International

India opens the polls for the seventh time in the last phase of the general elections

India opened the polls for the seventh time in the last phase of the general elections, the longest and busiest in the world, which conclude today with the vote of eight regions, including the constituency that elects the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

The polling stations of 57 constituencies in eight territories and states of the country opened around 7:00 local time (02:00 GMT) for the seventh phase of the Indian general elections, according to the Indian Electoral Commission (ECI).

“This will mark the grand finale for the largest electoral marathon in the world that began on the 19th of last month and has already covered 6 phases and 486 seats of the Lok Sabha (Lower Chamber),” said the ECI.

For the last phase, more than 100 million voters are called, including 52.4 million men; 48.2 million women, 3,574 third-gender voters.

In the center of the sacred city of Benarés, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the electoral district by which the current prime minister is measured, at the time of the beginning of the voting the schools were full of voters who come in groups to participate.

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In the Hindu temple Vishvanath in Benarés, where one of the more than ten schools in the millennial city is located, hundreds of people remained in the queue even before the start of the voting.

“The Electoral Commission has done a very good job, now we can only wait for the results patiently, but for us it was a fairly fast process, because our life went on while other states voted. Today is our big day,” Mahesh Purohit told EFE, after casting his vote.

These elections have been marked by high temperatures in the northern regions, including Uttar Pradesh, with temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius, which has required special arrangements, the installation of fans, shade spaces or the distribution of moisturizing drinks for people waiting in the queues.

This has been a concern of the ECI for the impact it may have on participation in general, which in the first six phases has been below the average 70%.

India’s seven-phase general elections for 543 seats of the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, began on April 19, which marked the largest democratic exercise ever held in the world, with almost 969 million registered voters.

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On the other hand, at least 62 people have died because of the heat wave that affects northern India, including dozens of electoral officials, while the country celebrates this Saturday the last phase of general elections marked by temperatures that have exceeded 50 degrees.

International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.