Olympic torch

    CANBERRA, Australia: A grand reception was held last night to welcome the arrival of the Olympic torch. The Canberra leg of the torch relay will start from Reconciliation Place and conclude at Commonwealth Park today.

    Sri Lanka fighting

    COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Heavy fighting in Sri Lanka’s far north killed 52 Tamil Tiger rebels and 15 soldiers, the military said yesterday.

    Denmark embassies

    COPENHAGEN, Denmark: The Danish Foreign Ministry said yesterday that it has evacuated its staff from embassies in Algeria and Afghanistan because of threats after newspapers reprinted a cartoon depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad.

    Afghan clashes

    KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: A spate of suicide bombings and other attacks on security forces in southern Afghanistan yesterday left 13 people dead, officials said.