Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: Belagavi-based IT firm challenges US-based namesake Anthropic, and more
A Belagavi-based IT company has filed a civil case against US-based AI major Anthropic PBC, claiming that the latter has violated laws protecting its brand name and online identity. Anthropic Software Private Limited (ASPL), with its office in Bauxite Road in Belagavi, had registered the name of the company with the appropriate authority in India in 2017. It has claimed that it is suffering daily losses as the US-based company is driving away all its online traffic.
In a case filed with the district court, Ayyaz Mulla, one of the founder-directors of ASPL, has alleged that its “online visibility has been displaced, with search and AI-based platforms prioritising” the US company’s name. They have accused the US Anthropic of passing off, misrepresentation, and erosion of the Indian company’s brand identity. Mr. Mulla’s petition has requested the court to restrain the company from using the name Anthropic, not to operate in India with that name, and pay damages of around ₹1 crore.
The Supreme Court on February 12, 2026, refused to intervene in a Karnataka High Court decision refusing to grant anticipatory bail to BJP MLA B.A. Basavaraj (Byrathi Basavaraj) in the July 2025 murder of Shivaprakash alias Bikla Shiva, a realtor-cum-rowdy-sheeter, while highlighting the close nexus between land-grabbers and politicians.
“Land-grabbers have political protection. It is true the public perception is that land-grabbers have one or the other protection,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked. The Bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, gave the MLA liberty to apply for regular bail after surrendering in the case.
Thousands of workers and trade union activists gathered at Town Hall in Bengaluru in response to the general strike called by the joint committee of trade unions against the four labour codes on February 12. Trade unionists from CITU, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, AIUTUC, AICCTU, TUCC and HMKP took part in the protest.
The workers who demanded repeal of the labour codes and reinstatement of MGNREGA, were detained, arrested and removed from the spot by the police. The police removed close to 10 busloads of workers from the Town Hall area. Many of the arrested protesters were taken to the CAR police grounds in Adugodi, where they continued the protest.
Sri Lanka discharges 22 Iranian sailors rescued after their warship sank, while 10 others and 84 bodies remain hospitalized.
Israelis seek shelter as air raid sirens sound in response to missile attacks launched from Iran, with interception reported.
Mamata Banerjee criticizes the incoming Governor as BJP's "parrot" during her protest against voter roll deletions in Kolkata.
Oscar Piastri crashes out of the Australian Grand Prix before the race, damaging his car during a reconnaissance lap.
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There is honest error. And there is something called persisting in an honest error either out of ignorance or maverick indifference. One assumes, and fervently hopes, ignorance is the reason Sir Eric Conran-Smith is assuming a nom de guerre at the drop of a quintessentially British bowler hat. On a Greater Chennai Corporation name board for a famous road in Gopalapuram, he goes under “Conron Smith”. If disguise is the objective, that is a weak attempt at it. A few paces into this road and a turn later, he gets better at the game, morphing into Kandran Smith, a name board for a lane off Conran Smith Road hilariously carrying ‘Kandran Smith Lane’.
Delhi records its highest March temperature in 50 years at 35.7°C, surpassing previous records set in 1999.
A study reveals 45% of Kashmir students face mental health issues linked to social media, urging interventions for healthier usage.
Trump asserts the U.S. doesn't need Britain's help in the Iran war, criticizing Prime Minister Starmer’s military decisions.
Delhi court grants two-week interim bail to Al-Falah chairman Jawed Siddiqui, allowing him to care for his ailing wife.
Valli, once trapped in bonded labour, now thrives as a tailor, earning independence and empowering her family's future.
Explore India's unique 'leaky pipeline' in STEM, highlighting women's strong educational presence yet underrepresentation in research careers.