Many missing after Philippine ferry mishap

PHILIPPINE rescuers are searching for more than 200 people missing after a crowded ferry collided with a cargo ship and sank almost instantly in darkness, with 28 already confirmed dead.

The St Thomas Aquinas ferry was carrying 870 passengers and crew when the accident occurred late on Friday night in a dangerous choke point near the port of Cebu, the Philippines' second biggest city, authorities said.

Coastguard and military vessels, as well as local fishermen in their own small boats hauled more than 600 people out of the water alive.

But by early Saturday afternoon, 213 people were still unaccounted for and 28 bodies had been retrieved, according to the coastguard, which warned the death toll would inevitably rise.

"It did not take long, about 10 minutes, before the ferry sank," Rear Admiral Luis Tuason, vice commandant of the coastguard, said on DZBB radio.

"The captain managed to declare abandon ship and they distributed life jackets but, because of the speed by which it went down, there is a big chance that there are people trapped inside."

One survivor, Maribel Manalo, 23, recounted to her brother the horror of suddenly being plunged into the cold water in darkness, and emerging from the chaos without her mother.

"She said there was a banging noise then the boat suddenly started sinking," the brother, Arvin Manalo, said.

"They quickly strapped on life jackets and then jumped into the dark sea. She said they felt like they were pulled under. My sister said she pushed our mother up, but they got separated.

"My sister was rescued. My sister knows how to swim, but my mother does not."

He said their mother, 56, remained missing.

Fifty-eight babies were among the passengers on board the ferry, according to the coastguard, and it was unclear how many of them survived.

The accident occurred at 9pm (2300 AEST) in calm waters near the mouth of the port between two and three kilometres from shore, authorities said.

Tuason said helicopters had been deployed and specialist divers sent to search through the sunken vessel.

Local fisherman Mario Chavez said he was one of the first people to reach passengers after the ferry sank in the 82-metre-deep channel.

"I plucked out 10 people from the sea last night. It was pitch black and I only had a small flashlight. They were bobbing in the water and screaming for help," he said.

"They told me there were many people still aboard when the ferry sank... there were screams, but I could not get to all of them."

The cargo ship, Sulpicio Express 7, which had 36 crew members on board, did not sink.

Television footage showed its steel bow had caved in on impact but it sailed safely to dock.

Tuason said it appeared one of the vessels had violated rules on which lanes they should use when travelling in and out of the port.

The enforcement office chief of the government's Maritime Industry Authority, Arnie Santiago, said the strait leading into the Cebu port was a well-known danger zone.

"It is a narrow passage, many ships have had minor accidents there in the past. But nothing this major," Santiago said.

"There is a blind spot there and each ship passing through needs to give way in a portion of that narrow strip."

The Thomas Aquinas was a "roll-on, roll-off" ferry, which allows vehicles to be driven aboard and is commonly used in the Philippines.

Ferries are one of the main modes of transport across the archipelago of more than 7100 islands, particularly for the millions of people too poor to fly.

But sea accidents are common, with poor safety standards and lax enforcement typically to blame.

The world's deadliest peacetime maritime disaster occurred near the capital, Manila, in 1987 when a ferry laden with Christmas holidaymakers collided with a small oil tanker, killing more than 4300 people.

In 2008, a huge ferry capsized during a typhoon off the central island of Sibuyan, leaving almost 800 dead.

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Obesity killing more than estimated: study

OBESITY may be killing far more people than was previously thought, new research has shown.

A study found that over a 20 year period about 18 per cent of deaths in the United States among people aged 40 to 85 were linked to being overweight and obese.

The figure is dramatically higher than previous estimates of about 5 per cent.

Women appeared to be far more affected than men. More than a quarter of deaths of black women, and more than a fifth of those of white women, were related to excess weight.

In contrast, the same association was seen for just five per cent of black men and 15.6 per cent of white men.

Scientists based their findings, reported online in the American Journal of Public Health, on data from a national survey spanning the period 1986 to 2006.

"Obesity has dramatically worse health consequences than some recent reports have led us to believe," said study leader Dr Ryan Masters, from Columbia University in New York.

"We expect that obesity will be responsible for an increasing share of deaths in the United States and perhaps even lead to declines in US life expectancy."

A body mass index (BMI) of 25 and above is defined as overweight and 30 and above as obese. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared.

White and black men had an equal chance of being obese but the effect of obesity on death rates was less noticeable in white men, said the US researchers.

This was because of all the other risk factors cutting short the lives of black men, from smoking to challenging socio-economic conditions.

No figures were available for Hispanics, Asians and other groups.

Co-author Professor Bruce Link, also from Columbia University, said the toll of disease and death associated with obesity was likely to rise.

"A five-year-old growing up today is living in an environment where obesity is much more the norm than was the case for a five-year-old a generation or two ago," he said.

"Drink sizes are bigger, clothes are bigger, and greater numbers of a child's peers are obese.

"And once someone is obese, it is very difficult to undo. So it stands to reason that we won't see the worst of the epidemic until the current generation of children grows old."

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Afghan construction camp attack kills 10

INSURGENTS have killed 10 people at a construction camp in Afghanistan's western Herat province, while five members of a family died in a separate roadside bomb blast in the south, officials say.

Deputy Public Works Minister Ahmad Shah Wahid said nine construction workers and a policeman were killed when insurgents attacked a construction camp just after midnight in Herat's Karukh district with rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons.

The workers were involved in a 52-kilometre road construction project being managed by the public works ministry and funded by Germany, Wahid said.

The road runs from Herat's Karukh district to Qala-i Naw, the capital of neighbouring Badghis province.

Such projects are frequently targeted by insurgents.

Violence has increased in recent months as insurgents fight to regain territory and foreign forces withdraw.

They are also trying to take advantage of the handover of the country's security from the NATO-led coalition to Afghan forces ahead of the withdrawal of all foreign combat forces at the end of 2014.

In another deadly incident on Saturday, five members of a family were killed by a roadside bomb in the Marjah district of southern Helmand province when their mini-van struck a roadside bomb.

They included three children, a woman and a man, the statement said.

The statement added that another roadside bomb late on Friday killed three women in Helmand's Sangin district.

The United Nations said in its mid-year report that casualties were up 23 per cent compared to the first six months of 2012.

The overwhelming majority were caused by roadside bombs, it said.

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UK 'abuse' probe to include dead clergy

THE Diocese of York is to open files on deceased members of its clergy dating back more than six decades as part of an investigation into alleged cases of child abuse, British media reports say.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has ordered that all relevant files from before 1950 to the present day be scrutinised and examined by an independent reviewer, the BBC says.

The archbishop said: "The damage done by the sexual abuse of children is immense and the passage of time does not in itself bring healing.

"Where young people are shown to have been betrayed by individuals in a position of trust and by the institution's failure to protect them, it is for the church to acknowledge the hurt which has been done, to offer a full apology, and to prove, so far as is possible, that policies and practices are improved such that the same systemic failure could never be repeated."

In July the General Synod formally apologised for sex abuse by clerics within the Church of England, and gave its backing for a program of changes designed to tighten its child protection procedures and prevent further scandals.

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WA victims scammed out of $2m in a week

GULLIBLE West Australians have reported being conned out of more than $2 million in just one week, including an elderly man who lost $1 million in a romance scam.

Despite repeated warnings, WA's Consumer Protection department said between August 5 and 9, 24 people reported losing money in various scams.

That included a man in his late 70s from WA's Great Southern region who admitted he handed over $1 million during a complex romance fraud, which started more than three years ago and has left him destitute.

The fraud was only discovered after the man sent a large sum of cash to Ghana.

Two others victims said they had lost $180,000 and $91,000 each in separate romance frauds.

Another victim has reported losing half a million dollars in an investment scam.

And yet another reported losing $18,000 in a 'help me' scam, after being duped into believing a Croatian relative needed the money to come to Australia for urgent health reasons.

Anne Driscoll, WA's Commissioner for Consumer Protection, said the financial losses suffered by scam victims were enormous.

"People who have fallen victim to the clever tactics of professional and well-organised criminals not only suffer huge financial losses, but their confidence, trust and self-esteem are seriously eroded as well," Ms Driscoll said.

"It's heart-breaking to hear the stories of victims who, in many cases, have lost their life savings and also suffer the emotional and psychological effects of their traumatic experience."

Late last year, 67-year-old WA woman Jette Jacobs was found dead in a rented villa after travelling to South Africa to visit a Nigerian love interest authorities believe was scamming her.

And earlier this week, a Nigerian man was arrested in his home country after attempting to sell a Perth property that was not his, using forged documents.

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Workers demolish Beijing rooftop villa

Workers have begun demolishing a bizarre roof-top villa illegally built in Beijing. Source: AAP

WORKERS have scaled an apartment building in Beijing to demolish a bizarre roof-top villa which captured worldwide attention, but was deemed illegal by Chinese authorities.

At least six workers wearing bright orange jackets were visible on the 26-storey building's roof on Friday, dismantling the elaborate house, which was built among rocks and trees.

Work began on Thursday after the villa's well-connected owner hired a team to start dismantling it, the Beijing Youth Daily reported, following intense media scrutiny of his business activities.

"I'm very angry that the departments responsible didn't take any action for years, but this is a good start," said a 70-year-old woman surnamed Teng, who lives in a building opposite.

"It's a good thing that demolition has finally started," she told AFP.

Authorities on Monday said the brazen structure - which began springing up six years ago - was illegal and threatened to demolish it after 15 days if its owner did not remove it.

The owner, Zhang Biqing, founder of a national chain of acupuncture clinics and a former member of a district-level political advisory body, had threatened neighbours who complained about the construction, reports said.

International and local media attention on the building has been intense, with Chinese web portal Sina using an aerial camera to swoop over it, revealing a multi-tiered construction heavy with vegetation and with several security cameras.

"We resolutely support major media outlets in revealing this residential compound's illegal structures," read a red banner placed on the fence of the building's compound, apparently written by residents.

But some were less supportive of the demolition.

"It's something an ordinary person would never usually build," said 63-year-old local resident Tan Huiqin.

"It's a bit of a shame that it's being demolished.... I'm not sure if it is truly dangerous."

Taxi driver Jin Jian was clearly impressed.

"It's an awesome structure," he said as he waited opposite the building.

The roof-top villa has focused attention on the issue of illegal construction in China, with local reports saying that Zhang's connection with celebrities and government officials had given him a sense of impunity from the law.

But some locals were sceptical about whether all of Zhang's roof-top additions would be removed.

"It won't be demolished completely," said one middle-aged man who sat on a motorcycle outside the building, but declined to give his name.

"He must have good relationships (with authorities), he's even had celebrities to sing karaoke in the villa," he said.

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Peru Six could become 'most wanted'

A TOP barrister close to the case of the "Peru 6" says they still face the prospect of being placed on Interpol's most wanted list if they don't return to South America to give evidence.

Jessica Vo, and brothers Hugh and Tom Hanlon, of Melbourne, and Sam Smith, Harrison Geier and Andrew Pilat from Sydney are all suspects in the death of a doorman who fell from the window of a Lima hotel where they were guests in 2012.

They are due to return to Peru next week to give evidence orally, after failing in a bid to have their accounts heard via videolink from Australia.

And Sydney barrister Richard Royle, a friend of the father of one of the six, told a conference in Perth there were very real fears the six might be detained if they go to Peru.

"The current order is for them to appear in the Lima courts next week to provide their statements in person," Mr Royle said.

"The concern is that once in Peru, they may have difficulty returning to Australia. Alternatively, if they don't return to Peru, they are at risk of being placed on Interpol's list of most-wanted fugitives."

The group launched a social media campaign to clear their names after finding out they were wanted by police months after returning from their backpacking trip.

High-level government officials from Australia have also liaised with officials in Peru about the case.

Mr Royle said foreign minister Bob Carr and attorney-general Mark Dreyfus had been in close contact with the six suspects' families, and diplomatic contacts in Peru.

He said hope remained that the group would be able to provide evidence via videolink, instead of risking the implications of a return to Peru.

"However, given the volatility of the Peruvian justice system, and the local media support behind the doorman's family's case against the Australians, it is difficult to predict where this case is heading," Mr Royle told the Australian Lawyers Alliance WA Conference in Perth on Friday.

He said the evidence against the six Australians was "slim to say the least".

"It consists of the existence of an Australian $10 note found in the pocket of the deceased but is now lost, and a footprint on the left side of a small window in the 15th floor apartment occupied by the Australians," he said.

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Ikea recalls children's beds

Ikea has recalled two models of kids beds globally, following reports of failing metal rods. Source: AAP

IKEA has recalled two models kids beds, following reports of broken metal support rods.

The global recall affects two models, the Kritter and Sniglar, following several reports of failing metal rods.

Parents are urged to check the date stamp on the beds and to contact Ikea about any Kritter bed with a number ranging from 1114 to 1322 or any Sniglar model with numbers between 1114 and 1318.

Ikea has also received reports of Lyda model jumbo cups bought between August 2012 and April 2013 leading to burn hazards.

Affected customers can find more information about the recalls by visiting http://www.ikea.com/au/en/

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'Implants needed' to curb NSW drug use

EXPANDING the NSW Drug Court and trailing an implant that can break dependence on opiates will enable authorities to better help those addicted to drugs and alcohol, a new report says.

The Drug and Alcohol Report, released by the NSW government on Thursday, also calls for further funding to treatment services and education programs.

"Substance abuse is one of our most pressing social issues," Liberal MP and chair of the reporting committee Marie Ficarra said.

"We must continue to think about how we can respond to the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse more effectively."

The committee has made seven recommendations to the state government.

They include holding a national summit on alcohol abuse, reporting on the responses to the 2003 NSW alcohol summit, trialing naltrexone implants if approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), expanding the Drug Court program and increasing funding to drug and alcohol treatment services and education courses for students.

"Ministry estimates there are approximately 35,000 people in the state currently dependent on heroin," the report states.

And to tackle the problem, the committee says it's necessary to increase the number of treatments.

One such option is naltrexone.

It's surgically implanted and can keep heroin addicts clean for three to six months by slowly releasing naltrexone, the reports states.

The TGA is yet to approve the implants, saying it hasn't seen evidence demonstrating its safety and efficacy.

The committee has also recommended the expansion of Drug Courts into regional areas.

Presently three Drug Courts operate, at Parramatta, Toronto and Sydney.

Those put thorough Drug Court programs are significantly lees likely to reoffend, the report states.

And it's also cheaper than using conventional courts.

"The Drug Court program (achieved) a net saving of $1.758 million per annum," the report said.

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Baghdad bombings kill at least 16

A SERIES of bombings have struck Baghdad, killing at least 16 people, officials say, a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to press a campaign against militants.

Security forces have carried out major operations against Iraqi militants in recent weeks, but despite the military action, the worst violence to hit Iraq in five years continues to ravage the country.

The four car bombs and a roadside bomb struck four different areas of Baghdad on Thursday morning, also wounding more than 50 people.

In the single deadliest attack, a car bomb exploded at a bus station in the Kadhimiyah area of north Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding 24.

Another car bomb exploded in Baladiyat near an office of Al-Ahad television, which is affiliated with Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shi'ite militant group that split from powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army.

The violence came a day after attacks, including a blast at a cafe north of the capital, killed 17 people.

On Wednesday, Maliki said security forces would continue large-scale efforts to hunt militants.

"The operation that we started in chasing terrorists, and those who stand behind them, will continue until we protect our people," Maliki said.

He said more than 800 alleged militants had been detained and dozens of others killed, and that security forces had destroyed militant infrastructure used to make car bombs and seized a large amounts of weapons and explosives.

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Asian markets fall after US losses

ASIAN markets have mostly fallen after disappointing numbers from the US offset upbeat sentiment following Europe's exit from a long and damaging recession.

Tokyo shares on Thursday slid 2.12 per cent, or 297.22 points, to 13,752.94 as a stronger yen helped pull down the market and questions swirled about whether Japan would usher in a corporate tax cut.

Sydney also closed down 0.10 per cent, or 5.00 points, to 5152.4.

Earlier gains in Hong Kong, which saw trade cancelled on Wednesday because of Typhoon Utor, were lost with the market ending flat, down 0.01 per cent or 1.99 points at 22,539.25.

Shanghai ended down 0.87 per cent, or 18.26 points, at 2,081.88 while Seoul and Mumbai were shut for public holidays.

US markets dipped on Wednesday after anaemic inflation data and a disappointing earnings report from Macy's suggested economic weakness in the world's biggest economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.73 per cent, or 113.35 points, at 15,337.66 - its biggest point decline since late June.

But European markets closed mostly higher after official data showed the eurozone had finally climbed out of a record 18-month recession.

The eurozone boasted surprisingly strong growth of 0.3 per cent in the second quarter led by Germany and France, the European Union said.

Investors said there were currently few concrete signs to make firm bets on.

"The market remains in a fairly narrow range, dependent on currency markets for guidance and futures for intraday movement," Naoki Fujiwara, fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management, told the Dow Jones Newswires. "There are almost no wholly new trading incentives right now, so the market simply gyrates."

Investors in Japan turned cautious after Finance Minister Taro Aso expressed doubts about the possibility of a fresh corporate tax cut.

The comment came as a response to a recent media report that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had told government agencies to study the possibility to encourage private sector investment.

Aso pointed out that much of Japan's business establishment pays no corporate taxes, and reducing the tax rate "would do little to help the Japanese economy".

A doubling of Japan's consumption tax to 10 per cent by 2015 is seen as crucial to chopping the country's enormous debt, the worst among industrialised nations at more than twice the size of the economy.

The US dollar changed hands at Y97.75, compared with Y98.14 in New York on Wednesday afternoon.

The euro was at $US1.3290 and Y129.91 against $US1.3255 and Y130.08 in New York.

Japanese shares also remain mired in the summer holiday doldrums with many market players off for the country's summer Obon holiday. Traders said the reduced volume has left the major indexes subject to heightened intraday volatility.

Oil prices moved higher in Asian trade on Thursday supported by concerns that escalating violence in Egypt will disrupt supplies from the Middle East, analysts said.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in September, was up 42 US cents at $US107.27 a barrel in afternoon trade, and Brent North Sea crude for September gained 38 US cents to $US110.58.

Gold rose to $US1340.30 an ounce at 1700 AEST, up from $US1330.37 on Wednesday.

In other markets:

- Wellington rose 0.13 per cent, or 5.67 points, to 4,530.26.

Fletcher Building was up 0.6 per cent to $NZ8.29 and Telecom Corp was down 0.4 per cent at $NZ2.275.

- Taipei fell 0.81 per cent, or 64.07 points, to 7,887.26.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was 0.83 per cent lower at $Tw96.0 while HTC gained 1.28 per cent to $Tw158.0.

- Seoul and Mumbai stock markets are closed for public holidays.

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Greens launch bid for 'right to die' laws

THE Greens will introduce laws in the next federal parliament that would give people the right to die.

Greens Senator Richard Di Natale and senate hopeful Cate Faehrmann announced the plan in Sydney on Thursday.

The Greens' proposed laws would use a bill introduced by Ms Faehrmann in NSW as a starting point, but any legislation would be shaped by a senate inquiry.

Ms Faehrmann's bill, which gave terminally ill people who were over 18 and mentally capable the right to an assisted death, was voted down in the state's upper house in May.

She said she wanted take up the fight on the national stage.

"It's compassionate law reform, it's much-needed, it's overdue," Ms Faehrmann told AAP.

She said she'd been inundated with messages of support from people who said the issue was a "vote-changer".

Senator Di Natale, a former GP, said he believed any federal right-to-die laws would be supported by most Australians.

"People want to have the right to die with dignity, and they don't want governments to get in the way of that," he told AAP.

"Most people won't exercise the right to die with dignity, but just the fact that that legislation exists gives them a great sense of comfort to know if things become too much, they can make a choice to end that pain and suffering."

He said assisted death laws would give doctors legal protection as well as peace of mind for the terminally ill.

"Many of us have been in a situation where we have hastened someone's death in an effort to end their pain and suffering, and we're constantly walking a tightrope when it comes to making that decision," he said.

Safeguards might include a requirement that any act of euthanasia be signed off by an independent doctor, he said.

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No widespread bullying at CSIRO: report

THERE are problems at Australia's national science agency but there's no toxic culture or widespread bullying, an independent inquiry has found.

Former Commonwealth ombudsman Dennis Pearce investigated 130 allegations of workplace bullying, discrimination and unreasonable behaviour from current and former CSIRO staff.

Professor Pearce's phase one report found there were no major problems of workplace bullying and it was not possible to describe the work culture as toxic.

It regretted that efforts were made by some people to dissuade others from making submissions.

The report found pockets of concern including shortcomings in CSIRO's policies and procedures for handling complaints.

"While we do not think it to be the case, it is possible that these procedural issues have served to mask a more significant incidence of workplace bullying than the evidence to us reveals," the report said.

Prof Pearce has made 34 recommendations which focus on changing the way in which complaints by staff are managed.

The CSIRO said it would implement the recommendations but some would take time.

Twenty-two of the allegations will be further investigated by Prof Pearce and his team.

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Ex-Gunns boss' cancer could worsen: court

FORMER Gunns chairman John Gay's diagnosis with prostate cancer clouded his judgment when he sold shares with inside knowledge, the Tasmanian Supreme Court has been told.

Defence lawyer Neil Clelland SC has tabled medical reports suggesting Gay first decided to offload 3.4 million Gunns shares when he was told he had the disease in October 2008.

The chairman eventually sold the shares, worth $3.2 million, in December 2009, saying he needed to clear debts.

Gay has pleaded guilty to insider trading, admitting he ought to have known the company's October 2009 management report, which was not released publicly, was price sensitive.

One of several medical reports tabled in sentencing submissions suggested Gay was "not in a very good state of mind to be making decisions about his affairs".

He suffered great anxiety after being advised the disease could lead to death through the spread of the cancer.

The reports said the 70-year-old's current health was uncertain and a prison term could adversely affect it.

Mr Clelland argued that, unlike other insider trading cases, Gay was not motivated by his knowledge but by circumstance.

He said no concerns had been raised by other company directors when they became aware the shares were to be sold.

The court heard glowing testimonials from business leaders, former politicians and Gunns employees.

Gay was described as "passionate about bringing prosperity to Tasmania" and generous to the point of employing people in hardship when a position wasn't even available.

At the height of his power, he had assets of $35 million and Gunns employed 2000 people.

Prosecutor David Staehli SC told the court a prison term was appropriate for Gay's crime but he would not be pushing for jail time.

He claimed Gay benefited by nearly $800,000 by selling the shares, but described the case as "exceptional" because of his diagnosis.

"He's admitted by the plea the information was material (to the price) and not generally available," Mr Staehli said.

"Mr Gay should not have gone ahead with the sale of shares once he had the information."

Gunns' share price plummeted from 87.5c to 68.5c when half-yearly figures were released in February 2010.

Sentencing submissions continue on Thursday.

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Soldier charged over death at Holsworthy

Police have charged a soldier over the death of fellow serviceman Jordan Ronald Penpraze. Source: AAP

A SOLDIER has been charged over the death of fellow serviceman Jordan Ronald Penpraze killed in a military vehicle crash at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney last year.

The 21-year-old driver of the troop carrier presented himself at The Rocks police station about 10am (AEST) on Wednesday.

He was arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and six counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

The young soldier was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on September 16.

Police allege the accused was driving the vehicle on an unsealed road during a routine military training activity about 8.45am (AEST) on October 8, 2012.

Two others were seated in the cabin and another 15 personnel were in the rear of the troop carrier.

The vehicle failed to negotiate a left hand bend, left the roadway and struck a small tree before overturning.

All of the rear passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

Those onboard sustained various injuries and were rushed to a number of hospitals.

Sapper Penpraze, also 21, was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition with head injuries but died three days later.

The Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended charges, which the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit issued against the driver.

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Vic woman dies after being struck by tram

AN elderly woman has died after being struck by a tram in Melbourne.

The 77-year-old woman was crossing High Street in Kew on Tuesday when she was struck by the tram about 8am (AEST).

She was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition and died on Wednesday morning.

Victoria's road toll now stands at 144 compared with 162 at the same time last year.

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Heatwave kills four in Japan

A HEATWAVE stifled Japan on Sunday as the temperature topped 40 degrees Celsius in two cities, leaving at least four people dead over the weekend, officials and reports say.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the temperature reached 40.6 C in Kofu, 100 kilometres west of Tokyo, in mid-afternoon.

The weather agency had warned early Sunday that the temperature would soar past 35 C in 39 of the country's 47 prefectures. It warned people to drink plenty of water and use air-conditioners.

On Saturday, the mercury topped 40 C for the first time in Japan since August 2007, when it had reached an all-time high of 40.9 C in two separate cities.

An 84-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man in western Japan died from heat stroke on Saturday after they were found collapsed in fields, Kyodo news agency said.

Two more deaths from heat stroke were confirmed by officials on Sunday.

An 80-year-old woman died in hospital after she was found collapsed at her wooden home on Sunday morning in Arita, a city south of Osaka, a medical evacuation official said. The living room where she was found was not air-conditioned.

In Saitama north of Tokyo, a 60-year-old man died in hospital after he was found unconscious on a street.

The heatwave, also gripping parts of China, has been caused by a Pacific high pressure system covering most of the Japanese islands, the weather agency said.

In early July a heatwave in the country claimed at least a dozen lives, according to media reports.

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Labor to tweet on Abbott 'lies'

LABOR wants supporters to take to social media platforms to counter Liberal "lies" during the leaders' debate on Sunday night.

The ALP has launched on online "Fact Team" that NSW general secretary Sam Dastyari says will "set the record straight".

"Tonight, Kevin Rudd will be debating Tony Abbott for the first time and, like before, Tony Abbott will continue to spin lies and myths about our policies," Mr Dastyari said in an email to supporters.

"This is where I need your help ... you have a voice, you have influence on social media and you can be part of the conversation to help Labor win."

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Fighting in Sudan's Darfur kills 100

FIGHTING between two Arab tribes has killed 100 people in Sudan's Darfur region, where worsening unrest has left hundreds dead this year, one of the tribes says.

The battle between a group of Rezeigat and the rival Maaliya tribe happened near Adila in East Darfur state on Saturday.

"We clashed with Maaliya ... and we destroyed a compound of theirs and killed 70 of them," said a Rezeigat source, who declined to be named.

"We lost 30 of our men.

"There is still high tension and men from both sides are gathered," the source said.

A Maaliya source said: "We still expect more fighting today."

He said the Rezeigat "attacked" and burned villages.

The Maaliya source declined to say how many from his tribe had died, but said his group "killed 40" of their adversaries.

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Morsi loyalists call fresh Egypt protests

SUPPORTERS of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi have called more rallies to demand his reinstatement, amid last ditch efforts for reconciliation ahead of a threatened crackdown on protests.

The Anti-Coup Alliance said 10 marches would take off on Sunday from various parts of the capital "to defend the electoral legitimacy" of Egypt's first freely elected president Morsi, ousted by the military on July 3.

His supporters, led by the Muslim Brotherhood, have kept up two huge protest camps in Cairo and said nothing short of his reinstatement will persuade them to disperse.

The call for fresh rallies comes as Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's highest seat of learning, called for reconciliation talks in the latest of a string of attempts to find a peaceful solution to the political deadlock.

Al-Azhar's Grand Imam, Ahmed al-Tayyeb, is to begin contacts with political factions on Monday aimed at convincing them to sit down to talks later this week, state media reported.

"Al-Azhar has been studying all the proposals for reconciliation put forward by political and intellectual figures... to come up with a compromise formula for all Egyptians," Tayyeb's advisor, Mahmud Azab, told the state-owned al-Ahram.

Morsi's turbulent single year in power polarised Egyptians and his removal by the military only deepened divisions.

The army-backed leadership is under immense pressure at home to crack down on the protests, and immense pressure from the international community to avoid bloodshed.

Senior US, EU and Arab envoys flew into Cairo in recent weeks to try to persuade the two sides to find a peaceful way out of the crisis.

But the government vowed on Wednesday to clear the Islamist protest camps, saying foreign mediation had failed.

More than 250 people have been killed in clashes since Morsi's ouster by the military, following days of mass rallies demanding his resignation.

The government had already ordered police to end the pro-Morsi protests, which it described as a "national security threat."

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