Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand-made paper, has been struggling to attract consumers and the market value has dropped by more than 50% in the last 20 years. Washi The paper is made from the fibres of the kozo or mulberry plant. The fibres of the plant are much longer than materials used for paper… Continue reading Japan’s ‘washi’ paper torn by modern life; struggles to attract customers
Category: Factly: IR
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to the International Relations. You can find all relevant International updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has shot down a US drone in the southern province of Hormozgan,Iran. The drone was unmanned and unarmed.The RQ-4A Global Hawk drone is essentially a high-altitude robot used for surveillance over the ocean and coastal areas. This comes after US had blamed Iran for recent attacks on foreign shipping tankers that took… Continue reading Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions
Bangladesh has emerged as fastest growing economy among 45 countries of Asia-Pacific region: ADB
According to Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bangladesh has emerged as the fastest growing economy among the 45 countries of the Asia-Pacific region. In the financial year 2018-19 Bangladesh attained growth rate of 7.9 % which is its fastest rate since 1974. The key factors of the high growth performance of Bangladesh are: a) higher public… Continue reading Bangladesh has emerged as fastest growing economy among 45 countries of Asia-Pacific region: ADB
State department reiterates Trump’s ‘fair and reciprocal trade’ message for India
The US State Department has reacted to India’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. imports by reiterating U.S. President message of reciprocal trade and the strength of U.S.-India ties. Recently,the United States Trade Representative(USTR) had said that there will be not be a trade action against India but US will continue to raise market… Continue reading State department reiterates Trump’s ‘fair and reciprocal trade’ message for India
Countries reducing n-warheads but modernising arsenals: report
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2019.The report assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. The report has found that the worldwide total of nuclear warheads has decreased since 2018 but countries are modernising their nuclear arsenals. The report says that at the start… Continue reading Countries reducing n-warheads but modernising arsenals: report
US lawmakers move legislation to give India NATO ally status
The US lawmakers have moved a legislation seeking key amendment in the country’s Arms Control Export Act. The amendment seeks to bring India at par with the US NATO allies which are Israel, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea when it comes to the sale of high-tech military items. The proposed legislation follows the National… Continue reading US lawmakers move legislation to give India NATO ally status
U.S. deploys more troops to West Asia
The United States has approved the deployment of additional troops to the West Asia against the backdrop of increasing tensions with Iran. This decision came amid allegations of Iranian attacks on two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The US has said that it does not seek conflict with Iran but the action had been… Continue reading U.S. deploys more troops to West Asia
Explained: Why employers fear Brazil’s slavery ‘dirty list’
Brazil’s dirty list is under scrutiny as major firms have been found to have used legal means to avoid being put on it. Dirty list is a registry of employers that have been found by the Brazil Government to have engaged in slave labour.It gives transparency to a decision already reached by the Brazilian state.… Continue reading Explained: Why employers fear Brazil’s slavery ‘dirty list’
China’s President Xi to visit North Korea this week
Chinese President will be travelling to North Korea for a two-day visit. The visit will be the first by any Chinese leader to North Korea in 14 years. North Korean leader has visited China four times but no Chinese president has visited North Korea since Hu Jintao in 2005. The visit is intended to help… Continue reading China’s President Xi to visit North Korea this week
Iran says it will break uranium stockpile limit in 10 days
Iran has announced it will breach the limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium that was set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Enriched uranium is produced by feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into centrifuges to separate out the most fissile isotope,U-235. Under the nuclear deal,Iran is only permitted to produce low-enriched uranium which… Continue reading Iran says it will break uranium stockpile limit in 10 days
