The latest controversy over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir has, however, given the Congress an opportunity to frame its attack around the Sangh Parivar’s control over the management of the temple. Though neither Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge nor Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has spoken on the issue, the party plans to raise the matter during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 20.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday (July 12, 2026) said that of the 11 Indians onboard the commercial vessel attacked off the coast of Oman, 10 have been rescued, while one still remains missing. In a statement condemning the attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy, the MEA said India’s Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation.

U.S. ‌Senator Lindsey ​Graham ⁠passed away at the age of 71 ‌after ⁠a ⁠brief and sudden ​illness, ‌the communications director for ‌his ​office ‌said early on ​Sunday (July 12, 2026). Mr. Graham, a prominent Republican ⁠senator from South Carolina and a key ally of U.S. President Trump, died on ‌Saturday ‌evening, the office said in a ‌post on X.

It’s not only existing voters not covered in previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR) who have to submit their parents’ SIR details to remain on the electoral rolls, but also the new applicants seeking inclusion in the voter list, according to EC officials. By issuing instructions, the Election Commission (EC) has made it mandatory to attach SIR details of parents for new voters filling Form 6 for inclusion in the electoral rolls.

Emergency workers on Sunday (July 12, 2026) recovered the body of the lone missing person following a devastating debris slip at a tunnel construction site at Kalladi in Wayanad’s Meppadi, taking the death toll in the disaster to eight. The deceased was identified as Bikram Singh Rana, a project manager from Himachal Pradesh.

The United States, the United Kingdom and a dozen other Western and Asian countries reasserted on Sunday (July 12, 2026) that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal based on a 2016 arbitration ruling. A joint statement issued by the nations said they rejected “destabilising” actions in the disputed waters that threaten regional peace.

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorated further on Sunday (July 12, 2026) as his indefinite hunger strike entered the 15th day, with doctors reporting a further drop in his blood pressure and a total weight loss of 7.8 kg since the fast began. The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi over alleged examination irregularities entered its 23rd day on Sunday (July 12, 2026).

Vietnamese police arrested on Sunday (July 12, 2026) the captain of a speedboat that capsized near southern Phu Quoc island, killing 15 Indian tourists, authorities said. Police in southern An Giang province said they arrested the 57-year-old captain of the boat for “violations of laws” resulting in the capsize.

A bomb threat targeting the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai triggered a security alarm, prompting police and security agencies to conduct a comprehensive search operation at the premises before declaring that the threat was a hoax, said police on Sunday (July 12, 2026).

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict in West Asia and said that the recent clashes between the U.S. and Iran threaten regional peace and stability. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held a telephone conversation on Saturday (July 11, 2026), a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate talks with the leaders of Iran and Qatar in an effort to revive the stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Published - July 12, 2026 05:34 pm IST