British Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday demoted his foreign secretary in a major reshuffle, removing his more under-fire colleagues to refocus the government on raising living standards after covid-19.

The European Union’s chief executive yesterday set out plans to make the 27-nation bloc more independent in areas from defence to global trade, and urged other countries to join it in accelerating the fight against climate change.

Magdalena Andersson is favourite to become Sweden's prime minister when her Social Democrat colleague Stefan Lofven steps down in November, but major challenges face the current finance minister if she is to keep the top job longer than a few months.

1916 - Military tanks went into action for the first time in history as part of the Allied offensive at the Battle of the Somme.

Vaccines are effective enough at preventing severe cases of Covid-19 that there is no current need for the general population to be given third doses, according to a report in The Lancet published Monday.    

The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog said yesterday he would continue to be “firm and fair” with Iran, a day after clinching a deal over access to surveillance equipment at Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Light rain gave some breathing room to crews struggling yesterday to battle a “monster” wildfire in Spain that has killed a firefighter and forced roughly 2,600 people from their homes.

UN chief Antonio Guterres yesterday called for countries to dig deep and provide desperately needed aid to Afghans, and to support women and others whose rights appear threatened by the Taliban.

Uber drivers are employees, not contractors, and so entitled to greater workers' rights under local labour laws, a Dutch court ruled on Monday, handing a setback to the U.S. company's European business model.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has become a feminist icon after 16 years in power even though the world's most powerful woman has only belatedly accepted that label as she prepares to step down, and conceded that gender equality is still a long way off.

Iran and the UN nuclear agency said yesterday they have agreed to allow inspectors to service the agency’s surveillance equipment as Tehran has restricted access since earlier this year. 

Two French politicians kicked off their presidential campaigns Sunday, seeking to become France’s first female leader in next year’s spring election.

Britain’s economic recovery slowed sharply in July, official data showed Friday, as rises in Covid cases and supply shortages offset further lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Russia said Friday it summoned the US ambassador in Moscow over interference of US tech giants in parliamentary polls due later this month.

The United Nations chief warned Friday that the world is “moving in the wrong direction” and exhorted nations to take urgent action to fight the

The Sept 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks in the United States failed to divide those who believe in freedom and democracy, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video message marking the 20th anniversary of that day.

The world’s most influential conservation congress passed resolutions Friday calling for 80 percent of the Amazon and 30 percent of Earth’s surface -- land and sea -- to be designated “protected areas” to halt and reverse the loss of wildlife.

An amateur archeologist has found 22 gold objects with sixth century symbols that could yield new details about pre-Viking peoples in Denmark, the museum that will house the treasure said.

1922 - A British mandate was proclaimed in Palestine. It came into effect at the end of the month, despite Arab protests.

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has “emboldened” extremists, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence MI5 said yesterday, warning of the likelihood of new atrocities.