Bengaluru road rage: Attempt to murder case booked against SUV driver

Bengaluru, Feb 12, 2026

In a shocking incident in which driver of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) drove a man clinging to bonnet of his vehicle after road rage in Bengaluru , the police have registered an attempt to murder case against the accused.

Police have booked the car driver on charges of attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the complaint, the victim, 36-year-old Nanjunda, a driver and flower trader from Tyagarajanagar, was returning after purchasing flowers in Hosakote on Wednesday. He was travelling with his sister’s son, Manoj K., who was driving the vehicle, while Nanjunda was seated beside him.

After passing Trinity Junction, they were turning towards General K.S. Thimmaiah Circle with the vehicle’s indicator on and hand signals given. At that time, a car behind them allegedly kept honking continuously.

Nanjunda stated that they asked the driver to stop honking and informed him that they were taking a right turn. However, the car driver allegedly moved his vehicle to their left, abused them using vulgar language while seated inside, and then drove ahead.

The accused reportedly stopped at the CB Road signal on HAL Airport Road. Nanjunda said he got down from his vehicle and approached the driver to question him about the abuse and asked him to move his car to the left side of the road.

At that point, the driver allegedly attempted to speed away. As Nanjunda was standing in front of the car, he jumped onto the bonnet fearing for his life and held on to the windshield wipers. Despite his pleas and screams to stop, the accused allegedly drove from CB Road Junction towards ASC Centre College with Nanjunda lying on the bonnet.

Witnesses reportedly shouted at the driver to stop, but he continued driving until other vehicles, including cabs, blocked the road near ASC Centre College, forcing him to halt. Members of the public confronted and reprimanded the driver, who was later identified as Suresh.

Based on the complaint, Halasuru Police have registered a case against Suresh under Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway.(Agency)

SA vs AFG was one of the best games in World Cup history: Irfan Pathan

New Delhi, Feb 12, 2026

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan reflected on the high-octane contest between South Africa and Afghanistan in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, a match that required two Super Overs to decide the outcome and called it “one of the best games in World Cup history.

South Africa and Afghanistan produced a stunning thriller, with the match tied at 187 in regulation and again in the first Super Over, forcing an unprecedented second Super Over. The Proteas finally prevailed by four runs after posting 23, with Afghanistan falling just short despite three sixes from Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the decider super over.

“It was one of the best games of this World Cup, no doubt about it. In fact, one of the best games in World Cup history, easily among the top five.

Two super overs and high drama throughout. There were no-balls, free hits, run-outs, missed yorkers, everything you could ask for. Bowlers tried to bowl yorkers under pressure and missed, which happens to everyone. When they used pace, they went for runs; when they bowled slower balls, they created trouble and picked wickets. Keshav Maharaj’s last ball in the second super over was exceptional. He stayed away from Gurbaz, bowled the wide line, and backed himself even after bowling a wide earlier. That showed his class and temperament. A truly thrilling contest,” Pathan told JioHotstar.

The evening game saw West Indies clinch a 30-run win over England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 76 powered a total of 196/6, and a spin trio led by Gudakesh Motie restricted England to 166 during their chase. Sam Curran’s 43 wasn’t enough as the Windies sealed their second straight Group C win.

Pathan credited the West Indies’ spin trio for laying the foundation of the win.

“Spin it to win it, that mantra really worked for West Indies. Three spinners came into the game straight away, and that made the difference. I was really impressed with the way Roston Chase bowled. Being an off-spinner, getting Jos Buttler out was huge.

Gudakesh Motie showed outstanding skill as well. Against right-hand batters, he used the finger spin effectively, and the way he got Harry Brook out was brilliant. It was a very clinical performance from West Indies. The catching was excellent too, especially Rovman Powell’s outstanding catch. West Indies have sometimes lagged in fielding, but we saw some really good fielding in this match,” he said.

Pathan also underlined the all-round value of Roston Chase, whose contribution came at a crucial juncture in the match.

“First of all, his batting was crucial. When he came in at number four, West Indies were in trouble after losing two early wickets. He provided stability and scored over 30 runs, which was very important. As a right-arm off-spinner, getting Jos Buttler out is never easy. Buttler had hit a big shot the ball before, but Chase changed his length, gave him no room, and got him out well inside the boundary. What I really liked was his planning. Against right-hand batters, he kept changing his line, sometimes targeting the heel, while sometimes going wide outside the off stump.”

Piyush Chawla, meanwhile, praised Sherfane Rutherford’s composure under pressure against England, noting that his knock added crucial runs to the total.

“He came in under pressure, but from there, it was about managing the scoreboard and not losing wickets. It wasn’t just power-hitting; he played late cuts, waited on the length ball to pull square, and punished anything in his area straight down the ground. The best part was that he batted till the end. You always want one batter to stay till the last. They fell about 10 runs short, but given the situation, I felt Rutherford scored 15–20 extra runs for his team.”

With two dominant wins on the trot and their spin unit firing, West Indies appear to have found a winning formula as the tournament gathers momentum.(Agency)

Four Baloch civilians extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces amid escalating violence

Quetta, Feb 12, 2026

As violence against civilians continues to escalate in Balochistan, leading human rights organisations brought to light the extrajudicial killing of another four civilians by Pakistani forces across the province.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, mentioned that the mutilated body of 32-year-old Pazeer Baloch was recovered on February 7, after being forcibly disappeared from the Washbud region of Panjgur district in Balochistan, on November 25, 2025, by a Pakistan-backed death squad.

Condemning the brutal killing of Pazeer, human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said, “The severe marks of torture on his body speak of inhuman cruelty and unbearable suffering. This is not just a killing, it is a crime against humanity.”

In a separate incident, the BYC stated that the tortured body of 35-year-old Karim Jan was dumped in the Baalgathar area of Panjgur on February 1, after remaining in illegal detention for nearly a month.

According to the BYC, Karim Jan, a driver, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence on January 3, and later extrajudicially killed, with his body dumped in Baalgathar.

“This case adds to the growing list of Baloch who have been disappeared, killed, and discarded without accountability, highlighting the entrenched culture of impunity enjoyed by state institutions in Balochistan,” BYC stated.

Additionally, Paank mentioned that 20-year-old Malang Baloch, a daily wage labourer from the Washbood region in Panjgur, was extrajudicially killed by a Pakistan-backed armed group after being forcibly disappeared from his locality on January 29.

Highlighting another brutal incident in Balochistan, Paank revealed that 44-year-old Muhammad Anwar Baloch, a farmer from Killi Safar Ali Jangal area of Duki district, was found dead on January 4, after months of enforced disappearance.

He was detained by Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on June 4, 2025, shortly after offering prayers at a mosque near his home.

Expressing concern over the incident, the BYC said, “In today’s Balochistan, no one is safe — not labourers, not farmers, not even those praying inside mosques. The Pakistani state has turned the region into a militarised zone, where repression replaces law, and enforced disappearances have become routine.”

The rights body stressed that the enforced disappearance and killing of Muhammad Anwar constituted a grave violation of international human rights law, including Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to liberty and security of a person and prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention.

“The continued silence of the international community enables these crimes. While the world looks away, Baloch families are denied truth, justice, and accountability,” the BYC noted.(Agency)

Expelled Cong MLA Rahul Mamkootathil gets bail in rape case

Kochi, Feb 12, 2026

The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil in the first of three rape cases registered against him, subject to stringent conditions.

With this order, the legislator has now secured bail in all three cases. He had obtained bail earlier in the two other cases.

The prosecution strongly opposed the plea, contending that the accused had mentally manipulated and sexually exploited the complainant and therefore should not be granted anticipatory bail. It argued that custodial interrogation was necessary.

The complainant also informed the court that granting bail would pose a threat to her life and alleged that the accused had similarly abused several other women.

However, after examining the woman’s statement in detail, the court observed that it could not be conclusively established that rape had occurred.

The judge noted that a married woman entering into another relationship is not, by itself, legally or morally wrong, and questioned how anticipatory bail could be denied on that ground alone.

At the same time, the court clarified that if it is later found that the accused possessed explicit images, the addition of further charges could be considered.

Bail has been granted with strict conditions. Mamkoottathil must appear before the investigating officer on the 16th and undergo questioning for three consecutive days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., during which period he will be deemed to be in custody.

He must surrender his mobile phone for examination, undergo medical tests, and submit his passport.

Mamkoottathil has been barred from leaving Kerala and must report before the investigating officer on every second Saturday.

He is prohibited from contacting, influencing, or threatening witnesses and must not commit any offence while on bail.

The order is expected to have political ramifications, with speculation rising over whether Mamkoottathil will again focus on retaining the Palakkad Assembly seat.(Agency)

Precious metals’ prices dip over dollar gains

New Delhi, Feb 12, 2026

Gold and silver prices dipped moderately on Thursday, as the US dollar strengthened.

MCX gold April futures dipped 0.24 per cent to Rs 1,58,371 per 10 grams on an intra-day basis. Meanwhile MCX silver March futures declined 0.72 per cent to Rs 2,61,124 per kg.

The dollar index surged to 96.94 on Thursday from 96.83 in the previous session, due to strong jobs data from the US that suggested underlying economic health. A stronger dollar made greenback-priced bullion more expensive for other currency holders.

Analysts said that US job growth unexpectedly accelerated in January and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3 per cent, signs of labour market stability that could give the Fed room to keep interest rates unchanged for some time while policymakers monitor inflation.

“The largest increase in payrolls in 13 months likely exaggerates the labour market’s health, as revisions showed the economy added only 1,81,000 jobs in 2025 instead of the previously estimated 5,84,000,” said Manav Modi, commodities analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial services Ltd.

Earlier, in international commodity markets, gold and silver prices had inched up amidst rising geopolitical uncertainties. After talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump informed that a “definitive” agreement was not reached on how to move forward with Iran. However, he added that negotiations with Tehran would continue.

“Gold has support at Rs 1,56,000 while resistance at Rs 1,60,500,” an analyst said. COMEX Gold traded within the $5000–$5,150 band after witnessing a sharp correction from highs near $5,500–$5,600.

The broader uptrend remains intact, and the recent pullback appears to be healthy profit booking rather than structural weakness, market participants said.

COMEX Silver is currently trading in the $80–$87 zone after a steep correction from record highs above $121. The medium to long-term outlook remains constructive, supported by structural supply constraints and steady industrial demand, though volatility remains elevated, analysts said.

Investors remain keen on US inflation data due on Friday for more monetary policy cues and on the UK GDP data.(Agency)

China seeks US AI chips for weapons: Cyber Command Nominee

Washington, Feb 12, 2026

A top military officer nominated by President Donald Trump to lead US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency has warned that China is aggressively seeking advanced American AI chips to power next-generation weapons systems.

“I agree that China is aggressively seeking to acquire advanced AI chips to accelerate its development of AI-enhanced weapons,” Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd said in written responses to questions from Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Rudd’s remarks came as Warren, the ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, pressed him on the national security implications of chip exports to China.

“A senior military officer nominated by President Trump is warning that China is aggressively seeking to acquire advanced AI chips to accelerate its development of AI-enhanced weapons,” Warren said in a statement. “This Administration has failed to take these risks seriously. I will keep working with my colleagues to pass bipartisan legislation to protect US economic and national security.”

In his responses, Rudd underscored the centrality of advanced semiconductors to modern warfare.

“Yes, I agree that advanced AI chips form the foundational building blocks for achieving AI superiority, enabling rapid data processing, superior decision-making, and enhanced predictive capabilities essential to our national security,” he said.

“These chips are integral to modern military applications, from powering next-generation unmanned systems and cyber defence networks to optimising logistics and intelligence analysis on the battlefield.”

He also warned that procurement delays could hurt US military readiness.

“Delays of weeks or months in procuring the latest AI chips would undoubtedly impair Department innovation and lethality by stalling the integration of cutting-edge AI into our weapon systems, from autonomous drones to real-time cyber threat detection platforms,” Rudd said.

“Such bottlenecks create vulnerabilities, allowing the possibility for adversaries to outpace us in deployment speed and technological adaptation, ultimately compromising mission effectiveness and operational readiness.”

Asked whether prioritising access to China’s market over US firms could affect Pentagon procurement, Rudd said, “Such a scenario could impair military procurement, but I am not aware of this occurring.”

On competition in the technology sector, he said, “Robust competition in the technology sector drives innovation, cost efficiencies, and rapid advancements in cybersecurity tools, directly enhancing the success of the Department’s cyber acquisitions by ensuring we procure cutting-edge, adaptable solutions for threat detection and defence.”

“The Department’s cyber program benefits from competition in the technology space, as it spurs innovation in defensive tools, encryption protocols, and threat intelligence systems, leading to more resilient and agile cyber defences,” he added.(Agency)

CJ Roy death case: SIT finds no evidence of alleged harassment by I-T Department

Kochi/Bengaluru, Feb 12, 2026

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of Confident Group Chairman C. J. Roy has found no evidence to support allegations that Income Tax Department officials harassed or pressured him prior to his death.

As the investigation enters its final phase, officials say preliminary findings point to severe business-related stress as the likely trigger behind the suspected suicide.

The SIT has confirmed that Roy was not questioned by Income Tax officials on the day he shot himself on January 31 at his office in Bengaluru.

Investigators have also stated that there is no material so far to indicate that tax authorities placed him under undue pressure.

“There is no evidence that Income Tax officials forced or intimidated him,” sources said, adding that Roy appeared to have been troubled by other unresolved issues.

Police are examining why Roy had sought treatment for mental stress in recent months.

As part of efforts to reconstruct his state of mind, the SIT has recorded statements from three close friends in Kochi with whom he had lengthy phone conversations in the days leading up to his death.

These individuals reportedly shared a personal, not business, relationship with him.

Investigators have also sought details from two YouTubers who produced promotional content for the Confident Group, while statements from business partners were recorded earlier.

Parallelly, police are preparing for a detailed scrutiny of Roy’s financial dealings.

Audit documents of his companies will be examined comprehensively, and private auditors have been appointed to analyse financial transactions.

Officials are attempting to determine whether disruptions in fund flows, regulatory scrutiny, or investor pressure contributed to mounting stress.

Roy, known for his flamboyant lifestyle, including a luxury car collection in Dubai had faced intensified scrutiny of his financial transactions in recent months.

The company had last week clarified that work has commenced at all their sites and things are fine as far as their commitments to those who have agreed to buy flats.(Agency)

Assam CM defamation case: Court asks Gaurav Gogoi and others to appear before it on March 9

Guwahati, Feb 12, 2026

A court in Assam’s Kamrup district on Thursday issued significant directions in connection with the Rs 500 crore defamation case filed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while granting an interim stay in the matter.

As per the court’s order, Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha member Gaurav Gogoi has been restrained from making any public comments or statements related to the Chief Minister’s assets until further orders.

Similar directions have been issued to Congress leaders Jitendra Singh and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

The court has also issued directions to Jayanta Baruah, owner of the Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin, in relation to the case.

Further, the court directed seven individuals, including Gaurav Gogoi, to appear before it on March 9, when the matter will be taken up for the next hearing.

Chief Minister Sarma had filed the defamation suit seeking damages of Rs 500 crore, alleging that false, defamatory and malicious statements were made against him concerning his personal assets and integrity, with the intent to tarnish his public image.

The case assumes political significance amid heightened political activity in Assam, where allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have intensified in recent months.

While granting the interim stay, the court emphasised the need to maintain restraint and ensure that ongoing judicial proceedings are not influenced by public statements or media reportage.

Reacting earlier to the controversy, the Chief Minister had maintained that he would pursue legal remedies to protect his reputation, asserting that accountability must accompany public discourse, particularly when serious allegations are made without substantiated evidence.

On the other hand, Congress leaders have maintained that they are exercising their democratic right to question those in power, even as the legal process continues.

The court is expected to further examine the submissions of all parties during the next hearing on March 9, when the respondents have been asked to remain present.(Agency)

Transgender murder case: Man arrested after encounter with police in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Feb 12, 2026

The Puri Police have arrested a dreaded criminal allegedly involved in the brutal murder of a transgender person on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, following an encounter.

The 25-year-old accused, identified as Krushna Kandi, is a resident of the Konark area of Puri district.

Kandi sustained a bullet injury to his left leg during the encounter with police on Wednesday and was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment.

It is pertinent here to mention that the victim transgender, Dinesh Prasad Rout alias Anjali, of Salepur area in Cuttack district, was allegedly murdered by the accused following an altercation near Uttara under Pipili police station limits on February 1.

The brutal murder, which took place on the side of the national highway, has evoked widespread outrage, with the transgender communities staging protests at different places in the state demanding justice for the victim.

The Puri Police initiated an investigation in in the matter by registering a case at Pipili Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act.

With the help of a scientific team and a sniffer dog, the Pipili Police conducted an investigation at the scene and seized blood-soaked soil, slippers, underwear and some other items.

To catch the accused, the Puri Police formed a Special Investigative Team led by an Additional Superintendent of Police. During investigation, the police through intelligence identified accused Kandi, an anti-social element, as the prime accused in the case related to the murder of Dinesh.

The police, who were tracking Kandi, located him in the Pipili area on Wednesday evening, where an encounter ensued between the police and the accused.

Informing about the development, police said,”upon receiving information of his (Kandi’s) presence near Tarakaju, our team attempted to apprehend him. Kandi opened fire on the team, prompting the police to resort to controlled firing in self-defence.

In the retaliatory fire, Kandi sustained leg injury.

The accused has been arrested and is undergoing treatment at SCB Medical.

He has a history of involvement in multiple snatching cases. Investigation is ongoing.

Police are yet to reveal the actual cause leading to the murder of the transgender.(Agency)

Bharat Bandh disrupts daily life, livelihoods across Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 12, 2026

Kerala on Thursday came to a near-total halt as the 24-hour nationwide Bharat Bandh against the Centre’s four new labour codes and related legislations shut down shops, markets, offices and educational institutions across the state, severely disrupting daily life and livelihoods.

From early morning, the impact was visible. State-run and private buses stayed off the roads, auto-rickshaws and taxis remained parked, and commercial establishments downed their shutters.

With public transport paralysed, hundreds of passengers arriving by long-distance trains and inter-state buses were left stranded at railway stations and terminals, scrambling for private vehicles to reach their destinations.

The shutdown dealt a direct blow to daily wage earners, small traders and street vendors, many of whom lost an entire day’s income.

Though organisers largely avoided coercive enforcement, with elections around the corner, they instead persuaded roadside vendors to close voluntarily, and economic activity remained minimal.

Private vehicles plied in some areas, but traffic was thin.

Police provided protection to staff buses ferrying employees to ISRO units and ensured limited access to certain IT campuses.

The Kerala High Court functioned as usual.

Exemptions were granted for Sabarimala pilgrims and the ongoing Maramon Convention near Thiruvalla.

The bandh, called by joint trade unions, seeks withdrawal of the four labour codes, the Draft Seed Bill, the Electricity Amendment Bill and the proposed SHANTI Act.

The unions are also demanding restoration of MGNREGA and scrapping of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Act, 2025, alleging that the measures dilute worker protections and job security.

Interestingly, neighbouring Tamil Nadu reported normal activity, underscoring Kerala’s distinctive shutdown culture.

Political pre-election yatras by both the ruling Left and the opposition continued uninterrupted.

State Education Minister V. Sivankutty was seen walking from his residence to join protesters.

For ordinary Keralites, however, the day translated into lost wages, stalled commerce and disrupted routines, the familiar economic cost of a total shutdown.(Agency)

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