Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2021

Notes:
Amitabh Kant is serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indian Government think tank NITI Aayog.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has extended the tenure of Amitabh Kant to another one year. This is the third extension since he joined the NITI Aayog in 2016.

Notes:
Social Media Giant Facebook has announced a set of publishing and subscription tools named Bulletin, aimed to promote independent writers in the US
Bulletin will include support focused on creation of content, monetisation and audience growth. It also aims to integrate its existing tools to support writing and audio content — from podcasts to Live Audio Rooms in one place.

Notes:
The Department of Space, Government of India has recently come out with the draft space transportation policy, under which it has encouraged private participation in space technology.
The policy also lays special emphasis on Research and Development in green fuel, robotic space exploration and reusable rockets.

Notes:
July 1st 2021 marks the 4th anniversary of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was implemented on the same date in 2017. This date has been designated by the Central Government as GST DAY.
This year, the Union Finance Ministry has proposed to issue certificates of appreciation to 54,000 GST payers for timely filing of returns to mark the GST Day.

Notes:
The Spanish government approved the first draft of a bill that would allow anyone over the age of 14 to legally change gender without a medical diagnosis or hormone therapy.
This was announced by the country’s Equality Ministry. After going for public hearing, the bill will come for a second reading and then it is to be approved by the lower house of the Spanish parliament.

Notes:
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI will launch a mobile app for students of foundation, intermediate and final course students. The mobile app named, “ICAI-BOS” will provide next-generation interactive learning and innovative ways to improve quality services to the students.

Notes:
India and Pakistan on July 1, 2021 exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody. This is in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under which such lists are exchanged every year on 1^st January and 1^st July.

Notes:
The Chengdu J-20 was developed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The J-20 is designed as an air superiority fighter with precision strike capability.

Notes:
Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced its plans to build freight smart cities to improve urban freight efficiency. This is aimed to reduce the logistics costs.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched a website on ‘Freight Smart Cities’. Initially, 10 cities would be identified, and it can be expanded to 75 cities in the next phase before launching it throughout the country.

Notes:
Maharashtra has become the 5th state in India and 125th global state to join the “Under2 Coalition” to fight the climate change. The other four states are: Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana and West Bengal.
The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. It started as a MoU which was signed by 12 founding jurisdictions in 2015 in Sacramento, California.