The syllabus for CSS examina­tions spans a wide spectrum of subjects, including compulsory and optional ones. The success ratio in CSS examinations varies each year, showcasing the competitive nature of these assessments. This would encourage candidates from marginalized backgrounds to step forward and participate in the CSS examinations. In conclusion, CSS and PSC ex­aminations are not just evaluative processes; they are transformative journeys that cultivate leaders, de­cision-makers, and catalysts for positive change. The competitive nature of these examinations is a testament to the caliber of indi­viduals who aspire to serve their nation with distinction.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is following South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, an official said Thursday. "The Secretary-General has full respect for the independence of the courts, its proceedings and its decisions," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. His remarks came after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague held the first of a two-day hearing in the case concerning the Gaza Strip, where more than 23,000 people have been killed since Oct. 7. Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas, which Tel Aviv said killed around 1,200 people. At least 23,357 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 59,410 injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

“The caretaker government has established the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to attract foreign investment and reduce reliance on external debt. The bank said in its latest update on Wednesday that $4.29 billion worth of debt and interest cost had to be paid in December 2023 alone. Between January and February 2024, Pakistan has to pay another $3.47 billion and from March to November 2024, it will pay $19.71 billion, according to the bank. Read Rs908b added to public debt in NovIn December 2023, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad announced that Pakistan had to pay a sum of $24.6 billion in foreign debt and debt servicing by the end of June 2024. Accordingly, the total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at $13.26 billion, according to the bank.

Another resolution was submitted in the Senate on Friday seeking to delay general elections scheduled for February 8 due to "security challenges". The resolution has been submitted by Senator Hidayatullah of the Independent Parliamentary Group in the Senate Secretariat. The resolution states that concerning the steps taken to comply with the constitutional obligation to conduct general elections across the country, this "House expresses deep concern over the continuous increase in the targeting of election candidates". Read: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452367/sc-moved-against-senates-election-postponement-resolutionAccording to the text, the resolution added that the Upper House recognises that holding the general elections is a constitutional obligation, and the Constitution equally emphasises free and fair elections and ensuring the safety and unhindered participation of all stakeholders. Hence, the Upper House urges the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court of Pakistan to postpone the elections, he added.

The plan will identify policy, invest­ment, training and other support mea­sures for which assistance is required from Export Development Fund (EDF) to increase NARC HG1 Garlic variety’s production and export surplus. PHDEC Punjab’s regional head Jafar Ali speaking on this occasion said that his or­ganization was ready to extend assistance needed to promote HG1 garlic variety. He said it was the mandate of his organization to help promote the horticulture products and their export from Pakistan. Muhammad Luqman, President Garlic Growers Association, said that total con­sumption of the garlic in Pakistan was around 300,000 tons per annum and ma­jor chunk of it was imported. He stressed for keeping the garlic crop more organic to make it acceptable in the internation­al market.

From Tribune staff reportsBIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department is conducting a homicide investigation after a man shot at an Oporto Madrid Blvd. intersection died from his injuries. At approximately 1:15 p.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to a Shot Spotter alert at 7701 5th Avenue North. Officers were updated that a person was shot inside a vehicle in the 500 Block of Oporto Madrid Boulevard North. “The preliminary investigation suggests the victim was inside his vehicle when an unknown vehicle pulled next to him at the intersection of 5th Avenue North and Oporto Madrid Boulevard North,” Fitzgerald said.

PESHAWAR - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission has scheduled competitive ex­aminations for the positions of Civil Judge cum Judi­cial Magistrate, Alaqa Qazi in Peshawar High Court. The exams are set to take place from January 16 to January 24, 2024. Candidates are required to download their roll number slips from the Public Service Commission’s website www.kpsc.gov.pk. This can be done through a personal visit to the Public Service Commission of­fice or by contacting the office via telephone at 091-9214131, 9212897, 9213750, and 9213563 (ext. Candidates are strongly advised to confirm their roll numbers and the location of the examination centre one day before the commencement of the ex­amination to avoid any inconvenience.

In a surprising development, the nomination papers of prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders were approved, stipulating the political bigwigs into the election arena. Candidates whose appeals were rejected plan to challenge the election tribunal's decision in the Lahore High Court Larger Bench on Thursday. Islamabad tribunalSeparately, an Islamabad appellate tribunal decided on 70 cases and approved 65 candidates’ appeals against the rulings of returning officers. Tribunal Judge Arbab Muhammad Tahir rejected two appeals against the approval of the nomination papers of a transgender candidate. The appeals of all PTI candidates including Shoaib Shaheen, Niaz Ullah Niazi, and Zafarullah Shah were approved.

According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, there will be increased clouds Thursday night with a low of 46. Friday will bring showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3 p.m., then showers likely. The Storm Prediction Center shows the Tribune area in a level two out of five for potential severe weather. “Limited low-level moisture, combined with warmer mid-level temperatures, will likely limit overall buoyancy, tempering updraft strength and storm severity,” James Span said via social media. “Some stronger storms are still possible, particularly if low-level moisture is better than forecast, with strong kinematics supporting the potential for some damaging convective gusts.

Nazi Germany will always stand condemned in history for the genocide of European Jews between 1941 and 1945 through mass shootings and extermination camps in Auschwitz- Birkenau, etc., in occupied Poland. The Nazis believed that Jews were subhuman, and Germany must be cleansed of them. Germany had the most powerful army, equipped with lethal weapons, while the Jews were unarmed. Similarly, the year 2023 will be remembered for hate-inspired and distorted versions of religious interpretations for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians living in occupied Gaza. It has shredded the image of many in the West, whom the world looked upon as champions of human rights.

Caretaker PM renews nation's resolve to root out terrorism with full mightCaretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has renewed nation's resolve to root out terrorism with full might. Addressing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Darbar in Peshawar today, he lauded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force for rendering matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said terrorists cannot shatter our resolve by carrying out terrorists attacks in the country. The Prime Minister reiterated government's resolve to continue war against terrorism till complete elimination of terrorists from the country. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ghulam Ali and Chief Minister Arshad Hussain Shah were also present on this occasion.

An important trilateral defence meeting was held at General Head Quarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi, where key defence officials from Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia came together. As the platform is meant to bolster research and development in the utilisation of tech in defence equipment, this cooperation among three Muslim countries is a standard that other countries can also pick up on. Emphasising the pooling of resources amid historical ties, the three nations aim to expand the scope of trilateral cooperation. But even in addition to that, Pakistan and Turkiye relations are marked by economic initiatives like the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO). Such defence collaboration platforms, though very focused on their agenda and goal, have all the potential to trickle down into other possible areas of cooperation as well.

From Tribune staff reportsTALLADEGA — A multi-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, has claimed the life of a Talladega woman, according to Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. After the initial impact, the Ford then struck a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 52-year-old Columbia, S.C. man. “As a result of the impact, the Ford left the roadway and overturned,” Bailey said. “Williams was not using her seat belt at the time of crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”The crash occurred on Alabama 21 near Kelly Springs Road, approximately three miles north of Talladega, in Talladega County. No further information is available as Troopers with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

A day earlier, the apex court turned down Justice Naqvi’s plea to halt the ongoing SJC misconduct proceedings against him. I, therefore, effective today resign as judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” he added. Justice Naqvi may now be entitled to pension and other privileges after his resignation. Later, the judge filed a detailed response to the show-cause notice, claiming that the allegations against him were “absolutely and maliciously false”. On January 8, Justice Naqvi withdrew his objection to the three-judge bench hearing his plea challenging the issuance of a show-cause notice to him.

From Tribune staff reportsBIRMINGHAM — A Center Point man was killed Tuesday when a tree fell on his vehicle, according to Jefferson County Deputy Chief Coroner Bill Yates. Cedric Ralph McNeal was identified by Yates as the victim. The incident occurred at 10:55 a.m. in the 5900 block of Crestwood Blvd. According to the coroner’s report, McNeal was the driver and lone occupant of a motor vehicle involved in a single vehicle wreck when his vehicle was struck by a falling tree. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the wreck.