India News, 26 August 2026: India rejects ‘politically motivated’ references in UNCERD report

Karnataka minister B Nagendra denied reports that he had offered to resign, saying there had been no discussion with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on the matter. According to PTI reports, speculation over his resignation came amid renewed Opposition demands for his removal over alleged Rs 89 crore irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

The Sambhal municipality has launched a crackdown on cattle owners leaving livestock unattended on public roads, imposing fines and warning of FIRs for repeated violations. Municipal executive officer Aditya Prakash said five owners have so far been fined Rs 12,500, with a penalty of Rs 2,500 per cattle head. Stray cattle are also being caught and shifted to the Qasimpur gaushala. The fine could be raised to Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for repeat violations, while persistent offenders may face FIRs, Prakash said. (PTI)

UDF leaders staged a day-long hunger strike in Palakkad, opposing the Railway Board’s decision to shift the Mangaluru area, including Ullal, from the Palakkad Division of Southern Railway to the Mysuru Division from October 1. The protesters demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision, with KPCC president and state minister Sunny Joseph calling it a “grave betrayal” of Kerala. The agitation came two days after Chief Minister V D Satheesan urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put the decision on hold, citing the lack of consultation with the state government and concerns over its impact on railway infrastructure in northern Kerala. (PTI)

Six bodies, including those of two boys and four women, were found floating in Bhutnal Lake in Vijayapura, police said. The identities of the deceased are yet to be established. Police are probing whether the deaths were caused by accidental drowning or suicide, while they are also checking recent missing-person complaints to determine if the victims belonged to the same family. (PTI)

PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss has demanded a CBI probe into the deaths of three Tamils in Karnataka’s Hanur forest, alleging leaked post-mortem reports contradict the state’s claim that they were killed in an encounter. He said the autopsy showed close-range gunshot wounds and sought Rs 1 crore compensation for each family, along with intervention by the Centre and Tamil Nadu government. (PTI)

Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena has been admitted to the ICU of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur after testing positive for swine flu, officials said on Wednesday. He was admitted late Tuesday night and is being treated under the prescribed swine flu protocol. Doctors have advised him to avoid visitors and family members, while a team led by the head of the Medicine Department is monitoring his condition and conducting necessary tests. (PTI)

Malayalis across Kerala and outside state are celebrating Thiruvonam on Wednesday, bringing the 10-day Onam festivities to a vibrant close with colourful pookkalams, traditional attire, temple visits and lavish sadya feasts. From homes decked with flowers to courtyards filled with oonjals (swings) and laughter, the festival has brought families together, with many welcoming children and grandchildren home from across India and abroad. Even intermittent showers failed to dampen the celebrations, as communities came alive with traditional games and cultural programmes. But beyond the feasts, new clothes and festivities, it was the joy of long-awaited homecomings and generations reuniting under one roof that made Thiruvonam special for many.

Seven policemen and a civilian were injured after a police and administrative team came under stone-pelting in Sikri village, Budaun in Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday evening. The incident took place amid a dispute over the proposed installation of a Dr BR Ambedkar statue on Gram Samaj land. Several vehicles were damaged in the attack, while the situation has since returned to normal.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy wrote on X about the road accident in Suryapet district in which a private bus collided with a container near Dwarakunta in Kodad mandal. The Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao to ensure that those injured receive the best possible medical treatment and asked officials to take all necessary measures for their care, the Telangana CMO said.