Typhoon Mangkhut: Surviving the night in Tuguegarao Image copyright Luke Lasam Typhoon Mangkhut has passed through the Philippines' main island of Luzon, causing landslides, flooding and deaths. The storm has damaged all the buildings in Tuguegarao City in the island's north-east, according to a government official. Deadly typhoon wreaks Philippines carnage Here's how to survive a monster storm Carmelo Lasam is a lawyer who lives in the city and saw out the storm at home with his family: "Me, my wife and my five girls, two granddaughters, all cowering with fear". The next day, they surveyed the damage. Image copyright Luke Lasam Carmelo said he is used to typhoons, but the younger members of his family are not. "I've grown up with them. There is nothing more ferocious," he told the BBC. "We didn't sleep the whole night. I kept assuring them, 'These things pass'. "It took so long hovering over us, it was really terrible. "And it did pass. We&#039..

Strawberry needle scare: Australia probe as 'vicious crime' widens Image copyright JOSHUA GANE Image caption Sewing needles have been inserted inside strawberries in Australia Australia has ordered an investigation into the discovery of sewing needles hidden in strawberries, amid growing alarm over scares across the country. Contaminated punnets have now been reported in six states and territories. A minister called it a "vicious crime". One man was taken to hospital after eating a strawberry that held a needle. Several brands have been recalled, while a major New Zealand grocer said that it had stopped selling imported strawberries as a precaution. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt ordered the Food Safety Authority of Australia and New Zealand to investigate the scare. "This is a very vicious crime and it's a general attack on the public," he said. Local authorities are also investigating, but no suspects have been identified. Copycat fearsCases of fruit tampering w..

Typhoon Mangkhut: South China hunkers down for deadly storm Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionTyphoon Mangkhut moved from the Philippines to Hong Kong South China is bearing the brunt of Typhoon Mangkhut, which is deluging areas with heavy rain and wind speeds of up to 100mph (162km/h). Millions of lives have been put on standstill as flights are cancelled, trains stopped and major roads closed. Residents in the densely populated province of Guangdong have been in lockdown on the highest alert. Two people were killed there, according to Chinese state media. At least 64 died in the Philippines. Mangkhut, considered the strongest storm of 2018, ploughed through the north of the main Philippine island of Luzon on Saturday before travelling west. Image copyright Reuters Image caption People caught outside as the worst of the storm approached were photographed overwhelmed by conditions Mangkhut is expected to gradually weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday a..

Amazon investigates staff bribery claims Image copyright Getty Images Amazon is investigating claims that its employees accepted bribes in exchange for leaking confidential sales data. Independent sellers were also allowed to delete negative reviews and restore banned accounts for payments of between $80 (£61; €69) and $2,000, according to allegations in the Wall Street Journal. The Journal said the practice was particularly "pronounced in China". Amazon said it had "zero tolerance" for abuse of its systems and that it was conducting a "through investigation". "We hold our employees to a high ethical standard and anyone in violation of our Code faces discipline, including termination and potential legal and criminal penalties," an Amazon spokesperson said. They added that the company would also take "swift action" against sellers on its site who had "engaged in this behaviour... including terminating their selling accounts, deleting reviews, withholding funds, and taking legal acti..

Sydney's Defqon 1 music festival: Authorities call for ban after two 'drugs deaths' Image copyright Getty Images Australian state authorities have vowed to shut down a dance music festival after two people died from a suspected drugs overdose. New South Wales police said 700 sought medical help for drug-related issues at Sydney's Defqon. 1 and three people are in a critical condition. State premier Gladys Berejiklian called the annual event unsafe and should not take place again. Organisers Q-Dance Australia said they are cooperating with the authorities. The two dead have not been named but they were both in their 20s and died in hospital after collapsing, according to police. Do clubbers need access to drug testing? US woman jailed over cocaine in high heels Mystery powder paralyses backpackers "I'm absolutely aghast at what has occurred..." Ms Berejiklian said in a statement. "This is an unsafe event and I'll be doing everything I can to make sure i..

Typhoon Mangkhut: Deadly typhoon takes aim at south China Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionFlash floods and landslides have led to fatalities in the Philippines Heavy rain and strong winds are lashing the south coast of China as Typhoon Mangkhut closes in. Authorities in the heavily populated province of Guangdong have issued their highest warning level, a red alert. More than 100 people were injured when the storm touched Hong Kong. Landslide warnings are in place. At least 25 people have already died in the Philippines as a result of Typhoon Mangkhut but the full impact on rural areas is not yet known. In pictures: Typhoon lashes PhilippinesMangkhut lost power as it made landfall but it is considered the strongest storm of 2018. Is China ready?In Hong Kong, authorities issued their maximum alert, with residents warned to stay indoors to avoid flying debris. Winds there reportedly reached more than 110 mph (117 kph). Some apartment blocks had windows blown o..

Chinese gambling boom looms over Cambodia's Kampot Image copyright Getty Images/VW Pics Kampot is one of Cambodia's cultural jewels, but as George Styllis writes, a flood of Chinese gambling money is making residents of this small sleepy town nervous. During colonial rule - from 1863 to 1953 - the French would retreat to the lush highlands of Bokor mountain above Kampot to escape the stifling heat. There they established an enclave, with a church, a post office and a magnificent hotel. In the tumult of civil war and genocide, the hotel fell to ruin, leaving only black cavernous windows and a gruesome grey exterior. Image copyright Getty Images It stood as a haunting monument to history - until this year, when it was reopened as a luxury hotel and casino under the banner, Le Bokor Palace. There are now two casinos on Bokor with more expected to open once an 18,000-hectare resort, in the early stages of construction, is built. This all reflects Cambodia's lurch towards ..

Typhoon Mangkhut: Philippines counts cost of deadly typhoon Image copyright Getty Images Image caption There are fears about damage to crops in the agricultural heartland of Cagayan The Philippines is counting the human and economic cost of Typhoon Mangkhut, which ripped through its main island with deadly consequences on Saturday. Officials say at least 14 people died but blocked roads and downed communications lines mean the true impact on rural areas is not yet clear. Extensive crop damage is feared in the agricultural province of Cagayan. The storm, which packs a 900km (550 mile) rain band and strong winds, is now heading towards southern China. It made landfall at Baggao, in the north-east of the main Philippine island of Luzon, at about 01:40 local time on Saturday (17:40 GMT on Friday) and left some 20 hours later. Originally a super typhoon billed as the strongest storm of 2018, it lost some of its strength on landfall. Five million people were in its path and more than 100,0..