Bandar Seri Begawan (Dow Jones): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has ruled out immediate membership for East Timor, the world's newest country, officials said on Tuesday.

Seoul (Agencies): North and South Korea agreed to hold talks later this week, seizing on fresh momentum in diplomacy on the divided peninsula and reported stirrings of economic reform in the impoverished communist state.

Jerusalem (Agencies): A palestinian suicide bomber struck inside a sandwich shop in Jerusalem on Tuesday, killing himself and wounding four people ahead of planned U.S. talks with Palestinian officials.

Pretoria (Agence France-Presse): The leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a peace pact Tuesday designed to end a four-year-war in the DRC which is estimated to have claimed 2.5 million lives.

Kabul (Reuters): Afghan authorities have arrested a foreigner in connection with what could have been a devastating bomb attack on the capital Kabul, Foreign Minister Dr Abdlillah Abdullah said on Tuesday.

Tokyo (Agence France-Presse): Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday comfortably survived his first no-confidence vote submitted by opposition parties unhappy with the government's economic reforms.

Manila (Agence France-Presse): Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) must resist the urge to stall closer regional integration, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo said.

London (Reuters): Gold made tentative steps on its difficult road to recovery on Tuesday after last week's major fund shake-out sent the precious metal to its lowest level in more than three months.

California (Agence France-Presse): Golfing legends Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus teamed up for a 3-and-2 triumph over Spain's Sergio Garcia and retired star Lee Trevino here Monday in the "Battle of Bighorn".

Toronto, Canada (Reuters): World number one Lleyton Hewitt crashed out 2-6,6-4, 6-3 to 55th-ranked Felix Mantilla of Spain in the opening round of the US$2.95 million Canada Tennis Masters on Monday.