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Authorities pulled down unauthorised structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Agencies used a JCB machine to remove barricades and installations found beyond the approved boundary. The action followed a similar move by Pakistan, which recently removed security barriers outside the Indian High Commission.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council on Thursday in Kovalam. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urged the Centre to keep the 1971 Census for delimitation. He said, "The southern states' success in controlling its population must not become a reason."
A bank employee shot dead his wife and sister before killing himself in Lucknow on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Manas Mishra first attacked his wife, Divya Mishra, outside her office in Gomti Nagar. He then fled to the Husaria area, where he shot his sister, Sheeba Bajpai, and ended his life.
Syria rejected Israeli claims that a bombed airbase hosted Turkish forces after airstrikes hit the site. Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said on August 20, "There was no intention to establish a Turkish base there." Syria said the repairs were only to help its own air force use the base again.
The Supreme Court on Thursday reconstituted a three-judge Bench to hear petitions challenging ED powers under the PMLA. Led by CJI Surya Kant, the new Bench includes Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The court said, "The matter has been listed to record the parties' consent on Bench allocation" for hearing.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he ordered the Pentagon to limit US involvement in military exercises with South Korea. These drills started on Monday. Expert Leif-Eric Easley said, "The cost savings from downsizing drills are marginal, while the diplomatic benefits for relations with North Korea are doubtful."
Shikaripur observed a bandh on Wednesday after Bajrang Dal activists called for a protest against a recent attack on Hindutva members. Many shopkeepers closed their stores to show support. Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra joined the march and said, "The police should take stern action against those involved."
The Supreme Court set up a five-member committee on Thursday to probe police force used during NEET protests. The panel will examine evidence like CCTV footage and drone recordings. The court said, "We are confident that the recommendations of the HPEC will be of invaluable assistance to this Court."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi met in New Delhi on Thursday (August 20) to deepen defence ties. They agreed to boost maritime security and explore joint shipbuilding. The meeting ended on a warm note, as Singh said "Arigato" and Koizumi responded with a friendly "Namaste" to him.
The CPI(M) opposed direct mayor elections on Thursday, saying it weakens local representatives. State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said, "direct elections to the posts of mayors and chairpersons would undermine the role of the corporators." The party also backed the 34% quota for Backward Classes but demanded removing the 50% ceiling.
Faten Ben Omar El Azizi drowned last month while trying to cross into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. She was one of nearly 150 people who died or got crushed at the border. Many leaders focused on security, but migration scholar Nicholas De Genova said, "nothing matter-of-fact about the illegality."
The Chhattisgarh High Court reduced a man’s three-year jail term to 74 days for posing as a police officer to extort villagers. Since 2016, the case continued, and the court noted, "He has undergone 74 days of incarceration." The man must now pay a fine of Rs 25,000 instead.