Quad ramps up Indo-Pacific surveillance, critical mineral cooperation

The Quad grouping on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) expanded cooperation in critical minerals and energy while unveiling new measures to boost maritime surveillance and port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China’s growing military posturing in the region. The new measures were announced following a meeting of the grouping’s foreign ministers in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

Centre has constituted high-level committee on ‘unnatural’ demographic change, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) said the Centre has constituted a high-level committee on demographic change under retired Supreme Court Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar for a “comprehensive assessment of demographic changes occurring across India due to illegal immigration and other unnatural causes.” In a message on ‘X’ in Hindi, he said infiltration and other reasons are causing “unnatural demographic change”, which poses a significant challenge to the present and future of any nation.

India, U.S. strike Critical Minerals deal amid China concerns

India and the U.S. on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) firmed up a key framework for cooperation in ensuring steady supplies of critical minerals, a move that comes amid growing concerns over China’s export controls on rare earth elements and strategic metals vital for global technology supply chains. The framework on securing supplies of mining and processing of critical minerals was signed on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi.

Supreme Court rejects review plea by Tamil Nadu on Mekedatu project

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by Tamil Nadu to review a November 2025 decision that termed the State’s challenge to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water project as “premature”. The review petition was dismissed by a Bench of the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Vinod K. Chandran and Vipul M. Pancholi via circulation in their chambers on April 15, 2026. The order was only published recently. “We have carefully gone through the contents of the review petition and the papers appended therewith. We are satisfied that no case for review of the judgment dated November 13, 2025 is made out. The review petition is, accordingly, dismissed,” the short order said.

Supreme Court directs States to consider prosecution immunity for forest guards in Chambal

The Supreme Court directed Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) to consider granting immunity from prosecution to forest guards serving on the front lines in the battle to protect the Chambal from illegal sand miners. The Court said the States should examine the need to notify prosecution immunity for their forest guards under Section 218(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for any bona fide actions taken against miners in the line of duty. The immunity is the same as the one afforded to the Armed Forces. The court sought a report from the States by the next hearing.

Cockroach Janata Party founder moves Delhi HC against blocking of X account

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the blocking of the party’s X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging that the government suspended the handle citing national security concerns. Mr. Dipke, whose satirical political outfit recently became a viral sensation online for its memes and sarcastic commentary on governance and public issues, has also alleged that the party’s Instagram account, website, and backup social media handles were taken down as part of a wider crackdown on the movement. According to Mr. Dipke, the official Instagram account of the Cockroach Janata Party was hacked, resulting in the loss of access to the page.

CBI team conducts probe at house of Twisha Sharma’s in-laws, later meets her family

A CBI team on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) visited the Bhopal residence of retired judge Giribala Singh to conduct a probe into the death of her daughter-in-law, Twisha Sharma, officials said. The probe agency sleuths, comprising some women personnel, met Ms. Singh’s family members at her residence in the Katara Hills area, the sleuths said. Later, the CBI team went to the Army Cantonment Kurushetra Mess in the old city’s Shahjehanabad area to meet Twisha’s family and is currently camping there.

Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi Gvernment over fuel prices, questions lack of relief despite fall in crude oil rates

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the Modi Government on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) over the rising fuel prices and asked why relief was not provided to people when crude oil prices fell during the last 12 years. Mr. Kharge cited an official statement by the PIB to state that exactly 12 years ago today — on May 26, 2014 — when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, the price of crude oil in the Indian basket stood at $108.05 per barrel, and the Dollar-Rupee exchange rate was ₹58.59.

India, Canada looking at concluding trade pact talks by year end

India and Canada are looking at concluding the negotiations for a free trade agreement by the end of this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. Mr. Goyal is in Canada for a three-day official visit, starting May 25. “Our Prime Minister has tasked us not only with completing the free trade agreement with a comprehensive outlook before the end of this year or earlier — but also tripling our trade from a current $17 billion level to $50 billion by 2030,” he said, while jointly addressing the media in Ottawa with Canada’s Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu on Monday (May 25, 2026).

President Droupadi Murmu begins 3-day Sikkim tour; to visit India-China border

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Sikkim on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) on a three-day visit, during which she will visit the India-China border, officials said. She landed at the Libing Helipad around 12 and was received by Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. Following her arrival, the President proceeded to the Lok Bhavan, where she will stay during her visit.

Russia maintains attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv warned to brace for possible major barrage

Russia fired more than 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force said Tuesday (May 26, 2026), as the country’s Foreign Ministry noted that Moscow’s recent threat to hit Kyiv especially hard from the air brought nothing new. Russia on Monday (May 25, 2026) urged foreign citizens, including members of diplomatic missions, to leave the Ukrainian capital as quickly as possible and told residents to steer clear of military and government facilities. It said that “systemic strikes” on Kyiv were being prepared.