11.   For the Roman Catholic bishop of this embattled northern Sri Lankan town, a truce between government troops and Tamil rebels has brought the luxury of silent nights.

12.   Civilians who fled the embattled town, said Russian troops had shelled the area massively including residential districts.

13.   Sri Lanka Friday gave effect to a historic truce with Tamil Tiger rebels by conveying its agreement to cease hostilities to peace broker Norway at this embattled town.

14.   The mayor of Bihac, Hamdija Kabiljagic, told Croatian television from the embattled town that the Serbs continued to shell Bihac following the failed NATO air raid.