Abhishek Banerjee Office Vandalism: TMC Alleges BJP Role, Bengal BJP Refutes Claims

The Karnataka government has decided to withdraw the Karnataka Parks Act amendment bill following severe public backlash and protests. The bill, which had proposed allowing up to five percent of park space to be utilized for public utility projects such as metro construction, road widening, and underground tunnels, triggered massive opposition from citizens and opposition parties in Bengaluru. Protesters gathered at major public spaces like Lalbagh to oppose the legislation. Following the outrage, the cabinet met to discuss legal mechanisms to revoke the bill before gubernatorial assent, considering options such as passing an ordinance or calling a special assembly session. Legal Advisor to the Chief Minister, AS Ponnanna, stated that the government is pro-people and willing to correct its decisions if citizens are apprehensive, clarifying that the amendment was intended to streamline approvals for essential infrastructure rather than alienate land to private entities.

Amid massive flood devastation across Nepal, a turquoise house in Chaurasi has gained attention as Nepal's Miracle House after remaining standing while surrounding structures were swept away by raging floodwaters and debris. The building's survival is attributed to its reinforced concrete frame with concrete columns, beams, and steel reinforcement acting as an internal skeleton. This structural system provided resistance against powerful lateral forces, compression, tension, and bending caused by fast-moving water. Additionally, the house was situated slightly outside the direct path of the most destructive debris flow, allowing floodwaters to split around the building.

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches across multiple premises linked to alleged ganja syndicate kingpin Kalapathi Mithubai and her relatives in Hyderabad's Gachibowli area. Eight ED teams were deployed to investigate money laundering and hawala transactions stemming from the illegal narcotics trade. According to investigators, the family-run syndicate procured ganja from Odisha, Araku, and Phulgam, repackaged it, and sold it across Nanakramguda's IT corridor for six years. Prior police actions led to three FIRs, the seizure of 53.5 kilograms of ganja, over 67 lakh rupees in unaccounted cash, digital payment scanners, phones, and vehicles.

A political controversy has erupted following remarks made by a cleric concerning the role of women, asserting that women should remain within their homes and that appearing without a veil can be destructive. An influential religious body met with the state leadership after strong objections were raised against these statements. Political parties across the spectrum have opposed the regressive remarks, while an allied league defended the cleric as a religious scholar. The leadership has maintained its firm stance against the comments despite pressure from the religious faction.