Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The Yuva Sahakar Scheme was recently discussed in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of Cooperation. The Yuva Sahakar Scheme aims to support innovative cooperative societies, particularly those formed by young entrepreneurs. It targets cooperatives in operation for at least 3 months, offering long-term loans (up to 5 years) with a 2% interest subvention from National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The loan can be combined with other government subsidies. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) implements the scheme nationwide, with a dedicated fund linked to Rs. 1000 crores for cooperative start-ups and innovation. The scheme offers additional incentives for cooperatives in the Northeast and aspirational districts, as well as benefits for women, SC/ST candidates. It is part of the Sahakar 22 Mission to double farmers’ income by 2022.

Notes:
International Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated on December 12th every year. The day is a United Nations-designated day that aims to raise awareness about the need for universal health coverage (UHC). UHC is the idea that everyone should have access to quality, affordable healthcare.  The day was established in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly. It marks the anniversary of the year 2012, when the United Nations unanimously endorsed UHC as a priority for international development.

Notes:
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that Ukraine attacked a military airfield in Taganrog using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles. ATACMS missiles are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with a range of 300 km, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. These missiles use projectile motion to deliver warheads to their targets. ATACMS missiles can be launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

Notes:
The IndiaAI Future Skills platform has enrolled 8.6 lakh candidates, announced by the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT. It is a key pillar of the IndiaAI Mission, aiming to prepare India’s AI workforce. The platform removes barriers to AI education, boosts AI courses in UG, PG, and Ph.D. programs, and fosters inclusive AI access. Data and AI Labs are being set up in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities like Gorakhpur and Patna for foundational AI courses. IndiaAI Mission is led by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) under the Digital India program.

Notes:
African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious pig disease, has been reported in Kerala’s Kottayam district, prompting culling measures and infected zone declarations. ASF has a 100% mortality rate in pigs and is caused by a large, double-stranded DNA virus of the genus Asfivirus in the family Asfarviridae. The virus can survive long periods in pork and meat products but poses no risk to human health or food safety. ASF originated in sub-Saharan Africa and has spread to Asia and Europe; it was first confirmed in India in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in 2020. With no cure, vaccine, or prevention available, culling is the only effective control measure.

Notes:
Mumbai, led by Shreyas Iyer, won the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by defeating Madhya Pradesh in the final. The final took place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on December 15, 2024. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a domestic Twenty20 cricket championship in India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organizes the tournament annually. It’s named after Syed Mushtaq Ali, an Indian cricketer who was the first to score an overseas Test century for India. The 2024-25 season ran from November 23 to December 15, 2024, with matches held at various venues across India. Thirty-eight teams, including those from the Ranji Trophy, participated in the tournament, divided into five groups.

Notes:
The Nagaland Tourism Department issued an apology to the Khiamniungan Union Kohima for omitting the Khiamniungan Tribe from the Heritage Guide Map during the Hornbill Festival 2024. The Khiamniungan tribe is a major Naga tribe, residing in Eastern Nagaland (India) and North-Western Myanmar. The name Khiamniungan means “source of great water or river”. As per the 2011 census, the tribe’s population in India is 61,983.

Notes:
Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a rare molossus bat, was recently spotted at Delhi’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park. It has large size, big ears, bicoloured velvet fur, and is a strong flier. It roosts in caves or dark, damp places in moderate colonies. It is mainly found in the Western Ghats, with small colonies in Meghalaya and a single sighting in Cambodia. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. It plays a crucial role in insect regulation and pollination.

Notes:
Uber has launched “Moto Women,” a women-only bike taxi service in Bengaluru to enhance safety and convenience for female riders. This initiative provides flexible earning opportunities for female drivers. Bike taxis are a growing urban transport option in India, addressing last-mile connectivity needs. Female riders expressed that having women drivers would improve their safety and encourage bike-taxi adoption. The service connects female riders with female drivers, catering to women preferring a gender-specific commuting option.

Notes:
The first Ganges River Dolphin was tagged today in Assam, marking a historic step in wildlife conservation. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change with execution by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Assam Forest Department, and Aaranyak. Lightweight tags compatible with Argos satellite systems minimize interference with dolphin movement. The project is funded by the National CAMPA Authority under Project Dolphin. Ganges River Dolphin found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. It is listed as Endangered by IUCN, Appendix I under CITES, and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.