Bad omen for UK as Tower of London raven missing, feared dead

Chinese private investment in Uganda is growing while Westerners are losing appetite to put money to work in the country, President Yoweri Museveni told Reuters, pledging to step up efforts to tackle corruption which has made slow progress. Museveni, in power since 1986 and one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, said Uganda was working to sign a number of deals with Chinese private sector lenders in sectors from agro- and fertilizer-processing, minerals processing or textiles.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised on Wednesday for a video showing his staffers joking about reports of a party in Downing Street during the COVID lockdown, saying he was furious but that he had been assured there was no party.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's wife, Carrie, has given birth to a baby girl, his office said.

According to the United Nations, during a week in August in Cameroon's Far North, 32 people were killed and dozens wounded in clashes between Musgum fishermen and Choa Arab herders, The authorities said the clashes were sparked by disputes over access to water.

The leader of the UK's opposition Labour party said on Sunday (December 12) that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had broken the public's trust over COVID-19 regulations, making him "unfit for public office." Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Keir Starmer said Johnson posed a risk to public health following reports that parties were held at Downing Street during a 2020 Christmas lockdown when such festivities were banned.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday⁣⁣⁣

The omicron coronavirus variant is spreading rapidly in the UK, where the number of daily infections has hit a record high. Health experts warn that it's the most significant threat to public health since the start of the pandemic.

Simon Case was leading the probe into alleged Christmas parties held by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's staff in breach of COVID restrictions. Case has quit after reports of parties in his own office.

Authorities have said at least 208 people have died in the Philippines, with thousands of others losing their homes. Rescue operations continue around the clock.

Local officials are informing the public through social media posts about the extent of damage in their own regions, with one official saying at least 63 died in his province. Emergency rescue operations are under way.

The omicron variant of the coronavirus is less likely to land patients in hospital in comparison with delta.