Colombia's most-wanted drug lord Otoniel captured

Colombia's most-wanted drug trafficker and the leader of the country's largest criminal gang has been captured. Dairo Antonio Úsuga, better known as Otoniel, was seized after a joint operation by the army, air force and police on Saturday.

WHO warns pandemic will drag on deep into 2022

The Covid pandemic will "go on for a year longer than it needs to" because poorer countries are not getting the vaccines they need, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

When a cobra became a murder weapon in India

Public prosecutor Mohanraj Gopalakrishnan called the case a "milestone in police investigations in India when prosecutors could decisively prove that an animal was used as a weapon of murder".

Syria war: Deadly bomb blasts hit military bus in Damascus

A bomb attack on a military bus in central Damascus has killed 14 people, Syrian state media say. Two explosive devices attached to the vehicle blew up as it passed under Jisr al-Rais bridge during the morning rush hour, Sana news agency reported.

Uttarakhand: At least 46 killed in floods in Himalayan state

At least 46 people have died in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. Images and videos from the state show flooded roads, submerged homes, and fallen bridges.

US football coach fired for refusing vaccine

A top US college football coach has been fired for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Washington State University (WSU) sacked Nick Rolovich, its highest-paid employee, and four of his assistants, for failing to meet a vaccine mandate.

Unvaccinated players unlikely to be allowed to compete at Australian Open, says state premier

Players who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 are unlikely to be allowed into the country for the Australian Open, says the leader of the state in which the tournament is held. The Grand Slam event is due to start on 17 January in Melbourne, Victoria. The state has introduced a vaccination mandate for professional athletes.

At least 24 killed in India floods

At least 24 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages. Five children are among the dead. There are fears the death toll could rise further as many people are missing.

Nicki Minaj defends Jesy Nelson in 'blackfishing' row

Nicki Minaj has defended Jesy Nelson against claims of "blackfishing" in her latest music video, Boyz. Blackfishing is a word used to accuse someone of pretending to be black or mixed-race. Nicki, who features on the song, said on Instagram: "Y'all gotta stop."

Elk with tyre around neck for two years is freed

An elk roaming the hills of the US state of Colorado with a tyre around its neck for two years has finally been freed, wildlife officials say. The four-and-a-half-year-old bull elk had to be tranquilised and have its antlers removed, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers said.