Five countries go to the polls this week and another holds a high-profile referendum, while US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh should face a Senate vote, and the rising price of oil is adding to pressure on emerging economies.

Elections in Brazil, Cameroon, Peru, Latvia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina will take place at the weekend, while a referendum in Romania is likely to grab headlines. A run-off is expected in Brazil, where the latest Datafolha polling shows far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro ahead, with a second round contest against Workers Party candidate Fernando Haddad the most likely scenario. In Cameroon, nine candidates will compete for the presidency, including incumbent Paul Biya, who has held office since 1982. 

Brett Kavanaugh's US Supreme Court nomination saga rolls on after the intervention of Republican Senator Jeff Flake on Friday. Flake demanded an FBI investigation of up to one week into the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, and that delay means a full Senate vote is now due by October 5 - one month and one day before the midterm elections. With a week for the probe to be conducted, updated polling to be analyzed and media outlets to dig deeper into his past, Kavanaugh's hopes are in the balance.

US pressure on Iran is not helping the rising price of oil - even before oil-targeted sanctions snap back in early November. Brent crude oil traded above 80 US dollars a barrel all last week - double the price in summer 2017 - piling pressure on struggling emerging economies. It's also likely to mean higher prices before the US midterms, and President Donald Trump is unhappy. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice is due to rule on Iran's appeal for suspension of the sanctions on Wednesday.

Monday: The People's Republic of China marks the 69th anniversary of its founding, the International Court of Justice is due to issue a final ruling on the Bolivia-Chile territorial dispute, the German coalition is expected to announce a decision on the divisive issue of environmental standards for diesel cars, the Iraqi parliament elects a new national president and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visits India.

Tuesday: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic visits Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin, a World Trade Organization public forum on sustainable trade takes place in Geneva, and Boris Johnson makes a high profile Brexit speech at Britain's Conservative Party conference.

Wednesday: British Prime Minister Theresa May gives the keynote speech to her divided Conservative Party as its annual conference wraps up, the International Court of Justice rules on Iran's appeal for suspension of US nuclear-linked sanctions, and French former far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is in court on accusations of inciting hatred.

Thursday: Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a visit to India.

Friday: The US Senate is due to vote by Friday on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Saturday: Latvians go to the polls in parliamentary elections, and Romanians vote in a referendum on changes to the constitution that would limit the definition of family to heterosexual, married couples.

Sunday: Presidential and parliamentary elections take place in both Brazil and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as Cameroonians vote for a new president and regional elections are held in Peru.