The Economic Times

Police in Sydney have apologized to Muslim leaders. Officers disrupted men praying during a protest against the Israeli President's visit. Footage showed police moving worshippers. The Police Commissioner stated officers were dispersing a crowd due to earlier unrest. Community leaders called the apology insufficient and demanded public accountability for the incident.

Bharat Bandh Feb 12 reason: India is observing a Bharat Bandh on Thursday, following a nationwide strike call by a joint forum of central trade unions against the Centres alleged anti-worker policies. As many as ten trade unions and 30 crore workers are expected to join the strike. Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has extended full support to the strike.

Eighteen-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge, has been identified as the suspect in a fatal mass shooting that claimed nine lives, including her own. The victims included students in the school library. She had killed her mother, and stepbrother before unleashing hell inside the school. Police had previously responded to the suspect's home for mental health concerns.

Rahul Gandhi voiced strong support for the nationwide strike by workers and farmers protesting against government policies. Millions are on the streets, fearing the impact of Labour Codes, trade agreements, and MGNREGA changes on their livelihoods. Gandhi asserted their voices have been ignored and stands with their struggle.

EU leaders will converge on a Belgian castle on Thursday as the bloc seeks ways to punch its economic weight on the global stage -- faced with threats from China and the United States, and hamstrung by its own divisions. Macron also renewed a call for joint EU debt -- a divisive idea among European capitals -- as the only way to compete with China and the United States.

Senior DGCA officials have visited the site of a recent plane crash near Baramati. The incident tragically claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others. Officials reviewed CCTV footage and videos from the crash. The investigation into the accident is ongoing. The Black Box has been recovered. The probe aims to determine the sequence of events.

BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Chandra Prakash Joshi will present the Fourth Report (in Hindi and English) of the Committee on Petitions on the representation of Parameswaran Krishna Iyer concerning the levying of penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance in bank accounts.

Actor Aayush Sharma has reportedly received a threat email. The sender claims to be part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This follows a similar threat to actor Ranveer Singh via WhatsApp. Police are investigating both incidents. Last week, shots were fired at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence. Authorities suspect extortion motives.

Beijing has intensified its rhetoric surrounding Taiwan, asserting its claim over the island which remains a central point of tension globally. Xi Jinping has confidently stated that reunification is not just a goal but an inevitability. Taiwan's crucial position in the tech supply chain, particularly in chip production, makes it even more significant.

Bharat Bandh 12th February: India is observing a Bharat Bandh on Thursday, February 12 and several services will be impacted today except for essential services like hospitals and ambulance operations. Assam, Odisha, Kerala and West Bengal are likely to see the maximum impact of the nationwide strike. Emergency services such as hospitals, pharmacies may not be affected.

Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the India-US Interim Trade Agreement. He claims the deal jeopardizes the future of 140 crore Indians, impacting jobs, farmers, and energy security. Gandhi alleges Prime Minister Modi made concessions under pressure, citing Epstein files and the Adani case. BJP members plan to file a privilege notice against Gandhi for misleading the house with baseless allegations.

Israel has joined U.S. President Trump's Board of Peace, a new initiative aimed at stabilizing Gaza and tackling global conflicts. The board, launched in January, will hold its first meeting on February 19. While some allies have joined, many Western nations remain hesitant, with experts raising concerns about its potential to undermine the UN's work and its colonial undertones.

Four Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from cutting $600 million in public health funds. California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota claim the cuts are politically motivated. The funding supports vital health programs like disease monitoring and outbreak response.

The Mexican Navy and US Coast Guard seized 188 packages containing cocaine in a coordinated operation in the Pacific Ocean, the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy said in a statement Wednesday. The operation was carried out under a bilateral cooperation framework and eyond the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mexico's territorial waters, the Mexican Navy said, without specifying the exact quantity of cocaine seized.

President Trump is boosting coal power. The Pentagon will now purchase electricity from coal plants. Six coal plants will receive $175 million for upgrades. This move aims to support the coal sector amidst a shift away from fossil fuels. The administration is also easing regulations on coal plants and delaying closures.

Hug Day 2026: What day is today in Valentine Week? In case, you are wondering, then you should know on February 12, people celebrate Hug Day. On Hug Day, people express their feelings and emotions through warm and comforting hugs. Hugs offer numerous benefits- from reducing stress to promoting overall well-being.

The FAA abruptly closed El Paso airspace for 10 days, later reduced to hours, after the Pentagon deployed an anti-drone laser without FAA coordination. This action stranded travelers and caused significant disruption, prompting calls for explanations from officials regarding the lack of inter-agency communication.

Karachi witnessed a violent Wednesday night with four separate firing incidents. At least four people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries across the city. Incidents included fatal shootings in Memon Goth and a youth critically injured during a robbery attempt. Elsewhere, a firing incident in Delhi Colony also reported injuries. Investigations are underway for all these events.

Delhi's air quality has returned to the 'very poor' category. The Air Quality Index rose to 305 on Wednesday. This follows a brief improvement due to light rain. Weather analysts predict back-to-back western disturbances around February 17 or 18. These may bring scattered rain to parts of North India.

The Supreme Court has requested a progress report and procedural protocol details from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the 2025 Air India Ahmedabad crash. The Solicitor General assured the court the investigation is nearing completion and a report will be submitted within three weeks, emphasizing adherence to international standards and cautioning against premature conclusions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi passionately defended Donald Trump during a combative hearing, aggressively deflecting questions about the Jeffrey Epstein files. She accused Democrats of using the issue to distract from Trump's successes, while Republicans sought to focus on law enforcement. Bondi's handling of the Epstein files has drawn criticism for haphazard redactions and a perceived politicization of the Justice Department.

JEE Mains Result 2026 Date and Time: The results of JEE Mains Result 2026 have been postponed by the NTA and now the results will now be declared on February 16. NTA is going to release the final answer key for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 on their official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. The JEE Main result 2026 will consist of candidate details, scores, ranks, percentile and other details.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette series is based on a true story. The Hulu and FX series explores the romance, marriage, and tragic end of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The show stars Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon and releases February 12, 2026.

United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Venezuela. He indicated that legitimate deals by Chinese companies will be acceptable. However, the Trump administration seeks to avoid deals that have harmed other nations in the region. Wright also mentioned that debt restructuring for past expropriations will take time.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 219211 to rebuke President Donald Trumps tariffs on Canadian imports, marking a rare bipartisan challenge to the White Houses trade policy. Six Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a resolution focused at ending the national emergency used to justify the tariffs. While largely symbolic, the vote emphasizes growing concern among lawmakers over economic pressure on businesses and rising costs for consumers.

India is set to release inflation figures using a new index on Thursday, which analysts predict may indicate elevated price pressures. This revised Consumer Price Index, reflecting updated spending patterns and new categories, could influence the central bank's decision to maintain current interest rates.

Bangladesh votes on Thursday in its first election since a deadly 2024 uprising. Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a leading contender. He faces a challenge from Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has overseen reforms. Voters will also decide on constitutional changes in a referendum.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premieres on FX and Hulu on February 12, 2026. The series covers their romance, marriage, and tragic deaths. The first three episodes release together, followed by weekly episodes. Fans can check the schedule and time zones for global streaming.

Joybombasticness is a playful yet vivid term for happiness that is loud, visible, and unforgettable. It combines joy with bombasticness to offer a larger-than-life, extravagant, and expressive emotional state. Perfect for writers, creatives, and social media enthusiasts, the word fills a gap in English vocabulary for explaining moments of intense delight.

US House lawmakers voted Wednesday to reject Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, sweeping aside the president's last-gasp threat of election consequences for Republicans to deliver a rare rebuke on his signature economic policy. Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Nirmala Sitharaman said the Budget incentivises local data centres, rejecting Rahul Gandhis charge that Indias data was being opened to the US. She accused Congress of compromising farmers, the poor and national interests.

The government is on the brink of a historic merger between Power Finance Corp and REC, with plans for preferential share allocation to retain public ownership. This initiative could potentially see the government's stake drop to under 51% after the consolidation.

The Pitt Season 2 Episode 6 release time, schedule, what to expect and how to watch is here. Episode 6 streams February 12, 2026 on HBO Max. Check global release time, full schedule, cast, runtime, plot details, and streaming plans.

A Reddit post detailing an employees dismissal following a 60-day performance improvement plan has ignited widespread discussion online. The finance-sector worker disclosed that they were given a choice to resign or be terminated, with similar benefits but different long-term challenges. While resignation enabled a cleaner narrative, termination made the employee eligible for unemployment benefits.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 6 release time, schedule, what to expect and how to watch is now confirmed. Episode 6 titled Come, Lets Away streams on Paramount+ on February 12, 2026. The cadets face the Furies on an abandoned ship while Nahla seeks help from Nus Braka.

Michael Jacksons quote, To give someone a piece of your heart, is worth more than all the wealth in the world. is about giving a piece of ones heart over valuing wealth emphasizes the emotional philosophy that defined his life and art. Widely recognized worldwide for his music, dance, and humanitarian vision, Jackson consistently highlighted love as humanitys greatest currency. The quote delves into how genuine affection, empathy, and emotional presence outweigh money or status

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 7 release time, schedule, what to expect and how to watch is here. The episode airs on February 12, 2026 on Crunchyroll. It continues the Culling Game arc, adapts Chapter 158, and shows Yuji and Megumi entering Tokyo No. 1 Colony.

Zayn Malik recently shared a surprising parenting moment on Call Her Daddy, revealing he gave his daughter Khai 500 quid from the Tooth Fairy after she lost her first tooth. He reflected on his own childhood struggles in Bradford, citing that raising Khai differently is meaningful to him. Talking about his relationship with ex Gigi Hadid, Malik stated, I will always love G because she is the reason my child is on this earth, and I have the utmost respect for her but I dont think I was ever in lo

Bud Cort, the beloved actor best known for featuring Harold in the 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude, has passed away at 77. Born Walter Edward Cox in Rye, New York, Cort launched his career after being discovered by Robert Altman, appearing in MASH* and Brewster McCloud. He achieved acclaim for his deadpan charm and distinctive presence, leaving an indelible mark on cinema.

US company bankruptcies 2026: Large US companies are facing a tough start to 2026, with nine major businesses filing for bankruptcy last week, marking the highest three-week average since the 2020 pandemic. At least 18 companies with over $50 million in liabilities have gone under, impacting sectors like retail and restaurants due to rising debt, inflation, and changing consumer habits.

NASAs Hubble Space Telescope has captured its clearest image yet of the Egg Nebula, a pre-planetary nebula situated almost 1,000 light-years away in the Cygnus constellation. The nebulas central star is hidden behind a dense dust cloud, with twin beams of light escaping through polar openings to illuminate concentric arcs of gas and dust. As a rare example of a late-stage Sun-like star nearing the planetary nebula phase, the Egg Nebula offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study stellar evo