British PM Johnson tests positive for coronavirus

Angela Merkel returns to the UK, likely for the last time as German chancellor. She will again bump elbows with Boris Johnson, key Brexit architect and almost her political antithesis.

The Nepalese Supreme Court has removed caretaker Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli from office and reinstalled his rival. Parliament is now set to reconvene in a week.

Henry has appealed for national unity as he takes office nearly two weeks after the assassination of late President Jovenel Moise.

The Sunni telecoms tycoon secured enough votes from lawmakers to become Lebanon's prime minister. France and the US have expressed support for the move.

Following a meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says the death of dissident Vitaly Shishov in Ukraine was probably 'a crime', but that she would wait for the outcome of investigations before confirming her position. Saying she understood that she might 'disappear at any moment', she said 'I can't stop, because I feel responsibility for the future of my country.'

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says the country is facing a "natural disaster of unprecedented proportions" as wildfires wipe out hundreds of homes and force thousands to flee. He apologises to Greeks for possible "weaknesses" in the state's response, and says "those who lost homes and property will be compensated".

Despite Trudeau's COVID policies being widely seen as a success, he called the early vote in a bid to give his Liberal government a new mandate to steer Canada's pandemic exit.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called it quits after months of political turmoil. He defied calls for resignation for weeks, saying he would hold elections next year.

Israeli premier Bennett said Egypt could help restart the peace process with the Palestinians, while Egyptian President Al-Sisi said he wants to "strengthen regional security."

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a new Indo-Pacific strategic alliance with Australia and the US, dubbed AUKUS, in a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison US President Joe Biden. As part of the deal, the US will help Australia acquire nuclear powered submarines.

Officials said the move would make it easier for companies to share information and prioritise parts of the country most at need. It follows days of long queues at the pumps, after fears of disruption to the fuel supply sparked panic buying. But a minister said there were no plans to bring in the Army to drive tankers. The government has been considering using the Army, but Environment Secretary George Eustice said the shortage of drivers was "not a huge problem".

Taro Kono may be the favorite with members of the Liberal Democratic Party, but factional politics mean that Fumio Kishida is likely to emerge as Japan's new prime minister, say experts.