News without the noise · Bengaluru Edition
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · 15 stories
Two children, D Arjun and D Asha, died in a fire that broke out in their makeshift shed in Narayanapura, Kottanur, while their parents were at work. The fire reportedly started from an inflammable material, possibly a cigarette lighter or mosquito coil, and despite attempts by neighbors to rescue them, Arjun died at the scene and Asha succumbed to her injuries en route to the hospital.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that the search powers under Section 132 of the Income-tax Act are person-centric, clarifying that the authority to conduct search and seizure operations is based on the individual rather than the premises searched. This decision came after a writ appeal from the income-tax department, which sought to restore notices issued for assessing the income of a third party following a search conducted on the premises of CR Ram Mohan Raju in 2017. The court emphasized that the warrant of authorization is fundamentally focused on the person involved, with the location of the search being secondary.
The recent support for C Joseph Vijay as Tamil Nadu's chief minister by the Congress party has sparked discussions in Karnataka regarding potential impacts on the ongoing Cauvery river water sharing disputes and the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. While some political analysts suggest this may facilitate better communication between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, they caution that deeply rooted interstate tensions are unlikely to be resolved easily, especially with concerns over water management heightened by anticipated low rainfall this year. Karnataka is mandated to release a specific amount of water to Tamil Nadu annually, a requirement that becomes contentious during periods of drought.
A new excise regime in Karnataka has come into effect, increasing the prices of lower-end liquor while potentially lowering costs for certain premium brands. The policy aims to discourage high alcohol content consumption and is expected to boost sales of cheaper drinks by 15% to 20% this year. The Karnataka State Beverage Corporation Ltd. did not distribute any Indian Made Liquor or beer on the first day of the new regime, with price adjustments expected to be finalized shortly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a seven-point call to action for Indian citizens, highlighting the economic challenges stemming from the West Asia crisis. His recommendations include reducing fuel usage and foreign travel, which aim to conserve foreign exchange. However, the timing of these suggestions has raised concerns, as they follow extensive travel by Modi and his Cabinet for election campaigning, and may not effectively address the underlying economic pressures.
The Supreme Court has dismissed petitions challenging the Madras High Court's decision to initiate a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the procurement of transformers during the tenure of former minister Balaji.
President Donald Trump announced plans to suspend the 18-cent federal petrol tax to address rising fuel prices, which have increased from an average of $2.98 to $4.52 per gallon since late February. While he indicated the tax would be waived until deemed appropriate, such a suspension requires congressional approval. Some states, including Indiana, Kentucky, and Georgia, are also considering cuts to their petrol taxes to alleviate consumer costs.
A recent surge in gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has led to the displacement of hundreds of residents and the suspension of medical services by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Approximately 800 individuals sought refuge in MSF's hospital in the Cite Soleil neighborhood before operations were halted due to safety concerns amid ongoing gunfire. Currently, no hospitals in the area are operational, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as the need for medical assistance remains high.
Residents of Utqiagvik, Alaska, will not see another sunset until August, as they enter a period of 84 days of continuous daylight known as the midnight sun. This natural phenomenon occurs during the summer months in regions within the Arctic Circle.
Madhav Tiwari contributed significantly to Delhi Capitals' performance by taking 2 wickets for 40 runs and later playing a crucial role in the batting lineup to assist in chasing a target of 211 runs.
In a recent IPL 2026 match, the Delhi Capitals successfully chased down a target of 211 runs against the Punjab Kings, winning by three wickets. Key performances included Madhav Tiwari, who took two wickets and scored 18 runs off 8 balls, and Arshdeep Singh, who excelled with the ball, claiming two wickets for 21 runs. The match showcased strong batting and bowling efforts, contributing to an exciting contest at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.