candidates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address at the UN General Assembly to attack Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor. The remarks drew attention because a foreign leader weighing in on an American municipal election is unusual, and reactions split sharply along political lines, with critics calling it interference and supporters defending his comments.

Republicans are publicly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as polling shows weakening support for the party and its candidates. Lawmakers in competitive races are reportedly avoiding campaign appearances with Trump and playing down his influence, reflecting concern within the party that his low approval numbers could drag down their own prospects in upcoming elections.

An election for Hamas's Gaza leadership has ended in deadlock after ballots were returned blank, leaving the position unfilled. The outcome signals internal division or reluctance within the movement's Gaza ranks at a sensitive moment for the group. Details about the candidates, the number of voters, and next steps in the selection process were not immediately available.

The New York Times is asking which party is winning the race for control of Congress. The question points to ongoing competition between Democrats and Republicans for seats in the House and Senate, a contest that will shape legislative power in Washington. No further details about specific races, candidates or polling figures were given.

Food safety has moved into the political arena as a series of major outbreaks and product recalls raise public concern. With voters watching how authorities handle contaminated food and regulatory lapses, candidates and officials are being pressed on inspection standards and response. The issue is now being framed as part of the broader election debate.

Leaders of the mass protests against Benjamin Netanyahu's government are debating whether to convert months of street demonstrations into an organised political force. The question facing them is whether the outrage that filled Israel's squares can be channelled into parties, candidates and votes, or whether a movement built in the streets can survive the transition to electoral politics.

Fresh polling in the Texas Senate race is drawing attention as observers weigh the state's political direction ahead of the election. Commenters are sharing and debating the numbers, discussing what they suggest about candidate strength and whether the contest may be tighter than expected in a state long dominated by Republicans.

IranWire reports that plans are being drawn up to replace Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iran's future leader once the war ends. According to the exclusive report, moves are underway within Iran's political establishment to sideline Mojtaba, long seen as a leading contender to succeed his father, and to install an alternative candidate in the succession.

Magdalena Andersson, leader of Sweden's opposition Social Democrats and former prime minister, says she cannot form a government in the current political situation. The announcement rules her out of attempts to build a governing coalition amid a stalemate following the recent election, leaving Sweden's next government uncertain.

Finland's defense minister said the country remains bound to defense cooperation with Israel 'whether we like it or not,' acknowledging the partnership continues despite political discomfort. The remarks underscore Finland's position that existing defense commitments cannot easily be set aside, even as Israel's military actions draw international criticism. The statement has drawn attention to how Nordic states balance alliance obligations with public opinion on the Gaza conflict.

Early results are coming in from Morocco's 2026 elections, with provisional counts pointing to which parties and candidates are leading and which incumbents are falling behind. Moroccan media and the public are following the tallies closely as the balance of power in parliament begins to take shape, with turnout and surprises in key districts drawing particular attention.

Former French president Francois Hollande says he may stand in the 2027 presidential election, but only if his chances of victory look realistic, according to comments reported in a French newspaper. Hollande, who led France from 2012 to 2017, has kept a presence in Socialist politics since leaving office, and his remarks come as the left debates how to unite behind a credible candidate.

President Trump's political operation is rolling out a campaign strategy aimed at reversing Republican fortunes ahead of the midterm elections, with the party's chances of holding Congress seen as dwindling. The plan reportedly focuses on mobilizing his base and reshaping the midterm message, drawing close attention from analysts weighing whether Trump's involvement can lift or further burden GOP candidates in key races.

A new poll on France's 2027 presidential election suggests no candidate currently manages to unite French voters ahead of a potential second round. The survey is drawing attention as political parties begin positioning themselves well ahead of the vote, with none of the likely contenders commanding broad national support.

The Los Angeles Times reports that major California donors have bankrolled competing candidates in Democratic primary contests, effectively funding both sides of intra-party fights. The pattern highlights the state's role as a financial engine of national Democratic politics, with the same wealthy contributors backing rival factions as the party determines its future direction. The report is drawing attention to how concentrated donor money shapes primary outcomes.

A close look at the Taipei City mayoral contest frames it as a battle between a well-connected KMT candidate from a political family and a DPP outsider. Although Taipei has long been considered a KMT stronghold, support for the DPP's candidate Puma Shen is rising sharply and unexpectedly, prompting debate about whether the race is more competitive than previously assumed and what that could mean for the party's hold on the capital.

Brussels is preparing accession roadmaps for four countries, laying out the steps each candidate must take toward joining the European Union. The move signals continued momentum in the EU's enlargement process, though the headline does not specify which countries are involved or the timeline. Details on the candidates and the conditions attached to their paths remain unclear.

Election analysts have upgraded more Ohio congressional races to competitive status, raising the possibility that additional districts could flip parties in the upcoming election. The reassessment points to shifting conditions in districts previously considered safe, though the report does not specify which seats are most at risk. Political observers in the state are watching how these ratings might affect campaign spending and candidate strategy.

House Speaker Mike Johnson will travel to 22 states in the final stretch before the midterm elections, according to an exclusive report by Axios. The tour is aimed at rallying Republican voters and boosting the party's House candidates in competitive districts as control of the chamber hangs in the balance.

A sticker entrepreneur endorsed by Donald Trump is drawing attention as a candidate who could win a seat in Congress. Reporting has focused on the candidate's unusual business backstory and how they rose to prominence selling stickers before entering politics, with the Trump endorsement positioning them as a contender in an upcoming House race.

Sweden's Magdalena Andersson has handed back the government formation mandate to the Speaker after efforts to assemble a government fell apart, with the centre-left bloc splitting over her path to power. The move deepens the political standoff in Stockholm following the election and leaves the way forward unclear, with attention now turning to whether the Speaker will hand the mandate to another candidate.

Several Democratic candidates are making Christian faith a prominent part of their midterm election campaigns, a strategic shift aimed at countering Republican dominance among religious voters. NPR reports the trend, noting candidates are openly discussing their faith on the trail. Observers see it as an attempt by the party to broaden its appeal and blunt attacks portraying Democrats as hostile to religion.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has resigned from the presidency and will lead his ruling party into snap elections as a candidate for prime minister. The move, reported by Al Jazeera, marks an unusual reversal of roles in Serbian politics and comes as the country heads to an early vote, prompting debate about Vucic's continued grip on power despite the formal change of office.

Nevada's most prominent election denier is making another bid for the state's top election office, according to the Nevada Current. The candidate previously sought the secretary of state post, which oversees elections in the battleground state. Observers are watching whether election denial messaging will resonate with Nevada voters in the upcoming race.

The contest to select the next United Nations Secretary-General is intensifying as world leaders gather in New York for the General Assembly's high-level week. Diplomatic lobbying and positioning around the top UN job are drawing attention alongside the annual speeches, with candidates and member states vying for support in what is shaping up to be a closely watched race.

The European Union is drawing up membership action plans for its most promising enlargement candidates, according to Politico. The plans would set out concrete steps for the strongest hopefuls on the path to joining the bloc. Enlargement has gained renewed momentum as the EU weighs how to integrate countries of the Western Balkans and Ukraine's neighborhood.

Daniel Ricciardo says he is grateful that Red Bull effectively made the call to end his Formula 1 career for him, removing the burden of deciding to walk away himself. The Australian, a eight-time race winner, lost his seat with the team's RB outfit, and his remarks frame the difficult exit as a decision he welcomed rather than fought.

California voters are getting a side-by-side look at where the candidates for state superintendent of public instruction stand on major education issues. A new comparison lays out the contenders' positions on key policy questions heading into the election. The rundown gives voters a way to weigh differences on funding, curriculum, and other school priorities before casting their ballots.

US election rules in place for this year's contests may not carry over to the 2028 cycle, according to a Crain's Cleveland report. Voting procedures, ballot access requirements and campaign regulations are frequently revised between presidential cycles by state legislatures, courts and election officials, meaning both voters and candidates could face a different rulebook next time.

An independent candidate won the first round of the Kraków mayoral election, finishing ahead of the candidate backed by Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The result is a setback for Tusk's governing coalition in a major city and forces a second-round runoff. Commenters are weighing what it means for the government's standing ahead of future national votes.

Candidates running for a US Senate seat in Mississippi laid out their positions on a potential war with Iran, tariffs and the economy during a campaign forum. The event gave voters a chance to compare how the contenders would handle foreign policy and household costs if elected, with economic issues expected to weigh heavily in the race.

A guest column in the Richmond Times-Dispatch examines whether open primaries and ranked-choice voting could reduce political polarization in the United States. The piece weighs electoral reforms that let independents vote in primaries and allow voters to rank candidates, arguing such changes could incentivize politicians to appeal beyond their partisan base rather than to the most extreme primary electorate.

The European Union is developing proposals that would give the four countries closest to joining the bloc a clear, step-by-step path toward full membership, while other candidate countries would remain further back in the process. The reported plan suggests Brussels may formally differentiate between frontrunners and laggards in enlargement talks.

Concerns are being raised that AI chatbots may be quietly shaping how US voters perceive candidates and issues. Voters who turn to chatbots to educate themselves ahead of elections may be unknowingly receiving partisan talking points presented as neutral, objective answers, raising questions about accuracy, bias, and the tools' influence on democratic debate.

The NBA is weighing expansion, and a new report asks whether adding teams could push the Minnesota Timberwolves from the Western Conference to the East. Relocation between conferences is typically needed to balance the league's structure when new franchises enter, making Minnesota a frequent candidate in such scenarios.

An author known for writing a memoir about life in Appalachia has launched a campaign for a US congressional seat, and is drawing a clear line between her own story and JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy'. 'I'm not JD Vance,' she says, positioning herself as offering a more authentic account of the region than the vice-president's best-selling memoir, which many in Appalachia criticised as stereotyping. The race is now being watched as part of the broader fight over who gets to speak for the region.

Pope Leo traveled to Lourdes, France, where he said the Church must confront and heal her 'wounds, infidelities, and painful errors.' The remarks, reported by Catholic media outlets including Catholic World Report and EWTN News, frame the pilgrimage visit as an act of penance and renewal. The visit draws attention given Lourdes' status as one of Catholicism's most important Marian shrines and pilgrimage sites.