Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as he arrives to attend delegation-level talks, in Rome on May 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
TVK extends open invitation to VCK, IUML to be part of Tamil Nadu Cabinet
The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) openly extended an invitation to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to be part of the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Cabinet.
U.S. lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, MQ-9 Reaper drones in Iran war: report
At least 42 U.S. aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, were lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury launched on February 28, targeting Iran, according to an official report. The number of aircraft damaged or destroyed may remain subject to revision due to multiple factors, including classification, ongoing combat activity, and attribution, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) report said.
India-Italy joint strategic action plan 2025-2029 gives our ties a practical and futuristic framework, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) held wide-ranging talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, focusing on areas such as trade, defence, clean energy and technology. Ahead of bilateral talks, PM Modi called on Italian President Sergio Mattarella and discussed different aspects relating to India-Italy friendship, including trade, investment and cultural linkages. They also discussed collaboration in areas such as AI, critical minerals, space and nuclear energy.
K.V. Thomas quits as Kerala’s Special Representative in New Delhi after new UDF govt takes over
Close on the heels of the new UDF government assuming office in Kerala, former Congress leader and former Union Minister K.V. Thomas has resigned from his position as the Special Representative of Kerala government in New Delhi.
He also vacated his office and quarters at Kerala House. Mr. Thomas also clarified that his tenure naturally came to an end when the term of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ended.
Nothing wrong in holding caste census, any government of the day should know who is backward, SC says
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) said there is nothing wrong in the government of the day ascertaining caste as part of the nationwide census exercise. “Any government of the day must know how many people are backward and how many need welfare. This is a matter of policy,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, heading a three-judge Bench, said.
BJP government in State will be of nationalists, says CM Suvendu during maiden visit to north Bengal
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) said the BJP government in West Bengal will be of the nationalists, and it will uphold Indian tradition and culture and work to change the system in the State. Expressing the BJP’s gratitude to the people of north Bengal for their continued support to the saffron party, Mr. Adhikari, in his maiden visit to the region as the chief minister, said the newly formed government will fulfill all promises made in the party’s manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly polls within a specific timeframe.
Supreme Court suspects Karnataka government of ‘delaying tactics’ but extends Bengaluru civic polls’ deadline to August 31
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) said the Karnataka government seems to be deploying “delaying tactics” to postpone civic polls in Bengaluru while extending the deadline for the elections by another two months to August 31. Shifting the time limit for the election from June 30 to August 31, the apex court said this would be the State government’s “last chance”, and there would be no further extensions.
Kerala’s UDF government announces 100-day action plan from June 1
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala will begin the implementation of its 100-day action plan on June 1 with a focus on issues that can be addressed immediately. A decision to this effect was taken in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 20, 2026). Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said that directions have been issued to all departments to prepare project proposals and take necessary steps for the implementation of all promises in the UDF’s election manifesto by 2031.
T.N. government orders immediate release of YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar, sets his detention aside
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the immediate release of YouTuber A. Shankar alias ‘Savukku’ Shankar from detention. In an order issued on Tuesday (May 19, 2026), the government said that Mr. Shankar must be released forthwith “as there is no sufficient cause unless he has been detained under any other law or is serving any sentence having been convicted by any court.”
Chemists strike on May 20: Reasons behind today’s all-India strike
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), a prominent association representing the interests of chemists and druggists in India, has called for a nationwide 24-hour strike from May 20 to May 21 to express grievances that are affecting the pharmaceutical and retail medicine sectors in the country. The organisation claims to represent approximately 12.4 lakh chemists, with a substantial portion of the community involved in the sale and distribution of medicines.
Published – May 20, 2026 05:48 pm IST
