Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated a new glass bridge that connects the Vivekananda Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue in Kanyakumari.

• The bridge, designed to offer a unique visual experience, features a transparent glass surface that provides visitors with breathtaking views of the sea below.
• The Rs 37-crore project in Kanyakumari was undertaken by the Tamil Nadu government, with its inauguration on December 30 aligning with the silver jubilee of the unveiling of the Thiruvalluvar statue by late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
• The glass bridge spans 77 metres (252 feet) in length and 10 metres in width, connecting two of the region's most iconic landmarks — the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the 133-foot tall Thiruvalluvar statue.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another milestone with the successful launch of the PSLV-C60 rocket, carrying the pioneering Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX).

• The rocket lifted off at 10:00:15 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The mission deployed two spacecraft—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—which will execute a series of complex maneuvers over the coming days, culminating in their docking.
• This success positions India alongside global space leaders like the US, Russia, and China in mastering autonomous docking technology, crucial for future human spaceflights, lunar missions, and the construction of India’s proposed space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

The United States announced nearly $6 billion in additional military and budget assistance for Ukraine as President Joe Biden uses his final weeks in office to surge aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes power.

Biden announced $2.5 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States has made available $3.4 billion in additional budget aid to Ukraine, giving the war-torn country critical resources amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

Biden's announcement includes $1.25 billion in military aid drawn from U.S. stockpiles and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package, the final USAI package of Biden's time in office.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two significant contracts worth approximately Rs 2,867 crore to bolster the capabilities of Indian submarines.

• These contracts, aimed at enhancing the endurance and firepower of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet, were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on December 30, 2024.
• The first contract, valued at around Rs 1,990 crore, is with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, for the construction of an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for the DRDO-AIP system.
• This AIP technology, which is being developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be integrated into Indian submarines to significantly enhance their endurance. 

India will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) for the first time in February 2025.

• The summit will be a global platform for its creative talents, fostering collaborations and showcasing the country’s potential as a hub for world-class content creation.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke extensively about the summit in his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address on Sunday.
• Comparing WAVES to global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Modi said the leaders from the media and entertainment industry as well as creative minds from across the globe will gather in Delhi for the summit being held from February 5 to 9.

India’s Lakshya Sen finished third in the King Cup International Badminton Open 2024 after beating French shuttler Alex Lanier at Shenzhen, the People’s Republic of China.

• Sen, India’s best-placed singles player in the badminton rankings at world No. 12, beat world No. 18 Lanier by a 21-17, 21-11 scoreline in the third-place playoff match.
• The Indian badminton player had entered the third place matchup after losing to China’s Hu Zhe'an, the reigning junior world champion and world No. 1, in the semi-finals.
• Sen had earlier beaten Hong Kong China’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the quarters.

China has revealed a prototype of its next generation high-speed train, a vehicle it says is on track to be the world’s fastest.

• The CR450 was unveiled in Beijing on December 29 reached test speeds as high as 450 kilometers (281 miles) per hour and an operational speed of 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour.
• It could be the fastest high-speed train in the world, surpassing China’s current CR400 model, which debuted in 2017 and operates at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour.
• The latest CR450 prototype has been hailed by its developers - CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd. for its excellence in operational speed, energy efficiency, noise control, and braking performance.

Maharashtra has marked a significant achievement in healthcare with the installation of its first made-in-India surgical robot, the SSI Mantra, at Pune's Noble Hospitals and Research Centre.

Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), this advanced robotic system is designed for performing intricate surgeries with precision and efficiency.

Features of the SSI Mantra Robotic System 

• The SSI Mantra is a state-of-the-art surgical robot comprising:
• Three Robotic Arms: Designed for seamless handling of complex procedures.
• Immersive 3D HD Headset: Provides surgeons with unparalleled optics and depth perception.
• Five Lean Robotic Arms: Ensures precision and flexibility during surgeries.
• 3D 4K Vision Cart: Offers a clear, high-definition view of the surgical field for the entire team.
• Inaugurated by Marathi actor Prasad Oak, this robotic system aims to revolutionize surgical procedures in Maharashtra.

Rajasthan has announced a new policy that will support the manufactured sand (M-sand) industry as the state seeks to strengthen sustainable construction and infrastructure, said a state government official.

•  M-sand is produced by crushing rocks or quarry stones.
• The policy called M-Sand 2024 will help sustainable development by ensuring environmental protection, fostering economic growth and supporting communities.
• “The total demand for river sand in Rajasthan currently stands at approximately 70 million tonnes (MT) per annum. 
• The policy aims to increase M-sand production to 30 MT annually by 2028-29.

Kerala emerged victorious, clinching their maiden Senior National Men's Handball Championship title with a narrow 34-31 win over Chandigarh.

• This victory marked Kerala's first appearance in the championship's decisive match, following their close semi-final win over Services, ending at 23-21.
• Chandigarh reached the finals after defeating Indian Railways in a tight contest, finishing 32-30.
• Kerala's Devendar received the 'Best Player of the Championship' honor, with Rahul recognized as the 'Best Goalkeeper' and Sujith as the 'Best Left Wing Player'.
• The Services and Indian Railways teams shared third place in the tournament.