News without the noise · Bengaluru Edition
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 · 102 stories
Karnataka has introduced the Alcohol in Beverage (AIB) excise duty structure, becoming the first state in India to do so. This new system imposes excise duties based on the alcohol content of beverages, taking into account the social costs associated with alcohol consumption, including health issues and domestic violence.
Bengaluru has been without a comprehensive Master Plan for nearly a decade, leading to a conflict between the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) over planning responsibilities. The current plan, RMP 2015, is outdated and based on data from 2003, failing to meet the requirements for regular updates as mandated by the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act. The lack of a cohesive planning framework has resulted in fragmented development and inadequate enforcement of regulations, raising concerns about the city's ability to manage urban growth effectively.
A woman from Mysuru was killed in a robbery for her gold jewelry. The accused attempted to mislead the police by claiming that the woman was attacked by a leopard.
A collision between two Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses near Bardoli in Surat district resulted in at least seven fatalities and around 40 injuries. The incident occurred on National Highway No. 53 when one bus, traveling from Surat to Dhule, hit a tractor, lost control, and collided with another bus coming from Chalisgaon, which subsequently caught fire. Emergency services responded quickly to rescue trapped passengers and transport the injured to a local hospital.
On June 2, fuel prices in Bengaluru remained stable following a recent increase on May 25, when petrol and diesel prices were raised by over ₹2.50 per litre. This marked the fourth price hike in less than two weeks, contributing to rising transportation costs and household budgets. As of June 1, petrol prices in Bengaluru were reported at ₹110.89 per litre, while diesel was at ₹98.80 per litre.
Post-poll violence in Bengal has been criticized as undermining the electoral mandate. The incidents have raised concerns about public safety and the integrity of the democratic process.
A recent Russian missile and drone attack across Ukraine resulted in at least 22 fatalities, including two children, and over 100 injuries. The strikes primarily targeted civilian infrastructure, with significant damage reported in cities such as Dnipro and Kyiv. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for additional military support from allies to counter ongoing threats.
Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon have persisted, targeting areas in the Nabatieh district and resulting in destruction and injuries. This escalation follows a statement from US President Donald Trump, who had indicated that the violence would cease.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including two Syrians, following an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential de-escalation of hostilities. The attacks occurred shortly after Trump stated that both Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to ceasefire terms, which neither party has publicly accepted. The situation remains tense, with ongoing military actions and casualties reported on both sides.
Following the IPL final victory of RCB, Bengaluru police conducted a significant enforcement operation targeting stunt riders and drunk drivers to ensure public safety during the celebrations. The operation involved checking over 13,000 vehicles, resulting in the booking of more than 260 drunk-driving cases and the seizure of numerous vehicles for various traffic violations. Police deployed personnel across the city to maintain law and order during the festivities.
The Karnataka Cyber Command has blocked 8,750 websites in preparation for the IPL final, impacting various news sites among others. This action is part of efforts to manage online content during the event.
UK Athletics has been fined £350,000 and ordered to pay £44,000 in costs following the death of Paralympic shot putter Abdullah Hayayei, who was killed by a collapsing metal cage during training in 2017. The organization pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter, while its former head of sport received a community service order for health and safety breaches. The court highlighted the avoidable nature of the incident, which resulted from missing equipment safety measures.