Ukraine Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma called for a repeat of bitterly-contested elections to choose his successor, saying this was the only way to end the country's worst political crisis since the breakup of the Soviet Union and ensure its young democracy survived. Qaeda Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant Ayman al-Zawahiri warned in his second video appearance in a year his Al-Qaeda terror network would go on with its fight against the United States. China The death toll from a gas explosion in a north China coal mine rose to 63, leaving 103 miners still unaccounted for, state media reported. Iran The UN atomic agency adopted a toned-down resolution on Iran's nuclear programme after Tehran agreed to a total freeze on all uranium enrichment activities, as world leaders warned they would be keeping a close eye on the Islamic Republic. US-Iran The United States said the world must "remain vigilant" about Iran's nuclear pursuits and refused to rule out seeking possible UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran over its atomic program. Iraq Four Iraqi national guardsmen, four civilians and two US soldiers were killed in bomb attacks, even as Prime Minister Iyad Allawi claimed violence was receding in the aftermath of the Fallujah assault. Iraq A roadside bomb attack on a US military vehicle north of Baghdad overngight left one soldier dead, the US military said in a statement. UN UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was disappointed in new revelations about payments to his son from a firm that had a contract under the UN's oil-for-food programme in Iraq. Mideast Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon faced a fresh political crisis after the secular Shinui party threatened to quit the ruling coalition and he suffered two symbolic defeats at the hands of parliament. Philippines At least 33 people were dead or missing in floods and landslides unleashed by a storm in the northern Philippines, rescuers said. Britain Negotiations aimed at adding fresh impetus to Northern Ireland's stalled peace process are at a "very intensive stage", British Prime Minister Tony Blair said following new talks.