Hello. It can be hard to imagine just how frightening it must be on the front line of a war. Quentin Sommerville's report from Ukraine - and the videos on our website - capture the new kind of terror brought to the battlefield by drones. From Venezuela, BBC Mundo's Norberto Paredes explains why this year's election presents a different challenge to President Nicolás Maduro. Your newsletter also contains reality TV, Olympic housing and a massive diamond.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Maduro's toughest election yet

President Maduro came to power following the death of populist leader Hugo Chavez. Credit: Getty Images

Thursday marks the last day of campaigning in Venezuela ahead of Sunday's presidential election, in which Nicolás Maduro is seeking a third six-year term. The vote represents the toughest electoral challenge to date not just for Mr Maduro, but for the socialist Chavismo movement built by his predecessor.

What is the opposition's strategy to defeat President Maduro?

The main opposition leaders have united behind one candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, a man who until two months ago was an unknown retired diplomat. And they have decided to participate in an election that, they claim, will be neither entirely free nor fair. Most opposition parties boycotted the last one with the same argument, which made Mr Maduro’s victory easier.

What do the polls say?

The latest polls indicate that Mr González Urrutia has about a 40-point lead over his rival, who seems to be having a hard time getting his own supporters to attend his rallies.

What caused the loss of support?

One reason could be that, since Mr Maduro became president in 2013, the country’s GDP has shrunk almost 80%. Most Venezuelans have felt the pain and seen their quality of life and their incomes collapse. In recent weeks, Mr Maduro has warned of the risk of a "civil war" and a "bloodbath" should he lose. Uncertainty is the word most commonly used these days to talk about what could happen on Sunday.

• Opposition candidate: Despite the attacks from Mr Maduro's campaign, Mr González's tone and rhetoric have been calm and measured, in keeping with his past as an ambassador.

• Cost of living: In 2023, Norberto Paredes visited one of Caracas's poorest neighbourhoods to hear how some people were struggling to feel the impact of the seemingly rebounding economy.

• The background: Online regional editor Vanessa Buschschlüter explains how oil-rich Venezuela became so troubled. And here's our essential info about the country's history and society. 

THE BIG PICTURE

Reality TV wannabes 'not looking real'

Love Island USA producer Valerie Penso-Cuculich says applicants alter how they look in photos. Credit: Valerie Penso-Cuculich

Reality TV may seldom resemble real life for most of us. But even casting directors are finding it hard to believe what they see from would-be contestants. Doctoring of images is just one of a number of problems the genre is encountering at the hands of artificial intelligence, writes Susan Hornik.

And finally... in India

If you're anything like me, then finding a long-forgotten banknote in a trouser pocket will feel like a massive win. So imagine how debt-ridden Indian labourer Raju Gound felt when he unearthed a 19.22-carat diamond in a mine in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. It's expected to fetch about 8m rupees ($95,570; £74,000). Take a look.