The largest election in the world begins in India

Elections

Voting begins on Friday in India in what’s being called the largest-election ever in recorded history. Almost 1 billion people are eligible to vote in the election, which will happen over the next six weeks. President Narendra Modi is likely to be reelected for a rare, third term, despite concerns about the growing Hindu nationalist movement he represents, and high unemployment. The World’s Carolyn Beeler spoke with journalist Sushmita Pathak, who talked to voters at the polls in the city of Jaipur.

Out of Eden Walk: Walking Across Anatolia

Out of Eden Walk
Three people cross a ravine as they walk through a forest with water bottles and backpacks.

‘I’ll go for the American dream’: After struggling to get legal status in Colombia, many Venezuelan migrants are heading to the US

Immigration
payment screen with options for credit, debit and Pix

Brazil’s innovative Pix banking system is replacing cash and credit cards

Arts, Culture & Media

Migrants say crossing Mexico has become increasingly challenging

Migration

Israelis mark 6 months since attacks in the south of the country

Israel-Hamas war

Hamas’ deadly attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, left about 1,200 people dead, and about 250 taken as hostages. Some of those hostages were released after negotiations with Hamas last November. Most of the world first saw the terrifying videos and images from a music festival where hundreds had gathered for the weekend. Host Marco Werman traveled to the Nova music festival site and two other areas where Hamas struck. 

US National Security Council spokesman on heightened tensions between Iran and Israel: ‘We don’t want to see this conflict widen and deepen’

Israel-Hamas war

US officials say they hope Israel’s tensions with Iran don’t widen and deepen. At the same time, Israel’s military chief now says that his armed forces will respond to Iran’s weekend missile attack. Retired Adm. John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, talks with host Marco Werman about the role the US will play as its ally Israel decides how to retaliate. 

Ukraine faces artillery and air defense shortages

Ukraine

The country has begun rationing artillery on the front lines as Congress prepares to vote on a stalled military aid package for Ukraine. It’s also increasingly exposed to Russian aerial attacks as it awaits further support from its partners. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports from Riga, Latvia, on how this affects Ukraine’s war efforts and morale.

The Red Dress night honored murdered and missing Indigenous women, and girls, Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people in Canada and worldwide.

They call her a ‘Mountain Mover’ — Founder of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week revolutionizes the runway

Fashion

First Nations people are reclaiming their culture by showcasing their own designs during the Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week in Canada. The event was founded by Joleen Mitton, who has spent years bringing Native representation to the fashion industry.

Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speak up about latest deal to get him home

Israel-Hamas war

The biggest issue in Israel today is the fate of the 133 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Israel says, according to military intelligence, 33 of them are dead. Demonstrators have held sit-ins, marches and protests almost every day over the past six months demanding their return. The World’s Marco Werman spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7. They have just returned from a trip to the US where they met with top officials.