International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

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World Bank is one of five institutions created at Breton Woods Conference in 1944. It is part of the United Nations system, but its governance structure is different. Its headquarter are situated at Washington DC, US. World Bank provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.
 It comprises only two institutions viz. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA). In contrast World Bank Group comprises three more viz. International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

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The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval battle fought on October 21, 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was fought between a British fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and a combined French and Spanish fleet off the coast of Spain, near the Cape of Trafalgar. The British fleet emerged victorious, despite being outnumbered by the combined French and Spanish forces. The battle was a significant victory for the British, as it effectively ended the threat of a French invasion of Britain and cemented British naval dominance for the remainder of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle was also notable for the death of Nelson, who was killed during the fighting.

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Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) was a series of treaties between the United States and the Soviet Union (and later Russia). The treaties aimed to reduce the number of nuclear warheads and missiles and bombers capable of delivering such weapons. The treaties were signed after the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT). The treaties were: START I, START II, START III, New START. The treaties were the first significant reduction in the number of strategic nuclear weapons in both the U.S. and the Soviet stockpiles. The treaties were signed in 1991 and entered into force in 1994. The treaties are the last remaining nuclear arms control pact between Russia and the U.S. The term “strategic arms” refers to nuclear weapons with strategic range. These weapons are mated to delivery systems that can reach targets across intercontinental distances.

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The Brasilia Declaration is related to the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue Forum. Established in 2003, IBSA aims to promote South-South cooperation and enhance collaboration among these three emerging economies. The Brasilia Declaration, signed in 2006, emphasizes political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among member countries. IBSA is notable for its focus on issues like poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and reforming global governance structures.

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that is aimed to promote and regulate regulation of international trade between nations. It commenced its operations on 1 January 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement.

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International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8. Established by UNESCO in 1966, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of literacy for individuals and communities. The date was chosen to highlight the significance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a key to sustainable development.

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The Velvet Revolution of 1989 was a series of peaceful protests and political events that took place in Czechoslovakia, leading to the overthrow of the Communist government and the transition to a democratic system. The Velvet Revolution, which is also known as the Gentle Revolution, began in November 1989 with a student demonstration in Prague, which was met with a violent response from the government. This sparked widespread protests and strikes, which quickly spread across the country and put pressure on the government to reform. After weeks of protests and negotiations, the Communist leadership was forced to resign, and a new government was formed. The Velvet Revolution is considered to be one of the key events of the collapse of the Communist bloc in Eastern Europe.

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The 1993 Paris Principles are related to the promotion and protection of human rights. They were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and outline the responsibilities of national human rights institutions. These principles emphasize the importance of independence, pluralism, and adequate funding for such institutions to effectively safeguard human rights.

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Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany in 1938, an event known as the Anschluss. The annexation lasted until 1945, when the Allied Powers removed Austria from the Third German Reich. The provisional Austrian government, led by Karl Renner, declared the country’s independence after the fall of the Third Reich.

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Indra Exercise is a joint military exercise that takes place between India and Russia. It is a bilateral exercise that involves the armed forces of both countries, including the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy, as well as the Russian Armed Forces. The exercise typically focuses on a variety of military drills and training activities, including air defense, maritime security, and counter-terrorism operations. The first Indra Exercise was held in 2003, and it has been conducted annually ever since. The exercise is part of the growing military cooperation between India and Russia, and it is aimed at enhancing the interoperability and coordination of their armed forces.