Travel Advice from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade This Advice is current for Sunday, 01 July 2007. ... High degree of caution...
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Terrorism (UK authorities raise threat level to the highest level ‘Critical’ in response to events in London and Glasgow). The overall level of the advice has increased.
Summary We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in the United Kingdom because of the high risk of terrorist attack. In response to the events in the last 48 hours in London and Glasgow, the United Kingdom authorities have raised the UK threat level to 'Critical'. This is the highest level and means that a terrorist attack is expected imminently. The levels of policing in London have been increased, and authorities are urging the public to remain alert at all times. UK authorities have reviewed security at Heathrow and other major airports and have introduced enhanced security measures. All flights to Glasgow airport have been cancelled. Other airports may be affected. Australians should contact their airline for further information. They should pay close attention to their personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security threats. On 29 June 2007 two car bombs were defused in central London. The first was in Haymarket, a popular area for shopping and entertainment, and the second in a car park in Park Lane, near Trafalgar Square. Had the bombs detonated they would have caused significant loss of life. On 30 June 2007 a vehicle was set alight and driven into the main terminal at Glasgow airport. In July 2005, a series of terrorist bomb attacks occurred on the transport system of central London. Following an alleged terrorist plot in August 2006 the UK authorities enhanced airport security measured...
Prince William back with Kate: report Friday Jul 6 08:35 AEST
Britain's Prince William, second in line to the throne, has persuaded his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton to get back together again 12 weeks after the couple split, the Sun newspaper said in Thursday's edition.
Rumours that the couple, who met at university and at one stage were said to be on the verge of marriage, had decided to rekindle their relationship have been rife since she appeared on Sunday at a concert in honour of William's late mother Diana.
"William has persuaded Kate the problems of dating a future king are a price worth paying," the newspaper said, quoting a source.
"They have now talked through their problems and are closer than ever."
A spokesman for the prince declined to comment on the report. "It is not something we are going to comment on at all, I am afraid," he said.
The couple ended their four-year relationship in April amid rumours that army officer cadet William did not want to get married yet and that the constant attention of photographers was taking its toll on their private life.
I guess the fight to stop terrorism, is more than a cheap bumper sticker for the non believers now. It interesting to note the lack of comments attributed to these attacks. I am hearing about several raids today in Perth getting to the bottom of all of this. Will it take a major attack in Australia for people to wake up. It certainly seems so and I fear not too far away.
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” ~ Winston Churchill
I guess the fight to stop terrorism, is more than a cheap bumper sticker for the non believers now. It interesting to note the lack of comments attributed to these attacks. I am hearing about several raids today in Perth getting to the bottom of all of this. Will it take a major attack in Australia for people to wake up. It certainly seems so and I fear not too far away.
And it will be entirely the Howard Government's fault and you must also share the blame for supporting our Government's own terrorist activities. And before you retort, is NZ under threat?
Keating offered Blair tips on handling Murdoch The Age, July 10, 2007
Paul Keating tried to help Tony Blair become Britain's prime minister by passing on cheeky tips about how to win key support from the "bastard" media baron Rupert Murdoch.
The former Australian prime minister's advice was revealed today with the publication of the controversial diaries of Blair's former chief media adviser, Alastair Campbell.
Buried inside the 794-page tome are details about amusing conversations involving Mr Keating, Mr Blair and Mr Campbell while all three were visiting Queensland's Hayman Island in July 1995 for a major meeting of Mr Murdoch's editors and executives.
Mr Blair, who last month stepped down as prime minister, was Labour's opposition leader at the time and the conference's star guest speaker.
Shortly before flying to Australia, Mr Keating rang Mr Blair inviting him to stay at his official Sydney residence, Kirribilli House, and offering advice about Murdoch.
"He said he had a few things to teach him about how to deal with Rupert," Campbell wrote in a diary entry dated July 8, 1995.
"He said Murdoch is a hard bastard and you need a strategy for dealing with him."
When Mr Blair and Mr Campbell met Mr Keating eight days later, the prime minister passed on his tips.
"Keating was everything I expected - charming, tough, funny, totally at ease on the surface though probably a real furnace when he got going," Mr Campbell wrote.
"On Murdoch, he told TB: 'He's a big bad bastard, and the only way you can deal with him is to make sure he thinks you can be a big bad bastard too. You can do deals with him, without ever saying a deal is done. But the only thing he cares about is his business and the only language he respects is strength'."
At an evening barbecue, Mr Campbell noted how Mr Keating "chatted up Murdoch for a while" and later confided the media boss liked Mr Blair and believed he could become prime minister.
"He told TB, RM was clearly warming to him, which was good up to a point. 'They overestimate the importance of their support for you, but if you can get it, have it. If you are Labour you need all the help you can get to win elections."'
Mr Keating's other advice to Mr Blair was to never raise income taxes if he became prime minister, saying such a move spelt "death" for any Labour government.
There was also discussion about Mr Keating's future, with his then media adviser, Greg Turnbull, telling Mr Campbell if Mr Keating won the 1996 federal election he would quit a year later.
"PK said when he was out of office he planned to have an answering machine with the message: 'You have reached the office of ex-prime minister Paul Keating. Now f*** off and leave me alone'," Campbell wrote.
As prime minister, Mr Blair hosted an intimate dinner party for Mr Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, at his official 10 Downing Street residence in January 2002.
Mr Campbell, who was also a guest, said while "Lachlan seemed a bit shy" James attacked his father's conservative views on the Middle East peace process and accused him of "talking f***ing nonsense".
"He (Rupert Murdoch) finally said to James that he didn't think he should talk like that in the prime minister's house and James got very apologetic with TB, who said not to worry, I hear far worse all the time."
Woah I didn't know it was that bad in the UK! Australia and NZ seems so peaceful. That guy said, "I've had to live with terrorism my whole life". Has it been going on that long!! :O I want to move over there :S:S
All morning and afternnon the olympic flame goes on a 31 mile trip round london by uk personalities but protestors over china have bombarded the streets ,tried extinguishing the flame and nearly grabbed it of a runner with the flame. London is crowded by watchers,police,protestors and relay security. Clashes mar Olympic torch relay
Ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq surrounded by security.
Torch grabbed Thirty arrests have been made as clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police marred the Olympic torch parade on its 31-mile London journey.
All morning and afternnon the olympic flame goes on a 31 mile trip round london by uk personalities but protestors over china have bombarded the streets ,tried extinguishing the flame and nearly grabbed it of a runner with the flame. London is crowded by watchers,police,protestors and relay security. Clashes mar Olympic torch relay
Ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq surrounded by security.
Torch grabbed Thirty arrests have been made as clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police marred the Olympic torch parade on its 31-mile London journey.
I wonder if they realise there isn't a Tibet left to free. China has made sure of this. It barely represents the Tibet that once existed.
If we were to send in the Army tomorrow all the hippies would have to pull off their "Free Tibet" stickers on the Toyota Prius and replace it with "War is not the answer".
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” ~ Winston Churchill
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