Julia Gillard has paid tribute to those who helped make Australia a safer, stronger country. The Prime Minister, who’s attended an Anzac Day service in South Korea, sent a message to Australia’s defence personnel around the world. She said the Anzac story is a living tradition. Today is the first time a Prime Minister marked Anzac Day at a Korean war memorial. 

 

Asylum seekers are continuing their protest at Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre. Three men are on the roof. They are protesting against their failed visa applications. On Wednesday night, almost 100 rioters burned down nine buildings at that centre. 

 

The Federal Government has warned Australians not to travel to Syria and told those in the country to consider leaving. This new travel alert says security in the country is disintegrating. At least 12 people were killed on the weekend when authorities fired on mourners attending funerals for pro-democracy demonstrators. And protesters are calling for an end to the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. 

 

Libyan rebels say forces loyal to the Gaddafi regime have bombarded residential areas of Misrata. There’ve been reports that government forces have been ordered to stop fighting to give tribal leaders a chance to negotiate with the rebels. Human rights groups say that more than 1,000 people have now died in violence in Misrata.