Rudd, Barroso talk refugees and G20

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd and European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso have agreed talk further on the issue of refugees, after a phone call between the pair.

A spokesperson for Mr Rudd's office said the two spoke on August 2, where the issue of international co-operation on the management of refugees was canvassed.

The pair "agreed to further exchanges on the issue", she said in a statement.

It was revealed on Friday the government's hardline policy to send boat people to Papua New Guinea for processing would cost $1.1 billion over four years.

Under the plan to combat people smuggling, asylum seekers who arrive by boat would have no chance of resettlement in Australia.

The prime minister and Mr Barroso also agreed on the importance of the G20 as "the world's premier international economic forum".

Whether Mr Rudd will attend the upcoming G20 leaders summit has been a source of speculation with the St Petersburg meeting being held just days before the predicted September 7 election.

Australia will host the summit in 2014, in Mr Rudd's home town of Brisbane.

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Man arrested after Sydney stabbing death

A MAN has been arrested in connection to the fatal stabbing of a young Sydney woman, police say.

Media reports say the woman was five months pregnant.

The 23-year-old woman was found in a Maroubra unit with a stab wound to her chest by emergency services in the early hours of Saturday and died at the scene.

Shortly after midday (AEST), a 38-year-old man attended Maroubra Police Station, where he was arrested by detectives and is assisting them with their inquiries.

AAP understands the man was on bail for a grevious bodily harm matter and the woman had an apprehended violence order.

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Ex-wife had sex without consent: SA man

A WOMAN accused of unlawfully performing oral sex on her ex-husband has no case to answer, an Adelaide court has been told.

The woman, 49, is charged with engaging in sexual intercourse without consent in August 2011 at an address in South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

She appeared in the Adelaide Magistrate Court on Friday when her lawyer said the woman had no case to answer, noting it involved the woman's word against the complainant's.

Magistrate Simon Smart was told the complainant said he was awoken by his ex-wife performing fellatio on him.

The case was adjourned to September 6.

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Tuvalu wracked by constitutional crisis

THE tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu is caught in a constitutional crisis after its prime minister and governor general tried to sack each other, sources in the capital Funafuti say.

The tit-for-tat dismissals in one of the world's smallest countries came after Prime Minister Willy Telavi refused to allow parliament to debate a no-confidence motion in his government, which has been in power since late 2010.

The move prompted Governor-General Iakoba Italeli to order Telavi's removal, with the prime minister responding by firing off a letter to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II informing her he was dismissing Italeli from his position.

"It's a very complex and confusing constitutional crisis that we're facing," said a senior source in the governor general's office.

He said the Queen, who remains Tuvalu's head of state despite the country gaining independence from Britain in 1978, had not yet given any indication about whether she accepted the governor-general's dismissal.

"Until that confirmation is received, the governor-general has not been removed," he said.

Adding to the confusion, opposition leader Enele Sopoaga told Radio New Zealand International he had been appointed caretaker prime minister and planned to oversee a no-confidence vote in Telavi's government.

The source in Funafuti said the 15-seat parliament was likely to meet next Tuesday to choose a new prime minister.

"Hopefully that will be the case, but I can't say for sure as there are still political manoeuvrings and manipulations going around," he said.

The push for a no-confidence motion was reportedly sparked by Health Minister Taom Tanukale's resignation from parliament, which boosted the opposition's numbers in the chamber, giving them the confidence to challenge.

Tuvalu, a grouping of nine coral atolls with a population of less than 11,000, lies about halfway between Australia and Hawaii.

It is best known as one of the former British colonies where Prince William and his wife Kate toured last year as controversy swirled over publication of topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge.

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Refugee 'groped blind woman on train'

SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP - A Bangladeshi refugee who is accused of groping a blind woman's breasts on a Sydney train may have assaulted others, a court has heard.

Rubel Sheikh, 25, applied for bail at Parramatta Local Court after he was charged with twice indecently assaulting a young blind woman while she was travelling on a Sydney train last month.

Prosecutor Louise Cummings told the court Sheikh was a refugee who had only been in Australia for a month.

"It's a strong prosecution case, most of it has been captured by CCTV," Ms Cummings told the court on Thursday.

"There's a strong likelihood, if convicted, that he would face a custodial sentence."

She described Sheikh as a flight risk and said three other alleged victims had come forward as a result of the widespread media coverage.

Ms Cummings said Sheikh's immigration status is being investigated, he arrived to Australia by boat and was on a temporary visa.

Sheikh's lawyer Jeff Tunks said he had no family or support network in Australia, spoke little English and had told him he was here on a tourist visa.

A public tip-off led to his arrest after police released CCTV footage of the 23-year-old woman, who told police she had been touched on her breast in an lift at Ashfield, in Sydney's inner west, on July 17.

She later felt a hand on her breast while she was on a train in the city's south, between Jannali and Sutherland railway stations.

Magistrate Les Brennan, who refused bail, said it was an unusual assault.

"This young lady has been followed a great distance," he said.

"Much of the time unaware what's going on because of the disability."

The case will return to Central Local Court on August 6.

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Concerns grow for man missing in SA

SA Police have resumed their search for a man who went missing after swimming in a river near Lyrup. Source: AAP

CONCERNS are growing for a man missing after swimming across the Murray in the South Australian Riverland.

An extensive search of the river and the riverbanks at Lyrup, with police and volunteers using a helicopter, boats and quad bikes, has failed to Paul "Kiwi" Henderson.

Described as a popular local identity, the 46-year-old was last seen early on Wednesday morning after he went swimming in the Murray.

He had made it to the other side of the river, but has not been seen since.

Inspector Kylie Walsh said police were appealing for public help in locating the missing man.

"We have concerns for Mr Henderson's welfare," she said.

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NT problem drinkers being set up: lawyer

PROBLEM drinkers in the Northern Territory are being set up like "little black ducks in a shooting gallery" by the government's punitive new drinking laws, a prominent criminal lawyer says.

Russell Goldflam, president of the Criminal Lawyers Association NT, says the Banned Drinkers Register (BDR) was minimising alcohol abuse before the new Territory government did away with it.

"We have just thrown away an effective tool aimed at the very people most at risk; the government (will) be locking up the people they've now allowed to drink," he told the Central Australian Grog Summit in Alice Springs on Tuesday.

"In a place where a vast majority of violence is alcohol-related, turning on the tap is a guarantee that crime will go up."

The BDR had been sending the message that drinking was a privilege and not a right, he said.

The NT government began abolishing the register the day after winning the August 2012 election.

Dr John Boffa, NT's 2012 Australian of the Year and People's Alcohol Action Coalition spokesman, said that since 2006 alcohol sales had decreased, from 15.5 litres of pure alcohol per person per year to 13.5 litres.

He attributed this fall to setting a floor price for alcohol and the BDR.

But he said he was awaiting government figures that would show that alcohol sales have gone up for the first time in six years because of the alcohol policy changes.

"Getting rid of the Banned Drinkers Register gave back 2,500 people a license to drink," he said.

The NT government had also previously discussed reinstating alcohol in remote communities.

It has introduced mandatory alcohol rehabilitation for problem drinkers who are picked up by police three times in a three-month period.

But Mr Goldflam said this policy criminalised addiction, and did not allow legal representation to be provided to people being assessed and treated under the program.

Meanwhile, the BDR has been replaced with Alcohol Protection Orders (APO) which police can now issue to anyone charged with an alcohol-related offence.

The orders carry a minimum penalty of six months imprisonment, and can be made to last for three, six or 12 months.

Mr Goldflam said if someone breached an APO, they don't get treatment for addiction.

"Banned drinkers will be set up like little black ducks to be sent to jail," he said.

Bayden Williams, a spokesman for the Hermannsburg community, said Aboriginal people needed to take leadership on the issue of alcohol abuse.

"The past, I don't think it's going to let go of us," he said.

"It's up to us to start moving forward, to be strong, to tell the government, 'listen to us, because we're sick of listening to you'."

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Overseas crime networks targeting Aussies

SOPHISTICATED international crime networks are invading Australians' everyday lives, targeting savings and forcing some families onto welfare.

The Australian Crime Commission's (ACC) latest report on organised crime has found global syndicates have stolen about $15 billion a year from the nation's economy.

Australia's wealth and strong economy makes it a prime target for organised crime, including the large pool of superannuation savings, the report says.

It says organised crime is more pervasive, powerful and complex partly because criminals have embraced the digital age.

Australians' growing love for online shopping is also leaving them more susceptible to credit card fraud.

From July 2010 to June 2012, fraudulent transactions on Australian-issued cards both at home and overseas increased by 26 per cent, while the value increased 25 per cent to $262 million.

Organised crimes are also exploiting personal details of shoppers who fill out surveys or sign up to loyalty programs like rewards cards.

ACC CEO John Lawler says internet scams are hard to crack and authorities are working together to close down such sites.

"What they have found is once you close one site down another one springs up," Mr Lawler said.

"These are sophisticated enterprises that have professional facilitators in information technology that are backed by high powered lawyers and accountants who use offshore tax havens."

Mr Lawler said the public needs to be aware of online scams and be careful about what personal information they give to surveys and online competitions.

According to the report, investors are increasingly being targeted by scams which they are referred to by complicit or compromised brokers, but are actually run by offshore crime groups.

"We see families becoming dependent on social welfare after losing life savings," Mr Lawler said.

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said Australia's wealth also means its a prime target for illicit drug cartels.

"The typical wholesale price for a kilo (of cocaine) in Colombia is $US2500, Mexico $US12,500, the US $US30,000," he said.

"In Australia it's $US200,000."

Mr Clare said the report also gives a sobering warning about the trend among criminal groups, particularly outlaw motorcycle gangs, to engage in public shows of violence.

It warns innocent people are increasingly likely to get caught up in scenes like the bashing and stabbing murder of a gang member at Sydney airport in 2009.

Criminals are also using hidden websites, concealed in online networks, to source firearms and parts.

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MacTiernan queries WA council plan

LABOR'S candidate for the federal seat of Perth has questioned the legality of the West Australian government plan to force local councils to merge.

Before the state election in March, Premier Colin Barnett said there would be no forced council amalgamations, but on Sunday confirmed the state's 40 councils would be reduced in number.

Alannah MacTiernan, a former WA government minister and now Mayor of Vincent, said there was a case for local government reform and for a rationalisation of boundaries.

But the inner-city area, centred on Leederville, had different planning issues to the more suburban City of Stirling, with which it is to be joined.

It was more focused on integrating single-storey buildings with higher-rise development, helping strip shopping survive and creating "street culture", Ms MacTiernan said.

She would prefer Vincent to become part of the City of Perth.

"The focus of the City of Stirling is entirely different," Ms MacTiernan told Fairfax radio.

"Mr Barnett has lobbed on his new member for Perth an absolute nightmare and I do not see how, legally, how he is actually going to be able to deliver this.

"He doesn't have the legislative power to do this."

The Town of Victoria Park is also against the plan as it could lose millions of dollars in revenue from James Packer's Crown casino complex, which will become part of the City of Perth.

Mr Barnett's office has suggested further details of the changes, to be revealed on Tuesday, could make up for the loss of revenue for Victoria Park.

Also on Monday, WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls said he had agreed to support the amalgamations, provided regional councils were exempt.

He said the state Liberal and National parties had different positions on the matter, so had agreed to a compromise.

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Sydney thinker appointed race commissioner

SYDNEY academic and commentator Tim Soutphommasane has been appointed Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced the appointment on Monday and said he looked forward to Dr Soutphommasane's contribution to promoting human rights.

He will start his five-year term in the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) role next month.

Dr Soutphommasane is an academic specialist in multiculturalism and citizenship, and an author of three books in the field.

He's a regular media commentator, whose work has been influential in shaping debates about culture and identity.

A first-generation Australian born in France, he is of Chinese and Lao extraction.

AHRC President Gillian Triggs welcomed Dr Soutphommasane's appointment.

"His skills and experience will help build communities where people of all cultures and backgrounds feel safe, respected and included," she said in a statement.

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US concerned over Egypt 'bloodshed'

US Secretary of State John Kerry has called for an inquiry into violent rallies in Egypt. Source: AAP

US Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed "deep concern" about the "bloodshed and violence" in Egypt that has killed and injured scores, saying the country faces a "pivotal moment."

Kerry, in a statement on Saturday following calls with Egyptian and EU officials, also urged an "independent and impartial inquiry" into the events of the past 24 hours and urged all of the Egypt's leaders to act to "help their country take a step back from the brink".

At least 65 people were killed during clashes in Cairo early on Saturday, Egypt's health ministry said, after violence erupted at a demonstration in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

The ministry said nine others died in violence in Egypt's second city Alexandria, putting the toll in two days of unrest at 74.

"This is a pivotal moment for Egypt," Kerry said.

"Over two years ago, a revolution began. Its final verdict is not yet decided, but it will be forever impacted by what happens right now."

Kerry also said that, at a time of extreme volatility, Egyptian authorities have "a moral and legal obligation to respect the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression."

"Violence not only further sets back the process of reconciliation and democratisation in Egypt, but it will negatively impact regional stability," he said.

"At this critical juncture, it is essential that the security forces and the interim government respect the right of peaceful protest, including the ongoing sit-in demonstrations."

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Saudi man dies of MERS virus: ministry

Saudi health ministry says a man has died from the coronavirus MERS, bringing the global toll to 46. Source: AAP

A SAUDI man has died of the coronavirus MERS and another has contracted the virus, the health ministry says, bringing the kingdom's deaths from the virus to 39.

The man, who had previously been diagnosed with the SARS-like virus, died in the southwestern province of Asir, the ministry said on its website on Saturday.

The other man who contracted the virus, 83, is in the same province, it said.

Saudi Arabia is the country worst hit by MERS, which has killed 46 people worldwide.

Out of 89 people who have contracted the virus globally, 68 were registered in Saudi.

Experts are struggling to understand MERS - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - for which there is no vaccine and which has an extremely high fatality rate of more than 51 per cent.

It is considered a cousin of the SARS virus that erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8273 people, nine per cent of whom died.

Like SARS, MERS is thought to have jumped from animals to humans, and it shares the former's flu-like symptoms - but differs by also causing kidney failure.

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