Typhoon Phanfone batters the Philippines on Christmas Day

Typhoon Phanfone ravaged central Philippines over the Christmas holidays, leaving at least 16 dead, officials said. The typhoon made landfall in Eastern Samar province on Christmas Eve and hit the Visayas islands on Christmas Day. It brought heavy rains, strong winds and flash floods that caused thousands to evacuate their homes and left thousands more stranded in ports around the country. Phanfone did weaken slightly on its way toward the South China Sea. Typhoon Phanfone: at least 16 killed in Philippine