Congress set to join Tamil Nadu’s first coalition government today

After being out of power for 59 years in Tamil Nadu, the Congress is poised to join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday (May 21, 2026), ushering in a coalition era in the Dravidian State.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to start first India visit on May 23

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will pay his first visit to India between May 23 and 26, the U.S. State Department said. The visit will be closely watched as it comes against the backdrop of the U.S.’s continued engagement in hostilities in the Persian Gulf region, which have had consequences for India’s energy security.

Iran examining U.S. proposal, as Trump says in ‘final stages’ of talks

Iran said on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) it was examining the latest U.S. proposal received from mediator Pakistan in talks to end the West Asia war, despite the two sides trading threats over resuming attacks. It came after U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington was in the “final stages” of negotiations with Iran.

U.S. indicts former Cuban President as pressure builds

The United States on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) criminally indicted Cuba’s former leader Raul Castro, fueling speculation that President Donald Trump will try to topple the communist state. The Justice Department charged the influential former President over the deadly 1996 downing of two civilian planes manned by anti-Castro pilots.

Parle Industries up 5% after investors mistake it for the Melody owner

In an interesting turn of events, a penny stock, Parle Industries Ltd. hit its upper price band of 5%, closing at ₹5 a share, after Indian investors mistook it for the FMCG company Parle Products Pvt Ltd. which makes the “Melody” chocolate toffees.

Bharat Petroleum hikes Russia’s share in crude oil purchases to 41% in bid to fill supply gaps

The share of Russian crude oil in Bharat Petroleum’s overall basket has increased to about 40-41% from about 31% during quarter-ended March 2026, Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta, Director for Finance of the state-owned oil-marketing company, told investors in an analyst call on Wednesday (May 20, 2026).

India and Italy have been in continuous contact over Ukraine and West Asia conflicts: PM Modi

India and Italy have been in continuous contact over the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, reiterating his call for “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the festering wars.

Will seek CBI probe into Twisha Sharma death: Madhya Pradesh CM

The Madhya Pradesh government will seek a CBI probe into the death of Noida woman Twisha Sharma, who was allegedly harassed for dowry and died in Bhopal last week, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav assured her family members in Bhopal on Wednesday (May 20, 2026). Twisha’s family members met Mr. Yadav and sought a fair probe into her death.

Naga body in Manipur petitions PM, seeking release of six Naga captives

An apex body of Naga women in Manipur petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (May 20, 2026), seeking the Centre’s intervention for the release of six Naga men allegedly held hostage by Kuki groups. They also demanded the abrogation of agreements signed with several Kuki extremist groups.

NEET(UG) re-exam: Education Minister holds meetings with Central agencies, representatives of social media platforms

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) chaired review meetings with officials of “Central security and intelligence agencies” to identify vulnerabilities and ensure timely preventive and corrective measures, with preparations underway to conduct the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026, which was cancelled earlier this month after a paper leak.

Zuckerberg says he feels ‘weight’ of Meta layoffs

Meta began laying off roughly 8,000 employees on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) — about 10% of its global workforce — as co-founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg pushes to redirect resources toward an ambitious artificial intelligence agenda.

CBI registers case against retired Navy Captain over alleged ‘illicit wealth’

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against a retired Navy Captain for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The case alleges that retired Captain Raminder Singh Wadhwa acquired movable and immovable assets in his own name and in the name of his family members.