GK & Current Affairs Quiz: March 27, 2019

Notes:
The World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) is observed every year on 24th March to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease. The 2019 theme “It’s time” pressurizes world leaders to act on their commitments.

Notes:
On 25th March, US President Donald Trump has officially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. With this, Israel has got an absolute right to self-defence. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, and subsequently annexed it in 1981. But, Israel’s sovereignty over the territory is not recognized by the international community. Mr Trump’s move reversed more than a half-century of the US policy over the issue. Meanwhile, Russia said, it feared a new wave of tensions in the West Asia following the decision by Washington to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights, which are claimed by Syria. The Syrian government has criticized the move calling it a blatant attack on its sovereignty. The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau in south-western Syria. It is located about 60km south-west of the Syrian capital ‘Damascus’, and covers about 1,200 sq km. The area is also a key source of water for an arid region. Rainwater from the Golan’s catchment feeds into the Jordan River. The area provides a third of Israel’s water supply. The land is fertile, and the volcanic soil is used to cultivate vineyards and orchards and raise cattle. The Golan is also home to Israel’s only ski resort.

Notes:
The book titled “Every Vote Counts-The Story of India’s Elections” has been authored by former Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla. It was launched by former Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in New Delhi. This book is about how the electoral machinery works in India. It explains about India is on the cusp of change, and with its parliamentary elections coming up.

Notes:
Chennai Super Kings star Suresh Raina has scripted history as he became the first cricketer in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to score 5,000 runs. He reached the milestone during the first match of the 2019 IPL season against Royal Challengers Bangalore at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Raina has 5000 runs from 177 matches at a strike-rate of 138.15 including 35 fifties and one hundred.

Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched a programme, titled “Lose to Win”, to help overweight employers to shed extra kilos and adopt a healthy lifestyle. The programme involves adopting a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity, helping employees lose excessive weight within 8 weeks. The programme team comprises nutritionists and health educators from Health and Education Department of the ministry. Apart from awareness sessions, the programme includes a workshop on healthy nutrition where the participants are briefed on essential topics, including how to read food labels as well as explaining the make-up of balanced diets.