bangalore news times

Bengaluru : Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad on Monday, November 9, said that the state government stood by its findings that oil marketing companies (OMCs) were blending more than the prescribed 20 per cent ethanol in petrol, with some samples showing levels of up to 31.2 per cent, and accused them of evading questions on the issue. The minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology said the state government had followed the prescribed sampling and testing procedures and challenged the OMCs to explain the actual ethanol content in 63 samples collected from petrol pumps across the state. He also demanded that consumers be given the choice of buying E10, E20, E30 and pure petrol, depending on their vehicles ‘ compatibility. “I want to assure everyone in the country that the government of Karnataka stands by its report and its claim that oil marketing companies are blending more than 20 per cent ethanol in petrol. This can cause serious...

Bengaluru : A comprehensive review of Bengaluru’s development projects will be held on Monday, November 9, under the leadership of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with the BDA and officials from other departments expected to participate. The review will focus on the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects and measures to address the city’s increasing traffic congestion. Planned urbanisation, civic facilities and long-pending residential site and housing issues are also expected to feature in the discussions. The Chief Minister will examine the status of major projects taken up by the BDA and seek details about their implementation schedules, land acquisition, funding and administrative processes. Officials are expected to present updates on the pace of work and the challenges holding up individual projects. The meeting is likely to result in directions to departments to remove bottlenecks and ensure that development works are completed within the prescribe...

Kalaburagi : A 15-year-old boy died in a powerful explosion at Handarki village in Sedam taluk after he reportedly mistook an explosive substance stored at home for a Diwali firecracker. The victim, identified as Bhimraya, was killed instantly when the material exploded as soon as he lit it. The blast caused severe injuries to his head, leaving him dead at the spot. Preliminary details indicate that the explosive had been brought home by the boy’s father to drive away wild boars. It was not an ordinary firecracker , but a material intended to frighten animals away from agricultural areas. Unaware of its purpose and the danger involved, Bhimraya reportedly assumed that it was a firework kept for Diwali celebrations. He lit it, triggering a powerful explosion. The sudden death has left the family inconsolable. What was believed to be a moment of festive excitement turned into a devastating loss for his parents and relatives. The incident highlights the serious...

Sirci : Residents of Omkara Nagar in Dodnalli village of Sirsi taluk in Uttara Kannada district are facing an unusual and alarming water contamination problem, with water in around six wells reportedly turning black and catching fire when exposed to a flame. Villagers said an oily layer had formed on the surface of the well water, which also emits a smell similar to petrol or diesel. In a disturbing demonstration, a piece of paper dipped in the water reportedly caught fire when a matchstick was applied. Residents said the problem persisted even after the wells were emptied, as oil-contaminated water continued to seep back in. The development has raised serious concerns among families who depend on these wells for their daily water requirements. After noticing the contamination, residents alerted gram panchayat officials, who visited the locality and confirmed the presence of an oily substance on the water surface. Water samples from the affected wells have been collecte...

Bengaluru : An 18-year-old engineering student from Karnataka has achieved a remarkable milestone by topping the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination across the country. Shreya N Gowda, a native of Bhadravathi in Shivamogga district, secured the all-India first rank in the examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), succeeding in her maiden attempt. Her achievement is the culmination of a dream she nurtured from childhood. While studying in Class 8, Shreya learnt that women were eligible to join the NDA and decided to work towards a career in the armed forces. She had set her sights on securing a position among the top 10, but her performance exceeded her own expectations. Shreya studied at BGS Central School in Karehalli, Bhadravathi, until Class 10 and secured the top position in her taluk. She then moved to Bengaluru for her pre-university course at BASE PU College in Rajajinagar. Her preparation for the JEE examination strengthened h...

Bengaluru : Investigators probing the murder of seven members of a family allegedly by Indushekhar have found that the accused pawned and sold jewellery taken from the bodies of his wife and mother-in-law to finance the transportation and disposal of the victims’ remains. According to police sources, the accused removed bloodstained ornaments from the bodies, washed them and subsequently pledged some of them at jewellery shops. The money was allegedly used to meet expenses connected with the crimes. He reportedly sold some other ornaments to buy diesel for his car, which was used to transport the bodies, while the remaining jewellery was handed over to his daughter. The investigation has also established that the accused travelled extensively to dispose of the bodies. He allegedly drove from Bengaluru to Mangaluru and returned, later travelled to Chennai and subsequently went to Nandi Hills. Between October 16 and November 3, he allegedly murdered seven members of ...