Release of 4 Tibetans hailed:^ Dalai Lama's office in India on Wednesday welcomed China s release of four prominent Tibetan activists but said It had more to do with Beijing’s global economic ambitions than respect for human rights. Reuter reports from New Delhi.

It said in a statement that China had released Yulo Dawa ,i Tsering. Thupten Namdrol. Chungdak and Tsewang Palden.

India to free 72 Thais: India has agreed m principle to' free 72 jailed Thal fishermen following talks in New Delhi with Thal Deputy Foreign Minister Surin Pltsuwan. Indian officials said yesterday. AFP reports from New Delhi.

They said the Thal fishermen, detained last year for Illegally fishing in India's territorial waters off the eastern state of Orissa, would be released as soon as procedural formalities are completed.

Japan may hold polls in 15: Japanese I opposition leader 'reutomu Hata said on Thursday a general election in January or February 1995 was a "possibility.'' reports Reuter.

Hata, leader of the Renewal Party which is the biggest single opposition group in parliament, said recent actions by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayamas coalition government increasingly pointed to an early 1995 poll.

Rockets kill 5 in Kabul: Rockets wned at leapt five people and wounded 17 in Kabul on Wednesday and jets from President Burhanuddin Rabbani's forces bombed opposition positions, government controlled Kabul Radio said. Reuter reports from Islamabad.

There was no word on casualties in southern parts of the. Afghan capital held by the combined opposition forces of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and General Abdul Rashid Dostum.

Kim in Philippines: South Korean President I Kim Young-Sarh arrived tn’the Philippines yesterday on the ' first stop of a tour of Southeast Asia that will include next week’s APEC Summit In Indonesia. Reuter reports from Manila.

Kim will stay for three days before flying to Indonesia for a gatherihg 'of leaders from the 17-member Asia Pacific . Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the city of Bogor. During his stay in Manila Kim will hold talks with President Fidel Ramos, who Is hoping the visit will spur further Korean investment.

Elephants kill 4 in India: a herd of wild elephants'desperate for home-brewed liquor trampled at least four people to death during a two-day rampage in eastern India, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Wednesday, Reuter says from New Delhi.

Police told the news agency that the herd of 74 pachyderms. which is still on the loose, were looking for breweries where their favourite country concoction made from wild plants Is prepared by trlbespeople.

Christopher leaves for Indonesia:

US Secretary of State Warren Christopher left from thft US air force base for .Indonesia yesterday after a two-day visit during which he reaffirmed Washington's strong commitment to the defence of South Korea. AFP reports from Osan Air Base.

Christopher, who was on his first visit to Seoul since the signing of the Geneva accord to halt North Korea's nuclear programme, on Wednesday held intensive talks with South Korean leaders and with President Kim Young Sam.

Ireland to free 9 IRA men:Theinsh government has named nine Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners it intends to release. Including two murderers, a news service arid a British government- spokesman said on Wednesday. AP reports from London.

Two convicted murderers on the list published by the Press Association news agency quoting Irish government sources were model prisoners, and had served 12 and 15_ years of life sentences. One had formally quit the IRA.

3 soldiers killed in Peru: Three .oidiem were slain on Wednesday and seven wounded In a fire fight with Maoist guerillas in a remote valley in Peru's southeastern Andes, sources said. Reuter reports from Uma.

Sources.linked to security forces in highland Ayacucho de partment said the army troops were attacked by Shining Path rebels trying to retake lost terrain in the Apurimac 'river valley. some 160 miles (250 kms) southeast of Uma.

Frosts claim 3 in Russia: Bitter frosts haw killed three fishermen, left one hospitalised and several others missing in Russia s Far East in the past week, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported on Thursday. AP says from

A rescue team on Thursday saved 19 others who had been , on a speed boat stuck tn ice 15 kilometres (nine miles) off Russia's Pacific coast.

4 die in Chinese boat capsize: a sampan carrying illegal immigrants from southern China capsized in a storm off northern Taiwan, killing four men and leaving al least 16 others missing police said on Wednesdayt AP reports from Taipei

Ten Chinese were rescued after the accident Monday night 300 metres (330 yards) off Wanli.15 kilometres (9 miles) north of Taipei, officers added The dead Included two Chinese. one Taiwanese man who steered the boat and an unidentified man. they said

NATO lacks technology: sATo^d-tei hnology to detect piaslK landmines increasingly used in conflicts worldwide including In Bosnia, the alliance s arms procurement directors said on Wednesday AFP reports from Brussels

Admiral Leighton Smith, the bead of NATO forces for Southern Europe told the weapons experts meeting In Brussels since Monday the mines have become a major chai llengr