TVK president Vijay to be sworn in as Chief Minister; T.N. set for coalition government

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday (May 10, 2026), putting an end to almost six decades of alternating rule by the State’s two dominant Dravidian parties—DMK and AIADMK. Mr. Vijay will take the oath at Nehru Stadium in Chennai at 10 a.m. on Sunday (May 10, 2026). Nine other Ministers, including some senior TVK leaders, will also be sworn in. Mr. Vijay will head a coalition government with the Congress as a partner.

Putin says Ukraine war winding down, blasts West for backing Kyiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9, 2026) said the war in Ukraine was winding down, slamming Western support for Kyiv, as the first day of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was marked by mutual accusations of violations. When asked after the parade whether the Western military aid to Ukraine had gone too far, Mr. Putin said, “They started ratcheting up the confrontation with Russia, which continues to this day... I think it (the conflict) is heading to an end but it’s still a serious matter,” he added.

Stalin urges new Tamil Nadu government to continue DMK regime’s schemes

Outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M. K. Stalin on Saturday (May 9, 2026) said the new government should ensure the continuation of the farsighted and well-planned schemes implemented by the DMK regime. In a social media post, Mr. Stalin said people would continue to benefit if the welfare schemes introduced by the DMK government for women, youth, students, children, government employees, and marginalised sections of society were carried forward. “The State will also witness continued development. The new government should take my suggestion into consideration,” he said.

Muslim population in India may match that of Indonesia after Census: Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday (May 9, 2026) said that the Muslim population in India is likely to be nearly the same as that of Indonesia after the Census. “The Muslim population in the country is likely to be nearly on par with Indonesia’s population. Once the Census (data) is out, it will be the likely outcome,” the Union Minister for Minority Affairs told reporters after a programme in Mumbai.

Kejriwal slams PM Modi over ED raids in Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday (May 9, 2026) termed raids by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) at the house of Minister Sanjeev Arora a political warning to Punjab. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were trying to challenge governance in Punjab through Central agencies, but the people of Punjab had not bowed in the past and they would teach them a lesson in the Assembly election in 2027. He alleged that Mr. Modi was using the ED to threaten AAP leaders into joining the BJP, and compared the Prime Minister to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Three-hour meeting fails to end impasse over Congress Chief Minister for Kerala

The Congress’ bid to name a Chief Minister for Kerala remained at an impasse despite Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi holding consultations with the three main contenders, AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal and senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and V.D. Satheesan, and KPCC president Sunny Joseph for over three hours on Saturday (May 9, 2026). Sources said the high-stakes discussions were marked by intense posturing and competing claims by the contenders

Trinamool nominates Sobhandeb as Opposition leader, Firhad as Chief Whip

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday (May 9, 2026) nominated senior party leader and Ballygunge MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition in the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Mr. Chattopadhyay, 82, had served as the State Minister of Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs earlier. A press statement signed by Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee said the party will have two deputy leaders of Opposition in the House – Dhanekhali MLA Asima Patra and Chowringhee. MLA Nayna Bandyopadhya.

Israeli drone strikes near Beirut kill four; southern airstrikes claim at least 13 lives

Three Israeli drone strikes on vehicles just south of Beirut on Saturday (May 9, 2026) killed four people, while a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 13, including a man and his 12-year-old daughter, state media and the Health Ministry said. The three drone strikes south of Beirut marked another escalation since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on April 17. Both Israel and Hezbollah have continued their daily attacks despite the truce.

U.K. PM Starmer turns to Labour Party grandees after tough local election verdict

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday (May 9, 2026) appointed two veteran leaders in expert advisory roles at Downing Street after a disastrous local election for the governing Labour Party. Former British Prime Minister and Chancellor Gordon Brown was named Special Envoy on Global Finance and Cooperation and former party leader and Cabinet Minister Harriet Harman as Adviser on Women and Girls. The appointment of two senior party grandees came a day after Labour’s worst local election performance, losing hundreds of key strongholds across councils in England and ceding control of the devolved Welsh Parliament.

Rubio defends new U.S. sanctions on Cuba, targeting military-run conglomerate GAESA

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s decision to slap new sanctions on Cuba, the largest of which is against GAESA, or Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., a business conglomerate operated by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. In addition to GAESA and its leader, the sanctions announced on Thursday (May 7, 2026) included Moa Nickel, a Cuban joint venture with Canada's Sherritt International, which immediately announced it would withdraw from the business, ending a 32-year presence on the island.

UN mission in Democratic Republic of Congo warns of wave of attacks in east

The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo warned on Saturday (May 9, 2026) of a “deadly” wave of attacks in the country’s restive east targeting civilians. “Dozens of civilians have been killed in recent days” in areas in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, MONUSCO said, without giving details or tolls. The mineral-rich eastern DRC has been plagued for three decades by conflict involving various armed groups, militia and army troops.