International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

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The International Development Association (IDA) was established in 1960 as part of the World Bank Group. IDA offers highly concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest countries. As of fiscal year 2025, IDA has provided $600 billion to 116 countries. Its concessional loans typically have repayment periods of up to 40 years with long grace periods and low or zero interest.

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International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 each year. This date was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, although its roots trace back to the early 20th century, with the first official celebration occurring in 1911. The day highlights women’s achievements and advocates for gender equality globally.

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The ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus) conference involves defense ministers from ASEAN and eight partner countries, focusing on regional security and defense cooperation. Established in 2010, it aims to enhance dialogue and collaboration on defense and security issues, addressing challenges like terrorism and maritime security. The “Plus” includes countries like the U.S., China, and India, emphasizing multilateral defense strategies.

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The Jnanpith Award is one of the prestigious literary awards in India. The first Jnanpith Award winner was G. Sankara Kurup from Kerala. He won this award in 1965 for his collection of poems in Malayalam titled Odakkuzhal (The Bamboo Flute). Through this, Kerala marked its prominent place in the field of literature from the very beginning of this award journey.

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The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries. It has 7 ASEAN countries. It was established in 1989.

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Ping pong diplomacy refers to the brief thaw in relations between the United States and China in the early 1970s, which was facilitated in part by the exchange of table tennis players between the two countries. In April 1971, a group of American table tennis players visited China for a tournament, and the Chinese government invited them to stay for several days. This marked the first time in more than 20 years that Americans had been allowed to visit China. The visit was followed by several high-level diplomatic meetings between the two countries, which ultimately led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and China in 1979.

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Rakhi Ki Chunauti is a famous composition from Subhadra Kumari Chauhan other compositions of her are Veero ka kaisa ho basant,Jhansi ki Rani etc.

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The Humayunnama was written by Gulbadan begum (his half-sister). The book provide the account of the life of Mughal Emperor Humayun.

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World Investment Report is published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Global Economic Prospects is a World Bank Group Flagship Report. Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) report is published by the World Bank.

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Palermo Protocol is a United Nations (UN) protocol that defines human trafficking and aims to prevent, suppress, and punish it. The protocol was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2000 and came into effect on December 25, 2003. The protocol’s purposes are to:

• Prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children
• Protect and assist victims of trafficking
• The protocol defines human trafficking as exploitation that includes:
• Prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation
• Forced labor or services
• Slavery or practices similar to slavery
• Servitude
• The removal of organs

The Palermo Protocol is one of three supplementary protocols to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). The other two protocols are: (1) Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air (2) Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms.