The US Congress has voted to allocate federal funds to help rebuild a motorway bridge over the Mississippi river that collapsed on Wednesday.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have approved an initial fund of $250m.

At least five people died when the bridge collapsed during evening rush hour.

Eight others are still missing.

As President Bush prepares to visit the scene, searches continue for more of the victims in the fast flowing river.

Darfur rebels seek unity in talks

Leaders from Darfur's fractured rebel movement are holding their "rst main day of talks in Tanzania, aimed at finding common ground. The talks are being mediated by the UN and the African Union.

But one of the main rebel leaders has boycotted the discussions, signalling the divisions within the movement.

Actor's dogs 'kill his caretaker'

Dogs belonging to Mission: Impossible actor Ving Rhames have apparently mauled a man to death at the star's home, authorities have said.

The 40-year-old victim, who lived on the property and worked as a caretaker, has not been named. He was found dead on the front lawn of Rhames' gated Los Angeles home covered in dog bites, a police spokesman said.

Three Bull Mastiffs and an English bulldog were taken away by animal services.

Brazil judge in gay football row

A Brazilian judge faces legal action for homophobia after giving a judgment in which he said football was a masculine sport, not a homosexual one.

The judge is reported to have said no-one who had watched the golden era of Pele and others in the 1970s could ever consider having a homosexual idol.