South-Carolina

India's prime minister, humbled by voters, is sworn in again

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2024

India's prime minister, humbled by voters, is sworn in again

MUMBAI, India — The Indian leader Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister on Sunday for a rare third term after nearly two months of voting in the world’s largest democracy. But for the first time, Modi will lead a coalition after his party was humbled in its traditional stronghold of the Hindi-speaking belt of northern India.

Modi, 73, made history by being elected three consecutive times. The last person to do that was Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the founding fathers of modern India and its first prime minister.

But Modi’s vow that he’d win a supermajority, which would have allowed him to reshape the Indian state that Nehru created, was dashed.

The prime minister will lead a coalition government after voters defied the predictions of exit polls, India’s mainstream media, and the markets that Modi’s BJP party would win a supermajority of two-thirds of all parliamentary seats.

As tallying began on June 4, it quickly became clear that the BJP would not clear a simple majority of 272, although it won the largest number of seats. It won 240 seats, and with its allies, secured 293.

Modi’s coalition now relies on allies, including two kingmakers, to retain power: N. Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party in southern Andhra Pradesh state, and Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) in eastern Bihar state.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at India’s presidential palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in the capital New Delhi at twilight after a sweltering summer day. The audience included some of India’s biggest movie stars and its wealthiest businessmen, including India’s richest person, Mukesh Ambani.

The close mingling of business and power appeared to be one of the key reasons why fewer Indians cast their vote for Modi than in the past.

There was a widespread perception among voters that the prime minister had swelled the coffers of big business while ordinary Indians struggled with low wages, high unemployment and rising prices.

Analysts say there was also a swing against Modi’s BJP by Dalits, who form India’s most oppressed castes, particularly in the country’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh.

The results were also a cautious relief to many Muslims, who form India’s largest minority. They were often the target of hateful comments by the Hindu nationalist BJP. That includes Modi, who described them as “infiltrators” at a campaign rally.

“They’ve got breathing space, that’s what everyone is saying,” says author and activist Rana Ayyub. “But nobody’s expecting an overnight change in their fortunes.”

Some analysts say this coalition government might be the best possible outcome for India: Modi, an experienced leader at the helm, but his most authoritarian tendencies curbed by his coalition. “Ultimately, the outcome is the best of both worlds in that it offers a degree of stability and continuity while the weakened mandate restrains the BJP’s ability to pursue its more divisive identity-driven agenda,” wrote Chietigj Bajpaee, a South Asia senior research fellow at Chatham House, a U.K.-based think tank.

Critics say Modi undermined India’s democracy with attacks by Hindu nationalists against minorities, and shrinking space for dissent and free media. He was widely perceived as using state institutions to shore up his power, from security agencies, law enforcement, and India’s election commission.

But restoring the health of India’s democracy — that might take longer. “For 10 years, India has followed a trajectory of de-democratisation,” wrote Christophe Jaffrelot, one of the world’s preeminent experts on Indian politics. “And, nobody can anticipate the techniques that Mr. Modi may resort to, to save his post,” he wrote.

Source link

South-Carolina

South Carolina early voting surges ahead of primary election

Published

3 hours ago

June 1, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina early voting surges ahead of primary election

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — Voter turnout is surging across South Carolina as the primary approaches, with more than 100,000 voters already casting their ballots early.

Election officials say participation is on track to be especially strong this year, with more voters expected before the week is over.

South Carolinians have already cast nearly 30% of the total number of primary ballots that were cast in 2024, and early voting isn’t over yet.

The South Carolina State Election Commission says voters cast more than 151,000 ballots last week. In the first week of 2024 early voting, voters cast 120,000 ballots.

Across the entire 2024 primary season, including runoffs, voters cast 527,000 ballots total. Nearly 3.4 million South Carolinians are registered to vote.

Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of this week. There is no early voting on Monday, June 8, and primary day is Tuesday, June 9. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Elections Director Conway Belangia said the numbers should only continue to grow.

“We always feel that as we get closer to that last day of voting early that our numbers will increase,” Belangia said. “If that happens then again we’re looking at just phenomenal numbers.”

Richland, Charleston and Greenville counties are leading the state in voter turnout.

Source link

South-Carolina

South Carolina gas prices fall to $3.85 per gallon, officials warn volatility may return

Published

13 hours ago

June 1, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina gas prices fall to .85 per gallon, officials warn volatility may return

LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — The average price of gas in South Carolina has dropped a significant 18.9 cents per gallon in the past week, setting a new average for Monday and following a similarly dropping national trend.

According to GasBuddy the new average cost of a gallon of gas has been recorded at $3.85 per gallon as of Monday. This price point was determined through a survey of 3,028 stations across South Carolina.

“Average gasoline prices declined in all 50 states over the last week, with GasBuddy now tracking 15 states where the average price of gasoline has fallen below $4 per gallon, offering motorists some of the most widespread relief seen in weeks,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Much of the decline was driven by falling oil prices and the unwinding of recent price cycles, as growing optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran agreement helped ease concerns over global oil supplies.”

Though this price is reportedly 11.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, it is still a full $1.12 per gallon higher than a year ago.

READ MORE | Trump ‘laser-focused’ on making deal with Iran, but ready to take military action: Hegseth

The cheapest station in the state was priced at $3.40 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $4.89 per gallon, a whopping difference of $1.49 per gallon. With a near $2 difference, it may be worthwhile for motorists to do a bit of hunting around for the cheapest gas in the area.

Meanwhile the national average price of gas fell a similar but slightly higher 19.5 cents per gallon in the past week, now averaging $4.26 per gallon as of Monday. This average is down 17.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.18/g higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

GasBuddy reports however that the coast is anything but clear, and motorists should not get comfortable just yet with these lower prices.

“Oil prices edged higher Sunday evening as uncertainty surrounding a potential deal persisted and renewed Israeli attacks added another layer of geopolitical risk. While motorists may continue to see some short-term relief, some price-cycling states could soon experience another upward swing as retailers run out of room to lower prices further. Overall, any setback in negotiations could quickly reverse the recent decline in fuel prices,” said De Haan.

Source link

South-Carolina

‘It’s very emotional:’ hundreds of SC National Guardsmen deploy to D.C.

Published

23 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

‘It’s very emotional:’ hundreds of SC National Guardsmen deploy to D.C.

EASTOVER, S.C. (WIS) — Hundreds gathered at the McCrady Training Center Sunday afternoon to send off approximately 400 members of the South Carolina National Guard.

The 122nd Engineer Battalion held its departure ceremony for service members and their families before deploying to Washington, D.C.

The National Guard members will be in the nation’s capital for the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission,” which is a collaboration between the Guard and law enforcement following a federal push cracking down on crime in several communities across America.

Emotional sendoff

The ceremony highlighted the emotional bridge between South Carolina and the mission ahead. Kids clung to their parents’ uniforms while spouses shared quiet words.

Approximately 400 members of the 122nd Engineer Battalion left for the nation’s capital to support crime reduction efforts(WIS)

“It’s very emotional, but I’m very proud that he is going and helping keep the peace and serving our country,” said one U.S. Army National Guard member’s wife.

Robert Graham, a member of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the separation will be difficult.

“It’s very emotional. We spend a lot of time together, and that is going to be the hardest part about this mission,” Graham said.

Jay Sirmon, commander of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the turnout demonstrated the dedication of the service members.

“I think this is a testament to their dedication, and when the nation calls and when the state calls, they leave their civilian jobs, they leave their schools, and they go wherever they are called to serve,” Sirmon said.

The number one goal is to keep citizens, tourists, and everyone coming to D.C. safe, according to Sirmon.

“We will be assisting the metro police department and other federal agencies to make sure that everybody in the D.C. area is safe this summer,” Sirmon said.

For some families, while this is not their first deployment, they say this mission feels different as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.

Cody Puckett, operations NCO of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the deployment stands out.

“It’s very different, especially considering being in the capital, knowing that you have so many people in one spot, all the special events that are coming up, and just having that many soldiers on the ground,” Puckett said.

Community support

Sirmon said the community involvement never fails to surprise him.

“The community involvement, especially with the National Guard, is tremendous, and it never fails to surprise me when we have events like this, you’re able to see how many people showed up in support, and that means a lot,” Sirmon said. “When these soldiers go away from home, whether that’s overseas to a combat zone, or in the United States to a mission such as this, they remember this event, and they remember the support that we have.”

One wife said the ceremony was not a goodbye, just a see you later.

“I’m so proud of him and everything that he does and everything for the military as well as for our family. I’m going to get emotional, but yeah. I’m glad he’s getting to go on this experience and get to help out and do everything he needs to do, but he’s definitely going to be missed, and I’ll be glad when he’s back home,” she said.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

Source link