Blast kills 5 in Kashmir: h*. Allans were killed and 12 injured when a landmine suspected to have been planted by a Kashmiri Muslim militants exploded in a crowded downtown district of Srinagar yesterday, police said. AP reports from Srinagar

Two Indian paramilitary troops were also injured in the landmine blast which rocked a downtown area of thia Kashmir summer capital, police said

US welcomes DPRK's decision: Ambassador Robert Gallucci. chief US negotiator for the agreed framework with North Korea, has welcomed North Korea s decision to accept the US proposal for political level talks. Gallucci responded In a May 2 letter to North Korea, reports US1S.

"We have proposed that the talks begin in mid-May. in Geneva or another mutually acceptable location, and we are awaiting a response from the North Koreans to Ambassador Gallucci s letter. " a spokesman said. Gullucci plans to visit Seoul and Tokyo next week "'to consult with our allies before these talks lake place." he added.

UNSC may renew sanctions on Iraq: The UN Security Council is expected to renew international sanctions against Iraq for the 25th time when It convenes to decide on the matter next week. Western diplomats said bn Wednesday. AFP reports from United Nations.

A vote on whether to renew the sanctions slapped on Iraq during its 1990 invasion of Kuwait was set for May 12.

India reopens embassy in Kabul:

India reopened its embassy in Kabul on Wednesday after a 16-

I month closure forced by factional Afghan fighting and diplomats of its arch-rival Pakistan prepared to occupy the embassy they vacated in March. Reuter reports from Kabul.

"Kabul is quite peaceful! now and we hope it will last," Indian Charge d Affaires A S Toor told reporters. "I don't think tlie move is premature. We know that other countries are planning to come back very quickly."

22 die in China mine blast: a» explosion killed 22 miners at China's Xinjiang Dong Feng Coal Mine, the Beijing-backed Ta Kung Pao newspaper reported on Tuesday. Reuter says from Hong Kong.

It said the explosion occurred on Saturday and all 22 workers in the mine were killed instantly. It was the most serious accident at the mine in the Uygur autonomous region of Xinjiang province, it said.

Truck mishap kills 19 Indians: a truck carrying labours and welding rods overturned in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, killing at least 19 people, the United News of India (UNI) news agency said yesterday. Reuter reports from New Delhi.

It said the accident took place near the town of Dhule 290 km 1180 miles) northeast of Bombay and seven children were among the dead.

2 killed in Russian plane crash: An aging Antonov-2 plane crashed and burned in central Russia on Thursday, killing two people and injuring four others aboard, emergency officials said. AP reports from Moscow.

The single-eflgine. propeller plane went down near the settlement of Sebai. about 1.400 kilometres (870 miles) east of Moscow said Yekaterina Akinana. a spokeswoman for the Ministry for Emergency Situations.

Quake shakes N Greek peninsula:

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6 shook the northern Greek peninsula of Khaikidhiki early Thursday, following a series of smaller temblors, the Athens Geudynamic Institute said. AP reports from Athens.

There were reports of slight damage to some houses in the area but ik> injuries. Schools at the nearby town of lerlsso were ordered to remain closed for the day.

Aum chief may be indicted: The po lice plan to charge with murder the leader of the Aum Supreme Truth cult, and Its chemical-unit members in connection with the March 20 lethal gas attack on the Tokyo subway, a major dally said today, reports AFP.

The authorities have started consultations with prosecutors about questioning sect leader Shoko Asahara and the chenUcal-unil members suspected of producing sarin nerve gas. the mass circulation Yotniuri Shimbun said.

Moderate quake shakes Kobe: a moderate earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale shook a small area around Kobe, western Japan, on Thursday morning the Meteorological Agency said. AFP reports from Tdkyo

The Epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 5:53 am. (2053 GMT on Wednesday) was located at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) In the southeastern part of Kyogo pre fecture. the agency said.

19 die in Turkey bus plunge: Nineteen passengers were killed and 17 other injured when a passenger bus plunged into a ditch in southwestern Turkey on Wednesday the Anatolian news agency reported. Reuter says from Ankara.

The agency said the accident occurred on a narrow road near Milas town, the tourist resort of Mugla.

Flood, landslide kill 31 in Sumatra: Flood and landslides that followed days of incessant rain have killed at least 31 people while nine others were missing in two regencies In north Sumatra. Indonesian officials said yesterday. AFP reports from Jakarta.

Tapanuli Sei a tan Regency spokesman Soripada Harahap said by telephone from the main town of Padang Sidempuan that 31 people have been killed in the Dofok sub regency and eiglu other people were missing. |

Israel marks independence day: Israel Itegan celebrating 47 years of independence on Wednesday under the banner of peace, the national theme for 1995. AP reports from Jerusalem.

Shifting swiftly from a day of mourning for the country s fallen soldiers, revelers crowded into Jerusalem's etty square • to watch the annual ceremony launching a day of celebration