A political controversy has erupted between the BJP and Congress over a video showing Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during the 'Vande Mataram' recital at the Congress HQ on Independence Day. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused Congress leaders of disrespecting the national song. A police complaint has been filed against Sonia Gandhi in Mangaluru. However, Congress clarified that Sonia Gandhi was only asking for a chair for Kharge, who was standing for a long time, and accused the BJP of misinterpreting the clip. https://www.kannadaprabha.com/nation/2026/Aug/16/opposition-party-harbours-deep-discomfort-and-disrespect-toward-the-national-song-manoj-tiwari

A tragic road accident near Lingashettypura Gate in Chikkaballapur claimed the lives of a young man and woman from Uttar Pradesh while they were returning from Isha Adiyogi. In another incident, an FIR has been filed against four individuals, including Harshith Reddy, for allegedly assaulting and body-shaming a female Traffic PSI, Nayana, while she was on duty in K.R. Puram, Bengaluru. https://www.kannadaprabha.com/karnataka/2026/Aug/16/young-girl-and-young-boy-die-in-road-accident-while-returning-from-adiyogi-visit

Actor Yash, ahead of his movie 'Toxic' release on August 26, addressed the controversy surrounding intimate scenes in the film. Speaking on 'Aap Ki Adalat', Yash admitted that his wife, Radhika Pandit, was unhappy seeing him in romantic scenes with other actresses, which is a natural partner reaction. However, he explained that Radhika, being an actress herself, understands it as a professional requirement for his 'playboy' character, Raya. Despite some criticism and complaints to the CBFC regarding the teaser's content, Yash maintains that these scenes were necessary for the story and were performed by overcoming his own insecurities. https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/sandalwood/yash-talks-about-his-wifes-reaction-after-watching-toxic-movies-intimate-scenes-1225882.html

The Kalaburagi District Congress Committee protested against the 'purification' of a stage in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had recently delivered a speech. Protesters marched from the Congress office to Annapurna Cross, burning tires and shouting slogans against the BJP and RSS. Leaders termed the act as an insult to Dalits and a violation of constitutional values, demanding an end to caste-based discrimination. https://www.prajavani.net/district/kalaburagi/congress-protest-kalaburagi-kharge-purification-row-4199332

Hero MotoCorp has launched the Vida VX2 electric scooter in India, featuring a range of up to 187 km on a single charge with its 4.4 kWh battery pack. The scooter offers removable battery technology for convenient charging, a 4.3-inch TFT dashboard with Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple riding modes. With the BaaS (Battery as a Service) subscription model, Hero aims to make the EV more affordable by reducing upfront costs. Prices range from ₹84,999 to ₹1,43,990 across different variants. https://kannada.timesnownews.com/business/hero-vida-vx2-187km-range-on-a-single-charge-check-price-features-of-ev-scooter-article-155697060

Pan India star Yash revealed in a popular talk show 'Aap Ki Adalat' that his sister Nandini is his favorite person in the whole world. Despite his global stardom after the KGF series, Yash emphasized that his family remains his top priority. When a viewer named Nandini asked him a question, he fondly remembered his sister and shared his deep bond with her, stating she is the most special person to him. https://kannada.asianetnews.com/entertainment/who-is-yash-favourite-person-in-the-world-rocking-star-reveals-the-answer-gvd/articleshow-ld9514g

An incident where a man was stopped from hoisting the Indian national flag at the Taj Mahal on August 15 has sparked a legal debate. According to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) rules and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, hoisting any religious or political flags on protected monuments is prohibited. While the Red Fort is a symbol of sovereignty where the PM hoists the flag, the Taj Mahal is strictly a protected historical tomb. Violating these rules can lead to fines and imprisonment. http://zeenews.india.com/kannada/india/why-is-the-indian-national-flag-not-hoisted-on-the-taj-mahal-asi-rules-explained-393983

During his appearance on India TV's 'Aap Ki Adalat', Rocking Star Yash addressed questions regarding his potential entry into politics. While citing Tamil actor Vijay's political move, a fan asked if Yash aspired to be the CM of Karnataka. Yash clarified that he is currently focused on his acting career and elevating the film industry. Although he has no prejudice against politics and might consider it in the future if a genuine need arises to serve the public, he feels it is unnecessary at this moment. He also revealed that he only follows his wife, Radhika Pandit, on social media. https://kannada.news18.com/news/entertainment/yash-on-aap-ki-adalat-rocking-star-hints-at-political-entry-ach-ws-l-2470861.html

National Award-winning veteran Bengali director Raja Sen passed away at the age of 71 in a Kolkata government hospital. He was suffering from multi-organ failure and was on ventilator support. Known for his film 'Damu' and several literary adaptations on television, his career spanned over five decades in cinema and documentaries. His demise marks a significant loss to the Indian film industry. https://kannada.news18.com/news/entertainment/national-award-winning-bengali-director-raja-sen-no-more-kes-2470844.html

During an appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Kannada star Yash responded to a query about Ranveer Singh allegedly warning others about film clashes with him. Yash clarified that he announces his movie dates months in advance, and if other films release on the same day, they are the ones clashing with him. He also dismissed rumors of being afraid of a box office clash with Ranveer's movie Dhurandhar, stating he doesn't know what fear is. However, social media users claim Ranveer never made such remarks, adding a twist to the controversy. https://kannada.asianetnews.com/entertainment/here-is-what-yash-reply-about-ranveer-singh-saying-not-to-be-friend-with-yash-and-he-will-clash-with-you/articleshow-3257zek