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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 updates from the city. The BJP has revised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bengaluru roadshow to minimize inconvenience to citizens. Instead of a day-long event, it will now take place on May 6th and May 7th. This roadshow is part of the PM's three-day campaign, with public rallies scheduled in other locations as well. The BJP is focused on winning in Bengaluru as it plays a crucial role in forming the government. 2. Moving on, Bengaluru is witnessing crackdowns to seize illegal cash, liquor, and items ahead of the Karnataka Assembly Election 2023. 816 raids have been conducted, resulting in the confiscation of 3.77 crore liters of IMFL liquor and 2.85 crore liters of beer. The Excise Department has taken action with 700 cases, 30 seized vehicles, 2,514 registered FIRs, and the confiscation of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, gifts, and 69,847 weapons. 3. Up next, Mahadevapura has the highest property tax contribution of ₹813.43 crore. However, residents suffer from poor infrastructure and unplanned development. The upcoming assembly elections are significant for the constituency due to its tech companies. Key contestants include BJP's Arvind Limbavali's wife Manjula, and Congress' H Nagesh. Civic issues such as traffic congestion, water scarcity, pollution, and encroachments plague the area, fueled by its rapid population growth. 4. In other headlines, the construction of the foot overbridge, or FOB, between the KR Puram railway and metro stations has begun, resolving the deadlock between South Western Railway and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. The FOB will link the Purple Line, Blue Line, and renovated KR Puram railway station. The Mahadevapura Task Force advocated connecting the FOB to the existing Purple Line Metro station. 5. Meanwhile, electric scooters have been seized from rental companies' godowns in the city for violating regulations by tampering with speedometers and exceeding prescribed motor power limits. The scooters falsely claimed speeds below 25 km/h to be exempt from regulations. Dealers were found selling non-compliant higher-capacity models without approval, insurance, and proper vehicle identification. 6. Now, onto another topic, an international team of researchers, including from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, or NCBS, in Bengaluru, have identified a new type of molecular motor that could lead to advancements in cellular processes, biology, and medicine. Published in Nature Physics, the study reveals how the protein EEA1 can regain its rigid shape through GTP hydrolysis, creating a distinct two-part molecular motor and providing insights into disease-related cellular disruptions. 7. In some education news, the Samagra Shikshana education department has mandated that children seeking LKG admission for the academic year 2023-24 must be four years old by June 1, aligning with the National Education Policy and Right to Education rules. The new age criteria, originally planned for 2023, will now take effect in 2025-26. However, several private schools and standalone neighbourhood preschools are not complying with the rule. 8. On a different note, The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board chairman, N Jayaram, will be available for a phone-in programme on May 6 from 9 to 10:30 am to address public grievances regarding water billing, overflowing manholes, meter reading issues, and inadequate water supply and sanitation. Consumers can call 080-22945119 and provide their RR Number details before raising a complaint, as per the release from BWSSB. Local EventsSwitching gears to local events. There are many events ongoing and upcoming in Bengaluru this week.1. Experience an evening of laughter with Swati Sachdeva's stand-up show, "So Rude of Me" at the Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning on May 6th at 6 PM. 2. Catch comedian Gaurav Gupta live in Bangalore at Nexus Shantiniketan Mall Whitefield on May 13th, 2023 at 7 PM. 3. But wait, there's more. Experience a diverse range of performances and talents at Jagriti Open Mic Saturdays, a series of events happening every Saturday from May 6th to August 26th at Jagriti Theatre in Whitefield.  4. The "Biggestest Kids Carnival" will take place at Nexus Shantiniketan Mall, in association with KidsWell and Themed by Sneha Chopra, on May 6th and 7th. Let's hear more about the carnival from Dr Deepika Ponnappa, the founder of KidsWell. 5. Participate in a glass painting and acrylic painting workshop, at Dialogues in Kormangala on May 6th, 2023, starting at 11 AM. Here is Ms Sudatta Banerjee, the founder of Crimson Petal Art School, giving us more details about the workshop. National News1. Moving on to the national news. India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO, to prioritize the fight against terrorism during a conclave. He stressed the importance of addressing all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, to protect the security interests of the organization. Jaishankar made the statement in the presence of counterparts from Pakistan, China, and Russia. 2. In some breaking news, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cancelled his election programmes in Karnataka due to clashes in Manipur. He is closely monitoring the situation and holding meetings with authorities. Security forces, including CAPFs and the Army, are being deployed to restore normalcy. Meghalaya is evacuating its citizens, including students, using special flights. 3. Shifting our focus, in the midst of a decade-long water crisis, residents of Gangodbari village in Nashik's Peth Taluka face perilous conditions as they descend a 70-foot well daily to collect water. With rising temperatures exacerbating the situation, women from Gangodbari bravely climb down the well using ropes to obtain water for their daily needs. It is not just these villages but there are several villages in the district that have been going through a severe water crisis, forcing villagers to risk their lives in danger. International News1. Turning our attention to international news, eight people were killed and 10 injured in a drive-by shooting near Belgrade, the second mass killing in Serbia in two days. The attacker used an automatic weapon and fled the scene. The country, unaccustomed to such incidents, is grappling with the tragedy and discussing gun control measures. The shooting has sparked debates on the nation's state and calls for changes in the school system. 2. In some shocking news, a video has emerged showing Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Marikovskyi punching an unidentified Russian representative who took down the Ukrainian flag during a conference in Ankara. The incident occurred during the 61st General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been escalating. 3. In a recent development, President Biden met with AI CEOs to address privacy, bias, and misinformation risks. A $140 million investment in AI research institutes was announced, highlighting the need for regulations. Challenges remain in combating harmful AI despite tech giants' promises to tackle issues like privacy violations and misinformation campaigns. Business News1. Let's now look at some business stories. Reserve Bank Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar called for diversifying the international currency system by adopting liquid currencies to de-risk global finance. He emphasized the need for wider adoption of central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, while limiting private virtual currencies. The Indian central bank has launched a global technology competition to improve cross-border payments. 2. Now, onto another topic, sales of summer products such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, beverages, and ice cream have declined by 26% in North India due to unseasonal rains and low temperatures. Marketers are concerned about meeting sales targets, although a revival in sales is anticipated later this month. The impact has been seen in sectors like dairy, beverages, and appliances. 3. In some positive news, Indian companies have invested over $40 billion in the US, creating more than 425,000 direct jobs, according to a report by the Confederation of Indian Industries, or CII. The report highlights that 85% of surveyed companies plan to hire more local employees and 83% have future US investment plans. The presence of Indian foreign direct investment spans across all 50 American states, with Texas receiving the highest investment. 4. In the share market today, global stock markets showed mixed performance as investors awaited US jobs data and expressed concerns over the impact of interest rate hikes on banks. London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Wall Street futures rose, while Shanghai declined. Oil prices increased. Investors hoped weak economic data would dissuade the Federal Reserve from implementing further rate hikes. The Sensex in India dropped by 0.8%, and markets in New Zealand and Southeast Asia also declined. Rate hikes have raised fears of financial strain on banks and possible deposit withdrawals. Entertainment News1. Over to news from the entertainment world. A jury has determined that Ed Sheeran did not plagiarize Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" when he wrote his hit song "Thinking Out Loud." After a two-week trial, Sheeran expressed relief and hugged his lawyer. The lawsuit claimed similarities between the songs, but Sheeran argued that the chord progression was a common element available to all songwriters. 2. In news from Bollywood, the hit film "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story," directed by Neeraj Pandey and starring the late Sushant Singh Rajput as cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is set to be re-released in Indian theaters on May 12th. The film, originally released in 2016, aims to give fans another chance to relive Dhoni's inspiring journey on the big screen. 3. Meanwhile, a Muslim group in Kerala is offering 10 million rupees as reward for evidence disproving claims in the controversial film "The Kerala Story" that thousands of Hindu and Christian women joined ISIS. Critics accuse the film of promoting far-right Hindu narratives without factual basis. The director defends the claims, citing evidence. The film's release has sparked controversy and accusations of spreading hate propaganda. Sports News1. In sports news today, Gujarat tops the table in the IPL with 12 points, followed by Lucknow with 11 and Chennai with 10. Bangalore's Faf du Plessis leads the Orange Cap race with 466 runs, while Gujarat's Mohammed Shami tops the Purple Cap race with 17 wickets. Teams ranked from fourth to seventh have 10 points each. 2. In some ongoing news, in solidarity with the protesting wrestlers, coach Mahavir Singh Phogat threatened to return his medals if justice is not served. The wrestlers have also offered to return their medals and government honours to protest alleged police mistreatment. The Sports Ministry instructed the IOA to form an ad-hoc committee to oversee the WFI and conduct elections within 45 days. 3. Wrapping up sports news, Lionel Messi's PSG exit signals a strategy shift, with the club focusing on developing local talent after failing to win the Champions League. The rise of Kylian Mbappe raises doubts about Neymar's future. PSG aims to build a cohesive team and emulate Manchester City's success under Pep Guardiola in pursuit of European glory.Weather1. Last, but not least, the India Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall and thunderstorms across most of India until the end of the week. A cyclonic storm, Cyclone Mocha, is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal, prompting warnings for fishermen to avoid the area. Heavy rain, hailstorms, and cyclone-related precautions are in effect for various regions. Coastal districts and emergency response teams are on high alert. 2. And finally, tonight, the weather will be predominantly cloudy with a high temperature of 27°C and a low of 24°C. There is a chance of rain during the night. Tomorrow, Saturday, May 6th, the forecast indicates a partly cloudy sky with scattered thunderstorms. The temperature will reach a high of 28°C and drop to a low of 21°C. On Sunday, May 7th, expect a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 28°C and a low of 21°C. Thunderstorms are anticipated around the evening, and possibly at night.   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.