A suspected gas leak at Utkarsh Coaching Classes in Jaipur's Mahesh Nagar area left 10 students hospitalised, with 2 in ICU. The incident occurred around 6:45 PM during a session when a foul odour from a suspected drain leak caused 20 students to experience nausea, headaches, and breathing difficulties. Smoke from a terrace kitchen worsened the situation. Seven students were taken to a private hospital, where their condition is now stable. Student leaders, including former Rajasthan University Student Union President Nirmal Choudhary, have demanded action against the institute. Police are investigating the cause of the leak.

Actor Allu Arjun said he is deeply concerned about 10-year-old Sri Tej, injured in a stampede during the Pushpa 2 premiere on December 4. The incident at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad also claimed the life of a woman, Revathi. Arjun, unable to visit the boy due to legal advice, has pledged to cover his medical expenses. The actor was arrested on December 13 in connection with the case but was later granted bail. Three others, including the theatre owner, were also arrested. Arjun expressed hope for the boy’s recovery and vowed to meet him and his family soon.

Farmers protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border announced a “rail roko” protest on December 18, 2024. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a farmer leader, urged people from Punjab’s 13,000 villages to block railway crossings from 12 to 3 PM. The protest follows failed attempts by farmers to march into Delhi on foot, which were stopped by police using tear gas, injuring 17 people. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has been invited to join the protest. Farmers aim to unite and demand justice for their cause. This marks another major protest after the historic year-long agitation against the now-repealed farm laws in 2020.

Zakir Hussain, the world-famous tabla maestro, died on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 73. He had been in a San Francisco hospital for two weeks due to heart problems. Zakir was the son of Ustad Allah Rakha and a global icon in Indian classical music. He won five Grammy Awards and many national honors, including the Padma Vibhushan. His 1973 collaboration with John McLaughlin and L Shankar blended Indian music with jazz, creating history. Hussain’s death is a huge loss to the world of music. Fans worldwide mourn the passing of this legend.

Renowned tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has been hospitalised in San Francisco, USA, due to serious health issues. His brother-in-law, Ayub Aulia, confirmed the news during a phone conversation with journalist Pervaiz Alam, who shared the update online. Hussain, son of legendary tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha, is a recipient of India's highest civilian awards, including Padma Vibhushan. Known globally for his musical brilliance, he was also the first Indian musician to perform at the White House under President Obama. The family has requested fans worldwide to pray for his speedy recovery as he continues receiving treatment.

Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule saw a significant box office jump after his arrest, earning ₹1196 crore worldwide in just 10 days. The film registered a 70% increase globally and a 74% rise in domestic collections on its second Saturday, surpassing Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (₹1143 crore). With ₹826 crore net in India and ₹210 crore gross overseas, the film is set to overtake Yash's KGF: Chapter 2 (₹1208 crore) and is aiming for the ₹1309 crore mark set by RRR. The sequel to Pushpa: The Rise also saw an overseas resurgence, earning nearly $2 million on day 10.

In a shocking crime in Kolkata, Atiur Rahman Laskar, a construction worker, allegedly murdered his sister-in-law after she rejected his romantic advances. The woman, a domestic help in the Regent Park area, had recently been avoiding Laskar and blocked his phone number. On December 12, he forced her to accompany him to an under-construction building, where he strangled her, beheaded her, and disposed of her body in parts at separate locations. The severed head was found at a garbage dump in Tollygunge. Police arrested Laskar within 24 hours, with the accused confessing to the crime.

Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash’s estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, along with her mother, Nisha Singhania, and brother, Anurag Singhania, were arrested in connection with his suicide. Subhash, 34, died by suicide on December 9, leaving a note accusing his wife and her family of harassment. Nikita was arrested in Gurugram, while her family members were detained in Prayagraj. Subhash alleged years of emotional distress, false cases, and financial pressure from his wife’s family. The case has sparked nationwide outrage, and Nikita had previously filed a dowry harassment complaint against Subhash in 2022.

Allu Arjun’s celebratory return home after his release from jail has sparked outrage on social media, with many users criticizing the actor for celebrating while a boy injured in the Pushpa 2 stampede remains in critical condition. The actor had been arrested in connection with the death of a fan at the film’s premiere. Despite being released on bail, Arjun’s emotional reunion and the subsequent publicity, including celebrity visits and a press conference, were deemed insensitive by many. Social media users lamented that Arjun failed to visit the deceased’s family despite promises of support.

Sambhal officials reopened the centuries-old Bhasma Shankar temple, locked since the 1978 communal riots, during an anti-encroachment drive near Shahi Jama Masjid. The temple, discovered during a power theft inspection led by SDM Vandana Misra, contained a Hanuman idol and Shivling. Locals claimed the temple, tied to the Rastogi community, was abandoned after Hindu families migrated following the riots. Mukesh Rastogi, a resident, believes the temple is over 500 years old. The discovery follows weeks of unrest in the area over mosque-related surveys. Authorities now plan to restore the temple and its nearby well for public use.