More than 200 dead after typhoon slams Philippines

By JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The death toll following the strongest typhoon to batter the Philippines this year has climbed to more than 200, with 52 other people still missing. At its strongest, the typhoon packed sustained winds of 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 270 kph (168 mph) before it blew out Friday into the South China Sea. The toll was expected to increase because several towns and villages remained out of reach due to downed communications, power outages and clogged roads, although massive repairs and clean-up efforts were underway with the improved weather.