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The World Health Organisation (29.4.09) has lifted the threat rating of the swine flu epidemic to five on its scale of six, indicating a “sustained threat to human life” — and a pandemic imminent. … Read More »
The Australian government has confirmed it will send an extra 450 soldiers to Afghanistan.
The new forces, increasing the country’s commitment by nearly one-third, will be comprised of a Company group to assist with security during the forthcoming national elections, and more soldiers to work in mentoring and training roles with the Afghanistan army.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said (29.4.09) the overseas military commitment was becoming unpopular but was needed to help protect Australians from terrorist attack and to honour commitments to the American alliance.
The increase in troop numbers comes at the same time as additional commitments by Britain and the United States; the international force operating under a NATO command structure is stepping up its level of operations.
As Health Ministers of the European Union countries prepared for an emergency meeting (30.4.09) on the swine influenza outbreak, hundreds of suspect cases were being investigated. … Read More »
Tension has eased among journalists and the Slovakian Prime Minister, Robert Fico, following talks called to air differences.
… Read More »
Health scientists and medical specialists are being called to the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, from several countries including Australia, to work on the international swine flu outbreak. … Read More »
Dark skies this year and dark economic times did not keep away the crowds attending ANZAC Day commemorations at the Australian memorial, at Villers Bretonneux, in France. … Read More »
Amid the flare-up of pirate activity and counter-measures off Somalia, NATO has begun sending messages about the effectiveness of coordinated naval operations. … Read More »