Storm forces school closures, evacuations in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A tropical storm has lashed the northern Philippines with strong winds and rain, injuring at least two people and prompting the president to close schools and government offices in the capital and outlying provinces. The closures come just one day after schools across the Philippines held their first face-to-face classes in two years. Storm Ma-on weakened slightly as it barreled through mountainous northern provinces after slamming into Maconacon town in Isabela province Tuesday morning. Officials say two villagers were injured and taken to hospitals after being hit by falling trees in Cagayan province, where more than 2,000 people were evacuated to safety. Forecasters say the storm will start to blow away from the country overnight and head toward southern China.