Three mechanical engineering students from Bhagwan Mahavir University in Surat have developed Garuda, India’s first driverless AI-powered electric bike prototype, using nearly 50% scrap materials. Built at a cost of around ₹1.8 lakh, the bike is controlled by a Raspberry Pi system and operates through voice commands. It features smart sensors that enable automatic braking, obstacle detection, and speed control. The bike is also equipped with GPS navigation, cameras, a digital dashboard, and wireless charging. The innovation highlights sustainable engineering, cost-effective design, and the growing potential of artificial intelligence in India’s two-wheeler and mobility sector.

India’s aviation sector is set to expand with two new airlines, alHindAir and FlyExpress, receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Civil Aviation Ministry. alHindAir is being promoted by the Kerala-based alhind Group, a travel and tourism company established nearly three decades ago in Calicut (Kozhikode). The airline’s promoter is Mohammed Haris T, who is spearheading the group’s entry into the aviation sector. The clearance marks a key regulatory step, allowing both airlines to move closer to operational launch after obtaining further approvals, including the Air Operator Certificate. The development is expected to boost competition and regional connectivity in Indian aviation. (PC: DNA)

India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam, defence sources said. The missile, developed by DRDO, has an intermediate range of about 3,500 km, significantly enhancing India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent and second-strike capability. The K-4 SLBM strengthens India’s nuclear triad, joining land and air delivery systems. The test achieved all planned objectives, demonstrating progress in strategic weapons development and placing India among a limited group of nations with submarine-launched nuclear missile capability.

India successfully tested the K4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from its nuclear submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, marking a significant strategic milestone. The missile was fired to its full operational range of approximately 3,500 km. INS Arighaat, India's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned last year, strengthens the sub-surface component of India's nuclear triad. The K4 provides crucial second-strike capability, as submarines remain undetectable and can stay submerged for months. This longer-range missile enhances India's strategic posture across the Indo-Pacific, bridging the gap between the shorter-range K15 Sagarika (750 km) and future longer-range systems. The successful test significantly boosts India's nuclear deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries. (PC: X)

Six Maoists, including senior leader Ganesh Uike, were killed in separate gunfights with security forces in Odisha as part of an intensified anti-Naxal operation. The encounters occurred in forested areas during a coordinated operation involving Odisha Police and central armed forces. Ganesh Uike, considered a key strategist and wanted in several cases of violence, was a significant target for security agencies. Arms, ammunition and Maoist literature were recovered from the sites. Officials said the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs and marks a major blow to Maoist activities in the region, reinforcing the state’s commitment to curb left-wing extremism. (PC: NDTV)

India’s aviation sector is set to expand with two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, receiving No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Al Hind Air, promoted by Kerala-based Alhind Group, plans to begin operations as a regional commuter airline using ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, with Kochi as its main hub and a focus on underserved routes in southern India. FlyExpress has also secured approval, though details about its fleet, routes, and operational base are yet to be disclosed. The entry of these airlines is expected to enhance regional connectivity, increase competition, and provide more travel options for passengers across the country. (PC: HT)

A 30-year-old migrant labourer from Murshidabad in West Bengal, identified as Juel Sheikh, was beaten to death in Sambalpur district’s Shanti Nagar area on Wednesday night while returning from work. The assault followed an altercation with a group of men who stopped Sheikh and his co-workers, allegedly over a request for a bidi (cigarette) that escalated into violence. Sheikh sustained serious head injuries and died at a hospital. Odisha police have arrested six suspects and are investigating. While West Bengal leaders say the attack was due to suspicion of being a Bangladeshi immigrant, police deny this motive and call the incident a sudden provocation. (PC: The Hindu)

Kolkata marked Christmas this year with open street celebrations that drew people from many faiths and communities. Park Street and Bow Barracks again became key centres as markets stayed open late and crowds filled public spaces. Churches such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Sacred Heart held services that spread onto nearby streets. City agencies arranged traffic control and extended transport to manage the rush. Vendors sold cakes, lights, and festive items across neighbourhoods. The celebrations came amid reports from other states of curbs and incidents linked to Christmas events. In Kolkata, the festival remained a public affair, with streets, homes, and churches all taking part in the season. (PC: India Today)

Top CPI (Maoist) leader Ganesh Uike was killed in an encounter with security forces in Odisha on Thursday. Police said Uike carried a reward of ₹1.1 crore and led Maoist operations in the state. The operation took place in Kandhamal district after teams received specific intelligence on Maoist movement. Three more Maoists, including a woman cadre, were also killed in separate exchanges of fire in nearby forest areas. Their bodies were recovered during search operations on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Arms and equipment were seized from the sites. No injuries were reported among security personnel. Combing operations have been intensified in the region. (PC: HT)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it has uncovered more than a million additional documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, significantly delaying the planned public release of all files mandated by the recently passed Epstein Files Transparency Act. The discovery by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan means the DOJ now expects the full release to take several more weeks, surpassing the original Dec. 19 deadline. The department says lawyers are working to redact sensitive details to protect victims before disclosure. Lawmakers and victims have criticized the slow pace and heavy redactions. (PC: AP)