Gates in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived on Thursday in Afghanistan, where the United States is looking to increase its military presence to fight a mounting insurgency. Gates, who was to meet commanders on the ground battling Taliban militants, said Washington wanted to get thousands more troops into Afghanistan but warned of the difficulties foreign forces have had in the country. — AFP

90 troops killed: LTTE

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers say they have killed at least 90 government soldiers while beating back an army advance towards their northern political capital, a pro-rebel website said today. Heavy fighting outside the town of Kilinochchi, the political headquarters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, left more than 60 soldiers killed and scores wounded, Tamilnet.com quoted the rebels as saying following this week’s clashes. The LTTE did not release its own casualty figures. — AFP