election

Iran says it is fully prepared for hostilities with the United States to resume if President Trump authorizes new military strikes, which it expects could come after the US midterm elections. The statement signals Tehran is bracing for a renewed confrontation and warning Washington against further escalation.

Ukraine carried out a record-scale attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the day Russians went to the polls. The strike, described as the largest of its kind, is drawing wide attention as a bold escalation in the war and a pointed message timed to Russia's election day.

Ukraine launched strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is seeking another term. The timing is widely seen as a symbolic message aimed at undermining the vote's legitimacy, which Western governments and Kyiv have dismissed as staged. The attack follows months of Ukrainian drone strikes deep into Russian territory, and it comes as Russian authorities report attempts to disrupt polling.

President Donald Trump has reached a new low in polling, according to CNN analyst Harry Enten, who described the latest numbers as 'stunning'. The figures come as Trump faces sustained scrutiny over his administration's agenda, and commentators are weighing how much the slump could shape his standing with voters and the broader political landscape heading into coming elections.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October, according to Reuters. The move comes as the country prepares to vote, and it is not yet clear whether Vucic intends to seek another office or influence the campaign from outside the presidency. Serbian politics has been tense in recent years, with regular protests and disputes over election conditions, so the resignation is drawing close attention at home and across the region.

A new report says Egypt warned Israel ahead of Hamas's October 2023 terror attack, reviving questions over security failures that still preoccupy the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies receiving any such warning, but the allegations are dogging him ahead of the upcoming election, putting intelligence handling and political accountability back at the centre of public debate.

Venezuela's president has returned from a visit to the United States without securing any agreements and without announcing a firm date for the country's elections, according to Reuters. The outcome leaves open questions about Venezuela's political timeline and its relations with Washington, and is drawing attention as observers watch for movement on both diplomatic and electoral fronts.

Election preparations are underway in Gaza, where around 1.25 million people are registered to vote. Officials are working amid widespread destruction from Israeli attacks and serious security concerns. Observers are watching how logistics, safety and access to polling will be managed in conditions described as among the most difficult for any election.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking a final presidential term in Brazil's closely watched election, with reporting highlighting his lifelong focus on social issues as the core of his appeal. The vote is seen as a defining moment for the country, with Lula's track record on poverty reduction and social programmes central to his campaign message.

An investigation by The Jerusalem Post has found that social media accounts linked to Iran have been posing as Israelis in an effort to influence an election. The accounts reportedly adopted fake Israeli identities to spread content aimed at shaping voter opinion. The report highlights ongoing concerns about foreign interference in elections through coordinated inauthentic behaviour online.

Venezuela's President has concluded a visit to the United States without securing an agreement or announcing a date for the country's elections. The outcome leaves unresolved both diplomatic tensions and questions over the timeline for a vote that observers have been demanding. Analysts say the lack of a deal underscores the difficulty of reaching any breakthrough between the two governments, with Venezuelans at home still waiting for clarity on when they will go to the polls.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to attack Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist running for New York City mayor. In his speech, Netanyahu cast Mamdani as part of a broader threat he described as radical anti-Israel politics gaining ground in the West. The remarks drew attention because a foreign leader was openly weighing in on an American municipal election, prompting criticism and debate over interference in New York's race.

France's far right has made gains in indirect Senate elections, where mayors and local councillors choose half of the upper house's seats. The results point to the National Rally's continued expansion beyond its traditional strongholds. Observers see the vote as another sign of the party's growing normalization and mainstream acceptance in French politics.

Aleksandar Vučić has resigned as Serbia prepares to hold both parliamentary and presidential elections. The move comes at a pivotal moment for the country's politics, with voters set to decide the composition of parliament and choose a head of state. The exact scope and circumstances of the resignation were not immediately detailed in the reports.

A Hamas leader has said that the suffering in Gaza will be used as an issue in Israel's upcoming election, according to Dawn. The remark points to how the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip has become entangled with Israeli domestic politics, with parties expected to stake out positions on the war and its aftermath as campaigning proceeds.

India's electoral process is facing unprecedented scrutiny, with growing debate over public faith in how the country's elections are conducted. Questions are being raised about the independence and transparency of election institutions, prompting national and international discussion about whether trust in the world's largest democratic exercise has been shaken and what reforms might follow.

Meta has blocked President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and campaign advertisements, with the suspension coming just two weeks ahead of Brazil's election. The move raises questions about how the platform regulates political accounts and campaign content in a major democracy, and why the restriction was imposed so close to voting day. The company's reasoning has not been made clear.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced his resignation from the presidency in order to run for prime minister in an early parliamentary vote. The populist leader has dominated Serbian politics for over a decade, and the move reshuffles the country's leadership ahead of the election. Observers say the shift could consolidate his party's grip on government, while critics question the motives behind swapping the top state office for the premiership.

India's Election Commission is facing internal scrutiny, with reports that election commissioners themselves have raised questions over alleged irregularities concerning voter lists and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. The development has intensified debate over the credibility of the electoral rolls ahead of polls, with opposition parties likely to seize on the apparent rift within the commission.

A senior Hamas leader accused Israel of exploiting bloodshed in Gaza for political gain ahead of Israeli elections. At the same time, he signalled that Hamas is ready to sit down with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, raising the prospect of renewed talks on Palestinian reconciliation and the situation in Gaza.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned, according to a Reuters report, a move that paves the way for early elections in the country. The resignation marks a sudden turn in Serbian politics, and attention is now turning to when the vote will be held and who will compete to succeed him. Further details about the reasons behind the step and the timeline have not yet been reported.

Venezuela's president has returned from a visit to the United States without securing any agreements or announcing a firm date for the country's next elections. The lack of concrete outcomes leaves unresolved questions over the election timetable and bilateral tensions between Caracas and Washington, with observers watching closely for any follow-up diplomatic steps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised opposition parties for uniting against him ahead of national elections. His comments reflect growing concern within his camp over a joint electoral challenge, as rival parties seek to pool support to end his long tenure in office. The remarks intensify what is shaping up as a sharply contested campaign in Israel.

Several Democratic candidates are making Christian faith a prominent part of their midterm campaign messaging, according to NPR. The party's politicians are leaning into religious language and values as they court voters, a notable shift in a political landscape where Republicans have often claimed the faith vote. The strategy is drawing attention to how Democrats approach religion ahead of the elections.

Venezuelans have taken to the streets to demand the safe return of an opposition leader and to call for presidential elections. Demonstrators are pressing for the leader's protection and for a vote that would allow a challenge to the current government. The rallies add to ongoing tensions over the country's political leadership and disputed electoral process.

Republicans are reportedly pressuring Donald Trump to bring the US conflict with Iran to an end ahead of the November elections. According to Opera Mundi, members of the party want the war concluded before voters go to the polls, fearing a prolonged Middle East confrontation could hurt them electorally. The report comes amid the ongoing war involving the US, Israel and Iran.

Fresh warnings received ahead of the October 7 Hamas attack have put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's responsibility for the failures of that day back at the center of Israel's election campaign. Commentators argue the new material reignites debate over whether the government ignored advance intelligence, turning security accountability into a central election issue.