Morning Brief: India votes

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Five weeks of elections have kicked off in the world’s largest democracy as more than 140 million Indians in 124 constituencies head to the polls today. This is the first of round of elections in which 714 million people are eligible to vote. Final results are expected on May 16.

With no unifying issue and a host of smaller parties picking up votes, neither the ruling Congress Party nor the Hindu nationalist opposition party BJP appear likely to finish with a majority. This would leave India with an shaky coalition government.

The process has been marred today by attacks from Maoist rebels throughout central India. Five election workers have been killed in bombings and eight others kidnapped. Thousands of police have been deployed to prevent further attacks.

Preeti Aroon has more in this week’s FP photo essay.

Middle East

Meeting with U.S. envoy George Mitchell, Israeli President Shimon Peres dismissed the possibility of his country attacking Iran. Mitchell reiterated the U.S. commitment to a two-state solution in a meeting with new foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Sixteen Iraqi soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber near Baghdad.

Dubai’s ruling family has become embroiled in a very public scandal after allegations of swindling.

Asia

China recorded its slowest growth on record in the first quarter of this year.

Exiled Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra urged Thailand’s political factions to reconcile as he was granted a Nicaraguan passport, complicated the current government’s efforts to extradite him.

UN nuclear inspectors have left North Korea after being expelled by the regime.

Americas

As he travels to Mexico City today, President Barack Obama vowed to crack down on the finances of drug traffickers.

Colombia’s most wanted drug lord has been captured by authorities.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva once again lashed out at rich nations for causing the global financial crisis, likening the world economy to the Titanic.

Africa

Freed U.S. ship captain Richard Phillips arrived safely in Kenya as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rolled out a new plan for fighting piracy.

Zimbabwe’s government will carry out an investigation of the seizures of white-owned farms. 

Ethiopia’s opposition parties held a rare rally to protest the imprisonment of one of their leaders.

Europe

Russia has officially ended its counterterrorism operation in Chechnya.

Moscow is demanding that NATO military exercises in Georgia be suspended or cancelled.

French fishermen who were protesting EU fishing quotas have lifted their blockade of English Channel ports.

TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images