Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Mystery pneumonia claims five lives in Hong Kong
Five people have now died in Hong Kong from a mysterious respiratory illness.[MORE]
Arafat asks deputy to assume PM's role
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has officially asked his moderate deputy, Mahmud Abbas, to share power with him.[MORE]
Ivory Coast to receive $155m in UN AIDS funding
The western African country of Ivory Coast is to receive $155 million in United Nations funds to fight the AIDS pandemic.[MORE]
Italy supports US stance on Iraq
In a constantly interrupted speech to the Italian Parliament, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has declared his support for the United States' stance on Iraq.[MORE]
Iraqi public preparing for worst
A Red Cross worker in central Baghdad says the city's streets are quiet, with primary schools, shops and offices closed.[MORE]
Gembrook fire still out of control
A fire near Gembrook, east of Melbourne, is still burning out of control.[MORE]
US-led forces move towards Iraq border
US-led forces have moved into the demilitarised zone that straddles the Iraq-Kuwait border, apparently in preparation for an imminent attack on Iraq.[MORE]
AMA critical of employing international medical students
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has described as a short-term fix, moves to increase the number of doctors working in public hospitals by employing international medical students who have trained in Australia.[MORE]
Israeli President secretly meets Palestinian minister
In a groundbreaking move, it has been revealed the Israeli President, Moshe Katzav, recently met in secret with Palestinian Interior Minister Hani al-Hassan.[MORE]
Iraqi Parliament rejects US ultimatum
The Iraqi Parliament has unanimously rejected the US ultimatum for President Saddam Hussein to leave the country.[MORE]
Turkey may approve US use of airspace
The Turkish Government will seek parliamentary approval for a US request to use its airspace during a possible attack on Iraq.[MORE]
Body discovered in Melbourne
Police are hoping autopsy results will help them identify a body discovered in Brimbank Park in the Melbourne suburb of Keilor this afternoon.[MORE]
Traffic delays expected after Mildura truck crash
Emergency crews are still cleaning up after a four-truck collision on the Sturt Highway, 70 kilometres west of Mildura this afternoon.[MORE]
Carr, Brogden hit the streets
New South Wales Premier Bob Carr has braved the public for the first time in the election campaign, agreeing to take a street walk in inner Sydney.[MORE]
IRC to rule on pilot's unfair dismissal claim
A pilot who claims he has been unfairly dismissed and wants to be reinstated will have to wait for a decision from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in Perth.[MORE]
China frees ex-sect member with US residency
China has released a former follower of the Falun Gong spiritual movement who is a permanent US resident and whose imprisonment Washington had protested against. [MORE]
Security concerns at central Queensland ports
Premier Peter Beattie says he is not overreacting to apparent security gaps at central Queensland ports.[MORE]
ACCC takes action over weight loss gadget
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has begun Federal Court action against telemarketer, Danoz Direct.[MORE]
Martyn outside chance to play final
Australian one-day cricket captain Ricky Ponting says batsman Damien Martyn is an outside chance of playing in Sunday's World Cup final in Johannesburg.[MORE]
Tasmanian to head worldwide library network
A Tasmanian librarian has been chosen to head a worldwide network of marine research libraries.[MORE]
Man faces court over police death threats
The hearing into a Darwin man charged with threatening to kill three senior Northern Territory policemen has been told DNA was extracted from envelopes the threats were contained in.[MORE]
Schumacher aims for return to podium
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher aims to reclaim the Formula One podium on Sunday in a Malaysian Grand Prix that has favoured him more than any other driver. [MORE]
Thailand expels Iraqi diplomats
Thailand has expelled three Iraqi diplomats, and the Thai Prime Minister says more expulsions could follow.[MORE]
New waste dump bill expires in four months
The South Australian Government's Upper House has passed the Government's radioactive waste dump bill, but a new one will have to be introduced within four months.[MORE]
Schumacher aims for return to podium in Malaysia
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher aims to reclaim the Formula One podium on Sunday in a Malaysian Grand Prix that has favoured him more than any other driver. [MORE]
