International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
The book titled ‘The Emergency – Indian Democracy’s Darkest Hour’ has been authored by Surya Prakash, the chairman of Prasar Bharati. The book has recently launched by Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The purpose of the book is to honor all those who fought for the restoration of democracy in the country in the mid-1970s.

Notes:
In India, April 24th is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Diwas every year. This day marks the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993

Notes:
The first G-20 summit was held in Washington D.C., United States, in response to the global financial crisis. The summit brought together leaders from 20 major economies to discuss solutions to the crisis and ways to reform the international financial system. The city was chosen as the host because it is the home of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, two key institutions involved in addressing the global financial crisis.

Notes:
Bastille Day, which is the French National Day, is celebrated on July 14th each year. It commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, which marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. The event is considered a symbol of the French people’s uprising against the monarchy and the beginning of the end of absolute monarchy in France.

Notes:
U Thant was from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. He served as the third Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971, becoming the first Asian to hold the position. His tenure was marked by important events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. U Thant was known for his efforts in peacekeeping and promoting decolonization.

Notes:
The Income Tax Department of India observes Income Tax Day on July 24 each year. This date commemorates the introduction of the Income Tax Act in India in 1961. The day aims to promote awareness about tax compliance and the importance of tax revenue in nation-building.

Notes:
The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, also known as the “Asian Contagion,” began in Thailand. The crisis was sparked by a number of factors, including a sharp drop in global demand for the country’s exports, a high level of government and corporate debt, and speculative attacks on the Thai currency, the baht. As the crisis unfolded, it spread to other countries in the region, including Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Notes:
The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) on Biological Diversity was organized in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan in 2010.

Notes:
The 40+9 Recommendations are related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF is an intergovernmental body that sets international standards to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. The 40+9 Recommendations are the international standards for combating these illegal activities.
The FATF first issued its Forty Recommendations in 1990. In 2004, the FATF published the Ninth Special Recommendations (SR). These recommendations further strengthened the international standards. In February 2012, the FATF revised the 40 and IX Recommendations. The revised recommendations integrated the SR on terrorist financing with measures against money laundering. The revised recommendations covered issues such as the financing of weapons of mass destruction.
The FATF Recommendations are not binding in the way a law or contract would be.

Notes:
The immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. In June 1914, a Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke and his wife to take revenge against the occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary. immediately, after the assassination, Austria-Hungary declared the war over Serbia. This further leads to alliance nations declaring war between themselves, caused WW I.