Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government by midnight on Tuesday, giving rivals a chance to join forces and remove him or send the country to a fifth election in slightly more than two years.
The March 23 election gave neither Mr Netanyahu nor his opponents a clear path to build a coalition.
President Reuven Rivlin offered the prime minister, who is facing trial in three corruption cases, the first attempt last month after members of Parliament nominated him.
For the past four weeks, Mr Netanyahu unsuccessfully tried to talk rivals into an alliance and drive wedges in the opposition but right before midnight he returned the mandate to Mr Rivlin.
The political turmoil comes as tension is rising with Iran and its proxies, and high unemployment has not been abated by an aggressive coronavirus vaccination campaign.
Mr Rivlin now has three days to nominate the head of another party to try to build a governing coalition, or ask Parliament to choose one of its members, even Mr Netanyahu.
Leading contenders for the first option appear to be former finance minister Yair Lapid, whose centrist Yesh Atid party is Parliament’s second largest, and former defence minister Naftali Bennett.
Mr Bennett, head of the mainly religious nationalist Yamina party, has not ruled out sitting with Mr Netanyahu. His support is necessary for any government.
Opposition parties want to topple Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, whose attempts to stop his corruption trial have been closely linked to Israel’s political tumult.
But different agendas and personal ambitions could make it hard for them to form partnerships in government.
The rivals are a mix of religious, secular, Zionist and anti-Zionist politicians, as well as opponents and proponents of Palestinian statehood.
It includes Arab parties, which historically have not joined Zionist-led governments but could agree to support a minority coalition in votes.
Throughout this election cycle, Mr Netanyahu has had the option of stepping aside to let someone else lead his Likud party’s ticket, which could have allowed for a government to be formed long ago.
But staying in power is Mr Netanyahu's only hope to stop his trial, giving him the chance to pass laws protecting incumbent leaders from prosecution.
Mr Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and maintains he is the victim of a political witch hunt.
RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE
Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1
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Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
