Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 10:25:53 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Australia Spirits Away Torch Ahead of Relay

Posted Apr 23, 08 10:12 AM CDT in Sports,  World 

(Newser) – The Olympic torch arrived Down Under today, but was immediately whisked off to a secret location to avoid protesters, the AP reports. Tomorrow’s torch relay in Canberra will be open to the public—unlike those in Jakarta and New Delhi—but the route will be lined with yard-high fences and police. 

Protesters gathered across Australia today, holding a candlelit vigil in Canberra, and draping a banner over a Coke billboard in Sydney. Australian PM Kevin Rudd has said police will come down "like a ton of bricks" on anyone who behaves unlawfully during the relay.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 1,000 Tibetan Monks Jailed to Prevent Protests

    Jul 7, 08 2:35 AM CDT
    1,000 Tibetan Monks Jailed to Prevent Protests The Chinese government has jailed more than 1,000 monks in an effort to prevent protests during the Olympic Games, reports the Times of London. Three large monasteries are empty near Lhasa, where hundreds of monks and supporters held protests amid gunfire in March. The government is holding the monks—many of them young ethnic Tibetans—in nearby prisons and detention centers, according to sources. More »

  • China Reopens Tibetan Tourism

    Jun 25, 08 12:13 PM CDT
    China Reopens Tibetan Tourism China is allowing foreign tourists to enter Tibet for the first time since March protests, sources tell the BBC. The Olympic torch’s smooth reception in Lhasa over the weekend means "Tibet is safe,” a Tibetan tourism director tells state media. "We welcome the domestic and foreign tourists." Tibet remains essentially off-limits, however, to foreign journalists. More »

  • Olympic Torch Arrives in Tibet

    Jun 21, 08 6:17 AM CDT
    Olympic Torch Arrives in Tibet Under tight security, the Olympic torch made its way through Tibet’s capital in the most controversial leg of its worldwide journey—a jaunt that ended with Chinese criticism of the Dalai Lama, Reuters reports. “We will be able to totally smash the splittist schemes of the Dalai Lama clique,” said the Communist party’s Tibet leader in front of Potala Palace, the exiled Tibetan leader’s traditional seat. More »

  • China Orders Muslims to Stay Home for Torch Relay

    Jun 16, 08 9:06 AM CDT
    Chinese officials have told China's Muslim Uighur to stay in their homes and watch the Olympic torch on TV when it winds its way through the troubled western region of Xinjiang, Reuters reports. Beijing blames the Uighur for a series of attacks that are part of a push for an independent state. More »

  • Torch Embarks on Calmer China Tour

    May 3, 08 3:30 PM CDT
    Torch Embarks on Calmer China Tour The Olympic torch flickered in mainland China today in what will likely be a respite from its troubled worldwide tour. Security measures are in place for the relay, but Chinese citizens aren't in a protesting mood, the AP reports. “Even if no police were here, we would protect the torch with our bodies!” said one 18-year-old selling Chinese flags. More »

A long security fence, left, lines the street to Australia's parliament house in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, ahead of the torch relay for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Australian Minister of Sport Kate Ellis speaks at a reception in celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch relay at Parliament House, in Canberrra, Australia, Wednesday, April 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark Graham)
Tibetans and supporters march to the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, to hold a candlelight vigil ahead of the torch relay for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Tibetans and supporters gather outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, to hold a candlelight vigil ahead of the torch relay for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Tibetan supporters light candles during a vigil ahead of the torch relay for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, outside the Chinese embassy in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, April 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

China  • 2008 Beijing Olympics  • Australia  • Tibet  • Olympic torch  • Olympic protests  • torch relay  • Kevin Rudd  • Sydney


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »