MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) is nearing typhoon category, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa reported that Francisco was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour, and gusts of up to 135 kph. The cyclone was
