India Rebukes Modi’s Divisive Politics

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received a stunning rebuke at the polls, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. Until now, Modi had seemed unstoppable, commanding a strong presence and support across the nation. However, as votes were counted yesterday, the supermajority his party cadres had promised did not materialize. His Hindu nationalist party failed to secure even a simple majority on its own. Although his coalition partners helped push the alliance over the halfway line, allowing Modi to potentially helm the country for a historic third term, the final victory felt more like a defeat.

One of the most telling defeats occurred in the constituency that housed Modi’s flagship campaign promise of the controversial $217 million Hindu temple, which he inaugurated just before the elections. "It’s a rejection of a politics of hate," said Rajeev Bhargava, director of the Institute of Indian Thought at Jawaharlal Nehru University. "Ordinary Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully and they don’t like divisions being created."

The election's outcome remains uncertain as parties are known to shift alliances when convenient. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the biggest opposition party, has not ruled out the possibility of forming a government. If he succeeds in persuading enough members to switch allegiance, Modi's rule could come to an end after all.

Boeing’s Third Attempt to Launch Astronauts into Space

Boeing is making another attempt to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard its Starliner capsule. This key test flight could pave the way for routine flights with NASA. NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams are scheduled for the mission, which was called off on Saturday with less than four minutes to go before liftoff. This followed a previous attempt on May 6 that was also scuttled.

The Starliner program has faced multiple delays and setbacks over the years, making this test flight crucial for Boeing to prove the capsule’s reliability and safety. A successful mission would signify a major milestone for Boeing and its partnership with NASA, positioning the company as a viable competitor to SpaceX in the commercial spaceflight industry.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is prepared to conduct a fourth, uncrewed test flight of its Starship megarocket, with a launch scheduled for tomorrow morning. This test flight is intended to demonstrate technologies and techniques that will be crucial for future missions to the moon. SpaceX’s Starship, designed to be fully reusable, aims to revolutionize space travel with its advanced capabilities and cost-efficiency.

Two Jurors Dismissed in Minnesota Fraud Case

In Minnesota, two jurors were dismissed from a high-profile fraud case after an alleged $120,000 bribe attempt. The case involves significant accusations and has drawn considerable attention. The defendants are accused of orchestrating a complex scheme to defraud the state of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds.

The alleged bribery attempt has introduced a new layer of complexity to the trial, raising concerns about the integrity of the judicial process. Details of the alleged bribery and its implications for the trial are yet to be fully disclosed. The court is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident to ensure a fair trial for all parties involved.

This development underscores the challenges faced by the judicial system in handling high-stakes cases involving substantial financial crimes. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for similar cases and the enforcement of anti-fraud measures.