Typhoon toll in

Philippines hits 50

Afp, Manila

The number of people killed by a powerful storm that pummeled the central Philippines over Christmas has risen to 50, authorities said yesterday, making it the nation’s deadliest storm of 2019. Typhoon Phanfone’s destructive winds and heavy rains brought down flimsy homes and destroyed commercial buildings mainly in the central island of Visayas, affecting more than two million people. At least 80,000 remain in emergency shelters and might have to stay until the New Year, given the scale of destruction.

Al-Shabaab claim

Mogadishu blast

Afp, Mogadishu

Al-Shabaab Islamist militants have claimed responsibility for Saturday’s massive car bomb in the Somali capital Mogadishu that killed 81 people, including two Turkish citizens. The attack hit a busy checkpoint in the southwest of the city, leaving vehicles charred and twisted at a crossroads in the deadliest assault in two years in the Horn of Africa country. Scores more were wounded in an area clogged with traffic.

Al-Shabaab claim

Mogadishu blast

Afp, Mogadishu

Al-Shabaab Islamist militants have claimed responsibility for Saturday’s massive car bomb in the Somali capital Mogadishu that killed 81 people, including two Turkish citizens. The attack hit a busy checkpoint in the southwest of the city, leaving vehicles charred and twisted at a crossroads in the deadliest assault in two years in the Horn of Africa country. Scores more were wounded in an area clogged with traffic.