Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar

Disclaimer
I believe that the information in these notes
have been compiled by from different internet
sources (such as Dawn, The Nation); however,
I have duly verified and cross-checked from
original source. Even, if any information or
fact is misinterpreted or found to have been
published incorrectly, I cant be held
responsible for it. Thanks.

Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar

1. Female robot android 'Sophia' granted Saudi
citizenship.
2. Catalonia's parliament voted Friday (27
October, 2017) to declare independence from
Spain and proclaim a republic.
3. Barcelona is the capital and largest city
Catalonia and the second most populous
municipality of Spain.
4. The 5th Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF)
began on 14 April 2017.
5. Air Commodore Muhammad Ali has been
appointed as the official spokesperson for
Pakistan Air Force on August 31, 2017.
6. England will host Pakistan for two Tests in
2018 before India arrives for a five-match
Test series, the England and Wales Cricket
Board (ECB).
7. Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Kiwi Mark
Coles as Pakistan Womens Cricket Coach
on September 25, 2017.
8. On September 21, 2017: Sheikh Fatima bint
Mubarak honoured with UN Womens
Agent of Change Award in New York
Cermony.
9. Pakistan won two Gold Medals in 7th
Commonwealth Power Lifting
Championship held from Sept 10 to 17.
10. Younis Khan comes first Pakistani to score
10,000 runs in Test Cricket.
11. Commander of the Kuwaiti Air Force: Major
General Abdullah Al-Foudari
12. Lt Gen Javed Bukhari appointed Colonel
Commandant of Engineers Corps.
13. Lt Gen Sarfraz Sattar appointed as DG
Strategic Plans Divisions.
14. Setsuko Thurlow, an 85-year-old survivor of
the atomic bombing of Hiroshima will
jointly accept the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize
together with this years laureate, the ICAN
(International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear
Weapons).
15. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Sergey
Ryabkov.
16. The first National Accountability Bureau
(NAB) Chairman was: Gen Amjad.
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
17. Shahid Khaqan Abbassi sworn in as Prime
Minister of Pakistan on: 1st August 2017. He
has been a Member of the National
Assembly of Pakistan since 2008 and
previously had been a Member of the
National Assembly from 1988 to 1999.
Preceded by: Mian Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif
18. Rising singer and musician Momina
Mustehsan has made it to the 2017 list of
BBC's 100 inspirational women from around
the world. She is the only Pakistani woman
this year to receive the honour.
19. Dr Fiaz Ahmed Butt appointed as M.S.
Gangaram Hospital.
20. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Director: Yukiya Amano, Japanese (5th
Director General of the IAEA, Assumed
office on 1st December, 2009). The IAEA
was established on 28th July, 1957. The
IAEAs headquarter is in Vienna, Austria.
21. On September 30, 2017, the 119th passing
out parade of Combat Support Force held at
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Asghar Khan
Academy Risalpur 2017.
22. Londons Mayor Sadiq Khan tops the latest
list of Britains most influential Asian
people, second year in a row with actor Riz
Ahmed also climbing up the power list.
23. Two activists from the heavily militarised
region of Indian occupied Kashmir on
Thursday won Norways Rafto Prize for
human rights for their long-term struggle
against violence in the disputed territory, the
jury announced. Parveena Ahanger,
nicknamed "The Iron Lady of Kashmir",
founded and leads the Association of Parents
of Missing Persons after her 17-year-old son
was kidnapped by security forces in 1990.
She hasnt heard anything from or of him
since. The prize of $20,000 (17,750 euros)
will formally be presented on November 5.
The Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize
(Rafto Prize) is a human rights award
established in the memory of the Norwegian
human rights activist, Thorolf Rafto in 1990.
 Four Rafto Laureates have subsequently
received further international assistance and
were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Aung
San Suu Kyi, Jos Ramos-Horta, Kim Dae-
jung and Shirin Ebadi were awarded the
Rafto Prize prior to the Nobel Peace Prize.
24. Current Chief of US Spy Agency CIA: Mike
Pompeo
25. Faheem Ashraf, Pakistans all rounder
became the first bowler to get a hat trick in
T20 International Cricket.
26. NACTA: National Counter Terrorism
27. Authority Managing Director IMF:
Christine Lagarde
28. Former provincial minister KPK Iftikhar
Khan Jhagra passed away on 18 April 2017.
29. The National Assembly on 19 April, 2017
passed a bill making the teaching of the Holy
Quran compulsory up to grade 12. The bill is
in pursuance of Art. 31 (2) of constitution of
Pakistan.
30. On October 12, 2017: The Pakistan Army
recovered five foreign hostages who were
kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2012. The
hostages, a Canadian, his US national wife
and their three children were rescued from
the captivity of terrorists.
31. According to the report, Cairo, the capital of
the Arab worlds most populous country, is
the worlds most dangerous megacity for
women, followed by Karachi in Pakistan.
London was ranked as the most woman-
friendly, then Tokyo and Paris.
32. Russia aimed to force Poland to close
Smolensk probe: Moscow has not handed
over the wreckage of the presidential plane
because it is still investigating the crash in
Smolensk, western Russia, which on 10
April 2010 killed all 96 on board, including
then-Polish President Lech Kaczyski.
33. Two activists from the heavily militarised
region of Indian occupied Kashmir on
September 28, 2017 won Norways Rafto
Prize for human rights for their long-term
struggle against violence in the disputed
territory.
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
34. On September 29, 2017: An agreement was
signed with a Chinese company in Lahore to
set up a 1263 MW LNG-fueled power plant
in Jhang, reported by Radio Pakistan. The
project is slated to be completed in 26
months and will start power generation of
810 MW within 14 months.
35. Pakistan is third largest producer of
Chickpea
36. The Global Fund has approved a grant of
$13.8 million for the Malaria Control
Programme (MCP) the first installment of
which will be received in January 2018.
37. Cyclist Naeem Ahmed won the Ninth edition
of Tour De Sindh cycle race.
38. Qatar and the Philippines on 17 April, 2017
have signed trade agreements worth $200
million in Doha.
39. Britain and Japan will step up the pace of
sanctions against nuclear-armed North Korea
after its outrageous firing of a missile over
Japan.
40. A joint China-Pak coal-fired power plant has
signed a loan contract worth $1.5 billion
with banks in China. Hubco Coal Power
Plant, which is part of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor, raised the amount from
a consortium of banks led by the China
Development Bank, costing about $2 billion.
The project has a total capacity of 1.32 GW
and includes two coal-based power plants
with a capacity of 660 MW each.
41. Libyan military commander General Khalifa
Haftar
42. On September 8, 2017: The chief of
Britains main opposition party, Jeremy
Corbyn, has come out in support of
Pakistan and urged the world to respect
the country. Mr Corbyn said it was not the
responsibility of Pakistan alone to fight
terrorism because the world as a whole
needed to beat off the collective challenge.
43. On October 16, 2017: 66th death anniversary
of Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan.
44. Jermy Bernard Corbyn is a British politican
who has been the Leader of the Labour Party
 and Leader of the Opposition since 2015 (12
September) and the Member of Parliament
for Islington North since 1983.
45. Estonia on September 29, 2017 launched the
EU Sanctions Map. (Capital: Talinn,
Currency: Euro).
46. CPWB: Child Protection and Welfare
Bureau
47. Former director general of the Inter-
Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen
Asim Saleem Bajwa got the first
command post as a three-star general on
September 28, 2017. He replaces Lt Gen
Aamer Riaz who has been posted as Lahore
Corps Commander. Lt Gen Sadiq Ali, who
was serving as Lahore Corps Commander,
has been appointed.
48. The World Health Organization (WHO) has
announced the establishment of a high-level
global commission on non-
communicable diseases (NCDs), which will
be led by Pakistan's Dr Sania Nishtar, to
identify innovative ways to eradicate the
worlds biggest causes of death, according to
a statement. WHO Director General Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Global
Conference on Non-communicable Diseases
in Montevideo, Uruguay.
49. Inspector General Arms at the GHQ. All the
three officers had been promoted to the rank
of three-star general together the same day
September 22, 2015.
50. On September 28, 2017, Makhdum Khusro
Bakhtyar (Former FM from Sept 4, 2004 to
Nov 15, 2007) was elected as Chairman
National Assembly Standing Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
51. UK disappointed as Robert Mugabe
(President of Zimbabwe) becomes WHO
goodwill ambassador.
52. On September 27, 2017: Masooma Muradi,
Afghanistan's only female provincial
governor has been replaced by a man
53. ADB: Asian Development Bank
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
54. On October 16, 2017: Game of Thrones
star, Sansa Star (real name Sophie Turner,
An English Actress) engaged.
55. Corruption charges: Ousted Thai PM
Yingluck sentenced in absentia to five years.
56. Japenese Premier and Liberal Democratic
Party candidate Shinzo Abe dissolved the
Japans parliament (diet). It is bicameral
parliament lower house is house of
representatives and house of councilors.
57. Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly:
Asad Qaiser
58. Current Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan: Mir
Ghazanfar Ali Khan
59. On September 11, 2017, Moscow opened
a brand new park to the public just steps
from the Kremlin, boasting wonders such
as an ice labyrinth, despite criticism over
its huge price-tag.
60. Haroon Lorgat, the outgoing chief executive
of Cricket South Africa.
61. 22-year-old Shahida Abbasi from Quetta
proved this quote right by becoming
Pakistans first international female Kata
Karate player. She participated once in
South-Asian games and once in Baku for the
Islamic Games, told Shahida. Abbasi was
recently crowned South Asian champion of
her discipline.
62. A psychology student from Belarus,
Aleksandra Chichikova, has been crowned
Miss Wheelchair World in the first-ever
edition of the beauty pageant held in
Warsaw, Poland.
63. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar
Javed Bajwa on September 11, 2017 arrived
in Canberra, the capital of Australia, on a
two-day official visit. The COAS was given
a tri-service Guard of Honour.
64. Hosts Malaysia won 145 gold medals at the
Southeast Asian Games to emerge as overall
champion for the first time in 16 years.
65. The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) will place
a complete ban on the production and sale of
Banaspati Ghee by 2020.
66. Chinas anti-graft watchdog said roughly
1.34 million lower-ranking officials have
been punished since 2013 under President Xi
Jinpings anti-corruption drive.
67. Prof Noorul-Iman appointed as the first ever
Dean of the Khyber Medical College.
68. US regulators approved the first gene
therapy against cancer. A treatment that uses
a patients own immune cells to fight
leukemia - opening anew era in the fight
against one of the worlds top killers.
The treatment is made by Novartis and is
called Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel).
69. Irans Parliament Speaker Larijani called for
establishment of border markets with
Pakistan, voicing Irans interest to help with
the growth of Balochistan through trade and
economic transactions.
70. Prime Minister of Malaysia: Najib Razak
71. Shadia Bseiso, a Jordanian lady signed a
contract with world wrestling entertainment,
making her first Arab woman to do so.
72. Dutch researchers claimed on August 31,
2017 to have discovered the maximum age
ceiling for human lifespan, despite
growing life expectancy because of better
nutrition, living conditions and medical care
September 02, 2017
73. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed its commitment
to play the third and final T20 game of the
ongoing Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan at
Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on October 29.
74. On September 01, 2017 Jim Mattis, US
Defence Secretary signed orders to send
additional troops to Afghanistan, the most
concrete step yet by President Donald
Trumps administration in tackling
Americas longest war.
75. British Defense Minister: Michael Fallon
76. On September 01, 2017, Kenya's Supreme
Court ordered a new presidential election
after annulling the results of last month's poll
in a shock decision in favour of the
opposition.
77. The Spanish Senate opened a plenary session
on October 17, 2017 to ratify the Mariano
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
Rajoy Government's decision to intervene
Catalonian institutions to stop the
secessionist aspirations of that autonomous
region in northeastern Spain.
78. On September 01, 2017, Russian President
Vladimir Putin warns of a major conflict
looming on the Korean Peninsula, calling for
talks to alleviate the crisis after Pyongyang
fired a missile over Japan.
79. Name of Sindh Home Minister: Sohail
Anwar Khan Siyal
80. Name of National Accountability Bureau
(NAB): Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry
81. On September 5, 2017 President Donald
Trump ended an amnesty protecting 800,000
people brought to the United States illegally.
82. Name of Indian Deputy High Commissioner:
J. P Sing
83. India tops global pollution deaths of 9
million a year study.
84. On September 03, 2017, North Korea
conducted 6th nuclear test. North Korea said
it set off a hydrogen bomb in its sixth
nuclear test, which judging by the
earthquake it set off appeared to be its most
powerful explosion yet. South Korea's
weather agency estimated the nuclear blast
yield of the presumed test was between 50
and 60 kilotons, or five to six times stronger
than North Korea's fifth test in September
2016. US President Donald Trump declared
that appeasement with North Korea will
not work, after Pyongyang claimed it had
successfully tested a missile-ready hydrogen
bomb. International community also
condemned North Korea nuclear test.
85. Name of Sindh Inspector General of Police:
A.D. Khowaja (The Sindh Cabinet on
October 30, 2017 decided to replace
Khowaja with Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti as
the New Police Chief)
86. Pakistans Ambassador to the Kingdom of
Bahrain, Javed Malik has said that the
government of Bahrain has confirmed their
plans to establish the King Hamad
 University of Nursing and Associated
Medical Sciences in Islamabad.
87. China is developing today green
technologies by putting into operation the
worlds first hydrogen-powered train in
Hebei, one of the most polluted provinces in
northern China.
88. The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels
organized a friendly football match between
Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites at the
Schaerbeek football stadium Brussels. The
match was part of the celebration of
Pakistans 70th independence anniversary in
Europe.
89. Iran has tested its home-grown Air Defence
System, designed to match the Russian S-
300.
90. On September 02, 2017, Astronaut Peggy
Whitson returned to the Earth on, wrapping
up a record-breaking flight that catapulted
her to first place for US space endurance.
Whitson's 665 days off the planet 288 days
on this mission alone exceeds that of any
other American and any other woman
worldwide. The Soyuz capsule landed in
Kazakhstan.
91. Sri Lanka faces humiliating 5-0 loss against
India in ODI series. This was India's second
5-0 whitewash in an ODI series abroad, with
Kohli's men having blanked Zimbabwe in
2013.
92. On September 5, 2017, Trump names former
Navy aviator to head NASA. James
Bridenstine, a former navy pilot and
Republican congressman, to head the US
space agency NASA.
93. The Punjab Human Organs Transplantation
Authority (PHOTA) has issued permission
for bone marrow transplant to the Children`s
Hospital, the first such facility in the public
sector in the Punjab.
94. On September 4, 2017, Indian state-run Oil
and Natural Gas Corp plans to bid for Israeli
off shore oil-and-gas exploration blocks.
95. On September 5, 2017 Pulitzer-prize
winning poet John Ashbery, a post-modern
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
American trailblazer, has died at age 90 in
Hudson, New York.
96. On September 4, 2017, Taiwans Premier
Lin Chuan resigned in a move aimed at
reviving dwindling public support for the
government of President Tsai.
97. On September 5, 2017, Taiwans President
Tsai Ing-wen named a staunchly pro-
independence city mayor as her new
premier.
98. 9th Summit held at Ximan, China in 3-5
September 2017. The leaders of the five
emerging market BRICS powers have for the
first time named militant groups allegedly
based in Pakistan as a regional security
concern and called for their patrons to be
held to account. Brazil, Russia, India, China
and South Africa make up the BRICS
grouping. The group called for an immediate
end to violence in Afghanistan.
99. Prime Minister Narendra Modi named a
female Nirmala Satharman legislator as
India's new Defence Minister on September
3, 2017. This is the first time, a woman has
been appointed to the key portfolio
overseeing border tensions with China and
Pakistan.
100. Former bureaucrat Dr Musharraf Rasool
Cyan has joined the Pakistan International
Airlines Corporation Limited as its chief
executive officer (CEO), the company said
on September 5, 2017. Dr Cyan, who was
appointed by former Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif in July, is the first CEO of the airline
after it was converted into a public limited
company in December. Dr Cyan has been
trained in aviation management from Embry-
Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida,
United States. The inaugural flight of the
Pakistan International Airlines to the Iraqi
city of Najaf left from the metropolis on
September 14, 2017. The Pakistan
International Airlines first flight to
Bangkok left from Karachi on September
16, 2017
 101. Pakistan on October 15, 2017 won a key
election by securing a seat on the United
Nations Human Rights Council when the
General Assembly elected 15 countries to
serve on the 47-member body. Pakistan
elected for the 4th time.
102. James Anderson became the first England
bowler to the landmark and just the sixth in
history when, having started the West Indies
second innings with 499 Test wickets behind
him, he clean bowled opener Kraigg
Brathwaite.
103. A Pakistani undergraduate law student has
featured in top 5 future lawyers of the
United Kingdom. Raza Nazar, wh is a
student of London School of Economics
(LSE) Law School and hails from Karachi,
has emerged in the top 5 list of Bright
Network Future Lawyers Top 100 and
shares the place with two law students at
University of Oxford, one from University
of Cambridge and another from University
of Bristol.
104. On September 6, 2017, Chairpeson Benazir
Income Support Programme Marvi Memon
received The international Speakers
Democracy award from John Bercow, the
speaker of the British House of
Commons in London. The International
Speakers Democracy award is a new
initiative of the Speaker of the UKs House
of Commons, which aims to recognise
individuals all around the world for their
social contribution to democratic societies.
105. State Bank of Pakistan held its main
policy interest rate unchanged at 5.75 per
cent on September 29, 2017, citing
steadily rising economic growth and low
inflation
106. Tajik Defence Minister: Sherali Mirzo. He
held his office since November 20, 2013.
107. Chairman Shura Council (Consultative
Council) of Bahrain: Ali Bin Saleh Al-Saleh
(since 24 November, 2010)
108. In September 2017, Minister for Commerce
Pervaiz Malik represented Pakistan in the
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
World Trade Organization Public Forum in
Geneva.
109. Industry and Trade Minister Punjab: Sheikh
Alla-ud-din
110. The EU on September 6, 2017 won a legal
battle against eastern European countries
that rejected a quota scheme to force
member states to admit tens of thousands
of asylum seekers
111. US Counsellor for Economic Affairs at
the US Embassy in Islamabad: William
Chip Laitinen
112. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, on
September 6, 2017 decided to sack the
Managing Director (MD) of the Bank of
Khyber (BoK). The decision to remove
the BoK MD Shamsul Qayyum, was
approved by the provincial cabinet at its
meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister
KP Pervaiz Khattak.
113. The latest Basel Anti-Money Laundering
(AML) Index figures Pakistan among the
50 worst countries in terms of money
laundering and terrorist financing. This
study by a Swiss group, the Basel
Institute on Governance, listing the worst
countries with greater chances of money
laundering and terror financing, ranks
Pakistan at the 46th position among in the
list 146 countries.
114. Brazils top prosecutor charged former
presidents Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and
Dilma Rousseff with forming a criminal
organisation, the latest accusations in
Brazils sprawling corruption scandal on 7
September, 2017.
115. Aqaas Harmain Shareefain Azmat Shaikh
passed away on September 7, 2017. Azmat
Shaikh was the photographer in the Harmain
Shareefain.
116. Kate Millett, Sexual Politics author, dies at
82 Kate Millett, author of the
groundbreaking bestseller Sexual Politics,
was the feminist who launched the second
wave of the womens liberation movement.
117. President Mamnoon Hussain administered
oath to Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera (retired
Police Officer) as Federal Tax Ombudsman
at a ceremony in Islamabad on September
08, 2017.
118. In a first for any prime minister of
Pakistan, Shahid Khagan Abbasi on
September 9, 2017 participated in an
exercise training mission aboard an F-16
aircraft as part of the elite No 9 multirole
squadron. It was during a visit to the newly
established Airpower Centre of
Excellence at an operational airbase of
the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Sargodha
when the prime minister took part in the
mission.
119. Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi
opened countrys fifth nuclear power plant
(C-4). The 340MW Chashma-IV reactor,
located some 250km southwest of
Islamabad, is the fourth built as part of a
collaboration between the Pakistan Atomic
Energy Commission (PAEC) and China
National Nuclear Corporation
120. Pakistan and Kazakhstan on September 9,
2017 agreed to execute joint projects in
the fields of defence, energy and
communication to widen bilateral
cooperation. President Mamnoon Hussain
arrived in Astana to attend first summit
of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) on science and
technology.
121. UN investigators on September 4, 2017
accused Burundis government of crimes
against humanity, including executions and
torture, and urged the International Criminal
Court to open a case.
122. Forbes list of this year's highest-paid TV
actresses: 1. Sofia Vergara $41.5 million.
08. Priyanka Chopra $10 million
123. Israel attacked a military site in Syrias
Hama province on September 7, 2017 target
could be linked to chemical weapons
production.
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
124. China Electrical and Mechanical Machinery
Expo began at Expo Center on September 9,
2017. Over 10,000 people including
Chinese and Pakistani top level machinery
manufacturers, businessmen, entrepreneurs
and investors participated in three-day
China Electrical and Mechanical
Machinery Expo 2017.
125. Egypt on September 9, 2017 announced
the discovery in the southem city of
Luxor of a pharaonic tomb belonging to
a royal goldsmith who lived more than
3,500 years ago during the reign of the 18th
dynasty.
126. 29th Foreign Secretary of Pakistan: Tehmina
Janjua (She served as Pakistans
Representaive to the UNs Geneva and as its
ambassador to Itlay, Assumed office on 13
February, 2017)
127. On September 12, 2017: The
Parliamentary Committee on National
Security (PCNS) called for long term
planning on foreign policy issues and
addressing internal weaknesses to improve
the country`s image at the international level.
128. Australia to create national space agency in
its capital Canberra.
129. The will of the Swedish inventor Alfred
Nobel established the prizes in 1895. The
prizes in Chemistry, Literature, Peace,
Physics and Physiology or Medicine were
first awarded in 1901. A sixth prize in
economics, in memory of Alfred Nobel,
was created by Swedens central bank in
1968. 17 was the age of the youngest
laureate to be honoured, Malala Yousafzai of
Pakistan (Noble Peace Prize 2014).
130. The oldest laureate was Russian-born
American Leonid Hurwicz (Economics
2007), who was 90.
131. 48 women have won a Nobel Prize,
including Marie Curie who won it twice
(Physics 1903 and Chemistry 1911).
132. 579 is the number of times a Nobel has been
awarded, to 911 individuals, between 1901
and 2016.
133. Two times winners of Nobel Prize: Linus
Pauling in 1954 (for Chemistry) and 1962
(for Peace); John Bardeen in 1956 (for
Physics) and 1972; Frederick Sanger in
Chemistry in 1958 and 1980. Apart from
these individual prizes, the Peace prize has
been awarded to the International Red Cross
Committee thrice (1917, 1944 and 1963) and
the United Nations High Commission for
Refugees won it twice in 1954 and 1981.
134. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
dissolved parliament September 29, 2017,
effectively kicking off a national election
campaign where he faces an unexpected
and formidable challenge from the popular
governor of Tokyo.
135. Manal al-Sharif was one of the first Saudi
women who spoke up against the banning of
female drivers in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
136. The silk pajama-wearing Playboy founder
Hugh Hefner, who helped usher in the 1960s
sexual revolution with his groundbreaking
men's magazine and built a business empire
around his libertine lifestyle, died on
September 27, 2017, at the age of 91.
137. Siemens Gamesa has secured its debut order
for wind turbines in Pakistan for a 50MW
project in Gharo in the district of Thatta. The
deal, which is in consortium with Sumec
Hardware and Tools, is for the supply of 25
G114-2.0MW machines to independent
power producer Zephyr Power.
138. On September 27, 2017: Google celebrated
19th birthday with interactive doodles.
Google started in September 4, 1998.
Headquarter: Menlo Park, California, United
States
139. All foreign flights to and from the Iraqi
Kurdish capital Arbil will be suspended
from September 29, 2017, as Baghdad
increases pressure on the Kurds over this
weeks independence referendum
140. Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah became the
joint second fastest bowler to claim 150 Test
wickets on the opening day of the first
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
Test against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on
September 28, 2017 The Swabi-born leg-
spinner went up the list above Australian
leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett who took 28
Tests to do so.
141. World Rabies Day is celebrated annually to
raise awareness about rabies prevention on
September 28, 2017. The 2017 World Rabies
Day theme is 'Rabies: Zero by 30'.
142. Qatar Airways is cancelling flights to
Kurdish northern Iraq (Erbil and
Sulaymaniyah two cities) from Sept 29 to
Oct 1 at the request of Iraqs Civil Aviation
Authority.
143. Worlds biggest private jet takes off in
Bristol.
144. H.E. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry is the current
ambassador to the United States.
145. Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan,
Margaret Adamson hosted a reception here
to mark the imminent arrival of the Queens
Baton Relay of the XXI Commonwealth
Games which will be held on the Gold
Coast, Australia from 4 to 15 April 2018.
146. British Minister of State for Asia: Mark
Field (since 13 June, 2017)
147. Ambassador of Myanmar to Pakistan: U.
Win Myint
148. Army Museum Lahore Garrison established
opened for the general public on September
10, 2017.
149. Iranian President: Hassan Rouhani
(Assumed office on 3rd August, 2013 and
was re-elected in the 2017 Presidential
Elections)
150. Iranian Foreign Minister: Dr Javad Zarif
151. On September 27, 2017, the Senate
Standing Committee on Interior approved
the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2017
about suicide and allowed to repeal the
Section 325 PCC Act XLV of 1860 from
the law.
152. On September 12, 2017: The UN Security
Council unanimously imposed new
sanctions on North Korea, slapping a ban
on textile exports and restricting
 shipments of oil products to punish
Pyongyang for its sixth and largest nuclear
test.
153. A Saudi woman has been named to a senior
government post for the first time. The
government announced that a woman Eman
Al-Ghamidi had been appointed as Assistant
Mayor of Al Khubar Governorate.
154. On September 28, 2017, Iraq's Kurds
announced a massive "yes" vote for
independence following a referendum that
has incensed Baghdad and sparked
international concern
155. International police agency Interpol voted
on September 27, 2017 to include
Palestine as a member state, in a new
boost to Palestinian efforts for
international recognition and influence
amid long-stalled negotiations with Israel
for full statehood.
156. Interpol approved the Palestinian application
along with a bid by the Solomon Islands
during its annual general assembly in
Beijing. New member countries, state of
Palestine and Solomon Islands bring
Interpols membership to 192. Palestine
gained observer status at the United Nations
in 2012.
157. Current Palestinian Foreign Minister: Riad
Malki
158. Chinas fifth-largest state owned bank has
had its credit rating downgraded to junk
status by Moody`s, the latest sign of
fragility in the country`s financial system
and the investment firm has provided a
$10 billion credit line for Iranian banks.
159. Mohammad Azam Khan, an officer of
the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS),
was appointed chief secretary of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa on September 14, 2017. Azam
Khan has served as additional chief
secretary Fata, secretary sports, tourism
and youth affairs, secretary home and tribal
affairs and as commissioner Peshawar in
the past.
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
160. Twitter is testing allowing tweets to be
expanded to 280 characters double the
existing limit in the latest effort to boost
flagging growth at the social network
Chief Executive Twitter: Jack Dorsey
Twitter Founded: March 21, 2006
Twitter Launched: July 15, 2006
161. Turkey has signed a deal with Russia to
buy S-400 missile defence systems, its
first major weapons purchase from Moscow
on September 12, 2017. Economic
cooperation is also beginning to flourish,
with Russian tourists returning to Turkey and
the two countries working on a Black Sea
gas pipeline.
162. Nearly 125,000 Rohingya refugees have
entered Bangladesh since a fresh upsurge of
violence in Myanmar on August 25. As fears
grow of a humanitarian crisis in the
overstretched camps. The UN said 123,600
had crossed the border in the past 11 days
from Myanmars violence-wracked Rakhine
state.
163. Enaam Ahmed, the 17-year old British
racing sensation of Pakistani origin, won the
British F3 Championship.
164. Minister of State for Broadcasting and
National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on
September 13, 2017 inaugurated the first
ever Asia Peace Film Festival in Islamabad,
which is being participated by about 50
countries to screen about 940 films.
165. Pakistan and Indias talks on Indus Water
Treaty. The two-day discussion took
place in Washington at the World bank
headquarters on September 14-15. The
Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary
Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed
Khan. The Indus Water Treaty was signed
in 1960 after nine years of negotiations
between India and Pakistan with the help
of the World Bank.
166. Egypt has finalised a deal to build first
nuclear power plant with funding from
Moscow after nearly two years of
negotiations.
167. The New York State Department of
Financial Services fined Pakistans Habib
Bank and its New York branch $225 million
for failures to comply with laws and
regulations designed to combat illicit
money transactions. The bank was also
ordered to surrender its licence to operate in
the state, effectively removing it from the
US financial system.
168. The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
recognised two Pakistani banks among 20
others in its third annual Trade Finance
Programme (TFP) award. And it approved
loan for Peshawar Rapid Bus Project
amounting 335 Million rupees.
169. South Koreas planned pivot away from coal
and nuclear toward liquefied natural gas
(LNG) and renewables appears to be
another blow to the narrative that coal`s best
hope is growth in Asia.
170. Vintage mobile phone museum opened in
Slovakia.
171. Sweden star won the Evian Championship
against American Brittany Altomare.
172. On 19th September, 2017: Mexicos most
powerful earthquake (estimated magnitude
of Mw 7.1) in a century killed at least 35
people.
173. On September 11, 2017: The UN rights chief
warned of possible "crimes against
humanity" in Venezuela, prompting the
crisis-wracked country to accuse his office
of wielding human rights as "a political
weapon".
174. British director Peter Hall, who founded the
Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960, has
died at the age of 86, on September 12, 2017.
175. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced
the itinerary for a full series against Sri
Lanka that will be played mainly in
neutral venues but features a planned
finale in Lahore on October 29.
176. The US State Department has approved
arms sales packages worth more than $3.8
billion to Bahrain including F-16 jets,
upgrades, missiles and patrol boats.
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177. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
(CJCSC): General Zubair Mahmood Hayat.
178. On September 11, 2017: Norwegians voted
in an election nail-biter in "the world's
happiest country" with the governing
rightwing coalition facing a strong
challenge from the centre-left opposition.
179. Japan`s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on
September 14, 2017 inaugurated India`s
first bullet train project a $19 billion line.
180. Singapores first female president-elect
Halimah Yacob assumed office on
September 13, 2017. Shes Eighth President
of Singapore.
181. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) on September 10, 2017 censured
the government of Myanmar over ongoing
persecution of Rohingya Muslims. OIC asks
Naypyidaw to accept UN fact-finding
mission to probe into violation of HR Laws.
182. On October 7, 2016: USA citizen Vanessa
OBrien who summited K2 visited Pakistan
Embassy in Washington. Pakistans
Ambassador to US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry
welcomed her.
183. China, the world's biggest car market, plans
to ban the production and sale of diesel and
petrol cars and vans.
184. The Punjab government has agreed with
the World Bank to withdraw its annual
practice of wheat procurement by 2021
185. On September 13, 2017: Gen Bajwa was in
Australia on an official visit and held talks
with the Senates committee for foreign and
defence affairs headed by Senator David
Fawcett, Australian Chief of Defence Staff
Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin and Air
Chief Air Marshal Gavin Davies.
186. Germany would lend its weight to a
diplomatic push to end North Korean nuclear
weapons and missile development along
the lines of a past deal with Iran.
187. On September 12, 2017: Lahores Gaddafi
Stadium is all set to witness history when
Pakistan take on the World XI for a
three-match T20 series.
188. Pakistan defeated Faf du Plessis' World XI
by 20 runs in the inaugural Twenty20 of
the Independence Cup at Gaddafi stadium in
Lahore on September 12, 2017
189. On September 11, 2017: Pakistan and Iran
on Monday underscored the need for a
politically negotiated settlement of the
Afghan conflict. Foreign Minister Khawaja
Asif meets Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani and Foreign Minister Dr Javad
Zarif on daylong trip to Tehran.
190. US military sales to India went from zero to
$15 billion in the last 10 years.
191. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi offered joint
patrols and "joint posts" with Afghanistan
on September 12, 2017.
192. On September 13, 2017: India and Pakistan
resume talks on a longstanding water dispute
amidst renewed hopes for a peaceful
resolution of this potentially dangerous issue.
The last round of these talks, held at the
World Bank headquarters in Washington,
concluded on August 1, 2017.
193. Bangladesh signed a 15-year deal with
Qatars Ras Gas Co to import liquefied
natural gas (LNG) starting in 2018.
194. On 13 September, 2017: Iraqs Kurds have
earned their right to Independence.
Considering the plight of an ethnic group
seeking self-determination in the Middle
East.
195. Indian Actor Salman Khan received Global
Diversity Award at Britains House of
Commons. He was presented the award by
Keith Vaz, British Parliaments longest-
serving Asian MP
196. Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States
at a tripartite meeting on Septmber 14, 2017
vowed to eliminate the militant Islamic State
group also known by its Arabic acronym
Daesh from the region.
197. Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi
inaugurated the 300km Kachhi canal project
in the Sui area of Dera Bugd on September
14, 2017. The Kachhi canal project, built at a
cost of Rs 80 billion, is expected to irrigate
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
around 72,000 acres of barren land in the Sui
tehsil area of Balochistan.
198. Iraqi Kurdish parliament approved
independence referendum on September 14.
199. A feather from one of the most elusive
birds in the world has been found in South
Australia, the first prof in more than a
century that it lives there.
200. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on
September 14, 2017 assigned the
additional portfolio of Planning
Development and Reforms to Interior
Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
201. China agreed to address major concerns
of Pakistan about the preference erosion
of its exports and meaningful market
access during the latest round of
negotiations over the China-Pakistan Free
Trade Agreement (FTA) held in Beijing
on Sept 14-15
202. Qatars ruling emir met German Chancellor
Angela Merkel on Friday on his first trip
abroad since a diplomatic crisis erupted
between the tiny Gulf nation and its
neighbours.
203. Icelands prime minister called a snap
parliamentary election following the decision
of one of the three coalition parties to
quit the government formed less than nine
months ago
204. On September 14, 2017: North Korea fired a
ballistic missile over Japan and into the
Pacific
205. On September 14, 2017: TAMPA- After 20
years in space, Nasas famed Cassini
spacecraft made its final death plunge into
Saturn.
206. ICC Chief Executive: Dave Richardson
207. Chinese ambassador to Pakistan: Sun
Weidong
208. Balochistan Assembly Speaker and Chief
Commissioner Pakistan Boy Scouts
Association Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani
administered oath to Azad Jammu and
Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood
 Khan as the chief of the AJK Boy Scouts
Association
209. Tajik President: Emomali Rahmon
210. Qatar on September 17, 2017 signed an
agreement to buy 24 Typhoon fighter jets
from Britain. A second major defence deal
signed by Doha during its lengthening
diplomatic dispute with its neighbours.
211. On September 17, 2017: PM India Narendra
Modi inaugurated India`s biggest dam. The
controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam on the
River Narmada in the country`s western state
of Gujarat that will provide power and water
to three big states was dedicated to the
people of India by Narendra Modi. The
project has been beset by controversies since
the laying of the foundation stone by PM
Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961. The construction
of the project began in 1987
212. United Nations Secretary General: Antonio
Guterres. His Nationality is Portuguese. He
is serving as the ninth Secretary-General of
the United Nations
213. Adviser to Prime Minister on National
Hertiage: Irfan Siddiqui
214. Foreign Minister of Mexico: Luis Videgaray
215. British Pakistan actor Riz Ahmed made
history on September 17, 2017 by becoming
the first maleactor of Asian descent to win an
Emmy for acting. Ahmed was nominated for
his role in HBOs The Night of, an eight-
episode crime drama
216. On September 18, 2017: The Pakistan Air
Force (PAF) installed a fighter trainer
aircraft, FT-5, at a park in recognition of the
services of Capt Asfandyar Bokhari for the
nation and the PAF on his second martyrdom
anniversary in Taxila
217. The Bank of China (BoC) allowed to
commence banking business in Pakistan.
This is the second Chinese bank which has
been allowed to operate in Pakistan. Earlier,
the Industrial and Commercial Bank of
China (ICBC) opened two branches in
Karachi and Islamabad on May 20, 2011
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
218. Israel on September 18, 2017 inaugurated
the first ever US ally a joint missile defence
base on Israeli soil
219. Iraq's supreme court September 18, 2017
ordered the suspension of a September
25 referendum on the independence of
Iraqi Kurdistan
220. A Nigerian lawyer who helped secure the
release of more than 100 schoolgirls
kidnapped by Boko Haram was on
September 18, 2017 awarded one of the
United Nations top prizes. Zannah
Mustapha was given the annual Nansen
award for his crucial mediating role as
well as his work helping children affected
by the long-running conflict
221. Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan:
Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan
222. The Childrens Hospital Lahore has become
the first public sector hospital in the
country to carry out bone marrow
transplantation
223. Fatima Sughra, remembered as the young
girl who had hoisted up the Pakistani flag
for the very first time, passed away on
September 25, 2017. She was 84. She was
born in 1932, Sughra was only 14-year-
old when she became one of the
youngest members of the Pakistan
Movement that anyone had seen.
224. In his first address to the United Nations
on September 19, 2017, US President
Donald Trump threatened to totally
destroy North Korea and hinted at the
possibility of rescinding nuclear deal with
Iran
225. Federal Minister for Commerce and
Textile: Mohammad Pervaiz Malik
226. Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan:
Perry John Calderwood
227. The US Senate overwhelmingly authorized
$700 billion in defence spending September
19, 2017, a substantial increase over 2017
funding and nearly five percent more than
President Donald Trump had requested
228. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
met Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu
publicly for the first time in New York to
discuss Middle East peace
229. Minister for Elementary and Secondary
Education Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Muhammad Atif Khan
230. Prime Minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi
met US Vice President Mike Pence on the
sidelines of the United Nations General
Assembly on September 20, 2017. As the
first step, the United States expressed its
desire to send a delegation to Pakistan for
talks on bilateral relations while Pakistan
vowed to stay engaged with the US despite
differences
231. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health
department has decided to extend the
Sehat Sahulat insurance programme to the
transgender community of the province
232. Pakistani Cricketer Khalid Latif has been
banned for five year and fined Rs one
million for his role in the spot fixing
scandal, which rocked the Pakistan Super
League (PSL) earlier this year in United
Arab Emirates (UAE)
233. Pakistan fined $1.6b as Turkish firm wins
arbitration case. Turkish firm Karkey
Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim had registered
a claim with the ICSID (The International
Centre for Settlement of Investment
Disputes) against Pakistan in 2013 for
violation of their contract of as many as
$564.6 million for a period of five years,
for building rental power plants in Karachi
234. On September 22, 2017: The World Bank
has approved $114 million to expand
support for families affected by militancy-
related violence in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Around
326,000 eligible temporarily displaced
families will benefit from the funding
235. United Nations on September 20, 2017
began signing the first treaty to ban nuclear
weapons, a pact backed by over100 countries
but spurned by those with nuclear arms. 51
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
countries line up to sign UN treaty outlawing
nuclear weapons
236. Qatar announces free prompt entry visa
for Pakistanis on September 20, 2017
237. Saudi Arabia and Britain signed a framework
deal for military cooperation, Saudi state
media said on September 20, 2017
238. Afghanistan's Ambassador to Pakistan:
Omar Zakhilwal
239. Members of seven National Assembly
Standing Committees elected on Sept 21,
2017 new chairpersons of the committees.
MNA Mian Abdul Mannan was elected
chairman of the Committee on Housing and
Works, Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan
Kharral chairperson of Committee on
Parliamentary Affairs, Shagufta Jumani head
of Committee on Religious Affairs and
Inter-faith Harmony, Mr Rana Muhammad
Qasim Noon chairman of the Committee on
Rules of Procedure and Privileges, Dr
Hafeezur Rehman Khan Drishak head of
Committee on National Health Services,
Malik Muhammad Uzair Khan head of
Committee on Climate Change and Khalid
Hussain Magsi head of the Committee on
Water Resources
240. Pakistan XI defeat UK Media XI in the
army- organised Peace Cup T20 match in
Miranshah on September 21, 2017
241. The Senate on September 21, 2017
suspended activities of Pakistan-
Switzerland Friendship Group (PSFG) to
protest the appearance of "Free
Balochistan" posters in Geneva
242. L`Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, the
world`s richest woman, has died at the age of
94 in Paris
243. A female Marine became the first woman
on September 25, 2017 to complete the
notoriously rigorous training course for US
infantry officers
244. Snooker player Sajjad won bronze medal for
Pakistan in 5th Asian Indoor and Martial
Arts Games in Turkemanistan (Ashgabat).
245. The Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in
Turkmenistans capital Ashgabat kicked off
its first ever eSports competition as global
interest surges in video games as a spectator
sport.
246. Electronic-sports is a booming industry
worth billions of dollars and played by
hundreds of millions of people around the
world. It will also be a full medal sport at the
2022 Asian Games in China. The newly
elected president of the Asian eSports
Federation Kenneth Fok.
247. Pakistan seized a bronze in 6-Reds snooker
when the reigning national champion
Mohammad Sajjad was sent packing 3-5 by
Chinese Yan Bingtao in the semi-final of the
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games at
Ashgabat on September 21, 2017
248. On September 22, 2017: Pakistan won`t be
anyone`s scapegoat, PM tells UN. In his
first address to the UN General Assembly
on Thursday, Prime Minister Shahid
Khagan Abbasi highlighted Kashmir as a
key dispute, refused to be a scapegoat for
Afghanistan and reminded the world that
it was not Pakistan that started a nuclear
race in South Asia. Pakistan, lost 27,000
lives since the launch of the US war on
terror and that`s why it was more interested
in restoring peace and stability in
Afghanistan than any other nation, PM said
249. Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Director General:
Maj Gen Azhar Naveed Hayat Khan
250. Kenya's Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge
underlined his status as the world's best
current long-distance runner by winning the
Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2017
251. Current British High Commissionerto
Pakistan: Thomas Drew
252. Current Russian Foreign Minister: Sergei
Lavrov
253. The winner of Turkeys national beauty
pageant was September 22, 2017 forced
to hand back her crown hours after
winning, over a tweet relating to the
failed coup which was deemed offensive
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254. Women allowed to attend national day
celebrations first time in Saudi Arabia.
Women were allowed to enter the stadium, a
previously male-only venue used mostly
for football matches, with their families and
seated separately from single men to watch a
musical show and a play in Saudi history
255. Pakistan Navy (PN) on September 23,
2017 successfully test-fired anti-ship missile
from air- to-sea level in north Arabian Sea
256. Princess Nourah University is preparing to
set up a driving school in Saudia.
257. Pakistans tennis ace Aisam Ul Haq has
added another victory to his career titles tally
by winning the doubles event at Chengdu,
China. Aisam, partnering with Jonathan
Erlich, downed the Brazil-New Zealand team
of Marcelo Demoliner and Marcus Daniell.
258. Lahore General Hospital has become the
first public sector hospital to perform
successful Laparoscopic Sleeve
Gastrectomy, removal of excessive fat
from human body on September 23, 2017
259. Russia's internet watchdog warned Facebook
it would be banned in 2018 unless it
complies with a law on storing local users'
data.
260. Securities and Exchange Commission of
Pakistan (SECP)
261. Indian External Affairs Minister: Sushma
Swaraj
262. A girl child activist Majida Fehmi, from
Gilgit- Baltistan has been nominated for
2017 International Childrens Peace Prize
September 25, 2017.
263. Wushu World Championship held in Kazan,
Russia.
264. The Gwadar Port Authority and China
Communication Construcrion Company
signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) for the construction of Eastbay
Expressway at a ceremony held in Gwadar
on September 24, 2017.
265. Iran and Pakistan began work on the IP
pipeline (aka Peace pipeline) in March 2013.
The 2,700 kilometer-long pipeline is meant
 to deliver gas from the Assalouyeh Energy
Zone in southwestern Iran to Pakistan. Some
2000 km of the pipeline runs through Iran
and 700 km through Pakistan. Iran and Qatar
share South Pars Gas Field (the territory of
Qatar is called the North Dome), the world's
largest natural gas field.
266. The US State Department has approved the
possible sale of a THAAD anti-missile
defence system to Saudi Arabia at an
estimated cost of $15 billion, the Pentagon.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
(THAAD).
267. Minister of State for Ports and Shipping:
Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal
268. Award-winning British actor and director
Ralph Fiennes, who podrayed Lord
Voldemon in the Harry Potter series, was
given a Serbian passpon on September 24,
2017 for promoting the Balkan country
269. International Cricket Council has
introduced new rules and rule changes for
the centuries old game that will come into
effect on September 28, 2017. One of them
is to give umpires the power to send a player
off for the rest of the match for serious
misconduct.
270. The Federal Cabinet on Sept 26, 2017
approved five-year extension of the lease
contract of Saindak Copper Gold project to
Chinese firm
271. Chancellor Angela Merkel clinched a fourth
term in Germanys election on September
24, 2017. Merkel, who after 12 years in
power held a double-digit lead for most of
the campaign, scored around 33 per cent of
the vote with her conservative Christian
Union (CDU/CSU) bloc.
272. US Defense Secretary James Mattis
273. PCB unveils logos for Pakistan-Sri Lanka
series on September 24, 2017.
274. Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Umar
Zakhilwal
275. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Sergei
Ryabkov
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276. US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for
South and Central Asian Affairs: Alice Wells
277. `Worlds heaviest woman` dies in Abu
Dhabi on September 25, 2017, just weeks
after celebrating her 37th birthday. She had
not left home in more than two decades
and weighed around 500 kilograms (1,100
pounds)
278. The United Arab Emirates on September 25,
2017 announced plans to open a nuclear
power plant next year, in what would be a
first for the emirate and the Arab Gulf
region.
279. Australia on September 25, 2017 committed
to creating a national space agency as it
looks to cash in on the lucrative and
fast-evolving astronautical sector.
280. A two week long joint exercise DRUZBA
2017 between special forces of Pakistan
and Russia Armies started in Minralney
Vody, Russia
281. Denmark is the next in the line to ban burqas
and niqab in the country. France,
Netherlands, Bavarian state of Germany,
Belgium and Bulgaria has already banned it.
282. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
is an international financial
institution head quartered in Beijing, China.
Has 57 founding members including
Pakistan.
Recent projects: Slum renovation in
Indonesia, highway construction in Pakistan
and Tajikistan, power grid upgrade in
Bangladesh
Aim: To support the building of
infrastructure projects in the Asia-Pacific
region
283. Jin Liqun is a Chinese politician, currently
working as the President of the Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). He
was formerly the Chairman of China
International Capital Corporation, the Vice
President of the Asian Development Bank,
and the Vice Minister of Finance of
the People's Republic of China.
284. Prime Minister of Palestine: Rami
Hamdallah
285. Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which together act
as guarantor states in peace talks for Syria,
have agreed on the details of a de-escalation
zone in the Arab countrys western Idlib
province during resolution talks in the
Kazakh capital of Astana.
286. Trumps travel ban expands to eight
countries. Full bans were newly placed on
nationals from North Korea and Chad,
and extended for five countries on the
original list: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria
and Yemen, Limited restrictions
meanwhile were placed on Venezuela.
287. Worlds biggest uncut diamond sells for
$53m. British jeweller Graff has purchased
the worlds largest uncut diamond
roughly the size of a tennis ball for $53
million (44.5 million euros).
288. My Pure Land, First Urdu-language
Pakistani film to represent UK in Oscar race.
289. NATO Secretary General: Jens Stoltenberg
290. Turkey has set up its biggest overseas
military base in the Somali capital,
Mogadishu, increasing Ankara's presence in
the Horn of Africa country.
291. Interpol opened its four-day general
assembly, in Beijing o September 26, 2017
as China seeks greater international help to
repatriate alleged criminals despite
accusations it is using the International
Police Organization (Common name:
Interpol) for political gain. IPO was
established on September 7, 1923. IPOs
Headquarters is in: Lyon, France
292. The President of Pakistan Olympic
Association (POA), Lt. Gen. (Retd) Syed
Arif Hassan, has lauded the construction of
first-ever softball stadium on international
standard in Karachi.
293. Pakistans emerging boxer Muhammad
Waseen wins World Boxing Council (WBC)
silver flyweight title championship.
294. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
elected as Chair of Ethics Commission of the
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
International Olympic Committee (IOC) for
a four-year term.
295. The International Day of Democracy is
observed on September 15th across the
world. The theme of the year 2017 is
Democracy and Conflict prevention.
296. Pakistan has defeated World XI in 3rd t20
and won the independence cup by 2-1.
297. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated a
project to enhance the production of gas
from Kandhkot Gas Field. The Kandhkot
Gas Field was discovered in 1959 and started
gas production in 1983.
298. Red bull Max Verstappen wins Malaysian
Grand Pix Race.
299. Pakistan selected as member of world skill
countries.
300. Pakistan becomes world Batch wrestling
champion by defeating Iran.
301. Inam butt wrestler win Gold Medal in Asian
Beach Games.
302. World Beach Wrestling: Pakistan Inayat
wins Gold medal.
303. Japan has launched fourth satellite for a new
high precision global positioning system.
304. Punjab Govt launches free Motorbike
Ambulance service in nine Division
305. FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football
Federation
306. Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-
Plasschaert, claiming responsibility for the
death of peacekeeping troops in Mali in
2016, resigned from her post.
307. Justice Javed Iqbal assumes charge as NAB
Chairman.
308. Richard Thaler wins 2017 Nobel Price in
Economics
309. Haris Sohail makes record 3 wicket in one
over 1 run Pakistan vs Srilanka
310. Air Marhsal Farooq Habib appointed as Vice
Chief of the Air staff
311. British Novelist wins Nobel Prize in
Literature
312. Google introduces wireless headphones
named google pixel buds which has capacity
to translate 40 languages
313. Awais Laghari appointed as Federal Minister
of Energy and Power
314. Admiral Zafar Mahmood was sworn in as
Chief of the Naval Staff during Change of
Command Ceremony held at PNS ZAFAR
Islamabad on Oct 7, 2017.
315. Astrophysicists Barry Barish , Kip Thorne
and Rainer Weiss awarded by the Nobel
Physics Prize
316. Aisam ul Haq Qureshi attempted to win his
5th ATP World Tour Title of 2017. And he
won double title of TP world championship
317. On October 27, 2017: Pakistan is ready to
provide Azerbaijan with support in the
Nagorno- Karabakh conflict issue,
Ambassador of Pakistan to Azerbaijan Saeed
Khan Mohmand said at a press conference
titled "Black Day of Kashmir" in Baku. The
conflict between the two South Caucasus
countries began in 1988 when Armenia made
territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a
result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian
armed forces occupied 20 percent of
Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh
region and seven surrounding districts. The
1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by
peace negotiations. (Armenia capital:
Yerevan, currency: Dram)
318. A delegation of Pak-Iran Joint Chamber Of
Commerce and Industry has left for Iran to
participate in Expo 2017 industrial
exhibition to be held in Tehran from October
31 to November 3.
319. On October 27, 2017: Burundi on Friday
became the first ever nation to leave the
International Criminal Court, set up some 15
years ago to prosecute those behind the
world s worst atrocities.(Capital, Bujumbura,
Currency: Franc)
320. India captain Virat Kohli has shot past
Barcelona star Lionel Messi in Forbes list of
the worlds most valuable athletes. Kohli on
7th, Messi on 9th. Tennis great Roger
Federer tops the list with a brand value of
$37.2 million, followed by basketball star
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
LeBron James ($33.4 million) and sprint
champion Usain Bolt ($27 million).
321. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will
meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on October 26 on his first official visit to
South Asia, as the worlds two biggest
democracies look to deepen economic and
strategic ties amid Chinas growing clout.
322. On 24 October, 2017: Two-time Emmy
Award-winning actor Robert Guillaume, best
known for voicing Rafiki in The Lion
King and for his role in sitcom Benson,
died of complications from prostate cancer
on Tuesday, his wife said. He was 89.
323. Belarus was voted to host the Second
European Games in 2019 at the 45th General
Assembly of the European Olympic
Committees in Minsk in October 2016.
324. Sara Mansoor recorded her name in
Pakistans tennis history on Tuesday by
becoming the first female ITF (International
Tennis Federation) Level-2 coach of the
country.
325. On October 25, 2017: The International
Cricket Council (ICC) has launched a probe
after a curator (Pandurang Salgaonkar) in
Pune was caught in a TV sting operation
allegedly promising to manipulate the pitch.
326. Central American country Nicaragua signed
the Paris climate change agreement and
presented the relevant documents for the
agreement at the United Nations on October
25, 2017.
327. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
awarded here today the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia's Ambassador to the Russian
Federation Abdurrahman Ibrahim Al-Rassi
the Commemorative Medal for Cooperation
for his personal contribution to the
promotion of Saudi-Russian relations on
October 25, 2017.
328. 7th Islamic Conference of Environment
Ministers Kicked off in Rabat on October 25,
2017.
329. Pakistan professor wins prestigious
UNESCO award. Pakistani scientist Dr
 Shahida Hasnain. The Carlos J. Finlay Prize
for Microbiology has an endowment of
$10,000, which will be divided between the
two laureates. Created in 1977 by UNESCO
at the initiative of the Government of Cuba.
330. Japans Emperor Akihito is likely to abdicate
at the end of March 2019 and Crown Prince
Naruhito is expected to ascend the throne in
April, the first abdication by a Japanese
monarch in nearly two centuries.
331. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived
in Saudi Arabia Saturday (on October 25,
2017), his second visit to the region in recent
months as he seeks a breakthrough in a
diplomatic crisis gripping the Gulf. Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates
and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June.
332. Czech billionaire Andrej Babis, chairman of
the anti-migrant ANO Movement (also
known as Czech Trump) is leading Czech
Republic election.
333. Pakistans Foreign Secretary Ms. Tehmina
Janjua would visit Sri Lanka from October
17 to 18, 2017 to take part in the 5th Round
of Bilateral Political Consultations between
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
334. Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu,
while attending the 33rd raising function of
the National Security Gaurd (NSG), targetted
Pakistan for funding terrorism on October
16, 2017.
335. Bismah Maroof replaces Sana Mir as captain
of Pakistan womens cricket team on 30th
September, 2017.
336. The Oxford University, where Aung San Suu
Kyi studied as an undergraduate, has
removed her portrait from public display
amid criticism of her handling of the
Rohingya crisis.
337. Eiffel tower Paris (France) became the most
touring place of the world. Since its
completion in 1889. 30 crore people has
visited this place.
338. 2003 Nobel laureate and human rights
lawyer Shirin Ebadi has accused Iran's
judiciary of laying the foundations for the
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
silent death of political prisoners and
prisoners of conscience and President
Rouhani of lying about the human rights
situation in the country.
339. Sam Shepard, the Pulitzer Prizewinning
playwright and Oscar-nominated actor, has
died on July 31 2017. He was 73.
340. The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on
August 01, 2017 got a new secretary as
Sanaullah Awan a grade 20 officer of the
Capital Development Authority (CDA).
341. Afghanistans Ambassador: Dr Omar
Zakhilwal
342. Foreign reserves decrease by $305m. The
total liquid foreign reserves held by the
country stood at $20,283.1 million on July
28, 2017.
343. Haruo Nakajima, who originally played
Godzilla, dies at 88 on August 8, 2017
344. Dr. Ruth Pfau, the Mother Teresa of
Pakistan has passed away at age of 87 on
August 09, 2017. She was born in Germany
but shifted to Pakistan in 1960 and was
given Pakistani citizenship in 1988. Dr. Pfau,
the founder of National LeprosyControl
Programme was in charge of the Marie
Adelaide Society of Pakistan (MASP)
345. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appointed
two female vice presidents on August 09.
346. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) a veteran of 1965
and 1971 wars, Air Marshal Inam-ul-Haque
Khan passed away after prolonged illness on
Aug 10, 2017. He was 90.
347. On October 27, 2017: the 32 football
national teams competing at the 2018 World
Cup will share $400 million (344 million
euros) in prize money, a 12 percent increase
from the 2014 tournament. Next years Club
World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and
the 2019 Womens World Cup in France,
were also confirmed.
348. Netherlands' Lieke Martens won, The Best
FIFA Women's Player award.
349. Sri Lanka Sports Minister Dayasiri
Jayasekara joined Pakistan Tour on October
25, 2017
350. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has
launched a probe after a curator (Pandurang
Salgaonkar) in Pune was caught in a TV
sting operation allegedly promising to
manipulate the pitch.
351. PSG President Khelaifi faces Swiss
prosecutors in World Cup probe.
352. A Lebanese supporter of the Syrian regime
was convicted in absentia on October 20,
2017 over a 1982 bombing that killed 23
people including Lebanese president-
elect Bashir Gemayel.
353. Yasir Shah becomes first-ever (in 140 years)
spinner to take five-for in five consecutive
Tests.
354. The Pakistan hockey team arrived in Dhaka,
Bangladesh on Sunday to participate in Asia
Cup, scheduled to take place from October
11 to 22. Head Coach of team is: Farhat,
Captain is: Irfan.
355. On October 9, 2017: Minister for National
Health Services, Regulations and
Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar on Sunday
launched National Hepatitis Strategic
Framework- 2017.
356. President of Rio 2016 Carlos Arthur Nuzman
Olympics arrested for corruption.
357. Samsung Pakistan launched Galaxy Note8
featuring S-Pen and numerous other new
features this year.
358. The Board of Investment (BoI) is devising a
long-term plan to maximise benefits from the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),
and increase Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) for infrastructural developments up to
$250 billion and allied industrial activities by
2025, said BoI Director Zulfiqar Ali.
359. The Islamic Republic of Iran will host the
2018 Men's Greco-Roman Wrestling World
Cup next year, which serves as an
international wrestling tournament among
member nations of the United World
Wrestling (UWW).
360. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
(IRGC) Navy has held a parade in the
Persian Gulf.
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
361. Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
362. Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's
cabinet was forced to resign after losing a
vote of confidence in the opposition-
controlled Congress.
363. China leads world in internet market.
364. Norways Ghayas Zahid has become the first
footballer of Pakistani descent to feature in
UEFA Champions League. The 22-year-old
became the first Pakistani-origin footballer
to play in the Champions League when he
featured for APOEL FC in a group stage
match against Real Madrid.
365. North Korea fired a ballistic missile over
Japan and into the Pacific.
366. Pakistans energetic all-rounder Shoaib
Malik became the countrys leading runs
scorer in T20 internationals, surpassing
Umar Akmal to achieve the feat. Malik is
also the only Pakistani to score 7,000 runs in
T20 matches. With 7,069 runs in T20
cricket, he is at seventh place in the list of
all-time top scorers in the shortest format of
the game.
367. Shoaib Malik has paid a whooping amount
which has made him highest tax payer being
a cricketer.
368. Pakistan Army Director General Military
Operations (DGMO) Major General Sahir
Shamshad Mirza
369. Asia Cup Hockey played in Dhaka
Bangladesh on October 11, 2017.
370. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf Saeed
Ahmed Al-Malkiy.
371. Thai Prime Minister: Yingluck Shinawatra
372. Poland President: Andrzej Duda
373. In September, the United Arab Emirates
announced plans to open a nuclear power
plant next year, in what would be a first for
the emirate and the Arab Gulf region. The
$20-billion Barakah plant west of Abu Dhabi
is being constructed by a consortium led by
Korea Electric Power Corp. The oil-rich
UAE aims to continue diversifying toward
its goal of 50-per cent clean energy by 2050.
374. World Cup 2022 host, Qatar must urgently
introduce laws to protect the lives of up to
800,000 migrant construction labourers
working in scorching temperatures.
375. Angola swore in Joao Lourenco as the
country's President making him the first new
President of the country in 38 years. Angola
capital: Luanda, currency: Kwanza
376. The World Tourism Day is celebrated across
the world on 27th of September. The theme
for World Tourism Day 2017 is 'Sustainable
Tourism a Tool for Development'.
377. Russia and US will cooperate to build
moon's first space station
378. On 25th September 2017: The Kandla Port
Gujrat has been renamed as Deendayal Port
379. Indian Border Security Forces started an
operation against Pakistan security forces on
border named as: Operation Arjun.
380. English cricket all rounder Ben Stokes and
Alex Hales arrested on 25th September
(night) in Bristol.
381. Iceland has one of Europe's hottest tourist
destinations, a magnet for people admiring
barren Nordic nature with alien-looking
landscapes of frozen lava. (Capital:
Reykjavik, Currency: Krona)
382. Macedonia Foreign minister Dimitrov and
Netherland foreign minister Bert Koanders
signed an agreement of co operation in
Hague Netherland. (Capital: Skopje,
Currency: Dinar)
383. Kurdish referendum: report says 72 percent
of eligible voters had taken part and an
overwhelming majority, possibly over 90
percent, had said "yes. Celebrations
continued until the early hours of Tuesday in
Erbil, capital of the Kurdish region, which
was lit by fireworks and adorned with
Kurdish red-white-green flags. People
danced in the squares as convoys of cars
drove around honking their horns.
384. Egyptian President: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
385. Petra news agency is of Jordan
386. The Speaker of the Jordanian Lower House
of Parliament: Atef Tarawneh
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
387. The Hungarian Ambassador to Jordan,
Chaba Tsebeera
388. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho
389. Iraqi Kurdish president Masoud Barzani
390. Mens light weight powerlifting event at the
Invictus Games 2017 in Toronto on Tuesday.
This is the third Invictus Games, an initiative
started in 2014 by Britains Prince Harry.
391. The 14th death anniversary of Nawabzada
Nasrullah Khan, also known as Baba-e-
Jamhooriat, is being observed today
Nawabzada Nasarullah Khan was born on 13
November 1916 in Khangarh District in
Central Punjab. He started his politics in
1930, when Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam was
formed by Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari.
392. British jeweller Graff said it has purchased
the world's largest uncut diamond -- roughly
the size of a tennis ball -- for $53 million
(44.5 million euros).
393. The Board of Directors of the Nobel
Foundation decided at its meeting on
September 14 that the 2017 Nobel Prize will
amount to SEK 9 million ($1.1 million,
944.000 euros) per prize category. The
monetary award given to the Nobel laureates
comes from the fund left by the prizes
founder, Alfred Nobel, a Swedish scientist
who invented dynamite.
394. A two week long joint exercise Druzba 2017
between specialforces of Pakistan and Russia
armies has started in Mineralnye Vody,
Russia. Russia, in August, delivered 4 Mi-35
gunship helicopters to Pakistan under a $153
million contract signed earlier this year. The
joint military exercise was planned on a
massive scale with 200 military personnel
participating from each side
395. Malaysia disassociates itself from ASEAN
statement on Myanmar's Rakhine state.
396. ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian
Nations. Headquarter Jakarta, 10 members,
founded in 1967 (Bangkok declaration).
397. Weakened Merkel wins fourth term, hit by
nationalist 'earthquake'.
398. Total seats in German Parliament: 630,
parliament name: Bundestag. Total seats
won by Christian Democratic Union: 253
(Angela Merkels party). They are in
coalition with Christian Social Union who
won 56 seats. She obtained a doctorate in
quantum chemistry in 1986. She is the
second politician after Helmut Kohl to
become the chancellor of Germany for
consecutive 4 terms since 1949.
399. French president Emmanuel Macron's new
centrist political party suffered its first
electoral setback in Senate elections in which
the right-wing Republicans party
strengthened its dominance in the upper
chamber of parliament. Total senate seats of
France: 348
400. Karachi is the cheapest among the countrys
top five big cities, according to a report
published by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Lahore emerged as the most expensive city
in terms of cost of living.
401. Pop star and actress Jennifer Lopez donates
$1 mln to hurricane maria -hit Puerto Rico
402. Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
403. The National Anti-Doping Center of Ukraine
(NADC) joined the demands of the Institute
of National Anti-Doping Organizations
(iNADO) towards the suspending of Russian
from the participation in the 2018 winter
Olympic Games in Pyeongchang (South
Korea).
404. Representatives of the Belarusian army will
observe army exercises in Sweden and
Poland. Two representatives of the
Belarusian army will be sent to observe the
multinational wargames Aurora 2017 in
Sweden and another two will be sent to
watch the Dragon 2017 exercise in Poland.
(Belarus Capital: Minsk, Currency: Rubel)
(Sweden Capital: Stockholm, Currency
Krona) (Poland Capital: Warsaw, Currency:
Zloty)
405. Electoral reforms bill approval in Senate
paves way for Nawaz as PML-N head. 38
out of 75 members of lower house voted in
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
favour of Section 203 of Electoral Reforms
Bill 2017.
406. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-
chairman Bill Gates
407. The World Bank approved $114 million to
significantly expand support for families
affected by militancy-related violence.
408. On September 22, 2017: Foreign Minister
Khawaja Asif participated in the Informal
Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the
South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) held in New York.
409. Dubai-based Schon Group acquired the PSL
team Multan franchise for an eight year
contract worth $41.6 million in a bid held
earlier this year, surpassing Karachi Kings as
the most expensive franchise.
410. On September 15, 2017: Tripartite meeting
involving delegations from Pakistan,
Afghanistan and the United States was held
in Ministry of Defence of Kabul where the
participants converged to counter Daesh and
ensure Pak-Afghan bilateral military
cooperation meetings. A six-member high-
level Pakistan military delegation, headed by
Pakistan Army Director General Military
Operations (DGMO) Major General Sahir
Shamshad Mirza, participated in the
meetings
411. Pakistans energetic all-rounder Shoaib
Malik became the countrys leading runs
scorer in T20 internationals, surpassing
Umar Akmal to achieve the feat. Malik is
also the only Pakistani to score 7,000 runs in
T20 matches. With 7,069 runs in T20
cricket, he is at seventh place in the list of
all-time top scorers in the shortest format of
the game.
412. Norways Ghayas Zahid became the first
footballer of Pakistani descent to feature in
UEFA Champions League. The 22-year-old
became the first Pakistani-origin footballer
to play in the Champions League when he
featured for APOEL FC in a group stage
match against Real Madrid.
413. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
(CJCSC): Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat
414. Pakistani wrestler Nooh Datagir Butt
clinched a gold medal in the Commonwealth
Youth Junior and Senior Weightlifting
Championships at Gold Coast City,
Australia. Till now Pakistan has won four
medals in the championship.
415. On September 7, 2017: The air forces of
China and Pakistan began joint training
exercises in China on Thursday. The
exercise, named Shaheen VI that started in
2011.
416. On September 8, 2017: Rafael Nadal moved
one win away from a third US Open title and
16th Grand Slam crown when he defeated
weary Juan Martin del Potro.
417. Former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar attended
the inaugural ceremony of the Central Asia
Regional Economic Cooperation Institute
and the second CAREC Think Tanks
Development Forum at Urumqi, China
418. On September 9, 2017: Pakistan Navy
celebrates 52nd anniversary of Dwarka Raid
419. First ever in the history of Pakistan, biggest
ever solar park is: Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park
420. Kate Millett, feminist activist, artist and
author of Sexual Politics, dies aged 15.
421. US approves $3.8 billion in arms sales to
Bahrain: US official
422. Angola swore in Joao Lourenco as the
country's President making him the first new
President of the country in 38 years. (Angola
Capital: Luanda, Currency: Kwanza)
423. National Transmission& Dispatch Company
(founded in 1998) of Pakistan will pay 14
billion rupees fine to 9 Independent Power
Producer (IPP): International Court of
Justice (ICJ)
424. Pakistans popular singer Shehzad Roy has
been appointed as the new National
Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He
became the recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz, in
2005 for his humanitarian work and
excellence in public service. For his
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
organisations rehabilitation work after the
2005 Nothern Pakistan and Kashmirs
earthquake, he was awarded with Sitara-e-
Eissar (Star of Sacrifice) in 2006.
425. Mehdi Honardoost, Ambassador of Iran to
Pakistan
426. In 1917, during World War I, the British
capture Palestine from the Ottomans and, in
the Balfour Declaration of November 2,
promise the Jews a "national home" there.
Opposition from the Palestinians first
emerges at a congress in Jerusalem in 1919.
In 1922, the League of Nations sets out the
obligations of a British mandate in Palestine,
including securing "establishment of the
Jewish national home", the future Israel.
427. Five documentaries from Pakistan are among
63 non-fiction films to be screened in Film
Southasia 2017, the eleventh edition of the
premiere non-fiction film festival for the
region, in Kathmandu, Nepal. The non-
fiction films from Pakistan are Among the
Believers by Hemal Trivedi and
Mohammed Ali Naqvi, A Girl in the River:
The Price of Forgiveness by Sharmeen
Obaid Chinoy, Perween Rahman: The Rebel
Optimist by Mahera Omar, K2 and the
Invisible Footmen by Iara Lee and Lyari
Notes by Maheen Zia and Miriam Chandy
Menacherry.
428. On October 31, 2017: Pakistan tried to
reacquire an unspecified number of
helicopters from the United States for anti-
narcotics operations after returning nine
Huey II helicopters it had acquired in 2002.
429. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-
General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said
that the world has committed to ending the
TB epidemic by 2030
430. Chairperson Benazir Income Support
Programme (BISP) Marvi represented
Pakistan in seminar on shock responsive
protection in Peru on October 31, 2017
431. The first Transgender Judge of India,
Appointed in West Bengal, 29-years old
Joyita Mondal on 26th October, 2017
432. Saudi women are now allowed to issue
fatwas following a vote in the Shoura
Council, Arab News reported. The historic
move was approved by 107 votes and ends
45 years of only specialist men being able to
issue fatwas in the Kingdom.
433. It took about 66 million years, but a duck-
billed creature has finally won recognition as
Californias state dinosaur.
434. On June 1, 2017: Pakistan Navy received
seven Sea King helicopters from UK. The
Sea King helicopter is a multi-role
helicopter. It has been used for search and
rescue (SAR) operations, warfare and as a
transportation platform for the last several
decades.
435. In June, 2017: Faisal Edhi receives 22nd
Nikkei Asian Award in Tokyo. He received
the 22nd Nikkei Asian Award in Tokyo in
recognition of foundation's longstanding
social and welfare activities for the general
public.
436. Gender Gap Index 2017: Pakistan ranks 143
out of 144 countries in Gender Gap Index
2017. Only above, Yemen that ranks below
Pakistan gender parity is calculated across
four thematic dimensions: Economic
Participation and Opportunity, Educational
Attainment, Health and Survival, and
Political Empowerment. In, this years
edition also analyses the dynamics of gender
gaps across industry talent pools and
occupations.
437. Human Development Index 2017: Pakistan
is ranked 147 out of the 188 countries
surveyed for human development index. This
is according to United Nations Development
Programme's Human Development Report.
The latest report was released on 21 March
2017. The ranking put Pakistan it in the
medium human development bracket,
which also includes India, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Kenya, Myanmar and Nepal.
438. The World Happiness Report 2017, which
ranked 155 countries by their happiness
levels, ranked Norway as the happiest
Current Updates 2017 Vol: I (Hot Points) By Aamir Mahar
country in the world. It jumped three spots
from last year, displacing Denmark, which
had held the top spot for three out of the past
four years. Nations such as China (79),
Pakistan (80), Nepal (99), Bangladesh (110),
Iraq (117) and Sri Lanka (120) fared better
than India on the ranking.
439. Pakistan stands on 139th in the World Press
Freedom Index Report 2017.
440. During 2016-17, Pakistan obtained a record
high $10.1 billion in foreign loans.
441. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued a
banking license to the Bank of China on 13th
May, 2017.
442. The 9th Summit of D-8 Organisation for
Economic Cooperation was held in Istanbul
on October 20, 2017.
443. On November 4, 2017: KP Govt decided to
divide Chitral, Swat. Now, KPK has 29
districts.
444. Air New Zealand has been crowned 2018
Airline of the Year by leading international
aviation.
445. On October 21, 2017: Worlds first floating
wind farm in Scotland started generating
electricity
446. The International Consortium of
Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released
Paradise Leaks on 6th November, 2017
revealing dealings of Britian Queen
Elizabeth II and US Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson and Shaukat Aziz (PM Pakistan
from 2004 to 2007).
447. Jacinda Ardern to be New Zealand's
youngest woman Prime Minister.
448. On October 20: UN World Statistics day
(Observed every 5 years once 1st in 2010
and then in 2015, not this year, next in 2020)
Theme: Better Data, Better Lives.
449. On October 24: Nicaragua country signed
Paris Climate Agreement. Agreement signed
by 187 countries so far. Only US and Syria is
against this deal.
450. Dumdum fever - It is a human blood parasite
responsible for visceral leishmaniasis
disease. This disease is spread by Sand flies.