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.
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.
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
German president says trust in U.S. leadership is ‘lost’ amid global tensions
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday that trust between the United States and its Western allies has been “lost,” warning that the damage could persist beyond the presidency of Donald Trump.
“The rupture is very deep, and the loss of trust in U.S. great power policy is significant—not only among its allies, but also, as I observe, globally,” Steinmeier said during a speech in Berlin marking the 75th anniversary of Germany’s Foreign Ministry.
Referring to the future of transatlantic relations, he stated that “there is no return to the situation before January 20, 2025,” the date marking the start of Trump’s second term in the White House.
“Even a future U.S. administration will no longer be able to resume the role of a benevolent hegemon guaranteeing a liberal international order,” added Steinmeier, who previously served as Germany’s foreign minister.
He also criticized the war against Iran, describing it as “contrary to international law” and calling it “a political mistake with serious consequences.”
“This war is avoidable and unnecessary,” he said.
Although the German presidency is largely ceremonial, Steinmeier’s remarks reflect a broader concern within Germany, aligning with the government’s cautious stance while going further in tone.
International
Trump claims talks with Iran as G7 meets to address global tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States has held talks with Iran—a claim denied by Tehran—and has temporarily paused his threat to target the country’s electrical infrastructure.
In his first overseas trip since the United States and Israel launched their offensive on February 28, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to address key global issues, including the situation in the Middle East, according to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven will meet in Cernay-la-Ville, close to Versailles, on the outskirts of Paris.
During the meeting, Rubio will hold discussions with his counterparts on “the war between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and threats to global peace and stability,” Pigott said.
France currently holds the presidency of the G7, whose members also include the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Although all G7 nations are close allies of the United States, none has offered explicit support for Washington’s military actions against Iran, a stance that has reportedly frustrated Trump.
Last Saturday, G7 foreign ministers called for an “immediate and unconditional end” to Iranian attacks against U.S. allies in the Middle East.
International
Pentagon to deploy 3,000 troops to Persian Gulf as Middle East tensions escalate
The Pentagon is planning to deploy nearly 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Persian Gulf, according to two senior officials cited Tuesday by Spanish newspaper El País.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah warned it would confront any attempt at occupation following Israel’s announcement that its military will take control of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, located about 30 kilometers from the border.
In recent hours, the Israel Defense Forces carried out airstrikes on Beirut, while Iran and Hezbollah responded with attacks on Israel, leaving at least six people with minor injuries in Tel Aviv.
The escalation comes as global markets react to renewed instability. The price of oil rose again above $100 per barrel after a brief decline the previous day, following an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of a five-day truce on attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
Despite the announcement, Iranian authorities reported that two projectiles struck a gas pipeline in Khorramshahr and administrative buildings at a gas facility in Isfahan early Tuesday.
German president says trust in U.S. leadership is ‘lost’ amid global tensions
Trump claims talks with Iran as G7 meets to address global tensions
Pentagon to deploy 3,000 troops to Persian Gulf as Middle East tensions escalate
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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