Mon Dec 16 12:09:57 UTC 2024: ## National News Roundup: December 16, 2024

**Jaipur Coaching Center Gas Leak:** Twelve students at Utkrush Coaching Classes in Jaipur fainted due to a severe sewer gas leak, with two in critical condition. The incident highlights serious sanitation issues in the city.

**Farmers’ Loan Relief:** A significant relief for farmers as the government announced loans of up to ₹2 lakh without collateral.

**Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion:** Devendra Fadnavis’s Maharashtra government underwent a major expansion with 33 cabinet ministers and 6 ministers of state taking oath.

**Controversial Comment on Bumrah:** Cricket commentator Isa Guha faced widespread criticism for allegedly making a racist remark (“Primate”) about Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

**Zakir Husain Death Rumours Denied:** Relatives of Zakir Husain have dismissed reports of his death, stating he is alive and well.

**J&K Terror Threat:** Intelligence agencies have warned of a potential terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir during New Year’s celebrations.

**Congress Faces Setback:** Omar Abdullah distanced himself from the Congress’s claims of EVM tampering, dealing a blow to the party.

**Bangladesh Temple Attack:** The Bangladesh government acted swiftly after a temple was attacked, arresting those responsible.

**Mani Shankar Aiyar Criticizes Gandhi Family:** Former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar accused the Gandhi family of ruining his career, claiming limited interaction and suggesting that a different PM candidate in 2014 would have changed the election outcome.

**India’s Foreign Policy:** External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized Sri Lanka’s importance to India’s “Neighborhood First” policy following a meeting with President Wickremesinghe.

**BJD Snubs Opposition:** The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) refused to join the opposition’s united front against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on a no-confidence motion.

**Nationwide Farmers’ Tractor March:** A nationwide tractor march by farmer groups, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, is underway, with planned rail blockades in Tamil Nadu. However, the march is not taking place in Punjab.

**Narayana Murthy on Hard Work:** Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy reiterated the need for young people to work hard, highlighting the significant poverty in India (800 million people).

**Sunil Pal Kidnapping Case:** An accused in the Sunil Pal kidnapping case escaped after snatching a sub-inspector’s pistol; police shot him in the leg during the pursuit.

**Karnataka Wakf Scam:** Anwar Mani Paddi, implicated in the Karnataka Wakf scam, alleged Congress leaders offered bribes, corroborating Siddaramiah’s bribery accusations.

**Google Unveils Quantum Computer Chip:** Google introduced the “Willow” quantum computer chip, poised to revolutionize computing.

**Cold Wave Alert:** A cold wave alert has been issued for 12 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with Pachmarhi experiencing temperatures colder than Manali.

**India Wins T20 Against West Indies:** India defeated the West Indies by 49 runs in the first T20I, with excellent performances from Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues.

**Australia Dominates Day 2 of Third Test:** Australia reached 405/7 on Day 2 of the third Test against India, with centuries from Head and Smith, and a five-wicket haul by Bumrah.

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