— At least three people were killed in the Philippines after a tropical storm, which intensified into a typhoon before hitting land late on Thursday, swept across central islands and southern Luzon, days after a super typhoon struck the north. Government work and classes in many parts of the country, including in Metro Manila, were suspended ahead of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (International name: Bualoi). It struck just a few days after Super Typhoon Nando (International name: Ragasa) left a trail of damage in the northern Philippines, killing 14 people before wreaking havoc in Taiwan, where at least 15 people died. The latest storm made landfall in Eastern Samar in central Philippines before crossing into Masbate and sweeping through the Bicol region in southern Luzon. In other parts of Southern Luzon, local officials reported heavy rains and winds, power outages, and damage to crops and infrastructure.