Kuala Lumpur (Agencies): Ruthless pirates in Indonesia, terrorist attackers in the Middle East and power-thirsty militia gangs on the Somali coast pose the latest threats to seafarers plying the world's increasingly perilous waters, a maritime watchdog reported on Thursday.

Washington (Reuters): Anxious parents sent their children to school throughout the Washington area on Wednesday despite a threat — "Your children are not safe anywhere at any time" — from the gunman who has killed nine people and reportedly demanded US$10 million.

Seoul (Reuters): North and South Korea agreed on Wednesday to seek a peaceful resolution to North Korea's nuclear arms program, an issue that will be the focus of intensive U.S. diplomacy with Asian and Pacific leaders this weekend.

Baghdad (Agence France-Presse): Baghdad stepped up its rhetoric on Wednesday, attacking the United Nations for the first time in the current crisis, after Washington gave the world body a new ultimatum to take tough action on Iraqi disarmament or see it go it alone.

Baku (Reuters): More than 40 people died when a boat carrying passengers and oil across the Caspian Sea sank in stormy weather, Azerbaijan's interior minister said on Wednesday.

Canberra (Associated Press): Australia will likely increase defense and security spending in the wake of the Bali bombing and might need to send troops to Southeast Asia in the war against terrorism, the government said on Wednesday.

Singapore (Agence France-Presse): The deadly bomb blasts that hit the Indonesian island resort of Bali more than a week ago will not weigh heavily on investors when they look at Asia, a top Morgan Stanley strategist said Wednesday.

New York (Associated Press): Wall Street's biggest brokerages and its top regulators will consider two landmark proposals Thursday that would create independent research for investors, according to a Wall Street expert.

Paris (Agence France-Presse): The United States has come in dead last among rich countries providing development aid to poor nations, the OECD said here Wednesday, citing figures comparing aid volume to national income. the Organization for Economic

San Diego (Associated Press): Rokkie Smush Parker hit a 3-point shot in the final 4.4 seconds Monday to list the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 102-101 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Stockholm (Agencies): World number one Lleyton Hewitt went into the second round of the Stockholm Open on Tuesday without having to play a single point as Sweden's Thomas Enqvist pulled out ahead of the game with a shoulder injury.