Japan to mend ties with Russia: Japansnew prime minister said Friday he wanted to sign a oeace treaty and normalise relations with Russia by 2000 and olanned a trip to Moscow in the fall. AP reports from Tokyo.

In his first policy speech before Parliament since becoming prime minister last week. Keizo Obuchi said he would continue the progress in Ues with Moscow begun under the previous administration.

Sudanese peace talks end: Sudanese peace talks in Addis Ababa ended Thursday evening with no agreements. Sudan People's Liberation Amry (SPLA) spokesman Pagan Amun told AFP in Addis Ababa

The SPLA and the delegation represenUng the Khartoum government agreed only to meet again in Nairobi in six months, e said. The government delegaUon headed by Foreign Minister Mustapha Osman Ismail made no comment, nor did conference chairman Bonaya Godana. the foreign minister of Kenya.

10 Thai civilians held in Myanmar: Ten civilians from Thailand have been captured and are being held by a Myanmar army unit after wandering across the border in search of bamboo, a Thai army officer said yesterday. AP says from Bangkok.* , , , .

Four of the ten are ethnic Karens. They crossed the border near Tha Song Yan in Tak province. 370 km northwest of Bangkok, on Wednesday while foraging for bamboo trees to sell, when they were captured by the 28th Brigade of the Myanmar army.

Gas explosion claims 6 in Russia: Six people were killed and 12 injured on Thursday when a gas explosion ripped through an apartment building in the Nizhny Novgorod region, ITAR-Tass said, AFP reports from Moscow

The dead Included three children and three women, the agency reported, ciUng the Russian Emergency Ministry.