Tel Aviv (Agencies): Five people were killed and more than 40 injured on Thursday when a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself to pieces in a bus in downtown Tel Aviv, police said, a day after another kamikaze killed a policeman in northern Israel.

Bangkok/United Nations (Agencies): A day after concluding their first peace talks with the government in seven years, the chief negotiator for Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels said on Thursday they were "pleased" with the progress made.

South Korea (Reuters): South and North Korean troops marched into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating their countries on Thursday to clear a path through minefields for rail and road links across the world's last Cold War frontier.

Washington (Agencies): U.S. President George W. Bush said on Thursday he will ask the U.S. Congress to endorse a possible attack against Iraq and the ouster of President Saddam Hussein, and warned the United Nations Security Council to deal with Iraq or Washington will.

Abidjan (Agencies): Ivory Coast Interior Minister Emile Boga Doudou and the west African country's former military ruler Gen. Robert Guei were killed in fighting that erupted in Abidjan on Thursday, a senior official said.

Washington (Agence France-Presse): The world economy would gain an annual boost of US$128 billion if lavish farm subsidies were scrapped, the IMF said in a report released Wednesday.

Sydney (Agence France-Presse): Credit card issuer Visa International on Thursday launched a legal challenge against the Australian central bank's plans to slash hidden fees on credit card transactions.

Singapore (Dow Jones): Asian currencies firmed late Thursday as market players unwound long-dollar positions and took profits on the U.S. unit after recent gains.

Thomastown, Ireland (Reuters): Sergio Garcia hopes he and Jesper Parnevik can resume their successful Ryder Cup combination at The Belfry next week, even though the Swede has struggled for form for much of this season.

London (Reuters): Grand Prix racing is a natural home for adrenaline addicts craving speed and excitement.

Tokyo (Agencies): Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn powered into the quarterfinals of the Princess Cup here Thursday with a solid straight sets win over Argentina's Clarisa Fernandez.