In the Philippines, tropical storm Aere struck eastern Philippines yesterday bringing torrential rains and landslides that killed at least nine people and forced thousands of others to flee their homes. The state weather bureau said, the storm made landfall on the island of Catanduanes and was moving northwest at 15 kilometers an hour toward the main island of Luzon and the capital, Manila. Winds of 85 kilometers an hour were reported, as the storm flooded roadways, wrecked homes, forced flight cancellations and spread havoc over a wide area.