Philippine storm death toll reaches 100

MANILA, Philippines // Officials say the death toll in the massive flooding that hit the Philippine capital and nearby provinces has reached 100. The country's defence secretary, Gilbert Teodoro, said that army troops, police and civilian volunteers, backed by US troops, are continuing a search and rescue effort. He said welfare agencies have begun to provide food, medicine and other help to more than 115,000 people in government-run emergency shelters.

Mr Teodoro said on Monday that 32 villagers remain missing after massive flooding set off by Tropical Storm Ketsana. The storm slashed through the country's northern regions on Saturday then blew away toward the South China Sea a day later. * AP