Miscellaneous
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 election updates. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala denied reports of Siddaramaiah becoming the next Karnataka chief minister and stated that deliberations are still ongoing. A decision is expected soon, with the new cabinet forming within the next two to three days. DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are the main contenders. DK Shivakumar was scheduled to meet Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at 6 PM on May 17th for a second round of meetings. 2. In other headlines, acting CM Basavaraj Bommai thanked state officials for their cooperation and bold decisions. He discussed the administration's challenges, successful management of COVID-19 and floods, and peaceful elections. Bommai emphasized officials' role in important policies, development, and urged long-term commitment. He also mentioned analyzing election defeat and commented on party matters and the appointment of Praveen Sood as CBI director. 3. In some more news, despite successful projects like the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and Upper Bhadra River, the BJP faced a major setback in Karnataka's Assembly polls. Voters favored Congress' promises of freebies and welfare initiatives, while BJP's handling of Muslim issues and perceived arrogance contributed to their defeat. Opposition leaders highlighted the state's revenue contribution to the central government. 4. Up next, the high court dismissed two private complaints against IPS officer Bheemashankar S Guled, one accusing him of sexual harassment and the other of money laundering. Guled argued that the allegations were false and that his wife denied them. The court found the complaints to be retaliatory and an abuse of the legal process. 5. In some shocking news, a 56-year-old man was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for smoking a beedi on an Akasa Air flight. The accused, M Praveen Kumar, was charged with endangering the lives of fellow passengers. This marks the first such arrest at the airport for smoking a beedi. Kumar claimed he was unaware of the no-smoking rule because he was a first-time flyer. 6. Moving on, industrialists, hoteliers, and power-intensive sectors expressed disappointment over the recent power tariff increase. The 70 paise per unit hike imposed by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission, or KERC, is the highest in a decade, potentially raising operational costs by 30% and impacting production expenses. Concerns about the quality and uninterrupted supply of power have also been raised. 7. Meanwhile, despite fewer rainy days in 2023 compared to the previous year, dengue cases have increased in Karnataka. The Department of Health and Family Welfare reported 1,716 cases by May 11, 2023, compared to 1,335 cases during the same period in 2022. Health experts urge authorities to take serious action to reduce dengue cases. The Health Department plans to conduct awareness programs, including running a "Dengue Chariot" and advocacy sessions, to educate the public on preventive measures. 8. On a different note, Jarracharra, an exhibition of screen-printed textiles designed by native Australians, is underway at Bangalore International Centre. These fine works of art, depicting ancient narratives, are creations of artists from the Babbarra Women’s Centre located in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory of Australia. The exhibition is on a world tour, with India being its eighth stop and Bengaluru, the fifth Indian city. The exhibition will be open till May 25th. Local EventsSwitching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week.1. Join the Bollywood Dance Workshop by Motley Dance Company at Lahe Lahe, Kodihalli, every Friday from 8:30-9:30 PM. 2. Enjoy a tribute to Coldplay and Ed Sheeran by Nikhil Vai Collective at the Hard Rock Cafe in Whitefield on May 20th at 9 PM. 3. But wait, there's more. Saikiran, India's top trending English stand-up comedian, will be performing his stand-up show called "Nearly Nice Guy" at Long Boat Brewing Co. in Marathahalli on May 20th at 6 PM. 4. Laugh out loud at "SuperMayan - Parent Edition," a comedy special featuring comedian Mayandi KR at Just BLR on Brigade Road on May 21st at 5:30 PM. 5. Experience the enchanting house music of Marsh on his worldwide album tour for 'Endless' at the Sunburn Union, Koramangala on May 21st at 7 PM. National News1. Moving on to the national news. Dharmesh Sharma, a judicial officer of Delhi Higher Judicial Services and former Principal District and Sessions Judge of Dwarka Courts, was sworn in as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court today, May 17th. The appointment was made by the Union Government and announced by Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Twitter. 2. Meanwhile, The National Investigation Agency, or NIA, is conducting raids at over 100 locations across six states, including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, in connection with cases related to the narco-terror-gangster nexus. The NIA registered three cases last year, uncovering a network involved in targeted killings, violent crimes, and smuggling of arms and explosives. So far, 19 individuals have been arrested in connection with the network. 3. Up next, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the international museum expo on May 18th at Pragati Maidan, as part of the ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The theme for this year is "Museums, Sustainability, and Well Being," highlighting museums' contribution to sustainable development and well-being. The event aims to foster international collaboration and exchange in the field of cultural heritage, with the participation of delegations from cultural institutions and museums worldwide. 4. Shifting our focus, The National Testing Agency, or NTA, has rescheduled the CUET-UG due to high candidate numbers in certain cities. The exam, initially scheduled from May 21st to May 31st, will now take place on June 1st and 2nd and June 5th and 6th, with reserve days on June 7th and 8th. The NTA aims to address past glitches by offering additional computers and allowing centers within a 100-km range of candidates. International News1. Turning our attention to international news, the Quad Leaders Summit in Sydney on May 24th has been cancelled as US President Joe Biden postponed his visit to Australia due to domestic debt ceiling negotiations. Biden will return to the US after the G7 Summit in Japan on May 20, and Quad leaders may meet during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima. 2. In more news today, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a military satellite facility where the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 will be launched, according to state media. Kim authorized the next stages of the launch preparation, stating its importance for national security. The exact launch date has not been disclosed. South Korean experts have raised concerns about North Korea's satellite reconnaissance capabilities without external assistance. 3. In some tragic news, Singapore executed a man for drug trafficking, marking its second execution in three weeks. The city-state has strict anti-narcotics laws, with trafficking over 500 grams of cannabis carrying the death penalty. The executions have sparked an international outcry, with calls to abolish the death penalty in Singapore. Thirteen death row inmates have been executed since March 2022. 4. In some positive news, Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa reclaimed the record for the most summits of Mount Everest, reaching the top for the 27th time. He guided a Vietnamese climber during the ascent. The 53-year-old had held the title since 2018 and has been climbing Everest almost every year since 1994. Sherpa, known as "the Everest man," comes from a family of successful mountaineers. Business News1. Let's now look at some business stories. Vaishnavi Group has leased 4.12 lakh square feet of office space to Navi Technologies in Bengaluru's Vaishnavi Tech Square. The nine-year and 11-month lease deal is one of the largest office leasing deals this year. The office features employee-friendly amenities, and the leasing activity reflects the growing demand for Grade A commercial properties in Bengaluru. Office leasing in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Chennai accounted for the majority of transaction activity in Q1 2023. 2. In more business news, investments in India's hospitality sector are projected to surpass $2.3 billion in the next two to five years, as per a report by CBRE South Asia. The report predicts over $0.4 billion in investment between 2020 and 2023. It also expects increased hotel room additions and growth in key performance indicators such as occupancy rates and revenue per available room. 3. Moving on, Indian LNG buyers, including Petronet LNG Ltd., GAIL India Ltd., and Indian Oil Corp., are seeking long-term supply deals lasting up to 20 years to protect themselves from price surges. This shift aims to reduce exposure to the volatile spot market, supporting the government's plan to increase the share of gas in India's energy mix. Buyers are in talks with suppliers in the US, Qatar, and the UAE. 4. In the share market, domestic indices extended previous session’s losses and ended in red. The NSE Nifty 50 dropped by 104.75 points or 0.57% to reach 18,181.75, while the BSE Sensex fell by 371.83 points or 0.60% to settle at 61,560.64. Meanwhile, Bank Nifty fell 205 points or 0.47% to 43,698.70, Nifty IT tanked 273.05 points or 0.97% to 27,942.95 and Nifty Realty plunged 6.30 points or 1.33% to 465.80. Entertainment News1. Over to news from the entertainment world. Union Minister L. Murugan and Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga represented India at the Cannes Film Festival. Murugan donned a white shirt with the national flag and G20 logo, paired with a traditional 'Veshti,' while Guneet wore a golden-tone saree. The India Pavilion, designed based on the Saraswati Yantra, will showcase India's creative economy and cultural heritage. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, known as the queen of Cannes, departed for the festival today from Mumbai with her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan. 2. In some fashion news, celebrities including Priyanka Chopra, BLACKPINK's Lisa, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway recently graced a BVLGARI event in Venice. Priyanka wowed in a dark red cut-out dress, while Lisa stole the show in black. Zendaya opted for an off-shoulder black outfit, and Anne Hathaway dazzled in gold and white. As global ambassadors, they adorned themselves with Bulgari Diamonds, earning admiration and love from fans. 3. In news from Hollywood, the trailer for Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, is out, promising an action-packed adventure. In the new trailer, the makers up the ante by several notches after taking its characters to space, and finally back to the earth for an ultimate battle. Jason Momoa is introduced as the baddie. Fast X releases in cinemas on May 19th. Sports1. In sports news, Punjab will face Delhi in the IPL on May 17th. Punjab have won six and lost six of their twelve matches and are expected to field an unchanged team. Captain Shikhar Dhawan has scored 356 runs this season, while Arshdeep Singh has taken 16 wickets. Nathan Ellis is expected to be the Impact player if Punjab bowl in the second innings. 2. In ongoing tennis news, Novak Djokovic advanced to the Italian Open quarter-finals with a comfortable win over Cameron Norrie, while Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner suffered early exits. Djokovic will face Holger Rune in a rematch of last year's Paris Masters final. In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek extended her winning streak in Rome to 14 matches. 3. Wrapping up sports news, for the first time in 13 years, Inter Milan secured their spot in the Champions League final after defeating AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate, with Lautaro Martinez scoring the only goal of the match. Despite being considered underdogs, Inter's strong performance suggests they will be a formidable opponent. Martinez praised the team's unity in the all-Milan clash. Weather1. Last, but not least, experts attribute the current dry weather in the city to Cyclone Mocha, which depleted moisture along its track. The delayed arrival of the South West Monsoon in India, which is likely to hit Bengaluru in the first week of June, could be affected by El Nino. Eye-related ailments are on the rise due to the hot and dry weather. To maintain eye health, it is advised to ensure proper hydration, minimize screen time, and avoid outdoor activities during midday when the sun is at its strongest. 2. And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. On the evening of May 17th, anticipate mostly cloudy conditions with a maximum temperature of 32°C and a minimum temperature of 26°C. As for May 18th, the day is expected to have predominantly clear skies with a high of 34°C and a low of 22°C. 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.