As Israel heads back to elections, Lapid stakes out vision

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament voted Thursday to dissolve itself, triggering the country's fifth election in just over three years and thrusting veteran politician Yair Lapid into the role of interim prime minister as he tries to persuade a deeply polarized nation to embrace his centrist...

Israeli parliament dissolves, sending country to 5th election in under 4 years on Nov. 1; Lapid to become caretaker PM

Israeli PM Bennett won't run in upcoming election

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who led a broad but fragile coalition government that came unraveled barely a year after taking office, announced Wednesday that he will not run in upcoming elections. His government announced last week that it would dissolve...

Australia prioritizes reducing emissions and cheaper EVs

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s new government is putting climate change at the top of its legislative agenda when Parliament sits next month for the first time since the May 21 election, with bills to enshrine a cut in greenhouse gas emissions and make electric cars cheaper, a minister...

France’s lower house of parliament elects Macron supporter Yaël Braun-Pivet as new speaker, first woman in the post

Scottish leader calls for new independence vote next year

LONDON (AP) — Scotland's leader told lawmakers in Edinburgh Tuesday that she plans to hold a fresh referendum on Scotland's independence on Oct. 19, 2023 — even though U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson maintains it wasn't the right time for such a vote. First Minister Nicola...

Israeli PM convenes Cabinet before parliament is dissolved

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett convened what is likely his last Cabinet meeting as premier on Sunday, with parliament expected to dissolve itself this week, triggering new elections in the fall. Bennett's decision to head to elections puts an end to...

UK Conservatives lose 2 elections in blow to Boris Johnson

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered a double blow as voters rejected his Conservative Party in two special parliamentary elections dominated by questions about his leadership and ethics. He was further wounded when the party's chairman quit after the results...

Pakistan stock market plunges on new govt tax on industries

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s stock exchange briefly halted trading Friday after its benchmark index plunged sharply following an announcement by the newly elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif that he was imposing a new, 10% tax on major industries. Sharif, who appeared on the...

Troubled at home, France's Macron remains a key world player

PARIS (AP) — Emmanuel Macron may be weakened at home after parliamentary elections forced him into political maneuvering, but on the international stage the French president has the resources to remain one of the most influential world leaders. France’s foreign allies closely...