World in brief: What happened today

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah arrive at 10 Downing Street in London. Photo / Reuters

Brown takes over as Britain's PM

LONDON - Britain's new Prime Minister Gordon Brown will announce a far-reaching cabinet shake-up today as he puts his stamp on the government after 10 years of rule by Tony Blair.

Brown knows he must rebuild Labour support if he is to stave off a resurgent opposition Conservative Party and win the next election, due by 2010.

Top of Brown's list were changes in the state-run National Health Service and in schools.

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Death toll rises from heatwave in Europe

ATHENS - A heatwave has killed at least 35 people in parts of southeast Europe and hit wildlife and crops.

Greece is experiencing its worst heatwave in 110 years and Italy reports the hottest spring in nearly two centuries.

A drought in southeast Europe has already threatened grain crops in countries including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey where a 50 per cent drop in this year's cotton crop is predicted.

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Power outage cuts trains, traffic lights in NYC

NEW YORK - A power outage struck Manhattan's wealthy Upper East Side during a heat wave today leaving half a million New Yorkers without power for 50 minutes.

Subway lines were back running today after a short delay but with massive delays as commuters tried to get home.

That outage stranded hundreds of thousands of commuters and trapped subway riders underground in New York City, where thousands of people spent a hot night sleeping on sidewalks or walking miles in the darkness to reach their homes.

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