalating confrontation between neighboring Iran and the United States, its foreign minister said on Monday, following the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike. The killing puts Pakistan, which is majority Sunni Muslim but has a largely Shiite minority and is anxious to avoid any regional upheaval, ina sensitive position. An ally of Saudi Arabia, Tehran’s arch regional foe, Pakistan has a complex relationship with Iran, with which it shares a long border. Imran Chishti, the man who incited Nankana Sahib Gurdwara violence arrested: The main culprit of the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara incident who incited violence against Sikhs, Imran Chisti was arrested by police on Sunday. The arrest comes after the police faced flak for not taking action against Chishti, who comfortably sitting at his home released an apology video following the incident. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times January 1 to7 Cabinet approves amendment to Army Act: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Army Act in light of the directions given by the Supreme Court last month in a case pertaining to the extension in tenure of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Pakistan shares list of 282 Indian prisoners with New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday shared a list of 282 Indian prisoners in the country with the High Commission of India in Islamabad. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Indian prisoners include 55 civilians and 227 fishermen UAE Crown Prince to visit Pakistan tomorrow ‘to further strengthen bonds of friendship’ : Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in Islamabad tomorrow (Thursday) for a day- long visit "to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two brotherly countries", according to a statement by the UAE Ambassador in Islamabad. \ [ yi Miele K-P urged to follow KSA in ending child marriages: With Saudi Arabia moving to prohibit child marriages, the provincial government must also follow its lead and pass legislation which bars under-age marriages. Pak-China FTA Phase-II comes into effect: The Phase-II of Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect on Wednesday after the issuance of the Statutory Regulatory Orders (SRO) to implement the protocol agreed between the two countries. PAKISTAN & WORLD 16 PSL 2020 set to begin on February 20: The schedule for the much anticipated fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League was released by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday, with the series set to take off on February 20. Phase-2 of Sino-Pak free trade pact goes live: The new phase will allow Pakistani manufacturers and traders to export around 313 new products to the Chinese market with zero duties. 16 govt bills, 40 resolutions passed by Sindh Assembly in 2019 : According to the rules of procedures of the provincial legislature, it has to remain in session for at least 100 days a year. The present mandate of the assembly was formed on Aug 13, 2018; thus, it has passed more than 16 out of 60 months of its legitimate life. Inflation clocks in at 12.63pc in December : Pakistan's inflation rate slightly eased to 12.63 per cent in December from 12.7pc last month but still scaled the highest Govt to give Rs204bn Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway to private sector on BOT basis : The government decided to handover Rs204 billion worth of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway to the private sector to finance, build and operate it for 25 years and sought expedited mineral development through coordinated guidance to the provinces. Abu Dhabi announces $200m for SMEs : Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.commes. bin Zayed has announced an allocation of $200 million to support small and medium- sized enterprises in Pakistan Pakistan exporters hope to benefit from US-China tiff: Pakistani exporters are hoping to gain a major share in the world’s textile market, amid an ongoing trade war between the US and China, as they gear up for the Heimtextil 2020. Military training programme for Pakistan resumed to strengthen defence cooperation: US : President Donald Trump authorised the resumption of Pakistan's participation in a US military training and educational programme in order to strengthen military-to-military cooperation on shared priorities and "advance US national security”. Washington also has credited Islamabad with helping to facilitate negotiations on a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Gas crisis: SNGPL to refund Rs513mn to gas consumers: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has announced that it will refund Rs513 million to its consumers in cases where the site pressure was lower than the billing pressure. In March 2019, the prime minister had also directed the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to refund the excess amount charged to the customers under the pretext of gas charges. Sea Guardians 2020: Pakistan, China hold sixth bilateral naval exercise: The sixth bilateral exercise between the Pakistan and Chinese naval forces began on Monday. Titled Sea Guardians 2020, the exercises boasts Chinese warships and fleet tanks as their marine forces participate as well. The exercise was aimed at an exchange of professional experiences against maritime threats and naval cooperation. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com PAKISTAN & WORLD Rocket attack on Baghdad airport; top Iran commander killed At least eight people were killed as rockets hit Baghdad airport on Friday. The Iraqi military said three rockets hit the international airport in Baghdad, “The deputy head of the Hashed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road," Hashed said in a statement. Thousands gather to pay homage to slain Iran general Soleimani in Tehran Iran's military commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone attack on Friday was brought to Tehran early on Monday morning as mourners packed the streets. Thousands of people gathered at Tehran University with people holding portraits of the slain Iranian general. us ises Russia, China at UN over failure to condemn Baghdad embassy attack The United States on Monday hit out at China and Russia over its reported failure to For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com S Times condemn the Baghdad embassy attack last week. “Not allowing the United Nations Security Council to issue the most basic of statements underscoring the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises once again calls the council's credibility into question,” the United States said in a statement. Bangladesh court orders government to ban single-use plastics: Bangladesh's high court ordered the government Monday to introduce steps by next year broadly banning single-use plastics following a landmark case brought by environmental groups. Pollution from single- use plastics is a major problem in Bangladesh, where nearly 170 million people live in a tiny sliver of low-lying land crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers and tributaries. SpaceX launches third batch of mini- satellites into orbit SpaceX launched 60 mini-satellites into orbit, the third batch to do so, in the company’s bid to build a constellation of spacecraft to facilitate the creation of a global internet system, The satellites were launched from _PAKISTAN & WORLD ~ 8 Cape Canaveral, Florida at 02.19 GMT. The separation from a Falcon 9 rocket was successful on the stretch between Australia and Antarctica. British MPs scrutinise Brexit deal as January 31 deadline nears: British MPs on Tuesday resume scrutiny of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal as he races to get it ratified in time for Britain to leave the European Union on January 31. After his stunning victory in last month's general election, Johnson is expected to have little trouble getting the legislation enshrining his EU divorce terms through parliament. China eyes increased ties with Kiribati, site of space tracking station Beijing's growing influence may stroke US anxieties deeper as China on Monday hoped to expand its newly restored ties with the pacific state of strategic but mothballed Chinese space tracking station, Kiribati, as per reports. A senior Chinese diplomat said Beijing was “open' to all sorts of projects in Kiribati, an ex-British colony made up mainly of atolls in Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comWeekly HSM CSS domme Janua the central Pacific, in waters dominated by the United States and its allies since World War Two. As 24 die in Australia bushfires, #PrayforAustralia trends in Twitter As 24 people were killed in massive bushfires that caused great damage in Australia, #prayforAustralia trends on Twitter as netizens sought to turn world's attention towards massive crisis. People in social media also shared images of koalas and other animals who have been severely affected by the fires. Nearly, half of Australia's disease- free koala population feared dead in the huge fires. European U mi n invites Iranian foreign ister Zarif to Brussels amid rising jiddle East tension Amid simmering tension in the Middle East following the assassination of Qasem Suleimani, the 62-year-old head of Iran's Quds Force, and one of the most powerful men in the Middle East, Iran's foreign minister has been invited to Brussels, the European Union said Sunday. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made the offer to Mohammad Javad Zarif during a telephone call this weekend, a press release said. UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com PAKISTAN & WORLD 19 Iran will respond to Soleimani killing ‘any time, in any manner’: Foreign Minister Zarif Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner’, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday Vanuary 3). US to target 52 Iranian sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that the United States is targetting 52 sites in Iran and asserted of hitting them "very fast and very hard” if threats to the US are not stopped. Taking to Twitter, Trump said Iran is talking very boldly about targetting "US assets" after the killing of top commander Qasem Soleimani 1am prepared to testify in Trump impeachment trial: John Bolton Former US national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton in a statement said that if the US Senate issues a subpoena for his testimony in President impeachment proceedings. Bolton was fired as NSA by President Trump last September. The White House had earlier claimed “executive privilege" to prevent Mick Mulvaney, Bolton, Michael Duffey and Robert Blair from testifying before the House. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com mes Portugal best country to retire; Mala Vietnam top in Asia: Study An international magazine in its annual global retirement index has rated Malaysia and Vietnam in Asia among the top-10 nations to retire abroad. The International Living magazine rated Portugal as the top country to retire citing pleasant climate with an "affordable lifestyle” along with quality healthcare, safety rate and "excellent food and wine". The survey also pointed out that "Portugal is the second least expensive country in Europe” making it an ideal country to finaily retire. The magazine ranked Malaysia in number seven due to its "idyllic beaches" with the language being an easy mechanism of communication since English was the “unofficial” first language. Cheap food and low living costs counted in Malaysia's favour with affordable medical care being another factor that helped the country to rank among the best retirement destinations in the world. Venezuela's ruling Socialists seize congress, defiant opposition re-elects Guaido: Venezuela's socialist government installed a new head of Congress on Sunday after armed troops blocked opposition legislators from entering parliament, in a move condemned by dozens of nations as an assault on democracy. Troops with riot shields blocked opposition leader Juan Guaido from entering parliament for what was expected to be his re-election as head of Congress, at one point pulling him PAKISTAN & WORLD off the compound's iron railings after he tried to push past security forces. The blockade allowed the ruling Socialist Party to hand the post to legislator Luis Parra, who was recently expelled by an opposition party over corruption allegations. Hyundai is set to make flying cars Hyundai announced Monday it would mass- produce flying cars for Uber's aerial rideshare network set to deploy in 2023. The South Korean manufacturer said it would produce the four-passenger electric "vertical take-off and landing vehicles" at "automotive scale,” without offering details. The deal announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas could help Uber, which is working with other aircraft manufacturers, to achieve its goal of deploying air taxi service in a handful Of cities by 2023. Lebanon receives Interpol arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn Lebanon received an Interpol arrest warrant on Thursday for fugitive former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, while Turkey launched an Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com mes investigation into his daring escape from Japan. Ghosn has become an international fugitive after he revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Lebanon to escape what he called a “rigged justice system in Japan. a’ i Sebastian Kurz-led conservatives to form coalition government with Greens in Austria Austria's conservatives led by Sebastian Kurz ‘on Wednesday agreed to form an unprecedented coalition government with the Greens, capping almost three months of negotiations. The polls were triggered after a corruption scandal engulfed Kurz's far-right ally after just 18 months in government together, during which the 33-year-old had carefully cultivated his image as a hardliner ‘on immigration, =~ = >. il Taiwan's top military commander killed in helicopter crash Taiwan top military commander died in a chopper crash after the helicopter made an emergency landing in the mountainous northern area near Taipei. The country’s defence ministry said seven others were also Killed in the crash. Chief of general staff PAKISTAN & WORLD General Shen Yi-ming, 62, was killed after the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crashed, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Authorities said at least five people trapped inside the wreckage were rescued North Korea threatens to resume nuclear testing, introduce ‘new strategic weapon’ North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon” in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks. “The world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future,” Kim said, using the initials for North Korea's official name the Democratic People's Republic ofKorea ad Puerto Rico earthquake: Punta Ventana collapses as powerful tremor hits A popular tourist rock formation in Puerto Rico has collapsed after a strong earthquake shook the island, damaging homes and causing power cuts. The stone arch, known as Punta Ventana, was destroyed on Monday, Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com mes when the earthquake hit. The 5.8-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 6km (3.7 miles), off the Caribbean island's southern coast. No tsunami alerts were issued and no casualties have been reported Mexico's war on drugs: More than 60,000 people ‘disappeared’ More than 60,000 people have disappeared in Mexico since the start of the country's war on drugs in 2006, according to authorities. The number is far higher than previous estimates of around 40,000.0n top of this, more than 31,000 people were murdered in the country last year alone. Around 53% of those who disappeared were between the ages of 15 and 35, and 74% were men, officials said Fire at London's iconic KOKO nightclub A fire started on Monday night at London's KOKO club, a landmark of the city’s nightlife, and was controlled by the London Fire Brigade. The fire started shortly before 9PM GMT at the Camden venue, the London Fire Brigade said. Flames spread to "30% of the roof”, the Brigade said PAKISTAN& WORLD =—s_—(§$*—sFSKXwk_ RD, Israel, Greece and Cyprus sign deal for EastMed gas pipeline serena Greece, Cyprus and Israel have signed a deal for a pipeline designed to move gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. The EastMed line is intended to provide an alternative gas source for energy-hungry Europe. The 2,000-kilometre pipeline will transfer up to 12 billion cubic metres a year from offshore gas reserves between Israel and Cyprus to Greece, and then onto other countries in southeast Europe. It's expected to provide around 10% of the EU's natural gas needs. The move comes amid tensions with Turkey over its own activities in the area. The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a scramble for the energy riches in the region. ‘loud Seeding’ to halt rain, floods death toll rises to 43 Indonesia will carry out cloud seeding on Friday in a bid to prevent further rainfall over the capital Jakarta, after deadly flash floods and landslides following some of the heaviest rains ever recorded. The death toll in Jakarta and surrounding areas rose to 43 as of Friday, the country's disaster mitigation agency said, while tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comand all other competitive exams ee sc kel One S Drove acts GENERAL enon aig Meets (MCQs) en tas bal 9 ¥ Fi Nea 2 “i ae a Bee > ~ pginer Shaki a oie remota &0 Pet eS B® Buy Online www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times January 1 to7 The 77th Golden Globe Awards are taking place at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The awards tonight celebrate the absolute best in Hollywood, television, film and digital. Once Upon A Time In Mumbai picked up the Best Screenplay - Motion Picture at the 77th Golden Globe Awards. Olivia Colman's The Crown lost the Best Television Series Drama to HBO's Succession. Desi Girl Priyanka Chopra with husband Nick Jonas presented the Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy - to Fleabag. Tom Hanks was honoured with the Cecil B deMille award for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment, while Ellen deGeneres was honoured with the Carol Burnett award for life achievement in television. ake a list at the winners announced so far: Best Motion Picture (Drama) 1917 - WINNER Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - WINNER Golden Globes AWARDS 24 2020 winners Best Motion Picture (Animated) Missing Link - WINNER Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) Joaquin Phoenix, Joker - WINNER Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) Renée Zellweger, Judy - WINNER Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy) Taron Egerton, Rocketman - WINNER Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy) Awkwafina, The Farewell - WINNER. Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Laura Dern, Marriage Story - WINNER Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly M CSS Times UN INTERNATIONAL DAYS January 1 to, Braille (named after its inventor in abe Aa Celera Louis Braille) is a code formed by dots that can World Braille Day World Braille Day is annually celebrated on January 4, the birthday of Braille inventor, Louis Braille. The day recognizes the contributions of Louis Braille in helping blind and visually impaired people to read and write. Highlights The World Braille Day is celebrated by the United Nations and also by other world organizations. In November 2018, the UN passed a resolution in order to celebrate the day. The day was first celebrated on January 4, 2019. The World Braille Day spreads awareness about Braille script and other accessible forms of communication. Ma be read with the fingers, usually its intended to people who are blind. JANUARY 4 WORLD aN DAY establishments like banks, hospitals and restaurants fail to print their materials in Braille script. This creates difficulties for visually impaired people. The day marks such difficulties. and spreads awareness of their importan Louis Braille Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France. He lost both his eyes at the age of 3. This was the prime reason behind Braille inventing the 6- dot language called Braille. Challenges in the use of Braille Many schools do not offer literacy There are many countries in the world that have not included Braille in their educational curriculum. According to the WHO, there are around 2.2 billion people in the world with vision impairment. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www. mpublishers.comand all other competitive exams Solved MCQs200 rao Wd r 250 wf Buy Online www.hsmpublishers.com m Kabir Street, Urdu Bazar, Lahore LLL UE Lt Beye sere d iar Bey PayeCeE aTUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times January 107 2020YEAR OF UN International Year 2 THE NURSE & MIDWIFE Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often, the first and only point of care in their communities. The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. In the honor of 200tn birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the World Health Organization designated the year 2020 as the "Year of Nurse and Midwife". Highlights This year, WHO is to focus on nursing and midwifery in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The organization is leading the development of "World Nursing Report" that is to be launched in 2020. The report is first of its kind. The year is being dedicated to the midwifery as well as WHO is also a partner of The State of the World's Midwifery Campaign. WHO is to launch the reports prior to 73ru session of WHO which is to be held in Geneva between February 3 and 8, 2020? Nursing education and organizations Pakistan is facing an acute shortage of nurses and requires 1.3 million more to fill the void. Pakistani educational system included these nursing institutes:' L 2. Es School of Nursing, Christian hospital Quetta Karachi King's (K.K) School & College of Nursing, Karachi. New Life School & College of Nursing, Karachi. . New Life Institute of Nursing, Multan . People's Nursing School, LUMHS Jamshoro . Jamshoro College of Nursing, Jamshoro (JCON) . College of Nursing, PIMS Islamabad constitute college of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad . College of Nursing Nursing, JPMC, Karachi affiliated with Liaquat Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times UN International Year January 1 to7 University of Medical and Health Sciences 18. Shifa College of Nursing Islamabad Jamshoro 19. Liaquat National College of Nursing, 9. Institute of Nursing Nursing at Dow Karachi affiliated with Liaquat University of Health Sciences University of Medical and Health Karachi Sciences Jamshoro 10. Aga Khan University School of 20.Lahore School of Nursing, The Nursing," University of Lahore 11, Institute of Nursing Sciences, Khyber 21. College of Nursing, Allama Iqbal Medical University Peshawar Medical College, Lahore 12. Pakistan Institute of Medical 22, College of Nursing, Isra University Sciences School of Nursing." Karachi 1g. Institute of Nursing Dow University 23. College of Nursing, Zia Ud Din Of Health Sciences, Karachi University 14. the Ilmiya Institute of Nursing, 24. Institute of nursing sciences Khyber Karachi affiliated with Liaquat Medical University Peshawar University of Medical and Health 25. People SON LUMS, Jamshoro Sciences Jamshoro 26. Life saving institute of Nursing 15. Karachi Adventist College of Nursing Karachi 16. Sachal Sarmast Institute of Nursing, 27. Rufaidah nursing college peshawar Khair Pur Mir's .A project of Peshawar Medical 17. Mehran School of Nursing, Khairpur college (pme) affiliated with Ripah Mirs International University, Islamabad. Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.com_UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Weekly HSM CSS Times UN International Year 0 Institute 29.College of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH Pakistan has established professional nursing organizations. The Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), established in 1948 and formally constituted by Acts in 1952 and 1973, certifies nurses, midwives, Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), Licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Auxiliaries for practice. The PNC has involvement in improving and standardizing public education and clinical nursing standards. They also oversee the ethical standards and general welfare of nurses. The PNC inspects and approves nursing schools. This Council also approv' education programs and has the authority to examine, register and enrol nurses, midwives and nurs iliaries of nursing council. The Council provides licenses to the nursing agencies and monitors nursing employers. Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale was an English Social reformer born in 1820. She organized camps for wounded as a manager of nurs War. Florence Nightingale's two greatest life achievements--pioneering of nursing and the reform of hospitals--were amazing considering that most Victorian women of her age group did not attend universities or pursue professional careers. It was her Weekly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | JAN, 1-7,2020 | father, William Nightingale, who believed women, especially his children, should get an education. So Nightingale and her sister learned Italian, Latin, Greek, history, and mathematics. She in particular received excellent early preparation in mathematics from her father and aunt, and some references also claim she was tutored in mathematics by James Sylvester (although there seems to be no documentary evidence of this). In 1854, after a year as a unpaid superintendent of a London "establishment for gentlewomen during illness," the Secretary of War, Sidney Herbert, recruited Nightingale and 38 nurses for service in. Scutari during the Crimean War. ‘As Nightingale demonstrated, stati provided an organized way of learning and lead to improvements in medical and surgical practices. She also developed a Model Hospital Statistical Form for hospitals to collect and generate consistent data and statistics. She became a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society in 1858 and an honorary member of the American Statistical Association in 1874. Karl Pearson acknowledged Nighingale as a "prophetess" in the development of applied statisties. She was called "The Lady with the Lamp" for making rounds on wounded soldiers. Also, the International Nurse Day is being celebrated in her honor. Every year, the day is celebrated on May 12. The day is celebrated by the International Council of Nurses. 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