ISLAMABAD - At least five people were killed in a bomb blast at a security post in Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border Saturday, a government official said.

WASHINGTON - Air travellers carrying thermoses or coffee cups at US airports may be subject to extra scrutiny during this holiday season as such items could be used to conceal explosive materials, according to an official advisory.

MANILA - An improvised bomb exploded Saturday at the roof of a Catholic church in the southern Philippines, injuring six people attending a Christmas Day mass, a regional military spokesman said.

GAZA - Israeli warplanes carried out three airstrikes late Friday against targets in the Gaza Strip, medical staff and witnesses said.

KABUL - NATO-led forces killed two suspected insurgents in central Kabul Friday after receiving intelligence that the men had planned to attack the US embassy, the alliance said.