A severe heatwave is persisting across India, with temperatures soaring in several states. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are expected to experience heatwave conditions on Tuesday, while Delhi is likely to reach 42 degrees Celsius. The national capital recorded its hottest day of the year on Sunday, with a maximum temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department has warned of above-normal temperatures this month, with heatwave conditions prevailing in several regions, including West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Saraikela in Jharkhand recorded the highest temperature at 45.1 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours.

The launch of the Boeing Starliner, carrying astronaut Sunita Williams on her third space mission, has been postponed due to a technical issue. The launch was called off 90 minutes before lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA announced an "off-nominal condition" with an oxygen relief valve as the reason for the delay. Williams and fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore have safely exited the spacecraft. This mission would have made Williams the first woman to fly on a maiden crewed mission of a new space shuttle. A new launch date has not been announced.

In Seoul's Jongno district, a bust of Rabindranath Tagore stands as a testament to his far-reaching impact. Although he never visited South Korea, his work inspired Koreans during their struggle for independence from Japanese colonization. Tagore's travels to China and Japan shaped his views on imperialism and war, earning him both acclaim and criticism. Today, his legacy continues to resonate with Koreans, making the memorial a unique tribute to his influence. The Indian embassy and South Korean government jointly erected the bust in 2011 to commemorate Tagore's 150th birth anniversary, celebrating his enduring impact on global literature and politics.

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt made a surprise appearance at the Met Gala, wearing a breathtaking Sabyasachi floral saree with a dramatic pallu-train. Her debut last year was impressive, but this year's look has left the internet obsessed. The saree, a traditional Indian garment, shone on the international red carpet, with many praising Alia's choice. Social media is filled with admiration for her stunning look, with many declaring it the best of the night. Alia's saree has truly made a statement at the Met Gala.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah cast his vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. Accompanied by family, he interacted with supporters, signed autographs, and showed his inked finger with a victory sign. Shah followed tradition by offering prayers at a temple post-vote. Voting is ongoing in 25 Gujarat Lok Sabha seats. Shah also urged Karnataka voters to choose a government prioritizing infrastructure, farmer support, and justice for the underprivileged. Voting for 14 Karnataka constituencies in the second phase ends at 6 pm.

Israel has resumed military operations in Gaza, targeting Hamas strongholds in Rafah, despite the militant group's acceptance of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar. Israel claims the deal doesn't meet its "core demands" and plans to continue negotiations. The new strikes come after Hamas launched a rocket attack on an Israeli border crossing, killing three soldiers. Israel's response killed 19 Palestinians, including a baby. The escalation threatens to derail the ceasefire efforts and prolong the seven-month conflict.

Chelsea Football Club fulfilled its promise to pay tribute to late YouTuber Abhradeep Saha, known as Angry Rantman, who passed away last Friday. Ahead of their Premier League match against West Ham United, the club featured a tribute to Saha in their information guide, describing him as a "passionate YouTube voice" with "infectious energy and dark humor." The tribute was confirmed by Tom Overend, co-owner of TheChelsSocial, who expressed gratitude to Chelsea FC for honoring Saha's memory. The tribute was a fitting recognition of Saha's dedication to the club and his impact on the Chelsea community.

The Indian Coast Guard has detained an Iranian fishing vessel with six Indian crew members off the Kerala coast. The Indian nationals, all from Tamil Nadu, had fled Iran where they were allegedly mistreated by their sponsor. The crew had their passports confiscated and were deprived of basic living conditions. They decided to escape to India using the same boat. The vessel was intercepted off Kozhikode district and brought to Kochi for further investigation. The swift operation involved ICG ships and aircraft, ensuring the safe rescue of the Indian crew members.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Election Commission for smoothly organizing the first two phases of Lok Sabha polls, highlighting the minimal violence. He emphasized the importance of voting, calling it a valuable gift, and urged citizens to participate actively. Speaking after voting in Ahmedabad, he suggested that India's election process could serve as a learning opportunity for other countries and be studied by universities. He urged people across the nation to celebrate the ongoing "festival of democracy" by turning out in large numbers to vote.

The United States is scrutinizing Hamas' response to a ceasefire proposal amidst renewed pleas to Israel to refrain from attacking Gaza's Rafah city. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed Hamas' reply, stating discussions with regional partners are ongoing. CIA Director Bill Burns is actively engaged in the matter. While the US supports halting hostilities and releasing hostages, it underscores the importance of a credible and implementable humanitarian plan for Rafah. President Biden reiterated this stance to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasizing potential civilian casualties from a Rafah military operation.