Explanation

The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are a disputed territory, claimed by several countries, including:

1. China
2. Vietnam
3. Malaysia
4. Philippines

Most of the "maritime features" in this area have at least six names

In 1968, oil was discovered in the region.

On 11 March 1976, the first major Philippine oil discovery occurred off the coast of Palawan, near the Spratly Islands territory. 

Explanation

Braille education system was introduced by Louis Braille for Blinds.

Braille education system Creator: Louis Braille

Direction: Left-to-right, right-to-left script 

Languages: 133 languages

Parent systems: Night writing

Child systems: French-ordered Braille alphabets, Fakoo

Sister systems: New York Point

History

In 1824, at the age of fifteen, he developed the Braille code based on the French alphabet as an improvement on night writing.

He published his system, which subsequently included musical notation, in 1829.

The second revision, published in 1837, was the first binary form of writing developed in the modern era.

Explanation

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia.

It is the third longest in the world.

It is length over 6,300 kilometers (4,000 miles) long.

It is originates in the highlands of Tibet.

It is flows into the East China Sea at Shanghai, the world's busiest port.

It is considered the heart of China.

Additional information:

Yellow River: The second longest river in Asia.

It is located in China

Mekong: A river that flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam

Explanation

Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to sight New Zealand

Which he named Staten Landt. 

He discovered New Zealand in December 1642

He also discovered Tasmania.

***

Abel Janszoon Tasman (Dutch was a Dutch seafarer and explorer.

Best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

Born: 1603 Lutjegast, Dutch Republic

Died: 10 October 1659 (aged 55–56) Batavia, Dutch East Indies

Explanation

The Hindi calendar month referred to as the "brother" of March is Phalguna (फाल्गुन).

Significance: It ushers in spring, bringing new life, flowers, and warmth after winter.

Holi: The major festival of Holi, the festival of colors, occurs on the full moon (Purnima) of Phalguna

Explanation

On 26 December 2004, at 07:58:53 local time (UTC+7), a Mw 9.2–9.3 earthquake struck with its epicenter off the west coast of Aceh, in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

The undersea megathrust earthquake, known in the scientific community as the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake

It was caused by a rupture along the fault boundary between the Burma Plate and the Indian Plate

The 14 countries significantly affected were:

1. Indonesia
2. Sri Lanka
3. India
4. Thailand
5. Maldives
6. Somalia
7. Myanmar (Burma)
8. Malaysia
9. Tanzania
10. Bangladesh
11. Seychelles
12. South Africa
13. Kenya
14. Yemen 

Explanation

America's "Greater Middle East Initiative" plan is for the purpose of promoting democracy and good governance in the region. 

It is a geopolitical term introduced in March 2004

In a paper published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 

As part of the United States' preparatory work for the Group of Eight summit of June 2004

Countries

• UN members (36) 
• UN observer (1)
• States with limited recognition (5)

Explanation

The lion's share of the UN's (United Nations) budget, particularly its regular budget, focuses heavily on:

• Peacekeeping operations
• Humanitarian aid
• Economic and social development
• Human right

Explanation

The Memoirs of Richard Nixon (often titled RN) is his autobiography

Primary Publisher (First Edition): Grosset & Dunlap

Date: 1978 (with early editions appearing around January 1, 1978) 

Explanation

Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Date: December 17, 1903.

Pilot: Orville Wright was at the controls for the first flight.

Details of the first flight: It lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet.

Later flights: The brothers completed three more successful flights that day, with the final one lasting 59 seconds and covering 852 feet.