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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. Bengaluru Local news1. Let's begin with updates from the city. Amidst heavy rainfall in Bengaluru, another tragic incident occurred as a 31-year-old man lost his life by drowning in a storm drain. Despite repeated warnings from residents, Lokesh ventured into the drain to assess the water's depth. The force of the water swept him away, and his lifeless body was discovered approximately 12 km away in another drain located in Byatarayanapura. This unfortunate event marked the second fatality due to intense rainfall.2. In other headlines, following the tragic demise of a 22-year-old Infosys employee, Bhanurekha, who was stranded in a waterlogged underpass in Bengaluru and lost her life, recently elected Deputy CM DK Shivakumar took swift action. He promptly directed the preparation of a comprehensive report on all underpasses across the state of Karnataka. He also assured the public that while implementing necessary measures may take time, utmost efforts will be made to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.3. In some more news, In response to the unfortunate demise of the 22-year-old techie, former Karnataka CM, Basavaraj Bommai, expressed his sentiment that timely intervention by the BBMP could have potentially saved her life. He emphasized the existence of certain flaws within the system and mentioned the importance of proper maintenance of the drainage infrastructure by the BBMP. Additionally, he expressed his recollection of no prior incidents resulting in fatalities of this nature.4. Up next, Karnataka police issued a warning to drug peddlers, urging them to abstain from engaging in illicit trading of banned narcotics. Alok Kumar, the additional DGP of Karnataka, declared that the police department remains focused on curbing drug peddling, even during the assembly elections. The department has set a deadline of August 15 to eliminate drugs from Mangaluru, Manipal, and Mysuru. Earlier, the police had already cautioned peddlers about the consequences of involvement in drug-related activities.5. Now, onto other news, The 2nd Trade and Investment Working Group meeting, led by India's G20 Presidency, commenced in Bengaluru today. Over 100 representatives from G20 member countries, invitee countries and international organizations will convene for three days to discuss vital topics such as reforming the multilateral trading system, integrating MSMEs into global trade and enhancing trade for growth and prosperity. The event comprises a guided city tour, a cultural program, and Gala Dinner for the G20 delegates.6. Moving on, The newly elected Congress-led government in Karnataka has made the decision to halt the release of funds and payments for any work orders initiated by the previous BJP government, according to officials familiar with the matter. Orders will be issued soon, and ongoing projects that have not yet commenced will be immediately stopped. A senior official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that all projects will undergo review based on instructions. 7. Meanwhile, On Monday, 22nd May, Congress workers in Bengaluru performed a 'puja' and sprinkled cow urine outside the Karnataka Assembly building. They stated that their intention was to 'purify' the premises before the newly elected Congress government's inaugural session. A video circulating online depicted Congress workers carrying a bucket, purportedly filled with cow urine, and using leaves dipped in the liquid to sprinkle it around.8. On another note, due to the relentless rainfall, valuable gold jewellery stored in a showroom in Malleshwaram was swept away. The showroom owner expressed shock, stating that their priority was to ensure personal safety during the rain. However, upon inspection, they discovered that the jewellery, previously stored in boxes, had also been washed away. The estimated loss of gold jewellery amounts to approximately Rs.2.5 crore. National News1. Moving on to the national news. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the results of the Civil Services Exam 2022 today. Ishita Kishore emerged as the topper of the exam. The preliminary exam took place on June 5, 2022, with the results being declared on June 22. The main examination was conducted from September 16 to 25, the results of which were announced on December 6 2022.2. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal addressed the acts of violence in Manipur, highlighting the detrimental impact of the "communal virus" on the body politic, contrasting it with the effects of the "coronavirus" on the human body. In a tweet, he expressed concern about Manipur's reoccurring turmoil, emphasizing the potentially unimaginable consequences if the violence continues to escalate. Sibal also cautioned that while political gains may be temporary, the scars left behind are enduring.3. In more news, effective June 1, the Government of India has mandated that cough syrup exporters must undergo product testing at designated government laboratories. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has specified that cough syrups must possess a certificate of analysis before being exported. This decision follows the unfortunate incidents where cough syrups manufactured in India were associated with the tragic deaths of several children in Gambia and Uzbekistan.4. Shifting our focus, The Indian Navy accomplished a successful engagement of a sea-skimming supersonic target with the guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao. The Navy highlighted this inaugural achievement as a testament to their combat preparedness and dedication to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Emphasizing its significance, the Navy described the warship as one of the most formidable vessels built in India. International News1. Turning our attention to international news, The driver of a truck was apprehended after crashing the vehicle into security barriers near the White House grounds, confirmed a spokesperson from the US Secret Service. Fortunately, no Secret Service or White House personnel sustained injuries in the incident. Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, stated that investigations are underway to determine the cause and circumstances of the crash.2. In ongoing news, The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called upon nations to implement necessary reforms in preparation for future pandemics. He commended their "historic" decision to approve a significant budget increase during the WHO's annual assembly. Tedros pushed for immediate action to avoid postponing crucial changes. The 10-day World Health Assembly in Geneva, coinciding with the WHO's 75th anniversary, will address various global health challenges, including polio eradication, and supporting Ukraine's health emergency caused by Russia's invasion.3. In a recent development, E Jean Carroll, the columnist who won a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against former US President Donald Trump, has filed an amended lawsuit seeking at least $10 million more in compensatory damages and additional punitive damages. Carroll's lawyers argued that Trump's remarks following the verdict, including derogatory comments made during a television appearance, further harmed her reputation and led to the loss of her position as an advice columnist.4. In some positive news, a 78-year-old man and his 81-year-old sister, who were separated during the Partition 75 years ago, experienced a joyous reunion at the Kartarpur Corridor. Reports indicate that Mahendra Kaur, hailing from India, found her long-lost brother, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, residing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, after learning about their relationship through a social media post. Business News1. Let's now look at some business stories. Adani Group firms' market capitalization (m-cap) surpassed ₹11 lakh crore during today's trading, following a rally for the third consecutive session. At its peak, the overall m-cap of the Adani Group reached ₹11.06 lakh crore. Shares of Adani Ports also surged by up to 7.7%, making it the first Adani Group company to recover all the losses incurred since the stock market decline caused by Hindenburg Research's report. 2. In more business news, JioMart, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has reportedly terminated over 1,000 employees today as part of a broader workforce reduction in its wholesale division, which is expected to result in a reduction of over 9,000 positions. This comes after Reliance's acquisition of Metro Cash and Carry, which added 3,500 permanent employees to its workforce, leading to overlapping roles and subsequent restructuring.3. Moving on, A US judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Elon Musk cheated Twitter shareholders during a buyout. The lawsuit contended that Musk's delayed disclosure of a 9.2% Twitter stake allowed him to purchase additional shares at lower prices prior to the buyout announcement. The court ruled that the lawsuit primarily addressed grievances related to the buyout process rather than its fairness.4. Starting today, the process of exchanging or depositing ₹2,000 banknotes has commenced. Individuals can exchange these notes at a limit of ₹20,000 per transaction. It is permissible to deposit these banknotes into bank accounts or exchange them for other denominations at any bank branch. According to the SBI, no requisition slip or identity proof is necessary for the exchange of these banknotes.5. In market news for May 23rd, The Sensex recorded a gain of 122.31 points or 0.20% at 62,085.99, while the Nifty rose by 59.10 points or 0.32% to reach 18,373.50. Among the traded shares, 1647 showed an upward trend, 1588 experienced a decline, and 97 remained unchanged. The Indian Rupee displayed a minor upward trend due to positive domestic equities and foreign institutional investor (FII) inflows. However, significant gains were limited by the strength of the US Dollar, which benefited from optimism surrounding debt ceiling discussions. Entertainment News1. Over to news from the entertainment world. Ray Stevenson, the Irish actor known for portraying Governor Scott Buxton in 'RRR', has died at the age of 58. According to his publicist Nicki Fioravante, Stevenson passed away late Sunday, just a few days before his birthday. The cause of his death has not been revealed. Stevenson also appeared in notable films such as 'Thor' and 'King Arthur', among others.2. In news from the Cannes Film Festival, actor Sunny Leone, who is attending the prestigious event for the premiere of her film 'Kennedy', expressed that it has surpassed her wildest dreams to be there. She also mentioned that she earned the film by defying stereotypes and overcoming hurtful comments. She stated, alluding to her personal journey, "Only my husband, my team, and I truly understand the challenges I've faced."3. Meanwhile, actress Aahana Kumra addressed a recent incident where a fan touched her waist, emphasizing that public figures like celebrities are often perceived as accessible. She said, "The lines can get blurred," adding that people may feel they know celebrities, but the reverse is not true. Aahana stressed the importance of maintaining boundaries and asserting that a sense of distance should be maintained. Sports News1. In sports news, expressing her frustration with the lack of action by the police against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, wrestler Vinesh Phogat criticized the prolonged nature of their protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. She emphasized that the repeated discussions on sexual harassment incidents can be mentally distressing for the victims involved.2. In some uplifting news, in solidarity with Real Madrid star, Vinicius Jr., who faced racial abuse during a La Liga match, the lights on Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer were turned off for an hour on the night of 22nd May. The Brazilian government has urged authorities to take strict action against those accountable for the "racist attacks" targeting the Brazilian forward.3. Wrapping up sports news - After his team's exit from IPL 2023, ex-Bangalore captain Virat Kohli expressed his thoughts and shared photos on Instagram. He wrote - "Though the season had its moments, we regrettably fell short of our goal." Kohli acknowledged the disappointment but encouraged the team to remain resilient. He also expressed gratitude towards their loyal supporters, acknowledging their unwavering support. Bengaluru BuzzSwitching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week. 1. Join an exclusive Open-mic event and express yourself at the My School of Rock, Koramangala 8th block, happening on the 28th of May at 5.30 pm.2. Catch Kunal Kamra in his latest outing " So-Called Comedian" Live at the BOHO Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, Brookfield Mall on the 27th of May, at 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm.3. But wait, there's more. Catch "The Great Bangalore Laughter Show" and hang out with your favourite comedians at The Art Gully Studio at Koramangala 4th Block, happening from the 25th to the 28th of May at 10.00 pm.4. Join a special pottery class and bring your family along too, to the Pottery with Families workshop, happening on the 28th of May at Lahe Lahe at 10.00 am.5. You can also join an exclusive dance class with the Bhangra Nights crew, happening at the Dialogues Cafe, JP Nagar on the 28th of May at 7.30 pm. Bengaluru Weather1. And finally, the weather in Bengaluru. The evening of May 23rd will see temperatures drop to 24°C. The chance of heavy rain is also very likely. The weather on the morning of 24th May, in Bengaluru will be very hot with temperatures reaching 35°C. During the evening and nighttime, the temperatures will again dip to 23°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 favourite 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. Make your commute truly extraordinary. The Bengaluru Commute podcast skill is now available on Alexa! All you have to do is to download the skill from your Alexa app and look for the Bengaluru commute podcast.Subscribe to The Bengaluru Commute Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits:Produced by SpoolerProducer: Anupama RajarathnamAudio producer: Caanu ZazaVoiceover: Anupama RajarathnamScript: Prathiksha Nehru