Top 5 Current Affairs: 21 July 2017

National Trade Facilitation Action Plan released

The National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) was released on 20 July 2017 by the Union Finance Minister Arun in New Delhi. Speaking after releasing the NTFAP, the minister said, the WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was a major milestone for the global trading system.

The plan aims to transform cross border clearance ecosystem through efficient, coordinated, risk based, transparent, digital, seamless and technology driven procedures, which is supported by state-of-the-art airports, sea ports and land borders.

India storms into final of ICC Women's World Cup with Harampreet’s unbeaten 171

India on 20 July 2017 stormed into the final of ICC Women's World Cup beating Australia by 36 runs at Derby in England. The match was reduced to 42-over-a-side due to rain which delayed it by over three hours. Deciding to bat first, India posted a challenging 281 for 4 against Australia in the rain-truncated second semifinals match.

For India, Harmanpreet Kaur top scored with a blistering century of unbeaten 171 runs, the third highest individual score by any player in the World Cup and fifth highest overall. India will now face hosts England in the title clash on 23 July 2017.

Qatar issues decree to amend provisions of law on combating terrorism

Qatar on 20 July 2017 issued a decree to amend some provisions of a law on combating terrorism. Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) reported that the decree includes definitions of the words terrorism, crime and terrorist acts and entities, as well as the freezing of funds and the financing of terrorism.

The decree creates two national lists of individual and terrorist entities. It also identifies procedures for the listing of individuals and entities, and related implications. Under the changes, the concerned parties are also provided with the right to challenge the listing decision at the Court of Cassation.

Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana for Poor's: Interest-free loans on e-rickshaws, three-wheelers

A new sub-scheme named Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) was announced on 20 July 2017 by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The scheme will be launched under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

The Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana aims to provide an alternative source of livelihoods to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM by facilitating them to operate public transport services in backwards rural areas.

Chhattisgarh sets target of planting 8 Cr saplings by August end

Chhattisgarh government has targeted planting over eight crore saplings by the end of August 2017. Announcing this, chief minister Raman Singh has called for active participation of people in the 'Harihar Chhattisgarh' campaign.

Speaking after launching the State-level Afforestation Mega-Mission in Naya Raipur on 20 July 017, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh said, Oxy-zones will be developed in all the 27 districts of the Chhattisgarh. He added that if citizens are keen on developing 'Oxy-zones' on their three- to- five-acre site, they can register themselves with Chhattisgarh's Forest Department.

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