In brief: Typhoon Parma hits Philippines

Manila, Philippines – The Philippines military rushed today toward villages cut off by floodwaters from Asia’s latest deadly storm, which killed at least four across the northern part of the country but spared the capital.

Typhoon Parma was churning through the South China Sea as troops in southern Taiwan helped to evacuate villages that could be hit next.

Tens of thousands of Filipinos fled to higher ground as Parma bore down on the main island of Luzon just eight days after an earlier storm left Manila awash in the worst flooding in four decades, killing almost 300 people.

Canada’s mayors end boycott threat

Toronto – Canada’s mayors said Saturday that they are withdrawing their threat to boycott suppliers from the United States in retaliation for Buy American provisions involving U.S.-funded stimulus projects.

“We are encouraged by the talks now under way between Canadian and U.S. officials and want to give them the time and space to reach a successful outcome,” said Federation President Basil Stewart.

The Obama administration included the Buy American policy in the nearly $800 billion stimulus package adopted earlier this year, which requires projects funded with stimulus money to use only U.S.-made steel, iron and manufactured goods.

Ex-minister found dead at his home

Tokyo – A former Japanese finance minister who stepped down after appearing to be drunk at an overseas news conference was found dead in his home today, police said.

The cause of Shoichi Nakagawa’s death was under investigation.

The 56-year-old Nakagawa caused an uproar when he appeared to be drunk at a news conference during a meeting of Group of Seven financial leaders in Rome in February. International news programs repeatedly played footage of Nakagawa slurring his speech and looking sleepy.