Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
1. NIA arrests another absconding accused in Praveen Nettaru murder case; total arrests reach 25 The Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another absconding accused in
1. NIA arrests another absconding accused in Praveen Nettaru murder case; total arrests reach 25 The Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another absconding accused in the 2022 murder of BJP activist Praveen Nettaru, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 25. The accused, Ummar Farook M.R., was arrested in Kochi, Kerala, during a targeted operation based on specific intelligence inputs. He had been absconding since the investigation began. He was wanted under a Red Corner Notice (RCN) and a non-bailable warrant. The NIA had announced a ₹4 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest. According to the NIA, Ummar Farook had been chargesheeted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. Investigators believe that he attended a meeting in the office of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in Sullia before the murder. 2. Karnataka explores partnership with Anthropic for governance, skilling and deep-tech growth Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday (August 6, 2026) held discussions with a delegation from Anthropic on forging a long-term partnership to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across governance, higher education, healthcare, research and the State’s startup ecosystem.
The Anthropic delegation was brought to the Chief Minister by Karnataka Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Home Priyank Kharge, as part of the State’s efforts to engage global AI leaders in building Karnataka’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. The meeting focused on deploying applied AI solutions for both government and enterprise use cases, with an emphasis on “beneficial deployment” of AI while ensuring responsible use, data privacy and data sovereignty. 3. Kodagu district receives below-normal rainfall; Minister hopeful of rains in August Kodagu district had so far recorded below normal rainfall compared to previous years, said Minister P.M. Narendraswamy. The newly-appointed Minister, who had been directed by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to visit Kodagu district to study natural calamities, however, expressed optimism of the region receiving good rainfall during August. Kodagu district is considered to be the primary catchment for KRS reservoir, which is the lifeline for Mysuru and Mandya districts, providing irrigation to thousands of acres of farmland and drinking water for the region.
Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu S.J. Somashekar said while Kodagu normally receives 859 mm of rainfall during July, this year only 599 mm had been recorded. 4. Agriculture students block gate of university campus in Shivamogga over recruitment norms Students of the Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences staged a protest on August 6, closing the gate of the campus in Shivamogga, urging the government of Karnataka not to consider engineering graduates for recruitment to the posts of Agriculture Officer (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO). The stir is part of a wider agitation that has gripped agricultural university campuses across the State against a Karnataka Examinations Authority notification that opened the AO/AAO posts to candidates with a B.E./B.Tech degree in biotechnology, in addition to those with a B.Sc. (Agriculture) degree. 5. Yadgir chemical leak: MLA Sharanagowda Kandkur escorts rival Baburao Chinchansur during visit to Kadechur Badiyal Industrial Area Demonstrating that political rivalry need not undermine personal bonds, Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Gurmitkal, Sharanagowda Kandkur, set an example of courtesy and respect toward an elder — who also happens to be his chief political rival.
The BriefWire