The Sri Lankan army has said that it will conduct “Exercise – Western Shield” starting from July 01,2019. The exercise will coincide with 10 years of the end of the island nation’s 30-year civil conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels. The exercise will provide an opportunity for army trainees to march through those… Continue reading Lanka plans month-long military exercise from July 1
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.
US reaches 65,000 H1B visa cap in five days for Financial Year 2020
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has said that it has reached Congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2020 after it had started receiving the applications for the H-1B visas. This is the first season of H-1B petitions after the USCIS announced enforcing new rules for the H-1B visa.The new rules… Continue reading US reaches 65,000 H1B visa cap in five days for Financial Year 2020
G20 must tackle the root causes of trade tensions that threaten growth: EU
During the upcoming G20 finance ministers summit in US, European Union (EU) officials are planning to call on the G20 to tackle structural and underlying challenges to the international flow of goods and services that threaten to hinder global economic growth. According to reports,the EU is concerned with the threats posed by (a)higher tariffs (b)slowing… Continue reading G20 must tackle the root causes of trade tensions that threaten growth: EU
U.S. to designate elite Iranian force as terrorist organization
The United States is planning to designate Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps a foreign terrorist organization.This is the first time US will formally labels another country’s military as a terrorist group. This would be the latest move by the US administration to isolate Iran.US had already withdrawn from the landmark nuclear deal with Iran in… Continue reading U.S. to designate elite Iranian force as terrorist organization
Theresa May seeks further Brexit extension from EU until June 30
UK Prime minister has written to the European Union to request a further delay to Brexit until 30 June.The UK is currently due to leave the EU on 12 April and as yet no withdrawal deal has been approved by British Parliament. Earlier,British Parliament had approved a bill that will force UK Prime minister to… Continue reading Theresa May seeks further Brexit extension from EU until June 30
Pakistan opens a route for flights out of India
Pakistan has partially opened its airspace from India allowing Air India’s US and Europe bound flights to fly over it.The airspace has also been opened up for international airlines.The move will help the airlines save cost.However, flights originating or terminating in India were not allowed to use it. Earlier,Pakistan had shut down its airspace on… Continue reading Pakistan opens a route for flights out of India
Indonesia eyes komodo dragon island closure to thwart smuggling
Komodo Island will be closed to tourists starting January 2020.The famous island in Indonesia is home to the Komodo dragon,an ancient lizard.It will be banned to fix problems created by mass tourism and thwart attempts to smuggle the world’s biggest lizard. Komodo dragons are the largest,heaviest lizards in the world and one of the few… Continue reading Indonesia eyes komodo dragon island closure to thwart smuggling
Brunei’s LGBT community lives in fear
Brunei has introduced a new sharia law that makes adultery and homsexuality punishable by stoning to death.It makes Brunei the first country in Southeast Asia to have a sharia penal code at the national level.The new law mostly applies to Muslims though some aspects will also apply to non-Muslims. The features of Brunei sharia laws… Continue reading Brunei’s LGBT community lives in fear
UAE confers prestigious Zayed Medal on Narendra Modi
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Zayed Medal, the highest civilian award granted by its government. PM Modi has received the award in appreciation of his efforts in maintaining strategic ties with UAE. UAE-India relations got momentum after Prime Minister Modi paid a visit to the nation… Continue reading UAE confers prestigious Zayed Medal on Narendra Modi
U.S. State Department approves sale of 24 MH-60R copters worth $2.6 bn to India
The United States has approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to India at an estimated cost of USD 2.6 billion. The Seahawks are multi-mission maritime helicopter developed by Lockheed Martin.These multi-role helicopters can perform a variety of functions including (a)anti-submarine warfare (b)anti-surface warfare, (c)surveillance (d)communications relay (e)combat search and rescue, (f)naval… Continue reading U.S. State Department approves sale of 24 MH-60R copters worth $2.6 bn to India