Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 17, 2024

Notes:
Three-time World Champion Rashmi Kumari secured her 12th national women’s singles title at the 51st National Carrom Championship, defeating K Nagajothi 25-8, 14-20, 25-20. Rashmi, employed at ONGC, triumphed in the women’s final. In the men’s category, K Srinivas clinched his fourth national singles title by defeating S Aditya 25-0, 19-6, showcasing exceptional skills with seven white slams.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh is leading in implementing the Green Credit Programme, with 500+ approved land parcels for tree plantation across 10 states in two months. 10,000 hectares of land are earmarked. MP has the highest approved degraded forest land (954 hectares), followed by Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Assam. Public sector undertakings will carry out plantations to earn green credits. The program focuses on ecosystem services, promoting non-carbon environmental actions, benefiting local soil, water, and ecosystems.

Notes:
Archaeologists in Pompeii unearthed a black-walled banqueting hall adorned with vibrant frescoes depicting Greek mythology. Pompeii, a preserved ancient Roman city near Naples, Italy, lies at the base of Mount Vesuvius. Established in the Bronze Age, it thrived under Roman rule, boasting a population of 10-12,000. Buried by Vesuvius in 79 CE, Pompeii remained hidden until rediscovery in 1748. Its remarkably preserved state offers profound insights into Roman life, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Notes:
Nigeria leads the global fight against meningitis, introducing the groundbreaking Men5CV vaccine, endorsed by WHO, targeting five strains in one shot. This surpasses previous vaccines, vital as bacterial meningitis, prevalent in Africa, poses serious health risks. Africa’s “meningitis belt,” including Nigeria, faces escalating cases, with a 50% rise reported last year by WHO. Nigeria’s pioneering move sets a precedent for broader adoption worldwide, marking a significant stride in public health.

Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium, Himachal Pradesh becomes the first BCCI-accredited venue with a groundbreaking ‘hybrid pitch’ by Netherlands-based SISGrass. This innovation combines natural turf with 5% polymer fiber, endorsed by the ICC for T20 and 50-over matches. The pitch promises resilience, durability, and consistent bounce, easing maintenance burdens. The Universal machine, employed in Dharamshala, will replicate this technology in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, following successful installations at iconic English grounds like Lord’s and The Oval.