Today's Brief 21/03/2024

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1 . Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and first African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee

2 .Spring equinox,

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

also known as the vernal equinox, marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving north. This event signifies the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

On this day, which usually falls around March 20th or 21st, day and night are approximately equal in length across the globe.

The equinox is a result of Earth's tilt and its orbit around the Sun, leading to a period of balance before the Northern Hemisphere begins to tilt more directly towards the Sun, resulting in longer, warmer days.

Historically and culturally, the spring equinox has been celebrated in various ways, often symbolizing renewal, rebirth, and the start of a new season of growth.

3 . Rafting :

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

A recent study suggests that iguanas made an astonishing 5,000-mile journey from North America to Fiji, likely rafting across the Pacific Ocean on mats of vegetation. Researchers propose that these reptiles, ancestors of Fiji’s modern iguanas, hitched a ride on natural rafts formed by storms or floods millions of years ago.

This record-setting trip highlights the incredible adaptability of iguanas and sheds light on how species might have colonized remote islands long before humans arrived.

4 . Global Trade, Trump and WTO;

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

A recent analysis suggests that the World Trade Organization (WTO) faces significant challenges in maintaining its relevance amid trade disruptions sparked by Donald Trump’s policies.

As Trump pushes forward with aggressive tariffs, such as those imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, the WTO’s long-standing framework, built on multilateral trade rules since 1995, is increasingly strained.

His emphasis on reciprocity over traditional agreements threatens to undermine the organization’s ability to mediate disputes and enforce a rules-based global trading system, especially with its appellate body already crippled since 2019.

While the WTO struggles to adapt, Trump’s actions may force a reevaluation of its role, potentially weakening its authority as nations turn to bilateral deals or retaliatory measures to navigate the shifting economic landscape.