At least 50 dead in Philippines from tropical storm flooding

Torrential rains and subsequent flooding from Tropical Storm Ketsana have claimed at least 50 lives in the Philippines, a government official said Sunday. Five of the deaths occurred in metropolitan Manila, which — along with the nearby province of Rizal — bore the brunt of the downpour, said Gilberto Teodoro, secretary of national defense and chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

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Mackenzie Phillips expected to drop bombshell on ‘Oprah’

Mackenzie Phillips hid in her home, made compulsive purchases and struggled with personal issues, she tells Oprah Winfrey. The 49-year-old former child star, best known as Julie on the sitcom “One Day at a Time,” also reportedly tells Winfrey about a family secret she’s kept hidden for 31 years

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Feds asked to help in probe of ‘horrific’ family slaying

Florida authorities have requested federal assistance in locating a man sought for questioning in the deaths of his wife and five children, as he is believed to be in Haiti, officials said Monday. Investigators stopped short of calling Mesac Damas, 33, a suspect, Collier County, Florida, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk told reporters

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Police look for man whose wife, 5 children found killed

Florida authorities were searching Sunday for a 33-year-old man after his wife and five children were found dead in their Naples, Florida, home. “I can tell you that in no uncertain terms this is the most horrific and violent event this community has ever experienced,” Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said at a news conference Sunday.

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Investigators find flight data recorder from Comoros crash

Search teams have found the flight data recorder from the Yemenia Airways plane that crashed off the Comoros Islands in June, killing 152 people, the chief investigator said Friday. An operation to retrieve the recorder has begun, said a statement from investigator Ali Abdou Mohamed

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Semenya given rousing South African reception

New 800 meters world champion Caster Semenya received a rousing welcome after touching down in Johannesburg with her South African team-mates on Tuesday. The 18-year-old, who made global headlines last week after doubts were raised over her gender at the World Championships, was accompanied by the country’s two other medallists from Berlin — men’s 800m champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and long-jump silver medallist Khotso Mokoena. Thousands of supporters crammed the OR Tambo International Airport — waving placards, singing, dancing and simply hoping to catch a glimpse of the teenage heroine

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N. Korean delegation arrives to honor Kim

A North Korean delegation arrived in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday to mourn former South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, best remembered for trying to foster better relations between the two neighbors, the South’s media reported. “Mourning the passing of the late president Kim Dae-jung …” said the great white wreath adorned with a black ribbon delivered on behalf of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The six-members of the delegation bowed their heads in front of the altar set up in honor of the late president.

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