The US has officially designated China as a currency manipulator.This decision was taken after China’s central bank allowed the yuan to weaken in retaliation for new US tariffs. A weaker yuan makes Chinese exports more competitive or cheaper to buy with foreign currencies. The US Treasury department defines currency manipulation as when countries deliberately influence… Continue reading United States designates China a “currency manipulator”
Author: ForumIAS
Bill for more Supreme Court judges gets Lok Sabha nod
The Lok Sabha has passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill,2019. The bill seeks to increase the number of Supreme Court judges in the country’s apex court from the present 30 to 33. This bill was introduced after Chief Justice of India had written to Prime Minister to increase the number of judges… Continue reading Bill for more Supreme Court judges gets Lok Sabha nod
To ensure authenticity, APIs of drugs may soon get track-and-trace codes
Drugs Technical Advisory Board(DTAB) has recommended to the government to make it mandatory for companies to include codes to track-and-trace APIs to ensure authenticity of drugs manufactured in India. This move will potentially be the first step by the government to pinpoint the origin and movement of drugs manufactured here and ensure their authenticity. Active… Continue reading To ensure authenticity, APIs of drugs may soon get track-and-trace codes
After J&K bifurcation, hill parties want Darjeeling to be Union territory
The Centre has revoked provisions of Article 370 which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.It has also proposed bifurcation of the state into two Union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This has led to the demand from Darjeeling which has asked for a separate Union territory with a legislature. Darjeeling is a picturesque… Continue reading After J&K bifurcation, hill parties want Darjeeling to be Union territory
Govt set to frame rules for ride-hailing firms
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has created a new category of cab aggregators by addressing some of these issues. The bill recognizes and defines aggregators as digital intermediaries or marketplaces which can be used by passengers to connect with a driver for transportation. The central government will soon meet all stakeholders in the industry… Continue reading Govt set to frame rules for ride-hailing firms
J&K loses its special status, divided into two UTs
President of India has promulgated the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order,2019. The order effectively abrogates the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under the provision of Article 370 whereby provisions of the Constitution which were applicable to other states were not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Presidential Order has extended… Continue reading J&K loses its special status, divided into two UTs
U.K. joins U.S. to ensure safety of vessels in Gulf
The UK will join a US-led taskforce to protect merchant ships travelling in the Gulf. This move comes amid growing tensions between the two countries and Iran over the shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision was taken after Iran had seized a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.UK has accused… Continue reading U.K. joins U.S. to ensure safety of vessels in Gulf
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to visit China ahead of Modi-Xi summit
India’s External Affairs Minister will be visiting China ahead of the second informal summit between Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President in India in October,2019. The minister will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. The foreign minister will also co-chair the second meeting of the India-China… Continue reading External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to visit China ahead of Modi-Xi summit
Daily Quiz #5 UPSC Prelims Marathon – August 6, 2019
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Lok Sabha passes Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill
The Lok Sabha has passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019. The bill aims to regulate the practice and process of surrogacy in India. The objectives of the bill are to: a) ensure effective regulation of surrogacy, b) prohibit commercial surrogacy and c) allow ethical altruistic surrogacy to the needy infertile Indian couples on fulfilment of… Continue reading Lok Sabha passes Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill
