Abbott coy on spy letter to SBY

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sent the Indonesian president a letter addressing the spy scandal. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott is remaining tight-lipped about the contents of his letter to the Indonesian president about the spy scandal.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had written to Mr Abbott demanding an official apology and a full explanation as to why Australian spies in 2009 targeted his mobile phone, as well as his wife's and some of his closest confidants.

Indonesia has halted all co-operation with Australia on people smuggling following the phone-tapping controversy.

Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney on Saturday that he had written to Dr Yudhoyono.

"The letter is now in the process of being delivered," he said.

"I think it would be wrong of me to talk about what I've said to the president before the president has actually received it."

Mr Abbott reiterated the government's commitment to a strong relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

"Obviously there will be good days and there will be better days but my determination is to ensure that the relationship is constantly improving," he said.

Tear gas was used to repel protesters on Friday during demonstrations in Jakarta over the spy row.

An Australian flag and pictures of Mr Abbott were set alight.

The Australian embassy was pelted with rocks and eggs, and a mock coffin bearing a photo of Mr Abbott was left on the road in front of the compound.

Dr Yudhoyono tweeted on Saturday that social relations are closer when there is mutual trust, care and co-operation.

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Latvia mourns roof collapse victims

The death toll from a supermarket roof collapse in Latvia reached 49, with 30 people still trapped. Source: AAP

LATVIA is mourning its dead after rescuers spent a second night looking for survivors in the rubble of a Riga supermarket whose roof collapsed, killing at least 52.

The latest body was hauled out at dawn and hopes of finding anyone alive were dwindling nearly two days after the worst disaster since Latvia's 1991 independence.

The small Baltic state of two million began three days of official grieving over the Thursday tragedy as officials began probing the causes of Europe's third worst roof disaster in 30 years.

"The latest body was found this morning at 6am, bringing the total to 52, including two bodies that are still unidentified," said police spokesman Toms Sadovskis.

Rescuers continued to comb the mangled Maxima supermarket's wreckage of steel and concrete as morning mists rose after a second night of work in near-zero temperatures.

Riga mayor Nils Usakovs said on Friday five people were feared trapped inside but it was unclear how many were still believed to be missing on Saturday.

Forty people survived the catastrophe, according to rescue services.

A ring of thousands of glowing candles and heaps of flowers decked the perimeter crash barriers surrounding the disaster site, placed by a constant stream of shell-shocked members of the public.

Flags were being flown from houses across the country with a black sash attached - a traditional sign of mourning.

Just days after November 18 independence celebrations, the tragedy snuffed out an upbeat mood in Latvia, with 2014 set to mark its entry in the eurozone and showcase Riga as the European capital of culture.

Child Protection Inspectorate director Laila Rieksta-Riekstina told Latvian Radio on Saturday that "16 children lost one parent and one child has unfortunately lost both parents" in the tragedy.

The website of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) paid tribute to three firefighters who were among the dead, describing them as "more like family members than colleagues".

Books of condolence have been opened at Latvian embassies abroad including Russia, Poland, the USA, Canada, Britain and Ireland while world leaders have also expressed sympathy.

A disaster fund set up for the victims has already collected 86,000 lats ($A176,755) from public donations, the Ziedot charity announced on Saturday morning, with central government and Riga city council both promising compensation to victims.

Part of the roof of the Maxima supermarket crashed down during peak shopping hours around 6pm on Thursday, in the Zolitude district of the Latvian capital, with a second collapse crushing to death rescuers who had already entered the building.

Latvia will also observe a moment of silence on Monday while police probe what caused the cave-in at the two-year old supermarket.

Speculation has centred on plans to build a rooftop garden and the possibility that building regulations may not have been followed in full.

A photograph published by Latvia's Diena daily on Friday showed an aerial view of the roof prior to the collapse, covered in soil, shrubbery, a children's playground and construction material.

Run by the Lithuanian-owned Maxima chain - Latvia's number two retailer after Rimi - the supermarket was built in 2011 and was named one of the country's top three architecture projects that year.

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Severe thunderstorms move east across state

SEVERE thunderstorms continue to move across Queensland's southeast, with the latest warning issued for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Redland area, North Stradbroke Island and parts of Logan, Ipswich the Scenic Rim Somerset and Toowoomba.

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Lawyers stop baby going to Nauru

THE federal government won't send a two-week-old baby and his asylum-seeker family to Nauru before next week after lawyers sought a court order to stop their removal.

A spokeswoman at Maurice Blackburn says the government has given an undertaking not to remove the family until further order of the court.

"We expect this matter will be back in court on Tuesday morning," she said in a statement on Friday.

Associate Murray Watt earlier said the family from Myanmar (Burma) had already been "mistreated", with restrictions placed on the family's ability to visit the baby boy in hospital following his birth in Brisbane two weeks ago.

Mr Watt said they were terrified they could be taken to Nauru at any time even though the baby remains weak, has trouble breastfeeding and his mother is recovering from a caesarean birth and suffers from diabetes.

A senate committee was told in Canberra this week an immigration health advisory group would report in December after reviewing the case where the mother was separated from her sick baby at nights following the birth.

Mr Watt said the law firm sought the court order because the immigration department would not commit to giving the family a chance to present medical reports outlining the likely impact removal to Nauru would have on their health.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison reiterated on Friday there were no exceptions to the rule of offshore processing for any individuals who arrive illegally by boat after 19 July.

"That is the government's policy. And when there are medical clearances that are in place for people to return to Nauru, in the case of families, then that is what would occur," he said in a statement.

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Protesters clash with police in Jakarta

Indonesia has asked phone companies to investigate whether they helped to tap the President's phone. Source: AAP

TEAR gas has been used to repel protesters during a second day of demonstrations in Jakarta as fallout continues over revelations Australian spies tapped the phone of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Hundreds of members from various hardline Islamic groups clashed with police in front of the Australian embassy on Friday, some calling for blood, in response to the spying scandal which has caused relations between Canberra and Jakarta to sink to their lowest level since the East Timor crisis in 1999.

Police armed with riot shields used canes to beat back the protesters who stormed towards the Australian compound, amid violent scenes and calls for the Australian ambassador to be expelled from Indonesia.

At one point, tear gas was used to repel the protesters, from the Islamic Defenders Front, who converged on the embassy in their hundreds after Friday prayers.

An Australian flag and pictures of Prime Minister Tony Abbott were set alight.

The embassy was also pelted with rocks and eggs, and a mock coffin bearing a photo of Mr Abbott was left on the road in front of the compound.

Earlier, a senior member from the extremist organisation Hizbut Tahrir, speaking through a PA system erected on a truck in front of the embassy, told supporters it was regrettable that the bombing of the building in 2004 was not more successful.

"When a bomb exploded here, in front of the embassy, it was only a problem because it didn't get inside," he said.

Members of the Islamic Defenders Front shouted: "Burn, burn, Australia, burn Australia from now on."

There were also calls for Australians to be swept out of Indonesia, with one of the group telling supporters Australians were "just trash" and the "accomplice of Christians and Jews".

"Hopefully after we leave from here this place will be on fire," he said.

The protesters later dispersed at 3.30pm (1930 AEDT) but threatened to return at a later date.

More than 1600 police had been deployed near the Australian and US embassies and several other potential targets in the capital after violent demonstrations on Thursday.

The Australian government continues to warn citizens of the possibility of further unrest in the coming days as anger continues to swell over claims Australia tapped President Yudhoyono's phone in 2009.

Earlier in the day, protesters from the quasi-militia group, the Komando Pejuang Merah Putih (Red and White Fighter Commandos), also demonstrated in front of the embassy and called for war with Australia.

"Our nation has been insulted by Australia. Let's attack them," one of the group shouted outside the embassy on Friday afternoon.

Indonesia has suspended all co-operation with Australia in terms of strategic partnerships, including in combating people smuggling, intelligence gathering and anti-terrorism efforts.

Mr Abbott, who has promised a swift and courteous response to President Yudhoyono's call for an apology, met with the national security committee of cabinet on Thursday night and was declining to comment on Friday.

Indonesia's former intelligence chief has said the diplomatic row could be resolved with an apology.

"Just apologise and ... forgive and forget," Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono told the ABC on Friday.

Gita Wirjawan, Indonesia's trade minister, has also warned his country may suspend talks on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Australia.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison declined to comment on the state of border protection activities with Indonesia but said Australia's Operation Sovereign Borders was continuing.

"(It) is designed to ensure the operation stands or falls on no single measure," he said.

"We have the ability to work through our chain of measures to ensure that whatever circumstances we face ... we are able to adapt and ensure the people smugglers will be frustrated."

The issues between Mr Abbott and President Yudhoyono were being addressed by them personally and he would not comment further, he said.

The developments came as former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said Mr Abbott should "extend a friendly hand to President Yudhoyono", but not confirm the bugging occurred or say sorry.

"If Tony Abbott were to say 'gee I'm sorry about that', that would reveal that in fact, the allegation was true," he told Sky News.

AAP kms/mm/

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GP clinic still not open after six years

A Liberal senator has questioned whether Labor's Brisbane GP super-clinic will ever be opened. Source: AAP

A BRISBANE GP super clinic promised by Kevin Rudd in 2007 has still not been opened, despite $13.2 million being invested in the facility by the federal government.

The Redcliffe clinic was first promised by the then opposition leader during the 2007 election campaign.

But during Senate estimate hearings on Wednesday, health bureaucrats said the facility was not operational and undergoing renovations.

"It's over six years and it's still being built. We've lost two prime ministers in the meantime, and a couple of health ministers," an apparently exasperated Liberal Senator Sue Boyce said.

"Where is this going? Is there ever going to be a GP super clinic in Redcliffe?"

"It's currently undergoing fit-out," Mark Booth, from the Primary and Ambulatory Care Division, said.

Only half the 64 super clinics pledged by Labor have been opened, with the rollout of the facilities beset by delays.

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Prof uses 1000 mice to expose food folly

• by: Clifford Fram, AAP National Medical Writer
• From: AAP
• November 20, 2013 8:45PM

BELIEF that single nutrients such as omega-3s, sugar or salt can cure or cause all ills is folly, says a leading health scientist.

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BP to axe 300 Australian jobs

Global energy giant BP will axe up to 300 jobs, mainly at the Australian headquarters in Melbourne. Source: AAP

BP is to sack up to 300 workers, but the global energy giant insists it is not giving up on the Australian market.

A spokesman for BP Australia on Wednesday confirmed the job cuts, centred mainly at the company's Australian headquarters in Melbourne.

Employees at the two refineries in Western Australia and Queensland will not be affected.

The company employs 7500 workers in Australia, with 1250 based in Melbourne.

The spokesman would not confirm the number of job cuts, but it is believed to be about 300 employees.

"We would expect the bulk of job losses would be concentrated in Melbourne," the spokesman told AAP.

Employees are expected to be informed which positions will go by March.

Despite the job cuts, BP says it remains committed to the Australian market, claiming the restructure would make it more competitive.

"The market for transport fuels in Australia - unlike the market for Europe and the US - is growing, basically on the strength of the economy and the demand," the spokesman said.

"It's a growth market - we want to get a bigger market share, but our cost base is too high and we need to tackle that. We need to get a bit smarter and a bit quicker on our feet."

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Imports reign supreme at Aust car awards

ON a best car winners list dominated by imported vehicles, the iconic Australian-built Holden Commodore stood alone.

Made in Australia for more than 35 years, the Commodore SV6 was the local car-making industry's only winner among the best car awards by Australia's peak motoring bodies, taking out the gong for best large car under $60,000.

The rest of the field was split between European and Asian imports with strong competition ensuring no carmaker took home more than two accolades.

The Mazda6 Touring which won the best medium car under $50,000 also landed the headline judges' prize.

Amid ongoing fears about Holden's future in Australia, the company's executive director of sales, marketing and after sales, Phil Brook, refused to comment on specifics, but said the locally-built Commodore had "lots of life left".

"The car is built here in Adelaide and we've got lots of plans to move forward," Mr Brook said.

Chief judge Mark Borlace said despite well-publicised problems with the local car-making industry, the Commodore's safety features and refined drive would see it compete comfortably anywhere in the world.

"A lot has being said about the Australian motoring industry, but what I think has been lost in it (is) that Holden are making world-class cars," Mr Borlace said.

"Australia doesn't have a very big car industry relative to everybody else. Most of the cars are imported so it is good to have a homegrown winner."

For the first time, an award was withheld with all the nominees in the people mover category unable to meet the recently introduced five-star ANCAP safety rating required for all winners.

"We made the decision this year that we would not award trophy to those that had not achieved a five-star ANCAP rating," Mr Borlace told reporters.

"This was the first time we said to the industry 'even if you have a good car, if it isn't world-class standard, five stars, then it's not going to get a gong'."

Other winners of the awards announced in Melbourne on Tuesday included the Land Rover Discovery, which won the best All Terrain 4WD under $100,000 for the ninth year in a row.

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Government raises $365m from Air NZ sale

THE NZ government has raised about $NZ365 million from selling 20 per cent of Air New Zealand shares.

The off-market sale went through at $1.65 a share, meaning there was enough demand from investors to ensure the sale wasn't at a discount to its last trading price on Friday.

The government's stake in the national airline has been reduced to 53 per cent.

State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall said there was "significant demand from New Zealand retail broking firms and New Zealand institutions, including a number of KiwiSaver participants, which together purchased 186 million of the 221 million shares sold".

The lack of discount in the price means there is scope for the shares to rise when they resume trading on Wednesday, given the overhang of the government's holding is reduced and some index-weighted institutions will be looking to increase their holdings.

The shares were pitched at $1.60 and BusinessDesk understands the entire holding was bid at that price by the close of trading on Monday.

The sale has been completed just three days before the referendum on state asset sales, which starts on November 22.

The stock was rated a "buy" based on the consensus of six analyst recommendations compiled by Reuters, with a median price target of $1.94.

Local institutions have typically been underweight the stock because of its scarcity to date.

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Fight climate change: CCA

BOTH carbon price mechanisms and direct action should be used to combat the challenge of climate change, Climate Change Authority (CCA) chair Bernie Fraser says.

"I think the challenge on climate change is such that you want every possible piece of equipment you can get in the toolbox to combat that challenge," he told a senate estimates hearing on Monday.

"We are not talking about price-based mechanisms and direct action as alternatives. I think a suite of all possible measures including regulatory measures in terms of efficiencies and legal standards, all those kinds of things need to be in the tool box."

Mr Fraser said it was hard, for him, to imagine that some kind of price-based mechanism, domestically and internationally and trading in permits, would not be part of that toolbox alongside various forms of direct action.

In its last report in October, the independent climate advisory body described Australia's 2020 carbon emissions reduction target of five per cent as "inadequate" and recommended a cut of at least 15 per cent.

In its draft Targets and Progress Review report the CCA - soon to be abolished by the federal government - did not make a final recommendation on what the 2020 target should be, instead canvassing two options - a "minimum" 15 per cent reduction and a 25 per cent reduction.

The CCA's head Anthea Harris told the senate hearing that the body's last report did not speculate about the impact of the coalition's direct action policy.

But she said there might be more information available before their final report, due next February, is finalised that would allow them to arrive at some conclusions.

Mr Fraser said Australia appeared to be "falling behind" on action to address climate change compared with other nations.

He said it was a pity the government wanted to axe the independent body in favour of having "in house" advice on climate.

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People smugglers selling visas to Aust

PEOPLE smugglers are selling asylum seekers passports and Australian visas for entry to the country by plane - offering them an alternative to a potentially deadly boat journey.

The ABC's Four Corners reported that it secretly filmed people smuggler Abu Tarek in Malaysia talking about the deal.

The Iraqi man tells a potential customer that for $16,000 they get a passport with an Australia visa.

"The passport is from Oman or Bahrain, they get the Bahrain passport with the Australia visa in it, both official - not fake," he said in a conversational secretly recorded by the ABC's Four Corners.

"They use the passport to fly there and when they arrive safely, they tear it up and enter the country (Australia)."

He tells the person that when they enter the country they can then apply for refugee status.

His business partner Abu Saleh, also from Iraq, is accused of running his people smuggling business from an Indonesian prison with the help of corrupt prison officials.

One asylum seeker who dealt with him while he was in prison said he was "like a king".

"You'd think it was a hotel. I went in there and sat down. It's as if the man is not in jail. Like he's outside, working, and doing well," another one said.

Saleh is accused of organising the boat which sank off the coast of Java, killing 44 asylum seekers, including 18 children, in late September, while he was in prison.

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Alicia Keys to perform at ARIA Awards

GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys will perform at the upcoming ARIA Awards in Sydney.

She will perform a medley of her hit song Girl on Fire and her new single, Brand New Me, at the 27th Annual ARIA Awards on Sunday, December 1, it was announced on Sunday.

It will mark her first Australian televised performance before she embarks on her national tour, supported by Grammy-winner John Legend.

Keys says she is excited to be the headline act at this year's ARIAs.

"It's been a little while since I've been in Australia and I'm ecstatic to be back. Being on tour is an incredible journey and I'm so honoured that I get to share it with my family all over the world," Keys said in a statement.

"No better way to set off the last leg of my worldwide tour in Australia than on the ARIA Awards stage."

Other artists to perform at the awards ceremony, to be held at The Star Event Centre, include Jessica Mauboy, electronic superstar Flume, last year's X Factor winner Samantha Jade, indie band Sheppard and rock group Tame Impala.

ARIA Week festivities kick off on November 26 and run through to December 4.

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Body discovered in British well removed

Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found in a well in Britain. Source: AAP

A BODY found in a well in Britain was removed on Saturday as seven men were arrested for murder in connection with the case.

Two men found the body as they were doing clearing work in the front garden of the large property, which stands in an acre of grounds in an affluent area.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Specialist officers, including Metropolitan Police divers, attended the scene and the process of recovering the body from the well has been completed."

A post-mortem examination will take place on Sunday.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons said it was unclear what gender the body is, but judging by the size, it was most likely to be an adult, not a child.

He told reporters at the scene: "It's not been there for an extended period of time; it will be a matter of weeks at the most."

He was not prepared to discuss who lived in the house, or a suggestion that the body was wrapped in carpet. He could not confirm or deny whether the body was intact.

Asked about claims by local residents that there had been quite a bit of trouble in the past couple of years with the people who lived in the house, and that police had been called many times, he said: "The residents have expressed concern, there is intelligence to support that notion, yes."

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