● <B> PHILIPPINES. Tropical storm kills three persons.</B> Two passenger ferries capsized during a fierce tropical storm in the central Philippines yesterday, killing at least three people and leaving eight missing, officials said. Tropical Storm Roke, packing winds of 105 km (65 miles) per hour near the centre and gustiness of 135 kph, grounded sea, air and land travel in most parts of the central Philippines. ?We have prevented up to 80 domestic ferries from leaving their ports to avoid accidents,? said Lieutenant Armand Balilo, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard. ?Two ferries capsized due to strong winds and giant waves.?

● <B>AFGHANISTAN. At least five killed in Kandahar blast.</B> A blast rocked the southern Afghan city of Kandahar yesterday, killing at least five people and wounding more than 30, security officials there said. The explosion in the former Taliban stronghold occurred off as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began talks with Afghan leaders in the capital Kabul to deepen democracy in the country and save it from becoming a narcotics state.