CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory recently captured a breathtaking view of 30 Doradus B, a supernova remnant nestled within a dynamic cosmic region where stars have been forming for millions of years.
• Here's more about 30 Doradus B:
  • Known as NGC 2060 in astronomical catalogs, 30 Doradus B resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way.
  • This supernova remnant is part of a vast star-forming area that has been actively producing stars for the past 8 to 10 million years.
  • Situated about 160,000 light-years away from Earth, this region presents a complex tapestry of dark gas clouds, young stars, powerful energy shocks, and intensely heated gases.
• What exactly is a supernova?
  • A supernova marks the explosive end of a star, when its brightness suddenly surges to millions of times its usual luminosity.
  • Supernovae are known as some of the most powerful explosions in space.
• There are two primary types:
  • Type I supernova: Triggered when a star accumulates matter from a nearby companion until a runaway nuclear reaction initiates.
  • Type II supernova: Occurs when a star exhausts its nuclear fuel and collapses under its own gravitational force.
• Supernovae can momentarily outshine entire galaxies and emit more energy than our Sun will in its entire lifetime.
• Moreover, they play a crucial role in enriching the cosmos:
• They heat up the space between stars (interstellar medium), disperse heavy elements across galaxies, and accelerate cosmic rays.

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• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently revised its Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines pertaining to politically exposed persons (PEPs) engaging with regulated entities (REs), aligning with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
• Key Updates on RBI's Guidelines for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs):
  • PEPs are defined in the updated KYC master direction as "individuals who hold or have held significant public positions in foreign countries." This includes heads of states or governments, senior politicians, top government, judicial, or military officials, senior executives of state-owned enterprises, and key officials of political parties.
  • Regulated entities (REs) now have the discretion to establish relationships with PEPs, whether as customers or beneficial owners.
  • REs must conduct regular customer due diligence and adhere to additional RBI-prescribed conditions when engaging with PEPs.
  • These conditions entail implementing robust risk management protocols to identify whether a customer or beneficial owner qualifies as a PEP.
  • REs are mandated to ascertain the source of funds or wealth through reasonable measures.
  • Moreover, opening an account for a PEP necessitates approval from senior management within the regulated entity.

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• In a remote village in Bengal, the New Year kicked off with a workshop focused on the ancient indigenous art of Sohrai Painting.
• Sohrai Painting is a traditional mural art form deeply rooted in indigenous culture. The name ‘Sohrai’ derives from ‘soro’, meaning ‘to drive with a stick’. This art form dates back to the Meso-chalcolithic period (9000-5000 BC) and finds its historical counterpart in rock paintings discovered at the Isko rock shelter in Barkagaon, Hazaribagh.
• Themes in Sohrai Painting predominantly revolve around natural elements such as forests, rivers, and animals. Created by tribal (Adivasi) women using natural materials like charcoal, clay, and soil, these paintings initially appeared as cave art. Today, Sohrai Painting is practiced by indigenous communities across Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, particularly among tribes like Kurmi, Santal, Munda, Oraon, Agaria, and Ghatwal.
• Known for their vibrant colors, intricate designs, and symbolic motifs, Sohrai paintings are a testament to indigenous creativity and cultural heritage. The Hazaribagh region of Jharkhand has earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for this distinctive art form.
• Each year, the Sohrai festival celebrates the harvest season and the onset of winter, highlighting the cultural significance of these paintings in rural life and community festivities.

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• The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) has issued a cautionary advisory regarding the feeding of cassava (tapioca) to animals, prompted by a recent incident in Idukki where 13 cows tragically died.
• Cassava, a significant horticultural crop spanning nearly 3 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, yields approximately 60 lakh tonnes annually. Cultivated across tropical regions worldwide, it is valued for its tuberous roots, which serve as a source for cassava flour, breads, tapioca, starch for laundry, and even an alcoholic beverage.
• Ideal for growth in well-drained soils, particularly red lateritic loam, cassava thrives in warm, humid climates with ample rainfall exceeding 100 cm annually. It can be cultivated up to elevations of 1000 meters.
• All parts of the cassava plant—leaves, stem, tuber, and rind—contain cyanogenic glucosides (CNGs) such as linamarin and lotaustralin. These compounds are enzymatically hydrolyzed to acetone cyanohydrin, which can release hydrogen cyanide, a toxic substance. Notably, cassava leaves contain significantly higher levels of CNGs compared to roots, with CNG content decreasing as leaves age. The rind, meanwhile, can contain 10-30 times more cyanoglucosides than the edible parts of the plant.
• Feeding animals crushed cassava peels or leaves immediately after crushing, or without adequate drying, poses a serious risk of cyanide poisoning due to the release of toxic compounds like acetone cyanohydrin and free cyanide.
• The advisory underscores the importance of proper handling and processing of cassava for animal feed to mitigate the potential health hazards associated with cyanogenic compounds.