election

A new NBC News poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating falling to 41% among registered voters, a second-term low, with 55% disapproving. More voters are also criticizing his handling of the economy, a shift that matters as the closely watched midterm elections approach and both parties gauge voter sentiment heading into the campaign season.

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.

German international broadcaster DW reports that Russia is expected to step up hybrid warfare against Europe, a term covering sabotage, disinformation, cyberattacks and other deniable pressure tactics short of open conflict. The report adds to growing warnings from European governments and security services about Russian covert activity targeting infrastructure, elections and public opinion across the continent, as the war in Ukraine continues to strain relations between Moscow and the West.

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.

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.

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.

Israel's upcoming elections are drawing close attention from its regional neighbors, who recognize that the result will carry consequences well beyond the country's borders. Observers say the outcome could shape regional diplomacy and security dynamics, making the vote a matter of wider international concern rather than a purely domestic affair.

Venezuela has released dozens of political prisoners as calls grow for elections. The move comes amid mounting domestic and international pressure on the government, and observers are watching whether it signals a broader political opening or a tactical concession ahead of a potential electoral process.

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.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October, according to reporting carried by Reuters and U.S. News & World Report. The move comes at a sensitive political moment, with the country preparing to go to the polls, and it is drawing close attention both in Serbia and internationally. Details about the reasons for the resignation and what it means for the upcoming vote remain limited in the early coverage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Donald Trump has said that fresh military strikes against Iran are 'not ruled out' ahead of the US midterm elections, keeping open the possibility of renewed action against Tehran. The remarks signal continued hardline posture toward Iran and are drawing attention to the risk of escalation in the Middle East during a sensitive domestic political period.

Venezuelans have taken to the streets to demand the safe return of an opposition leader and to press for presidential elections. Demonstrators are calling on authorities to guarantee the leader's freedom and safety, while renewing demands that the country hold the presidential vote the opposition says has been denied. The rallies add to ongoing political tension in Venezuela.

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 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.

Meta has blocked President Lula's Facebook page and his campaign's paid advertising just two weeks ahead of Brazil's election. The move comes at a highly sensitive moment in the campaign, and the news is drawing wide attention, with questions over whether the block was a technical error or an enforcement decision tied to election rules.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Crowds of Venezuelans have taken to the streets calling for the return of an opposition leader and for presidential elections to be held, according to Al Jazeera's report on the demonstrations. The protests reflect ongoing political tension in the country, with demonstrators pressing for the opposition's role in the electoral process to be restored.

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.