International Desk
Court orders Dubai ruler to pay ex-wife $728m
The ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has been ordered to pay his ex-wife Princess Haya bint al-Hussein more than $728 million (£500 million), in one of the largest divorce settlements ever handed down by a UK court.
US records 1st death believed to be Omicron
Texas’ Harris County on Monday reported its first death related to the Omicron Covid-19 variant, a man who was unvaccinated, the county health department said.
Death toll passes 200 after Philippines typhoon
The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year surpassed 200 on Monday, as desperate survivors pleaded for urgent supplies of drinking water and food.
Military’s series of mass killings in Myanmar: BBC
Myanmar military carried out a series of mass killings of civilians in July this year, resulting in deaths of at least 40 men, according to a BBC investigation.
Man beaten to death inside India's Sikh temple
A man has been beaten to death in the northern Indian city of Amritsar after he allegedly attempted to commit a sacrilegious act inside the historic Golden Temple, one of Sikhs' most revered shrines.
75 reported dead in Philippines typhoon
At least 75 people have been reported killed in the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, official tallies showed Sunday, as efforts to deliver water and food to devastated islands ramp up.
22,000 evacuated as Malaysia faces its worst flooding
Over 22,000 people were evacuated throughout Malaysia Sunday as the country faces some of its worst flooding in years.
Dutch lockdown as Europe intensifies Omicron response
The Netherlands on Saturday announced a Christmas lockdown and London declared a "major incident" as Europe tries to rein in rising Covid-19 case numbers and the highly mutated Omicron strain takes hold.
Omicron spreading at lightning speed: French PM
The Omicron variant is “spreading at lightning speed” in Europe and will likely become dominant in France by the start of next year, French Prime Minister Jean Castex has warned.
27 feared dead in Japan’s Osaka building fire
At least 27 people are feared dead after a fire broke out in a building in downtown Osaka of Japan.
Australia reopens to foreign students, skilled workers
Australia has reopened borders to vaccinated skilled migrants and foreign students after a near two-year ban on their entry, in a bid to boost an economy hit by stop-start Covid-19 lockdowns and restart international travel.
G7 issues strong warnings on Iran, Russia
The G7 said time was running out for Iran to agree a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions, and warned Russia of "massive" consequences if it invades Ukraine.
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa tests Covid-19 positive
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday and was receiving treatment for mild symptoms, the presidency said in a statement.
‘Vampire’ author Anne Rice passes away at 80
Anne Rice, the author known for her best-selling book ‘Interview with the Vampire’, has passed away at the age of 80, according to The New York Times.
Over 50 feared dead in Kentucky’s tornadoes
The governor of the US state of Kentucky has warned that more than 50 people are thought to have been killed by tornadoes overnight.