Eyeing power, UK Labour Party vows to abolish House of Lords
December 5, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s opposition Labour Party on Monday pledged to scrap Parliament’s unelected upper house if it wins government as part of a raft if policies intended to stake out Labour's ground for the next election.
UK opposition wins special election in blow to Sunak’s party
December 2, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s opposition Labour Party has handily won a special election for a northwest England seat in Parliament, the first test of voter sentiment since Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took office in October.
Incumbent expected to win Kazakh presidential election
November 20, 2022 GMTASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) — Kazakhstan's incumbent president is widely expected to secure an easy victory in Sunday's snap election that came after bloody unrest shook the country this year and he moved to stifle the influence of his authoritarian predecessor.
Malaysia’s political candidates make final pitches to voters
November 18, 2022 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian political candidates made their final pitches Friday on the eve of national elections in an attempt to win over a divided electorate worried about the economy, rising costs of living and political turmoil that resulted in three prime ministers since the last polls in 2018.
Berlin court orders rerun of chaotic 2021 state election
November 16, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A Berlin court on Wednesday ordered a rerun of the German capital's 2021 state election because of severe election-day glitches at many polling stations.
The constitutional court of Berlin, one of three German cities that is also a state in its own right, declared the original vote invalid.
Israel’s Netanyahu given chance to form far-right government
November 11, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s president on Friday asked former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government, presenting the longtime leader currently standing trial on corruption charges with the chance to end years of political instability in Israel with his partners on the far right.
GOP in grinding push to break Democrats’ hold on Congress
November 9, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Struggling to claw back power, Republicans pushed state by state early Wednesday to break the Democrats’ one-party hold on Washington in a grinding, dragged-out fight to upend President Joe Biden’s once-lofty agenda.
Israel’s premier calls for unity after Netanyahu victory
November 6, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister on Sunday issued a plea for national unity, days after he was defeated in national elections by the former premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, with the backing of a far-right ultranationalist party.
4 Palestinians killed in flare-up as Israel counts votes
November 4, 2022 GMTRAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli forces killed at least four Palestinians in separate incidents on Thursday, including one who had stabbed a police officer in east Jerusalem and three others in Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu set to return to power in Israel after PM concedes
November 3, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday appeared set to return to power as head of Israel’s most right-wing government ever after winning this week’s national election, with the current caretaker prime minister conceding defeat.
Palestinian motorist killed after alleged car ramming attack
October 30, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces on Sunday shot and killed a Palestinian motorist who slammed his car into a bus stop in the occupied West Bank — the latest in a monthslong wave of deadly violence that shows no signs of slowing.
EXPLAINER: Israeli election could yield familiar outcome
October 27, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is holding its fifth national election in under four years, and once again the race is shaping up as a referendum on former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fitness to rule.
Italy’s far-right leader Meloni forms new government
October 21, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Giorgia Meloni on Friday formed Italy’s new ruling coalition, assembling the country's first far-right-led government since the end of World War II and becoming the first woman to obtain the premiership.
Malaysia election set for Nov. 19 amid fear of floods
October 20, 2022 GMTPUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's Election Commission said Thursday that national elections will be held on Nov. 19, amid concerns that heavy rain and floods during the year-end monsoon season may deter voters.
With far-right leaders, Italy remembers WWII roundup of Jews
October 16, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Italy’s far-right political leadership marked the 79th anniversary of the World War II roundup of Rome’s Jews on Sunday with calls for such horror to never occur again, messages that took on greater significance following a national election won by a party with neo-fascist roots.
Cambodian court sets massive fine for top opposition figure
October 8, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A court in Cambodia on Friday imposed a heavy fine on a leading opposition politician after finding him guilty of defamation for saying that nationwide local elections in June were unfair.
Israel’s Netanyahu hospitalized weeks before election
October 5, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized Wednesday after feeling unwell during the Jewish fasting day of Yom Kippur.
Israel's public broadcaster Kan said Netanyahu, 72, was taken to Jerusalem's Shaarei Tzedek hospital after feeling chest pains while attending synagogue services.
OPEC+ makes big oil cut to boost prices; pump costs may rise
October 5, 2022 GMTFRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The OPEC+ alliance of oil-exporting countries decided Wednesday to sharply cut production to support sagging oil prices, a move that could deal the struggling global economy another blow and raise politically sensitive pump prices for U.S.
UK’s Truss stands by ‘disruption’ agenda despite Tory doubts
October 5, 2022 GMTBIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged Wednesday to ride out the turmoil unleashed by her tax-cutting economic agenda, saying the “disruption” will pay off in a wealthier, more efficient Britain.
Latvian premier’s center-right party wins national election
October 2, 2022 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Latvia's ruling center-right party won the most votes in the country's general election, centrist parties were the runners-up and pro-Moscow parties crashed in a vote that was shaped by Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to results published Sunday.
Italy’s Meloni vows to put national energy interests first
October 1, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni, who is poised to become Italy’s next premier, vowed Saturday to put national interests first in tackling soaring energy costs as she made her first public outing since her Brothers of Italy party won the most votes in the country's national election.
First female premier poised to take helm of Italy government
September 27, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — A party with neo-fascist roots won the most votes in Italy’s national election, setting the stage Monday for talks to form the country's first far right-led government since World War II, with Giorgia Meloni at the helm as Italy’s first female premier.
How a party of neo-fascist roots won big in Italy
September 26, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — The Brothers of Italy party, which won the most votes in Italy’s national election, has its roots in the post-World War II neo-fascist Italian Social Movement.
Italy shifts to the right as voters reward Meloni’s party
September 26, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — A party with neo-fascist roots, the Brothers of Italy, won the most votes in Italy’s national elections, looking set to deliver the country’s first far-right-led government since World War II and make its leader, Giorgia Meloni, Italy's first woman premier, near-final results showed Monday.
Pope urges Italians to have more children, welcome migrants
September 25, 2022 GMTMATERA, Italy (AP) — Pope Francis traveled to southern Italy on Sunday to close out an Italian church congress that coincided with Italy’s national election, and delivered a message that hit on key domestic campaign issues including immigration.
IOC president Bach discusses ‘challenges’ for 2026 Games
September 16, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Costly construction delays, a leadership vacancy linked to a volatile political climate and a lack of sponsors amid a spreading financial crisis has prompted International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to acknowledge the “challenges” facing organizers of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Swedish voters boost anti-immigration party amid high crime
September 12, 2022 GMTSTOCKHOLM (AP) — A populist anti-immigration party has surged to become Sweden's second-largest political force after a national election dominated by fears of gang violence, which has given the once-safe Scandinavian country one of Europe's highest levels of gun violence.
Swedish leader tackles crime, energy fears on campaign trail
September 4, 2022 GMTNORRTALJE, Sweden (AP) — Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Sunday was on the campaign trail a week before Sweden's national election to tackle fears over gang violence and rising electricity bills.
Angola anxiously watches vote counting in national election
August 25, 2022 GMTLUANDA, Angola (AP) — Angolans are anxiously watching the vote counting in their election race between the ruling MPLA party and the opposition UNITA.
With 86% of votes counted, the MPLA has the lead with 52% of the votes and UNITA has 43%, according to preliminary results announced Thursday morning by the National Electoral Commission.
Sweden: 2 wounded in shopping center shooting
August 19, 2022 GMTSTOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish police say two people have been wounded in a shooting at a shopping center in the southern city of Malmo.
A suspected was arrested after the shooting Friday afternoon at the Emporia shopping center, which police said appeared to be gang-related.
Cambodia court charges opposition politician with defamation
August 11, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A leading Cambodian opposition politician who publicly complained about alleged unfairness in June local elections has been charged with defamation, his lawyer said Thursday.
Iraqi cleric shows power as thousands attend mass prayer
July 15, 2022 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Tens of thousands of Iraqis attended a mass prayer in a Baghdad suburb on Friday called for by an influential Shiite cleric, sparking fears of instability amid a deepening political crisis that has followed the country's national elections.
Papua New Guinea police accused of killing woman at polls
July 15, 2022 GMTCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Papua New Guinea police shot a young mother dead at a polling station in the capital, Port Moresby, in the latest violence to mar national elections, according to a news report on Friday.
UN: Libya rival officials fail to agree on election criteria
June 30, 2022 GMTCAIRO (AP) — After two days of U.N.-mediated talks in Geneva, two senior Libyan officials from the country's rival camps failed to reach an agreement on a constitutional framework for national elections, the United Nations envoy to Libya said Thursday.
Cambodia confirms ruling party landslide victory in polls
June 26, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s National Election Committee on Sunday issued official results from this month’s local polls that confirmed a landslide victory by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party.
Israel lawmakers take 1st step toward dissolving parliament
June 22, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli lawmakers voted in favor of dissolving parliament in a preliminary vote on Wednesday, setting the wheels in motion to send the country to its fifth national election in 3 1/2 years.
Cambodian ruling party sues politician for criticizing vote
June 15, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party has sued the vice president of the opposition Candlelight Party for $1 million in compensation for comments he made in an online interview alleging that this month’s local elections were unfair, a spokesman for the governing party said.
Kishida unveils plan to set up pandemic crisis control unit
June 15, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans Wednesday to establish an infectious disease crisis management agency to better prepare for future pandemics.
Study: Facebook fails to catch East Africa extremist content
June 15, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A new study has found that Facebook has failed to catch Islamic State group and al-Shabab extremist content in posts aimed at East Africa as the region remains under threat from violent attacks and Kenya prepares to vote in a closely contested national election.
Cambodian court convicts lawyer, dozens of others of treason
June 15, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian-American lawyer and dozens of members of a now-dissolved opposition party were convicted of treason Tuesday in a trial that is part of efforts to tame opposition to the long-running rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
No way out as Iraq’s dangerous post-election impasse deepens
June 9, 2022 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Eight months after national elections, Iraq still doesn’t have a government and there seems to be no clear way out of the dangerous deadlock.
Political elites are embroiled in cutthroat competition for power, even as the country faces growing challenges, including an impending food crisis resulting from severe drought and the war in Ukraine.
Cambodian ruling party scores big win in local elections
June 6, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Long-serving Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party easily topped the field as expected in local elections, an initial tabulation from the National Election Committee showed Monday.
Iraq: Iran gas cuts due to nonpayment will cause shortages
June 1, 2022 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's Electricity Ministry said Wednesday the country will face power shortages after crucial energy supplies from Iran were cut over non-payment.
In a statement, the ministry said the total electricity supply was drastically reduced after Iran stopped exporting 5 million cubic meters of gas daily to Iraq.
UK Conservatives lose London strongholds, in blow to Johnson
May 6, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s governing Conservatives suffered local election losses Friday in their few London strongholds and other parts of the U.K. — results that will pile more pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid ethics scandals and a worsening economic picture.
Israeli minister: Parties trying to keep coalition afloat
April 25, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A key partner in Israel's governing coalition said Monday that all the factions are working to try and keep the fragile coalition afloat, less than a year after it was sworn into office.
Early tally confirms win for Serbia’s populist leader
April 4, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — An early official count of Serbia's national election on Monday confirmed the landslide victory of President Aleksandar Vucic and his populist party — important allies of Russia in the volatile Balkans and in Europe.
Hungary’s Orban popular at home, isolated abroad after win
April 4, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — As Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban prepares to continue his autocratic governance of Hungary for another four years, he faces a shattered opposition at home but an increasingly isolated position abroad, where his flouting of democratic standards and approach to the war in Ukraine has riled the European Union and other nations.
Serbia’s populist president projected to win reelection
April 4, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his populist right-wing party appeared headed to victory in Sunday's national election, extending a decade-long authoritarian rule in the Balkan country, according to early pollsters’ projections.
Hungary’s pro-Putin PM Orban claims victory in national vote
April 3, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared victory in Sunday's national elections, claiming a mandate for a fourth term as a still incomplete vote count showed a strong lead for his right-wing party.
Opposition vows end to Orban’s autocratic rule in Hungary
April 2, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A diverse coalition of opposition parties made their final appeal to Hungarian voters on Saturday ahead of the country's fiercely fought election that will decide whether nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues his autocratic rule for a fourth consecutive term.
In Serbia, pro-Russia is seen as the winning election stance
April 1, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has fostered close ties with Russia and refused to impose sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, is expected to extend his almost 10-year grip on power in the Balkan country when it holds national elections on Sunday.
East Timor set for presidential runoff election in April
March 27, 2022 GMTDILI, East Timor (AP) — East Timor is headed for a runoff presidential election after Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta failed to secure more than 50% of the vote despite a commanding lead over a fellow former independence fighter, incumbent President Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres.
Germany conducts raids over hate posts against politicians
March 22, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German authorities carried out raids across the country and questioned more than 100 suspects Tuesday in an investigation of hate posts against politicians connected to last year's national election, prosecutors said.
Modi’s governing party ahead in crucial state polls in India
March 10, 2022 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party had a commanding lead in India’s most populous state as votes were counted Thursday, despite criticism of his government’s handling of the pandemic, soaring unemployment and farmer protests.
Nicaragua moves 3 opponents from jail to house arrest
February 19, 2022 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Nicaraguan authorities have ordered home detention for three opposition figures suffering from health problems, one week after another died following months of incarceration.
Former Nicaraguan Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Aguirre Sacasa, 77, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister José Pallais, 68, and former ambassador to the United States Arturo Cruz Sequeira, 68, were ordered to home confinement, the government said late Friday in a statement.
Mexico to Sen. Cruz: At least our candidates accept defeat
February 19, 2022 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Sen. Ted Cruz has accused Mexico of “undermining the rule of law,” and Mexico's government shot back on Friday, saying at least candidates in Mexico concede defeat when they lose elections.
Somalia says al-Shabab attack kills 5 outside capital
February 16, 2022 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — An attack by the al-Shabab extremist group on Wednesday killed five people and wounded 16 on the outskirts of Somalia's capital, police said.
Somalia’s government said the early morning attack targeted police and checkpoints outside of Mogadishu.
South Korea to allow special voting for COVID-19 patients
February 14, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament on Monday approved plans to provide a special time for COVID-19 patients to vote during the March 9 presidential election as the country grapples with a record-breaking omicron surge.