Est [e( Moly Uma] Cre] eee M OMRON Ase colo Essay Outline- The Nagorno- Karabakh Conflict PAW om telex] Loss and Waste Reduction for Universal Access to NCL ola) MeN olakols Nuclear Weapons ecw AN) eM HENS el (o)9r-1 (aed Leola el grA0740} Nett Lol Treaty Organization, Greece rejects NATO tele ela PNCoaE Neo MEE Eye Solved MCQs September 2020 peeBuy HSM Books Online Books for Competitive Exams & Military Tests a Just while sitting at home you can choose from a vast variety, and your desired Competitive Exams CSS/PMS/PCS/NTS and Military Tests (Army, ISSB/PAF/NAVY) HSM Books will be efficiently delivered to you on the designated date. Spectacular services and satisfying our customers will always be our most significant priority. We hope you have a worthy shopping experience at . www.hsmpublishers.com Thank you. HSM Publishers was started in 2013 as a publishing division of Ilmi Kitab Khana, founded by Haji Sardar Muhammad in 1945. Today it proudly owns: + Ilmi Kitab Khana Lahore + HSM Publishers Lahore + Ilmi Kitab Khana/HSM Publishers Islamabad F-7 Islamabad (Islamabad showroom where one finds under one roof the widest range of All kinds of Schools/Colleges/Universities educational pos Competitive Exams, ey Exam books and General Knowledge ooks ) 2UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times HSM Ss HSM CSS TIMES 3 HSM CSS TIMES Monthly E- Magazine plays an important role in Competitive exams preparation Since, the majority of the current i affairs related questions in the Competitive exams. and government job Exams are analytical in nature, reading newspapers alone is not sufficient to clear the exam. One has to collect background information, additional data and opinions of various stakeholders to have a 360-degree approach on an issue. By reading HSM CSS TIMES Monthly E-magazine, aspirants can get all this information at one place. Besides, the study material, HSM CSS TIMES Monthly E-magazine also provide practice tests, toppers interviews, tips and strategies to clear the Competitive exams and the government job exam. Our website www.hsmpublishers.com will cover current affairs focusing more on ‘issues’ on a daily basis. This will help you pick up relevant news items of the day from various national and International dailies such as The Dawn, Express Tribune, Business Recorder, New York Times, Financial Post, Aljazeera and other important Online sources. Over time, some of these news items will become important issues. FPSC has the knack of picking such issues and asking general opinion based at Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | questions. Answering such questions will require general awareness and an overall understanding of the issue. Therefore, we intend to create the right understanding among aspirants —'How to cover these issues? This is the October 2020 edition of HSM's Monthly Magazine HSM CSS TIMES. This edition covers all important issues that were in news in the month of SEPTEMBER 2020 We hope this issue helps you crack the next Competitive exams and government job exam you appear for. All the best! For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly HSM. October S Times UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com PAKISTAN AFFAIRS. After the passage of three Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related bills on 16 September 2020 by a joint session of Pakistan's parliament, the country has wrapped up the important task of legislation concerning FATF, which experts believe will not only prevent the country from being blacklisted by FATF, but also have salutary effects on the national economy and revamp the global image of Pakistan FATF put Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 and gave Islamabad a final deadline in February 2020 to implement the remaining 13 out of 27 action points by June 2020, but the deadline was extended up to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, over the past few months, dozens of laws have been passed by the national assembly and the senate to prevent Pakistan from being blacklisted by FATF and pave the way for the country to get out of the grey list. The final three FATF-related bills passed were Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill-2020, Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill-2020, and Islamabad Capital Territory Waaf Properties Bill-2020. oe With Pakistan""s continuation in the "grey list", it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly CSS Times HSM October 2020 PAKISTAN AFFAIRS 5 Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Bill, 2020 “The Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Bill, 2020" is aimed at proper management, supervision, and administration of Waaf properties in the territorial limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory. Under the Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Bill-2020, the federal government also intends to control terrorism and religious extremism in the country. Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020 “The Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020" is aimed at streamlining the existing anti-money laundering law in line with the international standards prescribed by the FATF. Under the anti-money laundering bill, all banks and financial institutions across the country are now required to conduct a thorough investigation of each account holder. Any person sends or receives a large amount of money, will be asked by the concerned institutions about the source of income, and authorities will keep a close eye on more than expected transactions. Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020 “The Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | 2020" is aimed at addressing the issue of terror financing, one of the major obstacles, which is not only playing a degrading role against the development of the country but also imbuing such elements with the financial means, which are an ultimate threat to the internal and external peace of the country. The purpose of the Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill is also to enable the law enforcement authorities to take certain encountering techniques with an authoritative support of the courts of law to curb terror financing. According to the Anti-Terrorism Act (amendment) Bill, 2020, the investigating officer, with the permission of the court, can conduct covert operations to detect terrorism funding, track communications and computer system by applying latest technologies in 60 days. The court may extend the period for another 60 days. The bill said funding for terrorism was a major obstacle in the country's development and a source of disgrace to it. Terrorism funding was benefiting those elements which were not only a threat to internal and external peace of the country but also its allies, it said. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com About 60 percent of the world’s 6-to-12 year olds who are out of school are girls. With just.one extra year of education beyond the average, a girl's eventual wages increase by 10-20%. nes INTERNATIONALDAY _—s_—_—séG6 —Publishers— \ International Day of the Girl Child: 2020 Theme, My Voice, Our Equal Future International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on 11 October to highlight and draw attention towards the challenges that girls’ face. It is also necessary to focus on their human rights and empowerment. What is the history behind celebrating International Day of the Girl Child, theme of 2020 and its significance? Let us find out! Introduction In ancient times, women were highly respected. But with time, their situation changed drastically. Thinking of people towards girls changed. Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes, the Quran forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like any other murder. And when the female (infant) buried alive — is questioned, for what crime she was killed.” (81:8-9). Far from saving the gir'’s life so that she may later suffer injustice and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her. ‘Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in this regard are the following Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favour his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal). Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together). A similar Hadith deals with one who supports two sisters. (lbn-Hanbal). Conservative practices like child marriage, dowry system, female foeticide, etc. became prevalent. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent. Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Holy Prophet and complained that her father had forced her to marry someone without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice ... between accepting the marriage or invalidating it. (Ibn Hanbal). According to another version, the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)” (Ibn Maja). Due to this, girls were being denied from rights like education, nutrition, legal rights and medicine. But now in this modern era, several efforts are being made to provide Girls their rights and to make people aware of it. The Indian government is also working in this direction and is implementing various INTERNATIONAL DAY 7 countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. It was the most progressive blueprint for advancing not only the rights of women but also for girls. This declaration is the first to specifically call out girl's rights. United Nations General Assembly on 19 December, 2011 adopted a resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child. It's aimed to highlight and recognise girl's rights and the challenges that girls face around the world. Thus, the first International Day of the Girl Child was observed on 11 October 2012 and its theme at that time was "Ending Child Marriage". “Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others’. - Amelia Earhart schemes. International Day of the Girl Child Since 2012, International Day of the Girl Child is being celebrated every year. Its main objective is to empower women and help them to get their rights so that they can face the challenges all over the world and meet their needs. At the same time, spreading awareness about eliminating gender abnormalities against girls around the world. “Women's empowerment is intertwined with respect for human rights”. - Mahnaz Afkhami My voice, Our Equal Future This year, under the theme, “My voice, our equal future’, let's seize the opportunity to reimagine a better world inspired by adolescent girls - energized and recognized, counted and invested in. As adolescent girls worldwide assert their power as change-makers, International Day of the Gin 2020 will focus on their demands to: Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS Learn new skills towards the futures they choose Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change International Day of the Girl Child: History World Conference on Women took place in Beijing in 1995 where Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | ei? Worldwide, nearly 1 in 4g irls aged 15-19 years is neither aataved nor in education or training compared to 1 in 10 .oys of the same age. By 2021 around 435 million women and girls will be living on fecethanielon elday =rcldingay million pushed into poverty as a result of COVID-19. 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence. Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women and girls (VAWG), and particularly domestic violence, has INTENSIFIED. At least 60% of countries still discriminate against daughters’ rights to inherit land and non-land assets in either law or practice. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comAccording to FPSC Revised, syllabi enirvesn ssc Wraita) ee ee baa ees Ua h iri Ce chan e c Ei canal \CcQs Wee ee ona iN ine: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM. CSS Times, WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 9 Mel The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Between Azerbaijan and Armenia Outline: Thesis Statement The longer, protracted conflict/stand-off between Azerbaijan and Armenia stems from long- standing territorial and ethnic conflagration which can result in mass-scale displacement, blanket destruction, and, above all, increased involvement of outside powers risking a wider regional war. (D) The cold war era and the fall of the Soviet Union-1991 (1) Guerrilla warfare 1988-1991 (2) Full scale warfare 1992-1994 (3) NK parliament voted-to join Armenia- 1988 (2) Opposed by Moscow (Russia) (b) The Azerbaijan Soviet government (4) Collapse of the Soviet Union (a) Yerevan backed Armenia separatists seized NK and adjacent 7 Azerbaijan districts 1 Introduction to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict 2 Historical perspectives (A) Strategically important: the Caucasus region in SE Europe (Between the Dead Sea and Caspian Sea) (B) The USSR in 1920-1922- Inclusion of Armenia and Azerbaijan (©) The Nagorno-Karabakh: An Autonomous Oblast of the Soviet + MOA QTUNONST Azerbaijan (Administrative unit) _ en = am Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 CASPIAN 3 The 2020 crisis between Azerbaijan and Armenia (a) Azerbaijan forces tried to recapture swaths of territory captured during the war between 1992-94. 4 Theatre of war (b) The Nagorno-Karabakh region between Azerbaijan and Armania plus Nagorno Karabakh 5 Major players in the conflict (A) Russia (Moscow) (a) Strategic ally with Armenia (Bilateral Multilateral a arrangements) (b) Sells weapons to both Azerbaijan and Armenia. (c) CSTO-Collective Security Treaty Organization (d) OSCE-Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (USA, France, Russia) a mediator mechanism (e) Stalled relations in the wake of 2018 Revolution between Armenia and Russia (B) Turkey (a) 1991-Turkey first recognized Armenia (Azerbaijan PM's words -One Nation with two states- Turkic culture + Population in Azerbaija (b) First Diplomatic and moral support now all-out support (0) Mobilized Syrian mercenaries to Azerbaijan for fighting (© Iran, Georgia, Qatar-Mediation and political settlement (D) UN-OSCE-Mediation .UNSC Four warning to Armenia to leave occupied territories peacefully) (E) Role of USA- Busy in Presidential Election and Global Pandemic crises (F) Role of Pakistan Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 0 (a) Politically negotiated settlement (b) Role of mediation (Muslims world) (c) Voice at UN, SCO, Russia (d) Controlling religious outfits (e) Not aligning with any party 6 Geopolitics (a) NATO vs CSTO (b) The UNSC resolutions in favour of Azerbaijan (c) West Sanctions on Russia if Russia supports Armenia (d) Clash of Muslim World and Christian World 7 Conclusion PV eels Saeed Wazir mentors students of CSS Essay, Précis and Current Affairs and specializes in English literature, language and linguistics from NUML. He has perused Media studies at NUST. He qualified PMS three times in a row. He serves at federal Universities as marking instructor. He has been mentoring CSS English students for the last seven years and runs Facebook page: CSS Essay, Précis, with Saeed Wazir, He is based in G 9/2, Islamabad and runs special batches of CSS Essay Précis both On-Campus and Online. He could be reached at CSSPMSSS@GMAIL.COM and WhatsApp plus Phone no 03450997822 He contributes to CSS Times, Daily Times, Dawn, Foreign Policy, and IPRI. He evaluates Online Essays, Précis and Comprehension. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times. WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS i October 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Armenia vs Azerbaijan: An Old Regional Conflict, Interested Neighbours At the heart of the decades-old conflict is the have never resulted in a peace treaty. Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is recognised as Armenia is majority Christian while oil-rich part of Azerbaijan, but it is controlled by Azerbaijan is majority Muslim. Turkey has ethnic Armenians. close ties to Azerbaijan, while Russia is allied The countries fought a bloody war over the _with Armenia - although it also has good region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. relations with Azerbaijan Although they declared a ceasefire, they have never managed to agree a peace treaty. The story in 100 words Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, but its population is majority Armenian. As the Soviet Union saw increasing tensions in its constituent republics in the 1980s, Nagorno- Karabakh voted to become part of Armenia - sparking a war which stopped with a ceasefire in 1994. Since then, Nagorno-Karabakh has remained part of Azerbaijan, but is controlled by separatist ethnic Armenians backed by the ‘Armenian government. Negotiations over decades, mediated by international powers, Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 Oil-rich Azerbaijan has redefined itself over the past two decades from a struggling newly independent state to a major regional energy player. Deals with international energy producers have allowed the country to use its energy revenues to create a government-run fund involved in international projects. It has also used its resources to rebuild its army, which is seen as a government priority as. the country grapples with the breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite its wealth and increased influence in the wider region, poverty and corruption continue to overshadow the country's development. Agovernment crackdown on human rights advocates and journalists has raised concern that Azerbaijan's embryonic democracy is under threat. Republic of Azerbaijan Cis : Baku Population 9.7 million ‘Area 86,600 sq km (33,400 sq miles) Major languages Azeri, Russian Major religion Islam Life expectancy 69 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN) Main exports Oil, oil products UN, World Bank President: Ilham Aliyev UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS The story in 500 words The Caucasus are a strategically important mountainous region in south-east Europe. For centuries, different powers in the region - both Christian and Muslim - have vied for control there. Modern-day Armenia and Azerbaijan both became part of the Soviet Union when it was formed in the 1920s. Nagorno-Karabakh was an ethnic-majority Armenian region, but the Soviets gave control over the area to Azerbaijan authorities. The Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh made several calls to be transferred to Armenian authority control in the following decades. But it was only as the Soviet Union began to collapse in the late 1980s that Nagorno- Karabakh’s regional parliament officially voted to become part of Armenia. Azerbaijan sought to suppress the separatist movement, while Armenia backed it. This led to ethnic clashes, and - after Armenia and Azerbaijan declared independence from Moscow - a full-scale war. Tens of thousands died and up to a million were displaced amid reports of ethnic cleansing and massacres committed by both sides. Armenian forces gained control of Nagorno- Karabakh before a Russian-brokered ceasefire was declared in 1994. After that deal, Nagorno-Karabakh remained part of Azerbaijan, but since then has mostly been governed by a separatist, self-declared republic, run by ethnic Armenians and backed by the Armenian government, Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times October 202 A landlocked country with Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and in to the east, Armenia boasts countries. After independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia quickly became drawn into a bloody conflict with Azerbaijan over the mainly Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh region. One of the earliest Christian civilisations, Armenia's first churches were founded in the fourth century. In later centuries, it frequently oscillated between Byzantine, Persian, Mongol or Turkish control, as well as periods of independence. Prime minister: Nikol Pashinyan President: Armen Sargsyan The Republic of Armenia Capital: Yerevan ~ Population 3.1m Area 29,743 sq km (11,484 sq miles) Major languages Armenian, Russian Major religion Christianity Life expectancy 71 years (men), 77 years (women) Main exports Diamonds, machinery, foodstuffs WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 13 It also established the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact, separating Armenian and Azerbaijan forces. Peace talks have taken place since then mediated by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group - a body set up in 1992 and chaired by France, Russia and the United States. But so far a peace treaty has not been signed Clashes have continued throughout the past three decades, with the last serious flare up in 2016, when dozens of troops on both sides ys Os The conflict is further complicated by geopolitics. Nato member-state Turkey was the first nation to recognise Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. Former Azeri President Heydar Aliyev once described the two as “one nation with two states". Both share a Turkic culture and populations, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged his nation’s support for Azerbaijan. Moreover, Turkey has no official relations with Armenia. In 1993 Turkey shut its border with Armenia in support of Azerbaijan during the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comeae are Ruri Pade aa HOST el ar eco pertain Nahe aaa Ts a Mar dca (cr a mi re Mehmood Parcs Buy online: www.h Ay it emerUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM,CSS Times. WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 H! October 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict aw s a ii asninheae enone f Ricny | Nagorno-Karabakh ‘Autonomous Region Azerbaijani territory under Armenian military control Armenia meanwhile has good relations with quoted Azerbaijan President Ikhlam Aliyev as Russia. There is a Russian military base in saying that for the fighting to stop, Armenia Armenia, and both are members of the must unconditionally leave Nagorno- Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Karabakh. military alliance. However, President Vladimir - Putin also has good relations with Azerbaijan, and Moscow has called for a ceasefire. In 2018, Armenia underwent a peaceful revolution, sweeping long-time ruler Serzh Sargysan from power. Protest leader Nikol Pashinyan became the prime minister after free elections that year. Mr Pashinyan agreed with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev to de-escalate tensions and set up the first military hotline between the two countries. In 2019, both nations issued a statement declaring the need for “taking concrete measures to prepare the The Armenian government lodged a request populations for peace" with the European Court of Human Rights As yet however, nothing has come of those (ECHR) for an interim measure (applicable words. It is unclear which nations started the only when there is imminent risk of latest violence but tensions have been high _irreparable harm) against Azerbaijan. It for months, since clashes in July left casualties requested the court to indicate to the ‘on both sides. Azerbaijani government to “cease the military What Next? attacks towards the civilian settlements along As of now, both sides are standing their the entire line of contact of the armed forces ground. The Russian state news agency TASS _of Armenia and Artsak' Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 Alexei Navalny is Russia's opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner who was evacuated to Germany after falling ill Navalny collapsed on a flight in Russia's Siberia region on 20 August 2020. He was transferred to the Charité hospital in the German capital Berlin two days later. Germany, where Navalny is recovering, says he was poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent. Its findings were confirmed by labs in France and Sweden. The Kremlin denies any involvement. In an interview published by Der Spiegel - the first since he fell ill - Navalny said the order to use Novichok could only have come from the heads of three of Russia's intelligence services, all of whom work under Vladimir Putin. “If 30 people have access to a [chemical] agent, and not three, then it's a global threat,” the 44-year-old told the magazine What is Novichok? The name Novichok means "newcomer" in Russian, and applies to a group of advanced nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 16 Navalny 'Poisoned': What are Novichok Agents & What Do They Do? in the 1970s and 1980s. They were known as fourth-generation chemical weapons and were developed under a Soviet programme codenamed Foliant. Novichok's existence was revealed by chemist Dr Vil Mirzayanov in the 1990s, via Russian media. He later defected to the US, where he published the chemical formula in his book, State Secrets. The weaponisation of any chemical is banned under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, of which Moscow is a signatory. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times, WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 17 What nerve agents do to the body Ga brain: Convulsions, my) vg) loss of consciousness coma ‘Eyes: Pupils constricted Lungs: Wheezing, shortness of breath, excessive fluid secretion Heart: Initially high blood pressure and raised heart rate. Later low blood pressure and decreased heart rate. '——Digestive system: Nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea o———————— Skin: Profuse sweating Death can occur by asphyxiation or cardiac arrest Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comETO] Mer arnTn ta ANE G IS — = FN acc. Oe i Encyclopedia Ne Knowledge Pmacacas Objective (MCQs) rs Cia So 1 _ PAs) ui Poe _— a S sz Buy Online www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com WORLD CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 Monthly SM CSS etal H! October 2020 However, Moscow is not believed ever to have declared Novichok or its ingredients to the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversees a treaty banning their use. Background: Novichok were added to the Chemical Weapons Convention's list of controlled substances last year. This was the first time that the list was updated since it was agreed upon in the 1990s. Kremlin's ‘Extreme Measures’ Asked why the Russian president would target him, Navalny spoke of recent unrest in the far eastern province of Khabarovsk. “The Kremlin realises that it must take extreme measures to prevent a ‘Belarus situation’,” the opposition leader said, in reference to weeks of mass anti-government protests there following a disputed election. “The system is fighting for its survival and we've just felt the consequences.” Navalny was released from hospital in Berlin and is still receiving physiotherapy to aid his recovery. His spokeswoman said that his bank accounts had been frozen and his flat seized but Navalny told Der Spiegel he still planned to return to Russia. "Not going back would mean that Putin had achieved his goal... I will not give Putin the gift of not returning to Russia.” The EU and a number of governments have called for Russia to investigate Navalny's poisoning. If the attack on Alexei Navalny was meant to failed. He's made it clear that he intends to return to Russia - and to opposition politics - more determined than ever, pledging to take ‘on those "villains" who commit “the most heinous crimes". But the fact he identifies Vladimir Putin as chief “villain” in his poisoning has infuriated the Kremlin. Its spokesman called the accusation “utterly unfounded" and "insulting". That's standard Kremlin-speak but Dmitry Peskov also said he had “concrete information" that Alexei Navalny was getting “clear instructions" from the CIA. That's new, and an escalation apparently aimed at discrediting him as thoroughly as possible here in Russia. Navalny has already mocked the claim online, wondering whether the CIA was “instructing” him on his physiotherapy, as that's all he’s been doing since his release from hospital. He's threatened to sue for what he called a “monstrous lie", which he believes is meant to distract Russians from what the Kremlin “needs to hide’ What is Chemical Weapons Convention (cwc)? It is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time. The CWC is implemented by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is headquartered in The Hague (OPCW won the 2013 Nobel peace prize). The CWC is open to all nations and currently has 193 states-parties. Israel has signed but has yet to ratify the convention, Three states have neither signed nor ratified the convention- Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan. The Chemical Weapons Convention prohil 1. Developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, or retaining chemical weapons. 2. The direct or indirect transfer of chemical weapons. 3. Chemical weapons use or military frighten him into silence or compliance, it preparation for us Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION 20 October 2020 International Atomic Energy Agency Iran has agreed to give International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to two suspected former nuclear sites. A joint statement said Iran was doing so in good faith to resolve outstanding issues related to nuclear safeguards. The agreement came during a visit to Tehran by the IAEA's director general. The global watchdog has criticised Iran for not answering its questions about possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear- related activities at the two locations, and denying it access. It is thought the activities took place long before 2015, when Iran struck a landmark deal with world powers that placed limits on its nuclear programme. Tran insists it has never sought nuclear weapons, but evidence previously collected by the IAEA suggests that until 2003 it conducted "a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device". Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Iran signed the nuclear deal in 2015 with the United States, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia. Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, it allows Iran only to keep a stockpile of 202.8 kilograms (447 pounds). However, as per IAEA reports, Iran continues to increase its stockpile of enriched uranium in violation of limitations set in the deal. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly HSM CSS Times October 2020 Why this oversight is necessary? 1. The suspected work on a uranium metal disk, which could be used as a nuclear weapon component, and on neutrons—which are used to trigger a nuclear implosion—point to Iranian work on a neutron initiator for a nuclear weapons test or nuclear weapons device. 2. Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium has grown by around 50% since February to 1,572 kilograms. That puts Iran's stockpile of the nuclear fuel far above the limit of 202.8 kilograms stipulated in the 2015 nuclear accord. 3. With 1,000 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, Iran would likely have enough material to fuel a single bomb. once the material is further enriched, a process some experts believe could take as little as a months. About IAEA: Set up as the world's “Atoms for Peace” organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. Reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Functions: Works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful Use of nuclear technologies. Seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION 2 Board of Governors: 22 member states (must represent a stipulated geographic diversity) — elected by the General Conference (11 members every year) ~ 2 year term At least 10 member states — nominated by the outgoing Board. Board members each receive one vote. Functions: Recommendations to the General Conference on IAEA activities and budget. Responsible for publishing IAEA standards. Responsible for making most of the policy of the IAEA. Appoints the Director General subject to General Conference approval. Progrems: I. Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT), . Human Health Program. .. Water Availability Enhancement Project. . International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles, 2000. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comw Buy Online www.hsmpublishers.com www.ilmikitabkhana.com Kabir Street Urdu Bazar, Lahore Phone: 042-373532510UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CSS Times INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Monthly North Atlantic Treaty Organization Greece Rejects NATO Mediation. It says ‘de-escalation’ only after Turkey withdraws vessels from Greek waters. Bulgaria Athens insisted the only way to de-escalate the situation was for Turkey to withdraw its warships from Greek waters. The furious rebuke comes after NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg claimed the two members of the military alliance had agreed to technical talks to defuse a row over energy exploration. Mr Stoltenberg said: "Following my discussions with Greek and Turkish leaders, the two allies have agreed to enter into Tensions in Eastern Mediterranean technical talks at NATO to establish Tensions have recently escalated over the deconfliction mechanisms and rescue the risk _issue of energy exploration in the Eastern of incidents and accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean Mediterranean.” Greece has disputed Turkey's energy Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION a4 October 2020 exploration in the region, trying to box in for dialogue to ensure the fair sharing of Turkish maritime territory based on small resources. islands near the Turkish coast. Caisse tor latest Tensor Turkey -- the country with the longest Tensions are mounting to breaking point coastline in the Mediterranean -- has sent out between Turkey and Greece over Turkey's drill ships to explore for energy reserves on _ drilling work near the Mediterranean its continental shelf, saying that both Turkey _ island of Cyprus, which like Greece is an EU and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus member country. (TRNC) have rights in the region. Turkey doesn't recognize the divided island of Cyprus as a state and claims 44 In order to reduce tensions, Turkey has called per cent of Cyprus’ exclusive NATO Memk NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization ecretary General of NATO is Jens Stoltenberg is Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 economic zone as its own. Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece. About North Atlantic Treaty Organization: It is an intergovernmental military alliance. Established by Washington treaty. Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949. Headquarters — Brussels, Belgium. Headquarters of Allied Command Operations — Mons, Belgium. Significance: It constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. Composition: Since its founding, the admission of new member states has increased the alliance from the original 12 countries to 30. The most recent member state to be added to NATO was North Macedonia on 27 March 2020. NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.” Membership 30 states — Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States. Background The Brussels Treaty of 1948, revised in 1984, represented the first step in the post-war reconstruction of Western European security and brought into being the Western Union and the Brussels Treaty Organization. It was also the first step in the process leading to the signature of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and the creation of the North Atlantic Alliance. The Brussels Treaty is the founding document of the present day Western INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION 3 European Union (WEU). Negotiations culminated in the signature of the Treaty of Washington in April 1949, bringing into being a common security system based on a partnership among 12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1952, Greece and Turkey acceded to the Treaty. The Federal Republic of Germany joined the Alliance in 1955, and Spain became a member of NATO in 1982. The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland joined NATO in 1999. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Romania became NATO members in 2004. Croatia and Albania became members in April 2009. Montenegro became a member in 2017. Objectives: Political - NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict. ry — NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO's founding treaty - Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organisations. Developments 2020 On 27 March, North Macedonia officially Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 joined NATO becoming the 30” member state NATO allies met on 22 May, to discuss the future of the Open Skies Treaty. The NATO Secretary General reaffirmed commitment to the treaty and reiterated efforts to bring all members into full compliance. 2019 On 1 February, the North Atlantic Council issued a statement in support of the United States’ decision to suspend its INF Treaty obligations. On 6 February, NATO Allies signed the NATO Accession Protocol for North Macedonia, paving the way for the country to join NATO. upon Accession Protocol ratification. On 14 March, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the 2018 Annual Report, which described strengthened partnership, an increase in defense spending, and modernization. On 4 April, NATO Foreign Ministers held a meeting on the 70” anniversary of the Alliance to discuss key security topics including NATO-Russia relations, terrorism, burden sharing, and regional security. On 11 April, NATO held its largest-ever medical exercise in Romania to practice military incident responses. The exercise, Vigorous Warrior 2019, involved 26 Alliance members and 13 partners. On 27 June, NATO Defense Ministers approved a new space policy during two days of Brussels meetings. Other topics included defense readiness, Afghan security, the INF Treaty, and burden sharing. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION On 20 July, NATO condemned Iran's “seizure of two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.” On 2 August, the North Atlantic Council reaffirmed the Alliance's support for the United States’ decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty and said that Russia “bears sole responsibility” for the Treaty's collapse. The statement said NATO would “respond in a measured and responsible way” to Russia's 9M729 missile, which NATO claimed violated the Treaty. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg added that the Alliance does “not want a new arms race” and has “no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe.” 2018 From 16 to 17 January, the 178” Military Committee met in Chiefs of Defense Session at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The Chiefs of Defense discussed NATO's role in the Middle East and the security of ally countries in Eastern Europe. On 13 February, the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Regional Centre hosted its first energy security training course in Kuwait, offering classes on cyber defense, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. On 16 February, NATO Secretary General Jens Stolenberg spoke at the opening session of the Munich Security Conference. The Secretary General discussed the need to keep “a safe, secure, and effective” nuclear deterrent in the wake of growing Russian, Chinese, and North Korean nuclear programs. On 14 March, NATO issued a statement condemning the use of a nerve agent in For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly HSM CSS Times October 2020 Salisbury, England, calling the attack “indiscriminate and reckless.” NATO also emphasized the importance of the CWC as part of the global non-proliferation regime. On 14 April, NATO supported the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons facilities by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France after alleged chemical weapons attacks in Douma, emphasizing that their destruction is vital to protecting the CWC. On 16 May, the NATO Chiefs of Defence met in the new NATO Headquarters to focus on NATO's role in the Middle East, alliance modernization, and enhancing NATO's deterrence capabilities. On 5 June, NATO and China resumed diplomatic dialogues after a three-year hiatus. Chinese officials and NATO military chiefs discussed North Korea, security in Central Asia, and the possibility of practical cooperation between China and NATO. On 11-12 July, NATO held a summit Brussels, Belgium. The Alliance agreed to new readiness initiatives, greater support for counter-terrorism missions, and to start accession talks with the Republic of Macedonia. The Alliance also agreed to increase defense spending and ensure fairer burden-sharing. The Brussels Summit Declaration, published during the summit, also included language that suggested a stronger reliance on the U.S.'s forward deployed nuclear weapons for its strategy of defense and deterrence. On 14 September, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke in Washington, D. emphasizing NATO's role in contributing USS. security and prosperity. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION 27 On 4 October, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg released a statement on Russian cyberattacks, condemning Russia's "reckless pattern of behavior" and pointing to efforts to bolster NATO cyber defenses. From 25 October to 7 November, all NATO members and partners Finland and Sweden conducted the largest Alliance military exercise since the Cold War ended. Approximately 50,000 personnel participated in this exercise, called Trident Juncture, with around 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft, and 65 ships. The exercise aimed to “test NATO's ability to restore the sovereignty of an Ally after an act of armed aggression.” From 29 to 30 October, the 14” annual Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Arms Control, Disarmament and Non- Proliferation took place in Iceland. Topics included ballistic missile proliferation, chemical weapons attacks, and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. On 27 November, the North Atlantic Council called Russia's work on the Kerch Strait bridge “another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty” and urged Russia to release seized Ukrainian ships and sailors. On 29 November, NATO representatives met in Washington, D.C,, for the annual Nuclear Policy Symposium. NATO Director of Nuclear Policy Jessica Cox emphasized the “critical role” of nuclear weapons for NATO deterrence, particularly in light of Russian nuclear capabilities. On 4 December, NATO Foreign Ministers declared that Russia was in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) by producing and fielding a specific new missile. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comHSM English Essays for Competitive Exams HSM English Essays for Competitive Exams contains ample number of essays which are ‘or may be asked in a number of competitive & recruitment examinations. This book has been designed for the candidates of CSS/PMS/PCS examinations. HSM English Essays covering topics of Contemporary, Social, Environmental, Political, Education, Gender Discrimination, Islam, Pakistan, Economic, Science & Technology International, Proverbial & Idiomatic, etc The essays in the book are meant to provide guidance, knowledge of the topic and stimulating the imagination & enhancing the power of analyzing of the students. Be More Informative With proper Presentation. 7} Table of Contents Writing a Good Essay in Competitive Exam i Digital Pakistan; Objective and Challenges 15 Net Neutrality: "A Public Demand [13 Why Online Shopping Will Exceed All Predictions? 18 Artificial Intelligence (Al) 22 Empowering A Woman _, Empowers Next Generation | 29 Feminism is Not Really A Third Word Issue [3a New Waves of Feminism _ and Our Culture. 37 Reservation of Seats for Women in Parliament _: Why itis | 41 Important? Democracy in Pakistan : Hopes and Hurdles | is Colonial Mentality _ Impeding Pakistan's Progress? | 53 Civil Servants _and Politicians : A Complicated Partnership | 59 ‘Should Educational Qualification be Made of 62 Mandatory for Politicians? | eel] Crisis of Good Governance in Pakistan: Need for 66 Reforms and institution Building iz China -Pakistan Economic Corridor _(CPEC) & its Socio | 77 Economic: implications for the Region and the World | ‘Does Foreign Aid Help to Achieve Economic Stability? | 60. Promotion of Tax Culture in Pakistan : Perspective, | 88 Prospects and Challenges | Poverty anywhere is A Threat to Prosperity Everywhere | 94 ‘The Threat of Jobless Future Through Reskilling and Up | 99 Skilling Modernity is an Unending Project [1027] ‘Are Modern Wars _ Not Holy? [105 What is Arts For Peace? [10 Classrooms Decide the Future of the Nation 1113] Pollution in Urban Areas 115_| Pollution [120 Plastic ban in Pakistan [125] Honour Killing _ in Pakistan [129-| Population Explosion _— How can we tackle this problem? | 133 ‘Social Empowerment Programmes in Pakistan 138 [Urdu Literature and Progressive Movernents 144 “Knowledge Speaks. But Wisdom Listens T Search for truth is a spiritual problem [153 Attitude makes habit , habit makes character and) 157 character makes a man | Global Warming Essay, Causes, Consequences [62 Corruption = Causes & Consequences 168UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 INTERNATIONAL DAY 49 September 26 International Day for Every year International Day of Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on September 26. Background In 2013, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared September 26 to be the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Abolition Day). The aims of the day are to enhance public awareness about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination. The UNGA resolution establishing the day (UNGA Res 68 32) also calls for progress on a nuclear weapons convention ~ a global treaty involving the nuclear armed states in the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons under strict and effective international control. September 26 is also the anniversary of the incident in 1983 when a nuclear war was almost launched due to malfunctions in the Soviet nuclear weapons early warning system, which erroneously detected a US ballistic missile attack against Moscow. The incident is graphically portrayed in the award winning docu-drama ‘The Man who Saved the Worl Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Significance The day is important as it is based on the very basic reason the United Nations was established. The first resolution adopted by the UN was to achieve Global Nuclear Disarmament. In order to achieve this, the Atomic Energy Commission was established to make proposals to eliminate atomic weapons and control nuclear energy. In spite of these efforts, today more than 13,400 nuclear weapons exist in the country. \ START START is Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that was signed between the USSR and USA in 1991. The treaty barred the countries from For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly HSM CSS Times October 2020 using nuclear weapons and ballistic missile. It expired in 2009. The Strategic Offensive Reductions (SORT) was signed between the countries in 2003 and expired in 2011. The New START treaty followed the SORT and was signed in 2010. It expires in 2021. However, none of the treaties limited the piling of nuclear warheads stocked by USA and Russia. 17,000 Nuclear Weapons Worldwide Nuclear weapons are explosive devices with a destructive power that comes from nuclear energy being released. More than half the world's population live in countries that have nuclear weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. There are at least 17,000 nuclear weapons in the world today. One single nuclear device can destroy a whole city and eliminate the natural environment and lives of future generations. They have already destroyed entire cities, like Hiroshima in Japan, where at least 150,000 people were killed or wounded after the city was bombed during World War II A World Without Nuclear Weapons One of the UN's oldest goals is to achieve worldwide nuclear disarmament - in other words, to see the world free of nuclear weapons. In December 2013, the UN decided to create a day to inform people and push governments to see the social and economic benefits of not having nuclear weapons. The Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is one of the UN's efforts to seek more action on nuclear disarmament. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY 20 Background The General Assembly declared the International Day in December 2013, in its resolution 68/32 as a follow-up to the high- level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament held on 26 September 2013, in New York. This was the latest in a series of efforts by the General Assembly to raise public awareness and to seek deeper engagement on nuclear disarmament matters. In 2009, the General ‘Assembly had declared 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests (resolution 64/35). In resolution 68/32, the General Assembly called for the “urgent commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament of a comprehensive convention ‘on nuclear weapons to prohibit their possession, development, production, acquisition, testing, stockpiling, transfer and use or threat of use, and to provide for their destruction.” For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM.CSS Times INTERNATIONAL DAY 4 WORLD NUCLEAR WEAPON STATES 1 Official nuclear powers Ml Other “declared” nations MB “Undeclared” nations Green ns cay Meee Me) ~ 90-110 90-110 80-100 80-100 <10 Cee) 11,500 Sources: Reutors, www fas.org @reurers ee , Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comYou regret the things you did’nt do when you had the chance. Now! it is your chance. Grab it! {sureSUREES eer uC TEST PRACTICE WORK BOOK Fully Solved MCQs, (042) 37353510 - 37. Ta ie Nera ESCUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY In 2014, in its resolution 69/58, the General Assembly further expressed its desire to commemorate the Day, and requested the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly to make all arrangements, necessary to commemorate and promote it, including by convening an annual meeting of the Assembly to commemorate the International Day and to provide a platform for the promotion of these activities. The General Assembly repeated these requests and call in subsequent years in its resolutions 70/34, 71/71, 72/251, 73/40, and 74/54 The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons has been observed annually since 2014. Pursuant to the resolutions of the General Assembly, Member States, the United Nations system and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, academia, parliamentarians, the mass media and individuals are encouraged to commemorate and promote the International Day through enhancing public awareness and education about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination, To observe the International Day, the United 4 eS al) Pee COURS COL Nations is supporting events both in New York and Geneva. United Nations Information Centres around the world are encouraged to raise awareness to the observance of International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Notable Events 1945 The two atomic bombs destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and are estimated to have killed a total of 213,000 people immediately. 1946 In its very first resolution, the General Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comWe are Looking to hire writers for the CSS Subjects of English, Pakistan Affairs and General Science & Ability. We welcome new and experienced alike but preference shall be given to those who are currently teaching the above mentioned subjects to the CSS aspirants.UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly CSS Times HSM October 2020 Assembly identified nuclear disarmament as a leading goal of the United Nations 1959 The General Assembly included nuclear disarmament as part of the more comprehensive goal of general and complete disarmament under effective international control (resolution 1378(XIV)). It is the first General Assembly resolution ever to be sponsored by the entire membership of the United Nations. 1963 The Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, also known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty, was opened for signature. Years-long discussions between the Soviet Union, the United d Kingdom and the United States had INTERNATIONAL DAY 3% been given a renewed sense of urgency by the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. 1967 The nuclear arms race and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis prompted Latin American Governments to negotiate the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), which established the first nuclear weapons-free zone in a highly populated area. 1978 The General Assembly held its first Special Session Devoted to Disarmament. In the Final Document, Member States affirmed that their common ultimate objective is “general and complete disarmament under effective international control” and that “effective 2020 ESTIMATED GLOBAL NUCLEAR WARHEAD INVENTORIES — The world’s nuclear-armed states possess a combined total of nearly 13,500 nuclear warheads; more than 90% belong to Russia and the United States. Approximately 9,500 warheads are in military service, with the rest awaiting dismantlement. Armscont Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM. October S Times measures of nuclear disarmament and the prevention of nuclear war have the highest priority” 1985 The South Pacific became the second nuclear-weapon-free zone (Treaty of Rarotonga). 1991 South Africa voluntarily renounced its nuclear weapons programme. 1992 By the Lisbon Protocol to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I), Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons in their possession following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 1995 At the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference, States parties adopted without a vote the decisions on the indefinite extension of the Treaty, "Strengthening the review process for the Treaty” and "Principles and objectives on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament", as well as a "Resolution on the Middle East". Southeast Asia became the third nuclear- weapon-free zone (Bangkok Treaty). INTERNATIONAL DAY 1996 Africa became the fourth nuclear-weapon- free zone (Pelindaba Treaty). At the request of the General Assembly, the International Court of Justice provided an advisory opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty opened for signature. At the 2000 NPT Review Conference, States parties adopted thirteen practical steps for systematic and progressive efforts for nuclear disarmament. 2006 Central Asia became the fifth nuclear- weapon-free zone (Treaty on a Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia). 2008 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon announced his five-point plan towards nuclear disarmament. 2010 At the 2010 NPT Review Conference, States parties adopted a 64-point action plan across all three pillars of the Treaty ~ nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy — and practical steps to implement the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East. 2013 The General Assembly held its first-ever high- level meeting on nuclear disarmament. The General Assembly, through its resolution 68/32, declared that 26 September will be the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The General Assembly, pursuant to resolution Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM.CSS Times INTERNATIONAL DAY 37 H! October 2020 Key Delivery Systems 67/56, convenes an open-ended working group on taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations. 2016 The General Assembly, pursuant to resolution 70/33, convenes a second open-ended working group on taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations. 2017 On 7 July, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is adopted. It is the first multilateral legally binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years. 2018 The Secretary-General launched "Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament.” The Agenda addresses the elimination of nuclear weapons in the framework of “disarmament to save humanity.” 2020 Fiftieth Anniversary of the entry- into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Nuclear Disarmament Pakistan Estimated stockpile: 140-150 nuclear warheads. Pakistan's nuclear warheads are believed to be in central storage facilities in the southern part of the country. Arsenal Size Estimated stockpile: 140-150 nuclear warheads. Pakistan's nuclear warheads are believed to be in central storage facilities in the southern part of the country. Continues to produce HEU and plutonium for its nuclear weapons Nuclear-capable aircraft: U.S.-built and supplied F-16A/B, and French- manufactured Mirage V. Pakistan has likely modified both for nuclear weapons delive: Operational ballistic missiles: short- range Abdali (Hatf-2), Ghaznavi (Hatf- 3), Shaheen-I (Hatf-4), and medium- range Ghauri (Hatf-5), Shaheen-II (Hatf-6). The dual-capable Nasr (Hatf- 9) is a short-range missile intended for battlefield use. Operational cruise missiles: ground- launched Babur (Haft-7) and the air- launched Ra’ad (Haft-8) In testing: The Shaheen 1A, a ballistic missile with a range of 900 km and the Shaheen 3 ballistic missile (range: 2750 km) were successfully test launched in December 2015. The Shaheen 3 is designed to “reach Indian islands” so India cannot use them as “strategic bases. [6] The Ghauri-2 (Hatf-5a) missile (range: 1800km) is also under development. The newest medium- range ballistic missile under development, which has been described as capable of carrying multiple independently targetable re- entry vehicles (MIRVs), is the Ababeel (range: 2,200km). [7] The Ababel is a three-stage, solid-fueled missile. Cruise missiles with an unknown program, deployment status include the groun Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY 38 Monthly _October 202 S Times Disarmament and Commitments to Reduce Arsenal Size launched Baber-2 (range: 700km) and the sea-based Babur-3 (range: 450km). The air-launched Ra‘ad-2 (range: >350km) was revealed in March 2017. Estimated Destructive Power Unknown, likely over two megatons Estimated Military Fissile Material Stockpiles Plutonium stockpile: Estimated 280 kg. Weapons-grade HEU: estimated 3.4 + 0.4 tons Estimated to have enough fissile material for more than 200 weapons Pakistan is moving away from solely HEU-based weapons to lighter and more compact plutonium core warheads Able to produce 150kg of HEU and 12- 24kg plutonium each year Operates one HEU enrichment facility in Kahuta and a possible second plant at Gadwal. Operates heavy water plutonium production reactor complex at Khushab, and plutonium reprocessing plant at the New Laboratories facility of the Pakistan Institute of Science and Technology (PINSTECH). Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Opposed to signing the NPT. Pakistan will not consider signing the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state as long as India has nuclear weapons. Future Commitments. Supports negotiation of a non- discriminatory, verifiable Fissile Materials Treaty, but asserts that the treaty should cover existing stocks. Due to the consensus rule governing the Conference on Disarmament, Pakistan has been able to effectively block the start of any negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty and will continue to do so until an agreement to include existing stockpiles is added to the treaty. Supports a direct, comprehensive approach to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and materials within an agreed upon timeframe Attended the three Conferences on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons—Oslo, March 2013; Nayarit, February 2014, and Vienna, December 2014. Pakistan joined all other nuclear weapons possessing states in boycotting the 2017 Nuclear Ban Treaty negotiations at the UN General Assembly. Nuclear Testing Policy Has observed nuclear testing moratorium since May 1998. Pakistan renewed its proposal for a bilateral moratorium on testing with India in August 2016. Party to Partial Test Ban Treaty (banning atmospheric, outer space, and underwater testing) Opposed to signing Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the ‘Middlebury Institut of fnternational Studies at Monterey) For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comWe are Looking for Writers Required Areas of Expertise are CSS/PMS/PCS. Experienced Teachers and Qualified CSPs Contact us at 042-37171280, 0321-4226801 or kamran.munir@ilmikitabkhana.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY 40 Monthly SM CSS ictal H! October 2020 Every year, the United Nations celebrates International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28. This year the day focuses on the right to information in the times of crisis. What is RTI? Right to information (RTI) is the right that you have, as a citizen, to access information from your government and private bodies that receive public funds. RTI is based on the principle that information belongs to the people. RTI boosts transparency, which in turn strengthens accountability, reduces corruption and improves delivery of public services. Highlights The day is celebrated to highlight the advantages of having statutory, constitutional policies to provide public access to information and build trust. Programmes under United Nations The UNESCO has launched the Information for All Programme and International Programme for Development of Communication to provide a platform to make sure all the stakeholders participate in the international discussions in the area of access to information. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Information 2020 Ve Background On 17 November 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 28 September as International Day for Universal Access to Information. The day was celebrated as “International Right to Know Day" since 2002 until UNESCO adopted it with a different name. This day focus on the right to information in times of crisis and on the advantages of having constitutional, and policy guarantees for public access to information to save lives, build trust and help the formulation of sustainable policies through and beyond the COVID-19 cr For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 Key facts The day is commonly called as the Access to Information Day. It was designated by the UNESCO General Conference, initially. The day was inaugurated in November 2015. This day was first observed on 28 September 2016 Since 2002, the day had been recognized as International Right to Know Day. About United Nations General Assembly: The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN. President: Tijjani Muhammad-Bande Headquarters: New York, United States Founder: United Nations Right to Information in Pakistan Pakistan was the first country in South Asia to pass legislation guaranteeing the Right to Information (RTI) in the South Asian Region through the Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002. Public awareness and use of this right in Pakistan, however, has not been as widespread as in the rest of South Asia The Constitution of Pakistan provides in its article 19-A that every citizen shall have the right to have access to information in all matters of public importance, subject to Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | INTERNATIONAL DAY 4 regulation and reasonable restrictions imposed by law. According to the article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) information is like the oxygen of democracy and its importance cannot be denied in the processes of decision-making and op forming. Presently, nearly a hundred countries have laws that grant individuals a general right to access information held by public bodies, while only 13 countries had such laws uptil 1990. Universal Legislation for Freedom of Information (FOI) On 28th September, 2002, organizations promoting freedom of information (FOI) all jion- For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM.CSS Times INTERNATIONAL DAY 4 yi oe H. October 2020 A over the world joined heads in Bulgaria and founded the FOI Advocates Network. The aim of this coalition was to endorse the right of access to information for all the people and to access government/public information while promoting freedom of information as essential to both democracy and good governance. Thus, the UNESCO General Assembly in 2015 declared 28th September as the “International Right to Know (RTI) Day”. Most of our nationals are still not aware of the purpose of celebrating this day. The Journey of FOI in Pakistan In Pakistan, the journey for freedom of information (FOI) started in 1990. The first ever FOI Bill was presented in the Senate in 1990. This Bill played an important role in preparing a draft of FOI. The federal government formalized RTI in October 2002 under the auspices of the World Bank. Then the Balochistan FOI Act 2005 came into existence, followed by the Sindh FOI Act passed in 2006, the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013. Finally, the Right of Access to Information bill was passed by the National Assembly in October 2017, According to the RTI Act 2017, citizens shall have complete access to the record of public authorities. Key Areas 1. Review of existing laws to identify weaknesses and issues in implementation 2. Advocacy for effective RTI laws 3. Regional and global comparative analyses and case studies on RTI 4. Provincial RTI Score Cards 5. Capacity building of Government Officials to effectively implement existing laws 6. Awareness building of RTI laws to Government officials through Government Training Institutes 7. International Conference on Right to Information 8. Regional Comparative Studies and Analyses Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUnder Graduate 5- ey AM Pe ne ene au Buy online: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY Md September . md 29 International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction Every year the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction is observed on 29" September 2020. This is the first ever observance of the day by the Food Agriculture Organization, United Nations. It was designated by the UN in 2019 The COVID-19 pandemic continues generating significant challenges to food security in many countries. Disruptions in supply chains, quarantine measures, the closure of much of the hospitality industry and schools... All these measures have resulted in a loss of markets for producers and distributors, making the situation even more challenging while dealing with high levels of food waste. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Highlights Globally 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail. All the resources put in go waste when food is wasted. This includes land, energy, water, labour and capital. Also, disposal of food waste in landfills leads to green house gas emissions that then contributes to climate change. Highlights Globally 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail. All the resources put in go waste when food is wasted. This includes land, energy, water, labour and capital. Also, disposal of food waste in landfills leads to green house gas emissions that then contributes to climate change. Food Loss Index It has been created by Food Agriculture Organization to focus on percentage of food removed from the supply chain. Also, the index helps to monitor Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. Sustainable Development Goal The SDG 12.3 says that the world shall halve per capita global food waste and reduce food losses along production, supply chain and post-harvest losses. The SDG 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times October 202( ei? To monitor SDG Target 12.3, FAO has created the Food Loss Index (FLI). The focus of the indicator is on percentages of food removed from the supply chain. The FLI monitors changes in these percentages over time, relative to a base period currently set at 2015, in order to track progress against SDG Target 12.3. FAO's current work on measurement is critical to tracking progress on reducing food losses against the Global Food Loss Indicator, of 14 percent. When reductions in food loss occur close to the farm, they are most effective in addressing food insecurity and in alleviating stress on land and water. When reductions in food waste occur downstream in the supply chain and at the consumer level they are key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The largest improvements in food security are likely to occur by reducing food losses in the early stages of the supply chain, especially on-farm and at harvest in countries with high levels of food insecurity. Nutrient loss due to quantitative and qualitative food loss and waste may represent a missed opportunity to reduce malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. INTERNATIONAL DAY 45 Significance Food waste and losses have been increasing slowly since 2014. This year, the day is celebrated under the following theme Theme: Stop Food Loss and waste for the People for the planet Why is it important to reduce food loss and waste? Globally, around 14 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and retail. Significant quantities are also wasted in retail and at the consumpticn level When food is loss or wasted, all the resources that were used to produce this food -, including water, land, energy, labour and capital — go to waste. In addition, the disposal of food loss and waste in landfills, leads to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. Actions are required globally and locally to maximize the use of the food we produce. The introduction of technologies, innovative Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CSS Times INTERNATIONAL DAY 46 HSM C October 202 Monthly solutions (including e-commerce platforms _to food industries, retailers and consumers. for marketing, retractable mobile food Key messages processing systems), new ways of working 1. There is no room for food loss and and good practices to manage food quality waste in this time of crisis! The and reduce food loss and waste are key to COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call to rethink the way in which we implementing this transformative change. proddcelhandie and wastaicur fecal Reducing food loss and waste requires the Reducing toed locees and waste attention and actions of all, from food evidess poweriul Wesne to producers, to food supply chain stakeholders, strengthen our food aystemns, G lobal Approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted every year. That is about one-third of all the food Food produced for human consumption in the world e © ee? ec ee ° N Fruit and vegetables 45% 45% Roots and tubers Fish 35% Tol » Food loss refers to food that is spilled or becomes spoiled yl 0a before reaching its final stage. : pli lg Large quantities of food are wasted due Cereals Meat Dairy to quality standards bY that overemphasize appearance. Oilseeds and pulses @O0S0Gd YP ietetisterore odioliberty €.Coetho | Source: FAC Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY THE FOOD THAT GOES STRAIGHT IN THE BIN Monthly HSM CSS Times October 2020 41 with other fresh items BAKERY Field losses: 5% Tosses:14% Retail waste: 4% Consumer waste: 25% Fewer products to be display BANANAS Field losses: 2% — 3. Innovation, technologies and rastructure are critical to increasing the efficiency of food systems and to reducing food losses and waste. . Public interventions should seek to facilitate investments in food losses and waste reduction by private actors especially at this critical time. 5. Innovative business models, with the participation of the private sector need to be shaped and new approaches are needed to finance them, to stop food loss and food waste. We should all be food savers: for the people, for the planet! Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Action plan: Buy-one-getone-free deals tobe replaced by max andl match wed. Customers tobe given tips on how to use stale bread is Processing Joaveel 72sIiu im Conminer, Waste 202 Eas @ Fruit to be displayed in ‘hammocks’ to protect it on shelves longer life varieties to reduce spoiling ‘TOTAL WASTE @ Retail waste: 1% @ Consumer waste: 10% Wastage of food has many consequences. While 2.5 litres of water are sufficient for drinking each day, it takes about 3,500 litres to produce the food a person needs each day. Food waste impacts natural resources in terms of land and soil degradation. Agricultural cultivation involves use of fertilisers and pesticides; transportation uses fuel and produces emissions; and storage involves use of electricity. All these resources go to waste when food is wasted. Global Food Security, a recent report by the US National Intelligence Council, says that declining food security will almost certainly contribute to social disruptions and political instability. Simply growing more food globally will not lead to countries becoming more food-secure because sustainable access will remain unequal; millions lack land access or income sources to buy sufficient food. Food Insecurity and Violent Conflict, a paper released by the WFP, analyses the link between food insecurity and conflict- both political and violent. Authors Henk-Jan Brinkman and Cullen S. Hendrix say that food For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly __October 2020 S Times insecurity is a “threat and multiplier for violent conflict”. Food insecurity, especially when caused by higher food prices, heightens the risk of democratic breakdown, civil conflict, protest, rioting, and communal conflict. A number of options are available for tackling food waste. The government's social welfare departments may extend their outreach activities by collecting wasted food and distributing it among the needy. An example of this is a newly established market near Leeds, England, which stocks wasted food for needy shoppers. The items are priced on a pay as you feel basis. Another option is subjecting food waste to anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. A California city, Manteca, plans to run all trucks on biogas, produced by the anaerobic digestion of food waste collected from schools, businesses and restaurants. Food Loss in Pakistan With 20.3 per cent of its population undernourished, Pakistan has been ranked 94 ‘on the Global Hunger Index 2019, eight spots ahead of neighbour and arch-rival India. The INTERNATIONAL DAY index is based on four indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality. Among other regional countries, China was the highest- ranked at 25 (total score 6.5), followed by Iran at 31 (7.9), Sri Lanka at 66 (17.1), and Bangladesh at 88 (25.8) At 108, Afghanistan was the lowest-ranked with a total score of 33.8. |» LOVE & FOOD? — a q Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comAgriculture&ForestryMCQs For CSS/PCS/PMS/NTS/NAT/GAT (Subject)/Lecturer Agriculture Officer/Forest Officer And All Other Se Exams 1 tf} (es Ra Ava erent Forestry MCQs in Entomology & Plant Pathology with explanation . | TaD DU sas Aggicullre Oficer& Forest Oficer PO ere nc) ore Bie ol vl] vr Sn) eeAccording to a report, 40 per cent of food in Pakistan is wasted. This includes food loss during the supply chain (production, post- harvest handling, agro-processing, distribution and consumption) that occurs every year, Owing to extreme weather conditions, food loss in this country is expected to be higher than computed by agricultural departments Food wastage is the sum of food waste and food lost. Food waste is common at wedding ceremonies. Most reception dinners take place at midnight, and by that time intensely hungry people rush towards the food tables, filling their plates excessively. Nearly half of the food in their plates is uneaten and goes to waste. If wedding dinner times are moved back to 8pm, food waste would not occ Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com 3M.CSS Times INTERNATIONAL DAY Maan nis TSS FOR THE PEOPLE, Sa aay a cay would be moderately hungry. Moreover, an earlier time will allow people to behave in an orderly manner. Two months back, it was learnt that the Sindh government would issue notifications for the closure of marriage halls by 10pm, and there would be a ban on serving more than two food dishes. The notifications were most probably never issued. In addition to ceremonies, nearly 40pc of food wastage also occurs at various hotel banquets. Reportedly, in a major hotel in Islamabad, 870kg of fod is wasted each day. According to the outgoing country director of World Food Programme (WFP) Lola Castro, 43pc of the country's population remains food insecure, with 18pc facing a severe shortage. The Global Hunger Index 2019 ranks Pakistan as a country with “serious” hunger level. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comae HSM European History has been divided into 13 chapters tas namely, French Revolution of 1789, Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Congress of Vienna Industrial Revolution, Unification of Italy and Germany, Imperialism and Colonialism, Russian Revolution, UPDATED & REVISED World War I, World War II, Liberation from Colonial Rule, Post War Foundations: NATO and European Community and Fall of the Soviet Union;; expansion and development of the European Union to Europe from 1991 to 2020. As the book has been designed strictly on the lines of latest FPSC Syllabus for CSS Exam and keeping in mind the changing nature of the civil services examinations, this book will serve as an impeccable tool in getting thorough knowledge of the European Rs .- History. We CURE W aso eu it usta a male MoarMrelseoa tirtes Ruane) enter retre] political cartoons and it also contains previous years SOLVED Question papers. BUY ONLINE www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY _ 4 nglés rons) boos bso oC Ot/ Ae Ae se eae September 30 International Translation Day Every year the International Translation Day is | Why 30 September? celebrated by the United Nations on 30 September celebrates the feast of St. September 30. The day is celebrated to pay Jerome, the Bible translator, who is tribute to the works of language professionals _ considered the patron saint of translators. who have played an important role in bringing nations together, understand and cooperate, contribute to the development and strengthening of world peace and security. It is estimated that there are about 7,000 languages spoken in the world today, not taking into account the 350 or so languages about which we know for sure that they have died. But there might have been many more of which we know nothing. David Crystal, the renowned linguist, wrote in his book Language Death that “when a language dies which has never been recorded in some way, itis as if it has never been”. He adds: "A St. Jerome was a priest from North-eastern language dies when nobody speaks it Italy, who is known mostly for his endeavor of anymore’ translating most of the Bible into Latin from Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. He also translated parts of the Hebrew Gospel into Greek. He was of Illyrian ancestry and his native tongue was the Illyrian dialect. He learned Latin in school and was fluent in Greek and Hebrew, which he picked up from his studies and travels. Jerome died near Bethlehem on 30 September 420. Every year since 2005, the United Nations invites all its staff, accredited permanent missions staff and students from select partner universities to compete in the UN St. Jerome Translation Contest, a contest which rewards the best translations in Arabic, Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, as well as German, and aims to celebrate multilingualism and highlight the important role of translators and other language professionals in multilateral diplomacy. International Translation Day The UN passed a resolution in 2017 to celebrate September 30 as the International Translation Day. 2019 was celebrated as International Year of Indigenous Languages. Languages in Pakistan Urdu is Pakistan's national language, but only 10% of the people speak it, according to Ethnologue. Punjabi is the most common language as 48% of the people speak it. The website says that 12% of the people speak Sindhi, 10% Seraiki and English, 8% Pashto, 3% Balochi, 2% Hindko and one percent The most common] ‘oasis first languages in. Prone BE ne For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com people speak Brahui. Pakistani languages, there are quite a few that are classified as ‘threatened’ by linguists. Below we give brief information of such Pakistani languages, based mainly on information given by some Pakistani and foreign publications and ‘Ethnologue: (i Aer Itis a language spoken in the rural areas of Sindh, notably Hyderabad, Kot Ghulam Muhammad and Kunri. Some people of Aer descent are reported to be living in the Nawabshah area in Sindh, but their culture is different. An Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan language, Aer is spoken by only a few hundred people and hence is a ‘threatened’ language. According to linguists, a threatened or endangered language is one whose speakers die out or shift to other wa yw Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | INTERNATIONAL DAY _ 54 languages and the language is in danger of falling out of use. Some Aer words suggest possible historical connection with Rajasthani languages, Gujarati and Kuchchi. Bhaya It is spoken in Sindh, especially in and around Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Kot Ghulam Muhammad and Khipro. The speakers are: said to be in a few hundreds, which makes it a ‘threatened’ language. Bhaya, too, is an Indo- European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan language and has lexical similarities with Marvari and Malvi. Classified as an Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan language, Gowro is spoken in Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is ancestral language of the Gabar Khel clan and For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly HSM CSS Times October 2021 UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com INTERNATIONAL DAY 55 falls in Dardic, the sub-group of Indo-Aryan languages. Only a few hundred speakers of the language remain. Kalami Though spoken by a few hundred-thousand people in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in Kalam, it is a threatened language. Falling in the category of Dardic, a sub-group of Indo-Aryan, Kalani is also known as Diri and Dirwali. Sansi About 20,000 speakers use Sansi in Sindh, in the areas around Karachi. An Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan language, it is spoken mainly by Bhils and those who migrated from India. It is not an indigenous Pakistani language. Yidgha According to Prof Henrik Liljegren of Stockholm University, Yidgha is in a real danger of becoming extinct as the areas where Yidgha is spoken are surrounded by the Khowar language and Khowar is taking over. The Yidgha language is spoken in Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Prof Liljegren estimated that about 6,000 people speak Yidgha. It belongs to Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan languages and has lexical similarity with Munji, a language spoken across the border in Afghanistan Domaaki It is a language classified as ‘moribund’. A moribund language is one that is about to die. Such a language may become extinct if steps are not taken to preserve it. Domaaki is spoken in the valleys of Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan. Only a few hundred speakers, called Dom, use it and their number is decreasing. An Indo-European, Indo- Iranian, Indo-Aryan language, it has similarity with Shina. Badeshi It is a ‘dormant' language. A language that has very few proficient speakers and is used for limited purposes is known as dormant language, say experts, as Latin is now a dormant language. It is spoken in upper Swat, as in Tret and Bishigram in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to a research carried ‘out by Shamsi Khan and Zaman Sagar, it is also spoken in areas near Mansehra and Ali. Some locals claim their ancestors had migrated from Badakhshan in Afghanistan and that is why the language is also called Badakhshi. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comA eri La A SU ey Te 3 FAMILY EXCEPT fal Portuguese [8] Bengali fel German JO] Ura (ois) fe] Turkish mn: Languages in the Indo-European family are spoken by more of eople than any other family, though Chinese, in the Sino-Tibetan Oe eee meee (A), (8), (C), and (D) are all Indo-European languages. Turkish is in the Altaic family, which dominates the Anatolian Plateau region. Pastas te HSM Physical & Human Geography MCQs Rs. 375/- Bhsmpublishers.com “Practice Makes A Man Perfect” y Compulsory Subjects Solved Papers = 2016-2019UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Times = 13» edition of Global Innovation Index released. The index is a leading reference for measuring an economy's innovation performance. Released By? The GI is co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. Published annually since 2007, the Gil is said to be a leading benchmarking tool for business executives, policy makers and others seeking insight into the state of innovation around the world. The core of the GIl report consists of a ranking of world economies’ innovation capabilities and results. Theme Who Will Finance Innovation? is timely given the human and global economic damage wreaked by the COVID-19 global pandemic. How Are Countries Ranked? Gil rankings are based on 80 indicators, from traditional measurements like research and development investments and international patent and trademark applications. In the upper-middle income group, China WORLD INDEX GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX (14th), Malaysia (33rd), and Bulgaria (37th) had held the top three positions since 2016. Thailand (44th) remains the 4th economy in this group, while Romania (46th) ranks Sth (up from 8th last year). The Russian Federation (47th) keeps its 6th position among upper-middle income economies since 2017. Among the lower middle-income group, Vietnam (42nd) is at the top, followed by Ukraine (45th, up by 2) and India (48th, up by 4). The Philippines (50th, up by 4) moves up into the 4th position, In East Asia, and Oceania, Indonesia (85th) joins the top 10, ranked 9th. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly HSM CSS Times Octob . Top 10 Economies in Asia Pacific in the ilobal Innovation Index 2020 rankings vee China (#13) The United Republic of Tanzania tops the low- income group (88th), gaining nine positions since last year and two positions within its income group. Rwanda (91st) goes down to 2nd place, which it held in 2017 and 2018. On 95th position, Nepal ranks 3rd (up from 6th last year). Two economies enter the low: income group top 10: Madagascar (115th) and Mozambique (124th), while Senegal (102nd) and Ethiopia are at 127th rank. Pakistan's Performance: Pakistan further dropped to 107th place in the latest Global Innovation Index 2020 from Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | ry Hong Kong (#11) WORLD INDEX 58 a Pa a Australia (#23) New Zealand (#26) Cm Korea (#10) Velev a ees)) 0 Vietnam (#42) Thailand (#44) last year's 105th rank — even lower than Nepal and Sri Lanka in Central and Southern Asian group of countries Regional countries like India and Iran succeeded in improving their respective rankings while showing excellent performance in relevant areas in 2020 index. In the Central and Southern Asia, India became top 50 best performers in the world after getting the rank of 48, the highest rank in the region, followed by Iran with ranking of 67. Pakistan is not even top 100 economies in the world this year. For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.com1- Which of the following was —2. What was the computer a special purpose computer? invented by Atanasoff & Clifford? (A) ABC Ca (8) ENIAC (8) ABC (ona ta op} CO aU TT (D) None of above Answer: (a) Answer: (b) 3. Which of the following storage devices can store maximum amount of data? (Mae mead (8) Hard Disk (©) Compact Disk (Ouest gd Answer: (b) 4. Which computer was _ considered the first electronic computer until 1973 when court invalidated the patent? Ona (B) MARKT (©) Zs (D) ABC Answer: (a) 5. A physical connection between the microprocessor memory & other parts of the microcomputer is known as Co) Ca i (C) Route (D) All of the above Deere)Monthly HSM October 202 NASA says asteroid 465824 2010 FR, which is, twice as big as the Pyramid of Giza, may cross the Earth's orbit on September 6. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) and a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) What are NEOs? NASA defines NEOs as comets and asteroids nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth's neighbourhood. These objects are composed mostly of water ice with embedded dust particles. What is An Asteroid? Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, much smaller than planets. They are also called minor planets. As per NASA, 994,383 is the count for known asteroids, the remnants from the formation of the solar system over 4.6 billion years ago. Most such objects can be found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which is estimated to contain somewhere between 11-19 million asteroids. The explanation for the concentration of asteroids in this belt comes from the formation of Jupiter, whose UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CSS Times §CIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 60 any planetary bodies in this region, as a result of which the smaller bodies kept colliding with each other, fragmenting into asteroids. Other than those found in the main asteroid which are asteroids that share an orbit with a larger planet. NASA reports the presence of Jupiter, Neptune and Mars trojans. In 2011, they reported an Earth trojan as well The third classification of asteroids can be as Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), which have orbits that pass close by the Earth. Those that cross the Earth's orbit are called Earth-crossers. More than 10,000 such asteroids are known, out of which over 1,400 are classified as Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly Octo! potentially hazardous. asteroids (PHAs). Why Most Asteroids are Found in only One Region? Most such objects can be found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which is estimated to contain somewhere between 1.1-1.9 million asteroids. The explanation for the concentration of asteroids in this belt comes from the formation of Jupiter, whose gravity brought an end to the formation of any planetary bodies in this region, as a result of which the smaller bodies kept colliding with each other, fragmenting into asteroids. Other Types of Asteroids: 1. Trojans, which are asteroids that share an orbit with a larger planet. 2. Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), which have orbits that pass close by the Earth. Those that cross the Earth's orbit are called Earth-crossers. Why Do Scientists Track Asteroids? To look for information about the formation and history of planets and the sun, since asteroids were formed at the same time as other objects in the solar system, To look for asteroids that might be potentially hazardous. What are PHAs? In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter Over 1,400 asteroids are classified as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs). According to NASA, “Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid's potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth”. Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 au or less are considered PHAs. When do Asteroids Become Dangerous? According to The Planetary Society, there are estimated to be around 1 billion asteroids having a diameter greater than 1 metre. The objects that can cause significant damage upon impacting are larger than 30 metres. HSM.CSS Times. §CIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 6 Every year, about 30 small asteroids hit the Earth, but do not cause any major damage on the ground According to NASA, “Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid's potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth. Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 au or less are considered PHAs.” Even so, it is not necessary that asteroids classified as PHAs will impact the Earth. “It only means there is a possibility for such a threat. By monitoring these PHAs and updating their orbits as new observations become available, we can better predict the close-approach statistics and thus their Earth- impact threat,” NASA says. NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations Program finds, tracks and characterises over 90 per cent of the predicted number of NEOs that are 140 metre or larger (bigger than a small football stadium) - which, according to the space agency, are of "the greatest Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EARTH ASTEROID a . (1,800 miles) aE GSC CORTON T=) SIZE OF THE ASTEROID Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For ownla mpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY concern” due to the level of devastation their impact is capable of causing. However, it is important to note that no asteroid larger than 140 metre has a “significant” chance of hitting the Earth for the next 100 years. How can Asteroids be Deflected? The most drastic measure undertaken so far is the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA), which includes NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera. The mission's target is Didymos, a binary near-Earth asteroid, one of whose bodies is of the size that could pose a significant threat to Earth. In 2018, NASA announced that it had started the construction of DART, which is scheduled to launch in 2021 with an aim to slam into the smaller asteroid of the Didymos system at around 6 km per second in 2022 Hera, which is scheduled to launch in 2024, will arrive at the Didymos system in 2027 to measure the impact crater produced by the DART collision and study the change in the asteroid’s orbital trajectory. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | How are Asteroids Named? They are named by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). NASA notes that the IAU's Committee on Small Body Nomenclature is less strict when it comes to naming asteroids than other IAU naming committees Therefore, there exist asteroids that have been named after the Star Trek character Mr Spock, rock musician Frank Zappa and seven asteroids that are named after the crew members of the Columbia Space Shuttle. Asteroids are also named for places and a variety of other things and the IAU discourages naming asteroids for pets. toa For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.com0 + Na SS Intelligence Tests . W ABOUT BOOK The book for Competitive Exams has 2 parts - Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. ‘Each chapter of this book contains theory with Solved Examples. The exercise in the book contains previous year's questions of the various exams. ‘The book for Competitive Exams has been designed in such a way so that an aspirant not only clears the concept but can also tackle any kind of question that they come across, be it from the previous years or recent years. @hsmpublishers.comMonthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 National & International | Say SS 1 Who has been appointed as a new chief of naval staff? (a) Amjad Khan Niazi (b) Zafar Mahmood (€) Muhammad Zakaullah (d) Asif Sandila Answer: (a) Explanation: Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi will succeed Admiral Zafar Mahmood who will relinquish the command of Pakistan Navy on October 7. Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi was commissioned in Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1985 and won the coveted Sword of Honour upon UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 65 MCQs UJ Noncnlicg) 2020 completion of initial training at Pakistan Naval Academy. During his illustrious career, the admiral has served on various command and staff appointments. His command appointments include command of two Type 21 ships PNS BADR and PNS TARIQ, Commander 18th Destroyer Squadron, Commandant PNS BAHADUR, Commandant Pakistan Navy War College, Commander Central Punjab Lahore, Commander Pakistan Fleet and Commander Karachi His distinguished staff appointments include Principal Secretary to Chief of the Naval Staff, Head of F-22P Mission China, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Training & Evaluation) and Director General Naval Intelligence. Presently, he is serving as Chief of Staff (Operations) at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad. He is graduate of Army Command & Staff College Quetta and National Defence University Islamabad. The admiral holds Masters Degree in Underwater Acoustics Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comfrom Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi is a recipient of Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-e-Basalat. He has also been conferred upon the French Medal Chevalier (Knight) by the Government of France. 2 Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad-al Sabah passed away on September 29, 2020. He was the ruler of which nation? (a) UAE (b) Saudi Arabia (©) Qatar (d) Kuwait Answer: (d) Explanation: The ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad-al Sabah passed away on September 29, 2020. His 83-year-old half- brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al- Ahmed, has been named by the cabinet as his successor. In July, Sheikh Sabah was flown to the United States for medical treatment following surgery for an unspecified condition in Kuwait that month. He had ruled the oil-rich Gulf Arab state since 2006 and had overseen its foreign policy for more than 50 years. He was dubbed the “dean of Arab diplomacy’ for his efforts to restore relations with states that backed Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when Kuwait was invaded by Iraqi forces. 3 Which country has reported a confirmed case of Bubonic plague? a) Malaysia b) China Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Times CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 6 ¢) Taiwan ) Vietnam Answer: (b) Explanation: China's Yunnan province has a confirmed case of Bubonic plague after the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a previously suspected case of bubonic plague in a 3-year-old child. No other new cases of the deadly plague have been reported till now. 4 When was World Heart Day observed? a) September 29th b) September 28th ©) September 27th d) September 26th Answer: (a) Explanation: World Heart Day was observed across the globe on September 29, 2020. The day aims to focus on drawing people's attention to heart ailments and a whole range of associated health issues. In May 2012, world leaders committed t ducing global For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comMonthly SM CSS etal H! October 2020 mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is accountable for nearly half of all NCD deaths making it the world's number one killer. World Heart Day is, therefore, the perfect platform for the CVD community to unite in the fight against CVD and reduce the global disease burden. Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day informs people around the globe that CVD, including heart disease and stroke, is the world's leading cause of death cl: each year, and highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVD. It aims to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided. 5 What is rank of Pakistan in Business innovation index, 2020 compiled by World Intellectual Property Organization? (a) 103 (b) 105 (c) 107 (d) 110 Answer: (c ) Explanation: Pakistan's ability, capacity and success in business innovation declined in 2020 as the country's ranking on the Global Innovation Index (GIl) fell to 107 during the year from 104 in 2019. The report showed Pakistan's ranking in terms of market sop! ion fell from 102 UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 67 in 2019 to 116 in 2020 owing to worsening indicators like ease of getting credit, domestic credit to private sector as a percentage of GDP and microfinancing. In addition, the country's ability to attract investment also weakened during the year. The country's human capital and research also declined during the year under review. The report highlights major weaknesses in terms of expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP. school life expectancy, tertiary enrollment and research and development. Pakistan's position improved in terms of business sophistication from 96 in 2019 to 87 in 2020 on the back of innovation linkages between university and industry, research and knowledge absorption through high- technology imports. Information technology exports as a percentage of total export also increased during the period under review whereas creative outputs like mobile app creation improved as well. Among the South Asian countries, Pakistan ranked only better than Bangladesh (116) but was far behind India (48), Nepal (95), Sri Lanka (101). Meanwhile, Switzerland, Sweden, the US and the UK lead the innovation ranking. 6 The World Bank has approved how much loan for safe water & sanitation in Bangladesh? a) USD 300 million b) USD 200 million ©) USD 150 million d) USD 100 million Answer: (b) Explanation: The World Bank has approved a USD 200 million loan for Bangladesh to improve access to safe water and sanitation services in the rural areas of the nation. The Bangladesh Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Human Capital Development Project will help about 600,000 people avail Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comDesigned for CSS, PMS, PCS Objective Type Questions (MCQs) with Explanatory Notes — aa Pleats a) ee tlle Buy online: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com safe and clean water through large and small piped water schemes in rural areas. It will also provide access to improved sanitation services to over 3.6 million rural people. Through providing better access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities at homes and in public places and motivating people to adopt proper handwashing practices, the project will help prevent diseases and protect from infectious disease ‘outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, it will address urgent WASH needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a quick and timely way. Bangladesh currently has the largest ongoing IDA program totaling over $13.5 billion. The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh and has committed more than $31 billion in grants, interest-free and concessional credits to the country since its Independence. 7 The United States has threatened to close its embassy in which nation? a) Iraq es CURRENT AFFAIRSMCQs —s_—séK b) Israel ) Iran d) Afghanistan Answer: (a) Explanation: The United States has informed the Iraqi government that it will completely pull out from Baghdad unless it reins in attacks on personnel linked to the American presence there. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo reportedly informed Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi of the decision. Any move by the US to scale down its diplomatic presence in a country where it has up to 5,000 troops would be widely seen in the region as an escalation of its confrontation with Iran, which Washington blames for missile-and-bomb attacks. The concern among Iraqis is that pulling out diplomats would be followed quickly by military action against forces Washington blamed for attacks. Populist Iraqi leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who commands a following of millions of Iraqis, issued a statement last week pleading for groups to avoid an escalation that would tum Iraq into a battleground. 8 The government of Sindh has recently introduced a new district in Karachi is__? (a) Sohrab Goth (b) Korangi (©) New Karachi (d) Kemari Answer: (d) Explanation: The Sindh cabinet was told that the district West has a huge area and has the highest population of 3,914,757. It comprises Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com seven sub-divisions, Manghopir, SITE, Baldia, Orangi, Mominabad, Harbour and Maripur, seven circles, nine Tapas and 23 Dehs which calls for better administrative management for the convenience of public. Later, the cabinet approved the creation of Keamari district comprising four sub-divisions of SITE, Baldia, Harbour and Maripur with a population of 1,833,864. The new district will have three circles, five Tapas and 11 dehs This new district has some visible pockets of PPP strongholds 9 How many districts are in Sindh ? (a) 25 (b) 27 (29 (d) 30 Answer: (d) Pet a er Explanation: There are 30 districts in Sindh. 10 When was World Tourism Day observed? a) September 25th b) September 24th © September 27th d) September 26th Answer: (c) Explanation: World Tourism Day 2020 was observed on September 28, 2020 with focus on rebuilding tourism in a safe, equitable and climate- friendly way. Tourism has been among the hardest hit of all sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that 100 to SS Times CURRENT AFFAIRSMCQs UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) forecasts a loss of 1.5 to 28 per cent of global GDP. Check the last Secretary General's policy brief about the impact of the pandemic on tourism and the roadmap towards a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector. 11 Which country has provided 12 T16 high-tech drones to help Pakistan combating locusts? (a) US (b) Turkey (China (d) Russia Answer: Explanation: China has provided 12 T16 high-tech farm drones to Pakistan to help combat locusts.China will also send technical support staff to operate the drones and train local operators.The operator can control five drones at the same time without actually being on the field.T16 is one of the most advanced agricultural drones which can also dodge obstacles automaticall Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com 12 Which nation remained non-committal on the UNSC reforms sought by G-4 countries? a) US b) France ©) China d) Russia Answer: ( c) Explanation: China once remained non- committal on India's permanent membership in the UN Security Council and the reforms sought by the G-4 countries. The Chinese istry spokesperson at a press \g stated that there is enormous division and lack of a widespread consensus on the arrangement for reforms at UNSC. 13 Which nation will soon register a second COVID-19 vaccine? a) Russia b) United States ©) China d) Japan Answer: (a) ¥ Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs Explanation: Russia will soon register a second COVID-19 vaccine, informed Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 23, 2020. The national consumer health watchdog stated on September 22 that another vaccine, developed by the Vector research centre, which is dubbed as EpiVacCorona would be registered by October 15 14 Which nation will co-host Global Climate Summit in December along with the United Nations? a) Russia b) UK ©) Germany d) France Answer: (b) Explanation: United Nations and Britain will co-host a global climate summit on December 12, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. The summit will see the involvement of many governments, leaders, private sector and civil society to present more ambitious and high-quality climate plans. 15 Which company's vaccine candidate has become the fourth one in the United States to enter phase 3 trials? a) Eli Lilly and Company b) Abbott Laboratories ©) Johnson & Johnson d) None of these For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comoO yee om es | aE a Sonoet aeUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM,CSS Times. CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 2B H! October 2020 Answer: (c) Explanation: Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine entered Phase 3 trials in the United States on September 23, 2020. This is the fourth COVID vaccine candidate to enter the last stage of trials in the US, after Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. 16 When was the International Day of Democracy observed? a) September 14th b) September 15th ©) September 16th d) September 13th Ta TT TA (b) September 15th The International Day of Democracy observed was observed on September 15, 2020. The day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2007 to promote and uphold the principles of democracy across the world. 17 Legendary former cricketer Dean Jones passed away on September 24, 2020 due to cardiac arrest. He played for which nation? a) England b) Australia ©) New Zealand d) South Africa Answer: (b) e~ a Gam = Explanation: The legendary former Australian batsman Dean Jones passed away on September 24, 2020 in Mumbai, India due to cardiac arrest. He was 59. Jones was part of the Star Sports commentary team and was in a bio-secure bubble in a seven-star hotel in Mumbai. 18 When was World Maritime Day 2020 observed? a) September 24th b) September 23rd ©) September 22nd d) September 21st Answer: (a) Explanation: The World Maritime Day 2020 was observed on September 24, 2020. The day is being observed this year with the Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CSS Times. CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 14 October 202 Monthly Explanation:Airbus is planning to launch World's first Commercial Hydrogen aircraft by 2035. The aviation company launched three concepts for the first zero-emission commercial aircraft on September 21, 2020. theme: Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet. The day is observed annually on the last Thursday of September. 19 When is International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons observed? 21 When is World Rhino Day observed? a) September 26th b) September 25th ab September dist ©) September 24th b) September 22nd d) September 23° ©) September 20th Answer: (a) d) September 23rd Answer: (b) Explanation:The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is observed every year on September 26. The day aims to raise public awareness and seek deeper engagement on nuclear disarmament matters. 20 Which aviation company will launch World's First Commercial Hydrogen aircraft by 2035? a) Boeing b) SpaceX Explanation: The World Rhino Day is celebrated every year on September 22nd to ©) Airbus create awareness regarding the threats faced d) Lockheed Martin by 5 rhinoceros species living in Asia and Answer: (c) Africa. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com 22 What was the theme of the International Day of Peace this year? a) Climate Action for Peace b) Building Blocks for Peace ©) Education for Peace d) Shaping Peace Together Answer: (d) Explanation:The International Day of Peace was observed this year on September 21st with the theme- Shaping Peace Together. The UN General Assembly declared that the day should be commemorated by observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire across the world. The day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. 23 Who won the Men's Singles title in the Italian Open? a) Roger Federer b) Novak Djokovic ©) Dominic Thiem 4d) Diego Schwartzman Answer: (b) Explanation:World no. one Novak Djokovic won his record 36th Masters Title by winning the men’s singles title in the Italian Open. The Serbian player defeated Diego Schwartzman in two straight sets of 7-5, 6-3 to clinch the trophy. 24 Which TV series won the Emmy award in the Outstanding Drama Series category? a) Ozark b) Stranger Things ©) Succession d) The Crown Answer: (c) Explanation:The family saga series Succession won the Emmy Award 2020 in the Outstanding Drama Series category. The show took home a total of five awards at the 72nd Emmy Awards. 25 Which TV series won the Emmy award in the Outstanding Comedy Series category? a) The Good Place b) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ©) Schitt’s Creek d) Dead To Me Answer: (c) Explanation:The popular sitcom Schitt’s Creek took away the Emmy award in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. The Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Month M CSS * Pete re IVT by ; 5 ta 5 show set a new record for most wins in a single season by a comedy series by taking home seven Primetime awards and nine Emmys in the comedy categories. 26 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known as the ‘Notorious RBG’ passed away on September 18. She served as the Supreme Court Justice of which nation? a) UK b) Australia ©) Canada 4) US Answer: (d) Hs Z Explanation: US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, dubbed as the ‘Notorious RBG’, passed away at the age of 87 years after suffering from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was regarded as an iconic champion of women's rights. She had developed a rock star status during her vast career. She was the second woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court bench. es CURRENT AFFAIRSMCQs i 27 Which nation has decided to resume its passenger railway services after a 7-year suspension? a) Nepal b) Myanmar ©) Sri Lanka d) Bangladesh Answer: (a) Explanation: Nepal has decided to resume its passenger railway services after a 7-year suspension. The decision comes after the nation received two sets of rails from India. The Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit rail sets that Nepal had purchased from India arrived in Janakpur city on September 18. 28 Which city topped the Global Smart City Index 2020? a) Singapore b) Beijing ©) New Delhi Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.com: , A ee CA rene Ltr wuihismpublishers.com Kabir Street, Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Pakistan limi Kitab Khana (slamabed Branch) (042) 37359510 - 37248129 - 37171280-1 Near National Library, Shehr e Kitab, F/7 Markaz Ps LSet)UPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs d) Bengaluru ©) Russia Answer: (2) ab 4d) India Explanation:The index was topped by Singapore. The Smart City Index 2020 was Answers (2 released by the Institute for Management Development (IMD) in collaboration with Singapore University for Technology and Design (SUTD) . The index is based on key findings on how technology is playing a role in the COVID-19 era 29 Which nation's government has revealed a plan of administering COVID-19 vaccine to all its citizens free of cost when it comes out? a) US b) Russia ©) UK d) Brazil Answer: (a) Advisor, Ajit Doval stormed out of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's virtual meeting of national security advisors on September 16, 2020 after Pakistan displayed ersial map, which India calls " violating the agenda of the gathering. 31 When was International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer observed? a) September 15th b) September 14th ©) September 16th d) September 13th Answer: (c) Explanation: The US Government on September 16, 2020, unveiled its COVID-19 vaccine delivery plan which entails administering the drug to all the citizens of US free of cost. 30 Which nation stormed out of SCO meeting after display of a controversial map? Explanation: The International Day for the a) China Preservation of the Ozone Layer was b) Pakistan observed on September 16, 2020. The day Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.comUPLOADED BY HSM PUBLISHERS www.hsmpublishers.com Monthly SM CSS Times H! October 2020 aims to commemorate in 1987 when nations had signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 32 Which two Gulf nations signed the historic Abraham Accords along with Israel to normalise ties? a) Bahrain, UAE b) Kuwait, Qatar ©) Saudi Arabia, UAE d) Oman, Yemen Answer: (a) EY at Explanation: In a landmark moment, Israel, UAE and Bahrain signed Abraham Accords in a signing ceremony presided over by United States President Donald Trump at the White House on September 15, 2020. The signing of the Abraham Accords aims to establish the foundation of peace agreements between Israel and the two Arab nations- the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. 33 Who has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Japan? a) Shinzo Abe b) Yoshihide Suga COS MNN TST) Tue CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs 19 ¢) Shigeru Ishiba d) Shigenobu Tamura Answer: (b) Explanation: Yoshihide Suga, who won the leadership vote of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been elected as Japan's new Prime Minister by the powerful House of Representatives on September 16, 2020. 34 The United States has sanctioned a Chinese entity for seizing land for construction of the Dara Sakor development project in which nation? a) Vietnam b) Indonesia ©) Cambodia d) The Philippines Answer: (c) Explanation: The United States has imposed sanctions against a Chinese state-owned entity- Union Development Group Co. Ltd. (UDG) , for seizure of local Cambodians’ land for the construction of the Dara Sakor development project. Monthly HSM CSS Times (E Magazine) | Oct 2020 | For Free Download: www.hsmpublishers.com