Top news of the day: March 12, 2026

No shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil: Hardeep Puri in Lok Sabha

India’s sourcing of non-Hormuz ‌crude has increased to ⁠70% of its total imports and the ‌country’s current crude ‌supply position ‌is ⁠secure, Oil Minister ⁠Hardeep Singh Puri told Parliament on Thursday (March 12, 2026). “There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured… supply chains for these products are functioning normally,” he said. India’s ‌petrol and diesel availability is also fully ‌secure and liquid natural gas cargoes are ⁠arriving almost daily from alternative routes, ‌he said. The panic over cooking gas supplies was triggered by ‌consumer anxiety rather than a supply shortage, he ⁠added.

CPI inflation rises to 10-month high of 3.2% in February 2026

Retail inflation in India quickened to a 10-month high of 3.2% in February 2026, driven up by inflation in the food and tobacco categories, the latest data shows. The Consumer Price Index data released on Thursday (March 12, 2026) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is the second edition of the new series of the Index, and so category-wise historical data is not yet available. Economists, however, warn that the ongoing disruption in fuel supplies due to the conflict in West Asia would likely push up inflation in March in the electricity, gas & other fuels, and restaurant & accommodation categories of the CPI.

Farooq Abdullah links assassination attempt to ‘deeply rooted hatred’ in India, demands probe

Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, 88, on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said hatred was deeply rooted in today’s India, as he demanded “a thorough inquiry” into the failed attempt to kill him at a wedding function in Jammu on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) night by a local resident. Mr. Abdullah was speaking in Jammu for the first time since Kamal Singh, 64, a resident of Purani Mandi, aimed a pistol at him at a marriage ceremony at Royal Park, Greater Kailash, Jammu, and fired two shots. He demanded a “thorough inquiry into the incident”.

Opposition MPs protest in Parliament complex over shortage of commercial LPG cylinders

Several Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest on Thursday (March 12, 2026) in the Parliament House complex over the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders to demand answers from the government over it. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (March 12, 2026) slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid concerns over a reported LPG shortage, saying the PM is asking the people not to panic but is himself panicked for “completely different reasons”. Several opposition MPs from the Congress, DMK, TMC and SP, among others, staged a protest near Parliament’s Makar Dwar, raising slogans such as ‘Naam Narender, Kaam Surrender’ and ‘Modi ji, LPG’.

R.N. Ravi takes oath as 22nd Governor of West Bengal

Former IPS officer R.N. Ravi took oath as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal at a ceremony in Lok Bhavan, in Kolkata, on Thursday (March 12, 2026). He was administered the oath by Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, Sujoy Paul, in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, senior Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim and Left Front chairman Biman Bose. Later, the State CM greeted Mr. Ravi and his wife and welcomed both by presenting traditional ‘uttariyas’ (stole). No leader from the Opposition BJP camp, however, was present at the programme.

Terror-funding case: Supreme Court grants bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah

The Supreme Court on Thursday (March 12, 2026) granted bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah in a terror-funding case. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order, saying that a detailed order will follow with some conditions regarding Mr. Shah’s bail. During the last hearing on February 25, 2026, the Bench heard the submissions made by the NIA and scheduled the matter for today (March 12, 2026) for senior advocate Colin Gonsalves — representing Mr. Shah — to present his rejoinder arguments.

Opposition did not adhere to rules, forcing me to make difficult decisions: Om Birla in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, addressing the no-confidence motion moved against him, on Thursday (March 12, 2026) said that he is grateful to all the members of the Parliament for bringing up issues in his duties, including the lack of transparency. “I thank all those who supported me or gave critical views during the debate on the resolution against me,” Mr. Birla said, adding that he “will uphold constitutional dignity in the Parliament”. Responding to the allegation that he did not allow the Opposition to speak, he said that “the House follows rules and regulations that mandates the permission of the Speaker before addressing”.

Held captive, 21 Nagas released in Manipur’s restive Ukhrul district

The bodies of two Kuki men, missing after a shooting incident, were recovered from a jungle in Manipur’s Kamjong district early Thursday morning (March 12, 2026), hours after 21 Tangkhul Naga people were released by their captors in the adjoining Ukhrul district, triggering fresh tension. The Naga individuals, including women and children, were travelling on the Imphal-Ukhrul Road when a Kuki group intercepted their vehicles and held them captive on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). This was reportedly in retaliation for an anti-poppy cultivation drive by “Naga volunteers” on March 11, after which two Kuki cultivators went missing while another sustained bullet injuries.

Iran sets three conditions for ending war

Iran set three conditions for ending the conflict, including guarantees against future attacks, even as the U.S. and Israel continued their air strikes in the country. “Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region,” President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in a social media post. “The only way to end this war — ignited by the Zionist regime and U.S. — is recognising Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression,” he said. During nuclear talks ahead of the war, Iran had consistently argued that as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), nuclear enrichment is “a legitimate right”. This was also the first time a senior Iranian leader called for reparations as a condition to end the war.

ASEAN Ministers to hold meetings to address West Asia crisis

The widening conflict in West Asia is expected to dominate discussions at Friday’s (March 13, 2026) ASEAN Economic Ministers’ ​retreat, with Foreign Ministers also holding a virtual meeting on the ‌same day to tackle a deepening crisis that has upended ​global markets. The Philippines, this year’s ASEAN chair, is ⁠hosting the meetings as officials weigh impacts and responses to surging oil prices as well as disruptions to shipping, logistics, and trade flows across the ‌region’s export-reliant economies. “The concern is a given,” Philippine Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty told reporters, saying the region ‌could not ignore the effects of the crisis on inflation ‌and ⁠jobs. 

Bangladesh Parliament reconvenes after uprising, polls

Bangladesh’s Parliament convened on Thursday (March 12, 2026) for the first time since a deadly 2024 uprising plunged the country into political turmoil and following elections last month. The government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took over after the February 12 elections from the interim administration that had led the country of 170 million people since August 2024. “After more than a decade and a half of fascist and subservient rule, the activities of Parliament are beginning today with representatives elected by the people,” Mr. Rahman told Parliament.

At least 50 people killed, 125 others reported missing after landslides sweep Ethiopia

At least 50 people have died and 125 others are missing after landslides hit three districts in southern Ethiopia following a week of heavy rains, a local official said on Thursday (March 12, 2026). The landslides happened in the Gamo Zone and affected the Gacho Baba District, Kamba District and Bonke District, according to Gamo Zone director of disaster response Mesfin Manuqa. The Gacho Baba District communication chief, Abebe Agena, said most of those who died were found buried in the mud. It is not yet clear how many households were affected.

Published – March 12, 2026 06:10 pm IST