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GOLD 22K ₹13,450 ·SILVER ₹229 ▴ ₹2·BREAKING Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: 20 Ministers Sworn In Amid Last-Minute Drama — Mankalu Vaidya Dropped by 'Typing Mistake', SS Mallikarjun Gets Last-Minute Call, Zameer Ahmed Khan In Despite Viral Audio·EVENT M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this weekend · Karnataka·GOLD 22K ₹13,450 ·SILVER ₹229 ▴ ₹2·BREAKING Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: 20 Ministers Sworn In Amid Last-Minute Drama — Mankalu Vaidya Dropped by 'Typing Mistake', SS Mallikarjun Gets Last-Minute Call, Zameer Ahmed Khan In Despite Viral Audio·EVENT M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this weekend · Karnataka·
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Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: 20 Ministers Sworn In Amid Last-Minute Drama — Mankalu Vaidya Dropped by 'Typing Mistake', SS Mallikarjun Gets Last-Minute Call, Zameer Ahmed Khan In Despite Viral Audio
POLITICS / GOVERNANCE

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: 20 Ministers Sworn In Amid Last-Minute Drama — Mankalu Vaidya Dropped by 'Typing Mistake', SS Mallikarjun Gets Last-Minute Call, Zameer Ahmed Khan In Despite Viral Audio

Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar's long-awaited cabinet expansion concluded on August 3 at Lok Bhavan with 20 new ministers taking oath, capped by last-minute drama in which Bhatkal MLA Mankalu Vaidya was dropped from the list — AICC called it a 'typing mistake' — and SS Mallikarjun was added after threatening to resign; only 11 of the 20 are genuinely new faces, and several Siddaramaiah-era stalwarts were cut.

4 hours ago · 6 min read
POLITICS / GOVERNANCE

AICC Appoints GS Patil as Assembly Speaker, Salim Ahmed as Council Chairman Alongside Cabinet Expansion

As new ministers took their oath in Bengaluru on August 3, the AICC also finalised appointments for Karnataka's key legislative posts: G.S. Patil as Assembly Speaker, A.S. Ponnanna as Deputy Speaker, Salim Ahmed as Legislative Council Chairman, and Umashree as Deputy Chairman.

4 hours ago · 1 min read
AICC Appoints GS Patil as Assembly Speaker, Salim Ahmed as Council Chairman Alongside Cabinet Expansion
POLITICS / GOVERNANCE

Congress High Command Tells CM Shivakumar to Accept Rebel MLAs' Resignations If They Persist

Following the release of Karnataka's 20-member cabinet expansion list, several Congress MLAs excluded from the ministry threatened to resign, but the party high command responded firmly — offering corporation board posts as consolation and instructing CM DK Shivakumar to accept resignations if the dissenters still refuse to relent.

4 hours ago · 2 min read
Congress High Command Tells CM Shivakumar to Accept Rebel MLAs' Resignations If They Persist
WATER POLITICS / GOVERNANCE

CM DK Shivakumar Clarifies Kabini Water Released for Dam Safety, Not for Tamil Nadu; Vatal Refuses to Call Off August 13 Bandh

After convening an all-party meeting on the Cauvery water dispute, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that water released from the brimming Kabini reservoir was purely for dam safety — not in compliance with the CWMA order — while Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj defiantly rejected the CM's appeal to cancel the August 13 Karnataka bandh. BJP State President BY Vijayendra simultaneously wrote to Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urging diplomatic cooperation and support for the Mekedatu project.

13 hours ago · 4 min read
CM DK Shivakumar Clarifies Kabini Water Released for Dam Safety, Not for Tamil Nadu; Vatal Refuses to Call Off August 13 Bandh
CITY / TRAFFIC

Bengaluru Roads Shut Near Lok Bhavan from 2–8 PM for Karnataka Ministers' Oath Ceremony

Bengaluru traffic police have imposed vehicle restrictions on key roads near Lok Bhavan from 2 pm to 8 pm on August 3 for the new Karnataka ministers' oath-taking ceremony, with heavy vehicles banned city-wide until 10 pm and alternate routes announced for commuters.

4 hours ago · 2 min read
Bengaluru Roads Shut Near Lok Bhavan from 2–8 PM for Karnataka Ministers' Oath Ceremony
CITY / WEATHER

Bengaluru Records 2nd Driest July in 108 Years as Southwest Monsoon Falters

Bengaluru received just 23 mm of rainfall in July 2026 — more than 70% below normal — making it the second driest July in 108 years of records, surpassed only by July 1918 when just 18.5 mm fell. Experts warn the monsoon may remain weak through much of August, though a brief recovery is expected between August 6–12.

13 hours ago · 1 min read
Bengaluru Records 2nd Driest July in 108 Years as Southwest Monsoon Falters
WEATHER

Karnataka Weather: Rain to Continue for Three More Days, Red Alert for Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru; Schools Shut in Several Districts

The IMD forecasts continued rainfall across Karnataka until August 7, with red alerts issued for Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru and heavy showers expected in coastal and Malnad regions; schools across several vulnerable taluks have been declared closed as a precaution.

4 hours ago · 2 min read
Karnataka Weather: Rain to Continue for Three More Days, Red Alert for Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru; Schools Shut in Several Districts
ECONOMY / CONSUMER

Rice Prices Surge Up to 35% in Karnataka as Monsoon Deficit Halts Paddy Sowing

Retail rice prices across Karnataka have risen by as much as 35% after a roughly 50% rainfall deficit caused farmers to defer kharif paddy sowing, tightening supply at wholesale markets; traders warn prices could climb further if the northeast monsoon also fails to deliver.

1 day ago · 1 min read
Rice Prices Surge Up to 35% in Karnataka as Monsoon Deficit Halts Paddy Sowing
CITY / CRIME

Cocaine Dealer Arrested 100 Metres from Bengaluru Police Station, ₹50 Lakh in Drugs Seized

A 30-year-old drug peddler was arrested just 100 metres from the Chamarajpet police station after police noticed suspiciously frequent delivery bikes visiting a Conservancy Road apartment — the cocaine was hidden inside chocolate boxes and couriered via app-based logistics riders. Police seized 116.3 grams of cocaine worth ₹50 lakh and are now hunting a second accused.

4 hours ago · 2 min read
Cocaine Dealer Arrested 100 Metres from Bengaluru Police Station, ₹50 Lakh in Drugs Seized
CITY / CRIME

Investment Fraud Now Top Cyber Crime in Bengaluru; Police Issue Public Advisory

Online investment fraud has surged to become the most prevalent cyber crime in Bengaluru, with scammers using WhatsApp and Telegram to build victims' trust before swindling them of crores of rupees. The city's Cyber Crime Branch has seized hundreds of fake bank accounts and is urging the public to stay vigilant and report fraud on helpline 1930.

4 hours ago · 1 min read
Investment Fraud Now Top Cyber Crime in Bengaluru; Police Issue Public Advisory
CITY / CRIME

Bengaluru Man Loses ₹3.49 Lakh to Cybercriminals Posing as Election Commission Officials During Voter Roll Revision Drive

A resident of Bengaluru's Jeevan Bheemanagar area was defrauded of ₹3,49,999 by a scammer who called via WhatsApp posing as an Election Commission of India (ECI) official, claiming the victim's SIR (Special Intensive Revision) application had been rejected and needed to be resubmitted — a new wave of cyber fraud exploiting public confusion over the ongoing voter-list revision exercise.

4 hours ago · 2 min read
Bengaluru Man Loses ₹3.49 Lakh to Cybercriminals Posing as Election Commission Officials During Voter Roll Revision Drive
CITY GOVERNANCE / ELECTIONS

SIR Effect: Bengaluru's Voter Count Set to Halve, Pushing Government to Merge Five GBA Corporations into Two

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process may drop around 50 lakh voters from Bengaluru's rolls, slashing the registered electorate from 1.03 crore to roughly half — reigniting demands from both the ruling party and the opposition to consolidate the five municipal corporations created under the Greater Bengaluru Authority into just two.

13 hours ago · 1 min read
SIR Effect: Bengaluru's Voter Count Set to Halve, Pushing Government to Merge Five GBA Corporations into Two
ELECTIONS / GOVERNANCE

Karnataka Govt to Issue 4.8 Crore Free Caste Certificates to Help Voters Restore Names in SIR Drive

To ease re-registration for the over one crore voters flagged for deletion in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Karnataka government will distribute more than 4.8 crore free caste certificates statewide, with home delivery tracked via a dedicated mobile app.

1 day ago · 2 min read
Karnataka Govt to Issue 4.8 Crore Free Caste Certificates to Help Voters Restore Names in SIR Drive
CITY / CRIME

Gay Dating App Gang Arrested in Bengaluru for Luring and Robbing Young Men

Bengaluru's Jigani police arrested a gang that created fake profiles on gay dating apps including Grindr to lure young men to isolated areas near Anekal, where they threatened, sometimes stripped, and robbed them of cash, phones, and gold jewellery. Two juvenile members of the gang were separately produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.

4 hours ago · 2 min read
Gay Dating App Gang Arrested in Bengaluru for Luring and Robbing Young Men
GOVERNANCE / RECRUITMENT

Karnataka Police Constable Exam Largely Smooth, but Chaos at Three Centres Sparks BJP Demand for Priyank Kharge's Resignation

The Karnataka Examinations Authority declared the statewide Civil Police Constable recruitment exam a success on August 2, with over 92% attendance, but protests erupted at centres in Vijayapura, Haveri, and Hassan over alleged OMR-sheet and question-paper numbering confusion; BJP's R. Ashoka seized on the disruption to demand the immediate resignation of Home Minister Priyank Kharge.

13 hours ago · 4 min read
Karnataka Police Constable Exam Largely Smooth, but Chaos at Three Centres Sparks BJP Demand for Priyank Kharge's Resignation
CITY HEALTH / CONSUMER POLICY

Karnataka Health Minister Orders Hot Drinking Water Mandatory at All Bengaluru Hotels

Health Minister UT Khader has directed that every hotel and eatery in Bengaluru — including small establishments — must provide hot drinking water to customers, citing deteriorating water quality and a rise in waterborne illnesses. The move follows an earlier ban on junk food sales near schools as part of the department's broader public health push.

13 hours ago · 1 min read
Karnataka Health Minister Orders Hot Drinking Water Mandatory at All Bengaluru Hotels
GOVERNANCE / EDUCATION

Karnataka Rolls Out High-Tech 'Digital Fortress' to Secure 74,000-Post Recruitment Exams

The Karnataka government has unveiled a sweeping high-tech security framework — including smart-lock trunks, room-level jammers, AI-assisted CCTV, and social media surveillance — to ensure cheat-free recruitment exams for 74,000 vacant government posts in the wake of the KPSC question-paper leak scandal.

1 day ago · 2 min read
Karnataka Rolls Out High-Tech 'Digital Fortress' to Secure 74,000-Post Recruitment Exams