IIT Madras has become the first research organization in the world to release an open-source brain mapping dataset named DHARANI.

About DHARANI 

• DHARANI is the largest open-access digital dataset of the human fetal brain, 
• Created with custom-made Indian technology. 
• Developed with one-tenth of the funds used for the US-based Allen Brain Atlas,
• It advances neuroscience research and could aid in brain-related health treatments. 
  • It could offer insights into neurological disorders like autism and other developmental disorders.

18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju became the world’s youngest chess champion, defeating China’s Ding Liren. 

• The Indian prodigy, a grandmaster at 12, is the 18th champion since the first title in 1886. 
• The FIDE World Chess Championship offers a $2.5M prize fund.

About the International Chess Federation (FIDE) 

• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Genesis: Founded in 1924 in Paris with motto ‘We are one Family’
• Role: Governs international chess competitions and is one of the first global sports federations, alongside football, cricket, swimming, and auto racing. 
• Recognition: Acknowledged as a Global Sporting Organization by International Olympic Committee in 1999. 
• Membership: Includes 201 countries, including the All India Chess Federation.

Russia's Defence Ministry reported that Ukraine attacked a military airfield in Taganrog, southern Russia, using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles.

About ATACMS missiles

• It is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a 300 km range, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
  • Ballistic Missile is a type of missile that utilizes projectile motion (utilizing gravity) to deliver warheads to a designated target.
• Launch Platforms: Launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

Recently, the Centre sought Parliament’s approval for net additional expenditure as part of supplementary demand for grants.

About Supplementary Grants

• Under Article 115, it is raised when the money previously authorized by Parliament for a particular service for that financial year is found to be insufficient.

Other Grants under Article 115

• Additional Grant: It is requested if additional expenditure is needed upon some new services not contemplated in the budget for that year.
• Excess Grant: It is given when the money has already been spent in excess of the amount allotted for a service in the budget for that year.

Recently, Israel’s military struck several key Syrian military sites, including naval vessels at the Latakia Port. 

About Latakia Port

• Location: It is located on the East Mediterranean coast on a good harbour, with an extensive agricultural hinterland in west of Syria. 
• It is the principal port of Syria, and 
  • exports include bitumen and asphalt, cereals, cotton, fruit, eggs, vegetable oil, pottery, and tobacco. 
  • Cotton ginning, vegetable oil processing, tanning, and sponge fishing are local industries in the port city.
• Other Mediterranean ports of Syria: Tartous and Banias.

Bulgaria and Romania will become full members of Schengen from January 1, 2025.

About Schengen Zone 

• It is the largest borderless area globally, allowing free movement for over 400 million people.
  • Schengen is the name of a village in Luxembourg where the Schengen Agreement (1985) and the Schengen Convention (1990) were signed.
• Members: Comprises 29 members 
  • 25 of the 27 EU member states (except Cyprus and Ireland)
  • Other 4 members: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
• Common Schengen Visa: Allows non-EU nationals to travel through the Schengen countries without going through border controls.

The 1,300-year-old Abathsahayeshwarar Temple received 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

About the Temple 

• Location: Thukkatchi, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. 
• Historical Names: Vikrama Chozheeswaram and Kulothunga Chola Nallur was the name of the Thukkatchi (Chola period). 
• Built By: Kings Vikrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola.
  • Kulothunga established an idol for Sarabeshwarar, which is why this deity is called Aadhi Sarabeshwarar.
• Unique Feature: Knowhow of Hindu temple builders, sthapathi, were applied in structural conservation.

India’s Defence Minister urged Russia to expedite the supply of two remaining units of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems. 

 S-400 missile system

• Designed by: Russia.
• Type: Large range and high altitude of air targets destruction, multi-channel, high mobility and survivability.
• Guidance System: Command and active radar.
• The system consists of: Surveillance radar, Low altitude radar, Fire control Radar with the Flap Lid, etc. 
• Range and capability: Universal for destroying all types of aerodynamic targets and ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 3,000 - 3,500 km.