Australian Prime Minister Announces Election

Parliamentary elections have been announced for November 24, b Australian Prime Minister John Howard. He earlier visited Governor-General Michael Jeffery, the representative of head of state Queen Elizabeth, to ask for the dissolution of parliament. The veteran PM is seeking a fifth term in office but analysts predict a heavy defeat after ll ears in office. Mr. Howard, age 68, is badly trailing his Labor opponent Kevin Rudd, age 50, after nine months of dismal polls.