Australia raises swine flu alert



Australia raised the swine flu alert level in the worst hit state of Victoria today and warned more areas would follow as the national total topped 500. The health minister Nicola Roxon said Victoria, which accounts for about 80 per cent of cases, needed greater protection but stopped short of cancelling sport events. "I've been advised by the chief medical officer that it's appropriate to move Victoria to a modified 'sustain' phase'," she said.

"I've provided that advice to the prime minister, who has agreed that is the appropriate action to take. The rest of the country will remain at 'contain'." Ms Roxon said Australia, the most badly affected Asia-Pacific country, now had 502 cases including 395 in Victoria. The vast majority of infections have been reported in the past week. Victoria's higher "sustain" phase means authorities can treat anyone with flu symptoms and their immediate family, and can carry out blanket testing in risky areas such as schools and hospitals.

"We do expect in the coming days or weeks other jurisdictions will also gradually see this disease spreading through their communities and they will need to move to this phase," Ms Roxon warned. But she said there was no immediate need to cancel sport events such as today's State of Origin rugby league match in Melbourne, which is expected to draw 50,000 fans. Australia had only one case of swine flu just a fortnight ago but the outbreak has exploded since the controversial move to let infected passengers leave a luxury cruise liner in Sydney last week.

The country is now moving into the southern hemisphere winter, and experts say Victoria's high number of cases could be explained by its particularly cool climate. A World Health Organisation official on Tuesday warned that global pandemic was looming closer as the disease, which surfaced in Mexico in April and has infected some 18,965 people worldwide, killing 117, spreads beyond the Americas. * AFP

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Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

Scores in brief:

  • New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
  • William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
  • Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
  • Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.