A member of a powerful political clan in the Philippines accused of leading the massacre of 57 journalists and members of a rival's family pleaded not guilty on the first day of his trial.

Hundreds of people were injured by fireworks and gunfire as they celebrated New Year in the Philippines despite a graphic government warning campaign.

Typhoon Fengshen lashed the Philippines for a second day today, leaving at least 80 people dead as it submerged entire communities and capsized a passenger ferry carrying more than 740 passengers and crew.

Philippine troops defused a powerful bomb found in a packed bus after the US Embassy warned that terrorists might carry out attacks.

MUSLIM guerrillas helped Philippine troops find a hide-out where they killed five members of a criminal gang on a US terror group list.