Poll shows Californians think they are prepared, but officials say confidence is unfounded. Top government officials and independent experts are warning the cavalry will not be able to ride immediately to the rescue when the next major disaster hits, contrary to what two new polls show many unprepared Californians believe. [News Source]

Polluter pay system takes off in Ogun. Commissioner of Environment in Ogun State, Anthony Ojesina, has expressed confidence in the polluter pay system in the state, describing the turn-out of individuals, companies and the third tier of government to the exercise as marvelous. [News Source]

Ottawa puts flu vaccine on fast track. Federal officials are in talks with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline to sharply cut the time it would take to vaccinate all Canadians in the event of a bird flu pandemic. [News Source]

Can we fend off bird flu? A study being published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine provides disappointing news on the avian flu front - the inoculation will most likely be effective in humans only at the highest doses. [News Source]

Migration season brings bird flu worries. Some researchers say the virus could make its way to the United States as early as this fall by way of wild migratory birds. [News Source]

Hong Kong’s air pollution cuts its appeal. Hong Kong’s ranking as a desirable place to live for expatriate employees has fallen sharply as a result of worsening air pollution, according to the latest survey of the world’s cities from ECA International. [News Source]