Russia and Kazakhstan sign deal to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant
On 28 May 2026, Russia and Kazakhstan signed a formal agreement to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant at Ulken on Lake Balkhash. Rosatom will lead the project, with financing largely provided through an export loan. The planned plant will use two VVER-1200 reactors and is estimated to cost about 16.5 billion US dollars. Kazakhstan is already the world's largest uranium producer, and officials say the plant will support its growing energy needs and diversify supply. The deal signals deeper Russia–Kazakhstan energy cooperation and marks a significant step as Central Asia expands its use of nuclear power.
Date of agreement: 28 May 2026; location Ulken, Lake Balkhash.
Project led by Rosatom; two VVER-1200 reactors planned.
Estimated cost around $16.5 billion; export loan financing.
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer; strategic energy tie.
Deal signifies deeper Russia–Kazakhstan cooperation and nuclear expansion in Central Asia.
Modi congratulates Slovenia's Janša on election as Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Janez Janša on being elected as Prime Minister of Slovenia. In a post on social media, Modi said he looks forward to working closely with Janša to strengthen bilateral ties for the shared prosperity and mutual benefit of the people of both countries. The message reflects ongoing engagement between India and Slovenia and the desire to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Both nations have previously pursued ties in defense, education and culture, and Modi's note underlines continued friendship and collaboration.
Congratulatory message to Janez Janša after Slovenia PM election.
Modi: looks forward to closer cooperation and shared prosperity.
Emphasis on bilateral ties in trade, investment, science and culture.
Acknowledges ongoing India–Slovenia engagement and friendship.
Russia signs military-technical cooperation pact with Afghanistan
Russia and the Taliban‑led authorities in Afghanistan signed a military‑technical cooperation agreement on 27 May 2026 during the International Security Forum near Moscow. The document covers defence equipment, training, maintenance, logistics and related security coordination; exact contents were not made public. Russia had suspended Taliban bans in April 2025 and formally recognised the Taliban government by accrediting its ambassador in Moscow in July 2025. The pact reflects Moscow’s aim to secure a role in Afghanistan’s security architecture and to enhance regional influence amid shifting alliances in the region.
Date of signing: 27 May 2026; venue: Moscow region forum.
Agreement covers equipment, training, maintenance and logistics.
Contents not publicly disclosed.
Context: Russia’s engagement with Taliban authorities; recognition in 2025.
Implication: Russia seeks greater influence in Afghanistan and regional security roles.
Rusty-spotted Cat recorded in National Chambal Sanctuary, UP
The Rusty-spotted Cat, Prionailurus rubiginosus, was documented for the first time in Uttar Pradesh’s National Chambal Sanctuary in May 2026. This record marks the first confirmed presence of the species in southern Uttar Pradesh and adds a new locality to its known range in the state. Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India photographed, measured and logged GPS locations of the individual during field surveys in the sanctuary. The National Chambal Sanctuary spans parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan along the Chambal River and is known for gharials, crocodiles and diverse bird life.
Species recorded: Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus).
First confirmed sighting in southern Uttar Pradesh; May 2026.
IAF and IIT-Bombay ink contracts for predictive maintenance of Su-30 MKI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed three contracts with IIT Bombay to adopt predictive maintenance for the Su-30 MKI aircraft. The aim is to implement prognostic and prescriptive maintenance using indigenous expertise to lower service costs, improve aircraft availability and extend fleet life. The signing was led by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh B Kedare. Officials say the collaboration advances Aatmanirbharta in strategic technologies and showcases Indian aerospace innovation. IIT-Bombay described the partnership as a major step toward data-driven, self-reliant maintenance solutions for national defence aviation.
Three contracts with IIT Bombay for Su-30 MKI maintenance.
Focus on predictive, prognostic and prescriptive maintenance.
Indigenous expertise to reduce costs and improve availability.
Leadership: Air Marshal Sanjeeb; IIT Bombay director Kedare.
Supports Aatmanirbharta and self-reliant defence technology.
Modi congratulates Indian wrestlers after historic U23 Asian Championships
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian wrestlers for their outstanding showing at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam. India achieved its best-ever medal haul, with the Men’s Freestyle team winning the team title and securing nine medals, including four golds; the Women’s team counting ten medals, with six golds; and the Greco-Roman team earning eight medals. India finished with a total of 27 medals (11 gold, seven silver, nine bronze). Modi praised the wrestlers for ending the campaign as overall champions, ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and wished them continued success in future endeavours.
Event: 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Men’s Freestyle: 9 medals, including 4 golds; team won the title.
President Murmu awards President’s Police Colour to Sikkim Police
President Droupadi Murmu presented the President of India’s Police Colour to the Sikkim Police in Gangtok, recognizing its distinguished service in maintaining peace, security and justice. In her address, she lauded the force’s history since 1897 and noted that India’s policing should evolve from colonial-era control to citizen partnership. She urged transparency, accountability and a people-friendly approach, especially toward women, children and vulnerable groups, and called for stronger trust between police and citizens to uphold the rule of law. The award highlighted the police’s professional efficiency and its role in promoting harmony in Sikkim.
Ceremony in Gangtok; Sikkim Police awarded President’s Police Colour.
History since 1897; recognition of service in peace and security.
Murmu urged policing that is citizen-centric, transparent and accountable.
Emphasis on protection of women, children and vulnerable groups; build trust.
India and Singapore hold 16th Defence Policy Dialogue in Singapore
India and Singapore conducted the 16th India–Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue in Singapore. Defence Secretaries Rajesh Kumar Singh and Joseph Leong led discussions on ongoing engagements and new cooperation in niche domains. They reviewed opportunities in cyber security, artificial intelligence, maritime security, unmanned systems, and advanced defence technologies. The ministers underscored innovation-driven partnerships and deeper institutional collaboration to meet evolving security challenges. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an open, inclusive, and rule-based regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific, and stressed the importance of sustained high-level exchanges and practical cooperation to advance their strategic partnership.
16th Defence Policy Dialogue held in Singapore; leaders: Rajesh Kumar Singh and Joseph Leong.
UN to posthumously honour Indian peacekeepers; Major Abhilasha Barak receives gender award
The United Nations will posthumously honour two Indian peacekeepers on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh (MONUSCO) and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan (UNMISS) will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also present Major Abhilasha Barak of the Indian Army with the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award for her work promoting women’s empowerment during UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon. India remains one of the largest peacekeeping contributors, with over 4,200 personnel currently serving in missions across several regions. Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have died serving under the UN flag.
Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awarded posthumously to two Indian peacekeepers.
Major Abhilasha Barak to receive Military Gender Advocate of the Year (2025).
India: second-largest UN peacekeeping contributor; ~4,200 personnel deployed.
Honours underscore India’s long-running role in global peacekeeping.
Coal gasification incentives expand; states push cleaner energy policy
Odisha and Maharashtra have introduced incentive frameworks to promote coal gasification, with the Centre engaging other coal-bearing states to participate in a ₹37,500 crore financial incentive package for surface coal and lignite gasification. The policy aims to reduce import dependence on natural gas, ammonia, urea, methanol and related products, while supporting energy security, industrial policy and domestic manufacturing. Officials say the package could accelerate gasification projects and help diversify the energy supply. The move complements ongoing energy transition efforts and reflects government emphasis on cleaner, indigenous energy pathways.
States announce coal gasification incentives; Centre seeking broader participation.
Financial package: ₹37,500 crore for surface coal and lignite gasification.
Goals: reduce imports of gas-based chemicals and fuels; energy security.
Impacts: potential boost to domestic manufacturing and cleaner energy pathways.
UP Balvatika initiative expanded to strengthen early education
The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expanded the Balvatika initiative to bolster early childhood education. The program distributes activity-based learning materials to co-located Anganwadi centres and Balvatikas, covering children aged three to six. Resources include Chahak-1, 2 and 3, Kadam, Kalankur, Big Books, holistic report cards and Balvatika booklets. Officials say the move aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, placing Early Childhood Care and Education at the core of foundational learning. The initiative aims to reach rural and economically disadvantaged communities, supported by smart classrooms, digital monitoring and the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
Balvatika expansion targets 3–6 year olds in UP.
Activity-based learning materials distributed to Anganwadi centers and Balvatikas.
Key resources: Chahak series, Kadam, Kalankur, Big Books, Balvatika booklets.
Aligned with NEP 2020; ECCE at core of foundational learning.
Focus on rural and underprivileged communities; integration with digital monitoring.
Veteran Urdu poet Bashir Badr, a Padma Shri recipient, died in Bhopal on 28 May 2026 at the age of 91 after a prolonged illness. Badr was known for his memorable couplets such as 'Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rehne do' and contributed to modern Urdu poetry from the 1960s onward. His work touched themes of love, longing and social reflection, earning acclaim in literary circles. His passing prompted tributes from writers, scholars and fans who recalled his distinctive voice and his contributions to Indian literature. The poet’s enduring influence on contemporary Urdu poetry remains widely recognized.
Date of death: 28 May 2026; age 91.
Noted Urdu poet; Padma Shri recipient.
Known for couplets like 'Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rehne do'.
Contributions span modern Urdu poetry from the 1960s onward.
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