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Do you keep blaming your hectic life for not keeping up with the news?Do you wish there was a voice in your head telling you about what's going on in the city so you don't feel left out in a group? Listen to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast for news specific to namma Bengaluru! Listen during your commute to and from work, listen anywhere, at any time. Transcript:Welcome to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast, your only companion on the streets of Bengaluru. Local News1. Let's begin with the latest update on the Karnataka Assembly elections. Congress party members in Karnataka are still awaiting a decision on who will be the state's next chief minister, despite the party's clear victory in the recent assembly polls. Party president D K Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramiah have both traveled to Delhi to discuss the issue with senior leadership, including Rahul Gandhi. The Congress Legislature Party has passed a resolution granting party president Mallikarjun Kharge the power to choose the next chief minister. 2. In other headlines, the Congress' dilemma in choosing the next chief minister of Karnataka has sparked new claims from caste groups. The Lingayat community, represented by the All India Veershaiva Mahasabha, seeks the top post, while the Dalit community supports veteran Congress leader G Parameshwara. As both communities played a role in Congress's victory, the party faces pressure to maintain their support in the upcoming general election. 3. In some more news, the BJP made marginal gains in Bengaluru despite the Congress wave in the assembly elections. The party is hopeful of capturing BBMP and retaining all three city parliamentary seats in the 2024 general elections. BJP's performance is attributed to PM Narendra Modi's popularity. Winning 16 out of 28 seats, the party remains optimistic about its prospects in the city. 4. Up next, the AI and Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) at IISc is developing an artificial intelligence-powered dashboard to predict and track dengue outbreaks in Bengaluru. The dashboard, developed in collaboration with the BBMP, will utilize data from various sources including dengue records, weather data, mobility data, and growth patterns. The predictive model will aid in better preparedness and response to the mosquito-borne disease. 5. Moving on, Kempegowda International Airport and IndiGo airline have been ordered to pay Rs 12.1 lakh in compensation to the family of a passenger who died of a heart attack. The family sued the airport and airline for failure to provide timely wheelchair and medical assistance, resulting in the passenger's death. The consumer court criticized the inaction and emphasized the need for a safe environment for passengers. 6. Now, onto other news, a bike-borne thief stole a BTech student's mobile phone in Bengaluru after borrowing it on the pretext of making an emergency call. The man managed to escape with the phone while the victim was distracted. A case of theft and cheating has been registered, and efforts are underway to apprehend the culprit. 7. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Traffic Police is set to introduce QR code-enabled displays in over 3 lakh auto-rickshaws to optimize traffic management and improve transparency. Currently pending approval, this follows a pilot test in January. The previous system displaying driver details, including license, registration, contact, and address became unworkable as many drivers refused to comply. 8. On a different note, Tata Group has acquired Wistron's Narasapura factory in Bengaluru to manufacture Apple's iPhones in India. Following a meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Wistron is expected to exit Apple operations. Tata officials have started working at the factory, supporting Apple's aim to establish a production hub in India. Local EventsSwitching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week.1. Enjoy live stand-up comedy at Bistro Claytopia presented by Comedy Shots, from May 16th to May 18th. 2. Laugh out loud at Jokes Aaj Kal, presented by Blue Bulb Comedy at Nirula's, Indiranagar from May 17th to May 19th. 3. But wait, there's more. Attend the Music Jam on May 17th for a soulful evening of music at Lahe Lahe, Indiranagar at 7:30 PM 4. Groove at the Midweek Techno, the only techno night in town, featuring music producer Siva Prayojan, along with Shivabudha, Bassbreaker, and Soulcity at Raw Experience, Koramangala, on May 17th at 8 PM. 5. Attend a guided painting workshop at Paint Bar, Sadashivanagar, on May 17th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. National News1. Moving on to the national news. India's new Parliament building is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month to commemorate nine years of his government. The four-storey building, costing Rs 970 crores, will accommodate 1,224 MPs and feature a Constitution hall, dining areas, and ample parking. The inauguration coincides with the BJP's month-long "special contact campaign" across the country. 2. Meanwhile, the UGC launched an online portal to connect higher education institutions with industry experts as professors of practice (PoPs), bridging the gap between academia and industry. Experts can register and upload their biodata, while the UGC will engage with industrial bodies. They also introduced the UTSAH portal to monitor NEP 2020 implementation and revamped their website. 3. Shifting our focus, a school in south Delhi received a bomb threat via email early in the morning of May 16th, prompting a search operation by the police. The threat was later deemed a hoax as no suspicious items were found. Similar incidents have occurred in the national capital this year, and investigations are underway to identify the sender of the email. 4. In some pleasant news, a new species of flying gecko has been discovered in Mizoram. Named Gekko mizoramensis, it is mainland India's first species of flying gecko. The 20 cm-long gecko is arboreal, nocturnal, and flies between trees. The finding was published in the journal Salamandra, with researchers noting genetic and morphological differences from related species. International News1. Turning our attention to international news, Taiwan's new amendment grants same-sex couples the right to jointly adopt children, marking progress for marriage equality. Despite legalizing same-sex marriage in 2019, adoption restrictions persisted. The amendment eliminates these barriers, ensuring equal parental rights for all couples. Taiwan remains at the forefront of Asia's LGBTQ rights movement, with ongoing advocacy for additional rights, including recognition of Taiwanese-Chinese marriages. 2. In more news today, OpenAI's Sam Altman, creator of ChatGPT, will testify in a congressional hearing on the impact of AI. The discussion will focus on ChatGPT's societal implications and the need for regulations. Altman's influence extends to the White House and bipartisan gatherings, emphasizing the importance of cautious AI development. 3. The Biden administration announced to offer rural electric cooperatives and utilities $11 billion in grants and loans for clean energy projects. This funding supports the expansion of clean energy in rural communities and the administration's net-zero emissions goal. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasizes rural America's role in the clean energy economy, helping cooperatives compete with private utilities. 4. In a recent development, India is considering supporting Greece and other nations in reclaiming artifacts from the UK as part of a global initiative against "colonial appropriation." India's Ministry of Culture aims to form an alliance of nations seeking cultural returns and raise the issue at the G20 meeting. The UK's trade ties with India and international support for cultural reparations may isolate the UK if it opposes India's efforts. Business News1. Let's now look at some business stories. Amazon has reportedly laid off around 500 employees in India as part of CEO Andy Jassy's broader downsizing plan affecting 9,000 employees. The layoffs are occurring across different departments, including Web Services, Human Resources, and Support. Amazon's e-commerce business in India has faced challenges and a slowdown in growth, reflecting difficult market conditions. 2. In more business news, NITI Aayog has proposed blended financing and green bonds to attract private investment in small modular reactors, or SMRs, for clean energy transition. The report highlighted the need to update the regulatory framework to accommodate different SMR technologies. SMRs offer stable power and flexibility for renewable integration, emphasizing the importance of private investment, coordinated regulations, and supportive policies for successful deployment. 3. Moving on, India plans to file a complaint with the WTO against the EU's proposed high-carbon import tariffs. The move aims to challenge the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and address the issue in bilateral talks. India deems the levy discriminatory, questioning its legality and seeking relief for exporters, especially small businesses. 4. In the share market on May 17th, despite positive global cues, benchmark indices opened flat. The NSE Nifty 50 traded at 18,394.45, while the BSE Sensex stood at 62,341.06. In sectoral indices, Bank Nifty dropped 110.6 points or 0.25% to 43,961, and Nifty Financial Services declined 83 points or 0.42% to 19,500.20. Entertainment News1. Over to news from the entertainment world. Renowned Malayalam film producer and distributor PKR Pillai, known for bankrolling superstar Mohanlal's iconic films, passed away at the age of 92. His films like Chithram and Vandanam achieved great success, while others like Amrutham Gamaya, Aham, and Kizhakkunarum Pakshi received critical acclaim. In his final years, Pillai faced financial distress and struggled to afford basic necessities. 2. In some shocking news, LYCA Productions, the renowned film production company behind the successful movies Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2, is currently being subjected to searches by the Enforcement Directorate. The searches are taking place at approximately eight locations in Chennai following the registration of a money laundering case against the production house by the central probe agency. 3. Meanwhile, Johnny Depp's new French movie "Jeanne du Barry" premiered at the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 16th. The film, about the 18th-century monarch who fell in love with a sex worker, features Depp in most parts. This marks his return to the big screen after his bitter legal battle with Amber Heard. Several Indian and Hollywood stars will grace the red carpet during the 10-day festival, including Michael Douglas, who will receive the Palme d'Or. Sports News1. In sports news, Gujarat became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs, while Hyderabad were knocked out. Three playoff spots remain with seven teams in contention. Chennai and Mumbai are frontrunners. Out of the seven teams, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bangalore, and Punjab have two matches left, while Chennai, Rajasthan, and Kolkata have one. 2. In ongoing news, Lucknow will face Mumbai on the evening of May 16th, with their playoff hopes still alive. Led by Krunal Pandya, Lucknow have won 6 out of 12 games. The predicted XI includes Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Prerak Mankad, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Avesh Khan, Yash Thakur, Amit Mishra, and Ravi Bishnoi. Impact players could be Yudhvir Singh, Deepak Hooda, and Yash Thakur. 3. Wrapping up sports news, Man United reportedly will prioritize signing Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur, aiming to strengthen their forward line in the summer transfer window. Kane's impressive season, with 29 goals and five assists, makes him an attractive option. Convincing Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and navigating Kane's contract situation will be key challenges for United. Weather1. And finally, on the evening of May 16th, the skies in the city will be partly cloudy, with a high temperature of 31°C and a low temperature of 27°C. The weather forecast for May 17th is mostly sunny with generally clear conditions. The high temperature is expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius, while the low temperature will be around 23 degrees Celsius.   That’s all for now on The Bengaluru Commute Podcast for today. I’m Anupama. If you enjoyed this episode, please do follow me on your favorite podcast and player, and leave a rating and a review as well. It helps other listeners to discover the show, and I would just really appreciate it. Even better if you know someone who would enjoy the podcast, share it with them. Subscribe to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits:Produced by SpoolerProducer: Anupama RajarathnamAudio producer: Caanu ZazaVoiceover: Anupama RajarathnamScript: Sitara D.