21 killed in Iranian bus crash

A BUS full of students has reportedly overturned, killing 21 people in southwestern Iran.

Senior local police official Colonel Mohammad Reza Mehmandar, was quoted on state radio on Saturday as saying the driver lost control because of high speed in rainy weather.

Mehmandar said 23 others were injured in the accident.

They were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

The accident happened on Friday evening on the Izeh-Lordegan road, about 500km southwest of the capital Tehran.

Iran has one of the world's worst traffic safety records, with more than 400,000 accidents and about 20,000 deaths on its roads every year.

The tolls are blamed on high speed, unsafe vehicles, widespread disregard of traffic laws and inadequate emergency services.

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UN to act against DR Congo rebels

THE UN Security Council has announced planned sanctions against leaders of the M23 rebel movement for its attacks on civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

And in what appears to be a rebuke to neighbouring Rwanda, it has insisted on an end to outside backing for the movement.

A recent UN report accused Rwanda's defence minister, General James Kabarebe, of being the "de facto" commander of the M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo.

Friday's Security Council statement called on M23 and other armed groups in the chronically unstable but resource-rich region, including the Rwandan army, to "immediately cease all forms of violence and other destabilising activities".

"The Security Council expresses its intention to apply targeted sanctions against the leadership of the M23 and those acting in violation of the sanctions regime and the arms embargo," it said.

It expressed "deep concern" that M23 was still receiving support from neighbouring countries.

"The Security Council demands that any and all outside support to the M23 as well as other armed groups cease immediately," the statement said.

The council also called on all states in the region to condemn the M23 rebels and to work with the Kinshasa authorities to disarm all armed groups.

UN investigators have reportedly accused both Rwanda and Uganda, which border eastern DR Congo, of arming and supporting the M23 rebels, in a confidential report.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied accusations that it backs the fighters.

The M23 rebel force is made up of former fighters in the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), an ethnic Tutsi rebel movement.

The force emerged after an unsuccessful attempt to integrate CNDP fighters into the Congolese army under a 2009 peace deal.

The Security Council statement came a day after the UN General Assembly elected Rwanda as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. It begins its two-year mandate in January.

And it follows an attack on Tuesday in which unidentified rebel fighters in eastern DR Congo wounded six Indian troops with MONUSCO, the UN mission there, as well as their interpreter.

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Hostel evacuated after wheelchair fire

THREE people have been hospitalised after a fire believed to have started in a motorised wheelchair forced the evacuation of an aged care home in Canberra's north.

More than a dozen residents were inside a block of the Villaggio Sant Antonio Hostel in Page when the alarm was raised just after 7.10pm (AEDT).

An automatic sprinkler system extinguished the blaze by the time fire crews arrived, but one block of the hostel did sustain smoke and water damage.

Three patients were transported to Calvery Hospital by intensive care paramedics in a stable condition.

A fourth person was being assessed for possible smoke inhalation.

Emergency authorities believe the fire started in a motorised mobility chair.

Alternative accommodation is being arranged for the affected residents.

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Hong Kong seizes 3.6 tonnes of ivory

HONG Kong customs officers have confiscated 3.6 tonnes of ivory worth $US3.4 million ($A3.30 million) in their biggest ever seizure of endangered species products, authorities say.

Acting on a tip from customs officials in neighbouring Guangdong province in mainland China, Hong Kong officials found the ivory tusks and ornaments in two containers shipped from Tanzania and Kenya.

Officers on Tuesday found nearly 1000 pieces of ivory tusks weighing more than 1900 kilograms as well as 1.4kg of ivory ornaments in a container from Tanzania. The ivory was hidden in bags of plastic scrap.

A day later, officers found 237 pieces of ivory tusks weighing about 1900kg in a shipment from Kenya.

Authorities in China have arrested seven people, including one from Hong Kong.

The ivory seizure tops one in 2011 worth $2.2 million.

"This is the biggest haul of ivory tusk in Hong Kong customs enforcement history in a single operation," said Lam Tak-fai, head of Hong Kong's Ports and Maritime Command.

Wildlife activists blame China's growing presence in Africa for an unprecedented surge in poaching elephants for their tusks, most of which are believed to be smuggled to China and Thailand to make ivory ornaments.

Under Hong Kong law, anyone found guilty of trading in endangered species products faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $640,000.

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Pakistan sheep importer pressured: reports

THE Pakistani livestock importer who bought Australian sheep that were inhumanely slaughtered on health grounds has agreed to not seek damages, reports from Pakistan claim.

A shipment of about 21,000 mainly West Australian sheep was sent to Pakistan on September 5 after being rejected in Bahrain due to health concerns, but further disease fears emerged there, leading to the brutal culling of thousands of the animals in a feedlot and reports that some had been buried alive.

Overnight, Fremantle-based exporter Wellard said the importer, PK Livestock, had reached an agreement with Sindh Livestock Department and the Federal Quarantine Department of Pakistan to guarantee the humane processing of the remaining 11,500 sheep.

It said PK Livestock had agreed to drop action in the Sindh High Court, which had aimed to overturn the government-ordered cull, while a final agreement was negotiated.

Pakistani website The News on Friday reported that PK Livestock had agreed not to lodge a claim against the government for financial losses it had sustained.

In exchange, it would be allowed to process the sheep in its own abattoir for export.

Unlike the earlier cull, the sheep would be slaughtered in compliance with World Animal Health Organisation standards and would be processed through a modern abattoir, Wellard said.

The facility was accredited under Australia's food safety control system HACCP, the federal government's Australian Exporter Supply Chain Assurance Scheme and the international quality management system ISO 9000, the company said.

The News cited "sources close to both sides" as saying that "backdoor diplomacy and pressure tactics" convinced PK Livestock owner Tariq Mehmood Butt to settle the matter out of court.

Wellard executive director Steve Meerwald said the welfare of the sheep, which the companies had fought hard to get back in its possession, was the No.1 priority.

"A negotiated agreement achieves that goal," Mr Meerwald said.

Animals Australia campaign director Lyn White dismissed Wellard's claim that the sheep would be destroyed humanely as "PR spin".

"They know how damaging this terrible situation has been for their reputation and also for the live export trade," Ms White said.

"No one in Australia is going to be happy knowing that these animals will be slaughtered while they are fully conscious."

All animals that are slaughtered in Australia are stunned beforehand, excluding some 200,000 sheep killed for the kosher market.

Wellard has currently suspended trade with Pakistan but has not ruled out resuming trade.

The controversy has fuelled calls for an end to live exports from Australia.

Four animal rights activists were charged with a variety of offences after protests on and around sheep export ships at Fremantle Port on Friday.

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European stocks slip at open, London loses

EUROPE'S main stock markets have staged a light retreat in Friday opening deals, with London's FTSE 100 benchmark index of top companies down 0.15 per cent at 5,908.29 points.

Elsewhere, Frankfurt's DAX 30 dipped 0.32 per cent to 7,413.69 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.23 per cent to 3,527.56 points.

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Protesters chain themselves to trucks

FOUR activists who chained themselves to trucks and a ship mast have been charged over a protest against live animal exports at Fremantle Port.

A 20-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were charged with trespassing after chaining themselves to a sheep export ship in the early hours of Friday morning.

They were released on bail to appear in court at a later date, but returned to the scene around 8am (WST).

Police then charged the pair with breaching their bail conditions.

The pair also chained themselves to a truck and had to be cut free by police.

A 48-year-old man was also charged with trespass after locking himself to a 12m mast.

A 35-year-old woman, who chained herself to a road train, was also charged after she became abusive as police tried to free and arrest her.

She was charged with disorderly conduct, assaulting a public officer and obstructing police.

Both are due to appear in court on November 2.

A police spokesman said that by 3.30pm (WST), the other protesters had moved on and there were no further disruptions.

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Afghan blast kills 15 en route to wedding

AN explosion from a roadside bomb tore into a minibus carrying people to a wedding in northern Afghanistan, leaving 15 dead and 18 wounded, police say.

Spokesman Shir Jan Durani said on Friday the group was travelling to Dawlat Abad district, about 450km northwest of the capital, Kabul.

District police commander Bismullah Muslimyar said six children and seven women were among the dead in the blast, which occurred at 6am (local time) after a nighttime police patrol.

Earlier this month, the UN Security Council expressed serious concern at the high number of civilian casualties in the war, especially among women and children.

The Taliban and other militants are responsible for the overwhelming majority of civilian deaths in the country. About 77 per cent of the deaths between January and June can be attributed to insurgents, a UN report said.

Insurgent-placed homemade bombs continue to be the deadliest weapon for civilians, accounting for 29 per cent of all such deaths in the period, it said.

Separately, six football fans died and 36 were wounded on Friday when their bus collided with a fuel tanker on a narrow road about 400km northwest of the capital, provincial governor Mohammad Aleem Saaie said.

The fans were travelling to Kabul for the final round of the country's football championships.

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US military curfew in Japan after rape

THE US military says it's imposing a nationwide curfew on all military personnel in Japan after two servicemen allegedly raped a local woman in Okinawa.

From 11pm to 5am all of the approximately 47,000 members of the US armed forces stationed in Japan, as well as any there temporarily, must stay on base or in their homes.

The curfew begins on Friday night and no end date has been given.

"I'm immediately issuing a curfew to all military personnel in Japan, both temporary and assigned," Salvatore Angelella, the Commander of US Forces in Japan, told reporters on Friday.

He said "core value retraining" would also take place and commanders would be reviewing policies on leave.

"Japan is one of our greatest allies, most trusted partners and the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Pacific. We'll continue to do all we can to ensure the US-Japan relationship remains strong," Angelella said.

The announcement came after the arrest of two sailors on Tuesday over the alleged rape of a local woman, a potential flashpoint in relations between the US military and their reluctant Okinawan hosts.

Around half of all Japan-based personnel and the majority of US bases are in Okinawa, an island chain where anti-American feelings are easily stirred.

Previous criminal incidents associated with the bases have sparked large-scale demonstrations, with protesters demanding a trimming of the US footprint.

The US has moved quickly to try to hose down the latest episode.

At a specially-convened press conference, US Ambassador to Japan John Roos said: "The United States will co-operate in every way possible with the Japanese authorities to address this terrible situation."

"I understand the anger that many people feel with respect to this reported incident," he said. "I have a 25-year-old daughter myself, so this is very personal to me."

Okinawa police said they arrested Christopher Browning and Skyler Dozier Walker, both 23, on charges of raping and injuring the woman on Tuesday, hours before they had reportedly planned to leave the island.

The local woman, whose identity was not revealed, suffered neck injuries in the alleged attack, which media reported took place on the street.

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S Korea urges China calm as fisherman dies

SOUTH Korea has called for a "calm response" from Beijing after a Chinese fisherman was killed by a rubber bullet during a South Korean coastguard operation.

The foreign ministry also urged China to work harder to solve the "root cause" of illegal fishing by its ships in South Korean waters.

"What is needed now is a calm and measured handling of the incident and measures to prevent a recurrence," ministry spokesman Cho Tai-Young told reporters.

"We expect co-operation from the Chinese authorities," he added.

The 44-year-old fisherman was fatally wounded on Tuesday by a rubber bullet after coastguard commandos boarded two Chinese ships fishing off the southwestern coast.

The coastguard said the Chinese crew members had threatened the commandos with knives, axes, saws and other weapons.

China responded on Wednesday by demanding a full investigation into what it described as an example of "violent law enforcement" and urged Seoul to "bring the perpetrator to justice".

Cho offered the South Korean government's condolences on what he insisted was the "accidental" death of the fisherman.

"A calm response is needed after looking into the facts, instead of rushing to conclude the raid was ... violent law enforcement," he said.

Twenty-three Chinese fishermen from two vessels were taken into custody and the South Korean coastguard said on Thursday it would seek arrest warrants against 11 of them for "obstruction of justice".

Illegal fishing by Chinese boats is common in South Korean waters, and more than 130 boats have been seized so far this year.

In December 2010, a Chinese boat overturned and sank in the Yellow Sea after ramming a South Korean coastguard vessel. Two Chinese crewmen were killed.

And last December, a coastguard officer was stabbed to death in a struggle with Chinese sailors.

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Search suspended for NSW fisherman

THE search for a Sydney man who fell from his boat in the NSW Snowy Mountains on Wednesday night has been suspended due to poor light.

The 57-year-old was on a fishing trip with his son on Lake Eucumbene, near Adaminaby, when he fell overboard from their small motorboat about 6pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

The son jumped into the water and spent about 40 minutes searching for him before deciding to head to shore to get help.

He then had to walk for about five hours to raise the alarm. Emergency services launched an immediate search around 1am on Thursday.

On Thursday night, police told AAP the effort had been called off due to poor light but would resume early Friday morning.

The search has been conducted by officers from Monaro Local Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW and police divers, and has also involved the SouthCare Rescue helicopter.

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Foreign investment in rural sector a boon

FOREIGN investment will help boost the development of Australian agriculture during the Asian century, a parliamentary hearing has heard.

Treasury Markets Group executive director Jim Murphy said the department continued to welcome agricultural sector investment.

"I know there is some anxieties out there, but in terms of foreign investment in the agricultural sector it is a positive thing," Mr Murphy told a parliament hearing in Canberra on Thursday.

Analysts say that as the middle class in Asia expands, demand for a more Western-style diet will boost the local agricultural sector.

"They are looking at that as one of the key aspects for when the Asian Century paper is released, that there are further enhancements for the agricultural sector," Mr Murphy said.

Concerns about foreign investment were raised after Treasurer Wayne Swan approved the sale of Australia's largest cotton farm, Cubbie Station, to a Chinese-dominated consortium.

Mr Murphy said the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) did not decide whether a commercial sale could occur, but only checked to make sure it was not against the national interest.

"It just says that ... the proposal you have put forward .... is not in contrary to the national interest," Mr Murphy said.

He said the voluntary administrators of Cubbie Station, McGrathNicol, were responsible for the deal.

Under the terms, textile manufacturer RuYi - owned by investors based in China and Japan - will take an 80 per cent stake in the station. That will be sold down to 51 per cent within three years.

Treasury foreign investment and trade policy division general manager Samantha Reinhardt said the consortium had to report to FIRB annually on how it was meeting its obligations.

Ms Reinhardt said investigations showed no Australian firms were prevented from bidding for Cubbie.

"We were reassured that there wasn't a viable Australian bidder that was being blocked from pursuing their bid," she said.

NSW Nationals senator John Williams later issued a statement, saying there was a disparity in the FIRB's treatment of foreign ownership in Australia.

He said Mr Murphy had admitted before the committee that there were tighter FIRB rules on residential real estate than for farmland - so as not to inflate the housing market.

Senator Williams said foreigners are prohibited from acquiring established dwellings for investment purposes, or as homes, except in certain circumstances.

There are tight restrictions on other residential purchases, some of which need approval, he said.

"However, it is open slather on farming land.

"Foreign investors can buy up and force the prices up which is good for equity, but (they) can price those wanting to expand their holdings out of the market."

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WAFarmers hold firm on wheat deregulation

THE Western Australian Farmers Federation has reiterated its support for the proposed winding up of the wheat industry's regulatory body after a similar organisation asked it to reconsider.

WAFarmers said another state farmer group had recently asked it to rethink its support for the federal government's planned Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012, but it stood firm.

Labor has a bill before the lower house to wind up Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) and fully deregulate the market, but the opposition wants the move postponed.

The bill has caused a coalition split, with WA coalition MPs Tony Crook and Alby Schulz both signalling their intentions to side with the government in the belief that full deregulation will have the greatest benefit for local farmers, who enjoy the country's biggest share of wheat exports.

"We do not see value for growers in WEA and, hence, agree with the proposed wind up," WAFarmers grain section president Kim Simpson said on Thursday.

"This will save growers not only the cost of the levy, but also fees associated with accreditation and port access."

The statement follows reports that the 2500 members of WA's Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) have offered to pay a levy to fly WA Liberal MP Barry Haase home from the United States, where he is on a three-month placement with the United Nations, to help support the deregulation push.

The PGA was not immediately available for comment.

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S African hippo becomes dish for Zulu king

A SOUTH African hippopotamus named Vincent has been killed and cooked for Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini after the animal wounded a game ranger, local media reports.

Wildlife authorities donated the carcass to the Zulu King, who had it cooked up for the annual reed dance, where maidens dance bare-breasted before the monarch, The Star newspaper reported.

"We took a decision to kill the hippo as it had attacked a human being and was viewed as a problem animal," KwaZulu-Natal province conservation spokesman Musa Mntambo told the newspaper.

The hippo, named after famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh because he only had one ear, was popular among wildlife enthusiasts.

The game ranger lost a leg in the attack.

A private game reserve had sealed a deal to take on Vincent, but wildlife authorities suddenly told them the animal was "no longer available", its director said.

"Selling the hippo would have been irresponsible as it could have negative repercussions if it ended up attacking another person," said Mntambo.

Authorities offered the carcass to Zwelithini, the traditional ruler of around 10.6 million Zulus, almost a quarter of the country's population.

"From time to time, we donate animals to the king," said Bandile Mkhize, the director general of the province's conservation authority, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

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Furolo resignation prompts ALP reshuffle

NSW Opposition leader John Robertson has used the resignation of roads spokesman Robert Furolo to promote four MPs to his front bench, including former Premier Kristina Keneally's spin doctor Walt Secord.

Mr Robertson on Wednesday night announced the new frontbenchers as part of a wider reshuffle - also elevating Ron Hoenig, the man who replaced Ms Keneally in parliament, Keira MP Ryan Park and Fairfield MP Guy Zangari.

Mr Robertson said his new team was "fresh, energetic and will take the fight up to Barry O'Farrell".

"I'm pleased to announce today that four of our newest and most energetic members of parliament will join my frontbench team - helping to rebuild Labor and take the fight up to the O'Farrell Government," Mr Robertson said in a statement.

Mr Park will take the vacated roads portfolio, while upper house MP Mr Secord will become Labor's water spokesman and shadow special minister of state.

Mr Hoenig, who only entered parliament in August after winning a by-election for Ms Keneally's inner Sydney seat, will take on the energy and ports portfolios.

Mr Zangari will be the opposition's citizenship and communities spokesman.

Luke Foley, environment spokesman and Labor's best performer in parliament, has picked up planning and infrastructure.

Deputy leader Linda Burney will now be the opposition family and community services spokeswoman - a ministerial portfolio she held in government - after Barbara Perry was stripped of the role.

"Luke hit the ground running from day one in the Opposition and will now stand toe to toe with (Planning Minister) Brad Hazzard as the O'Farrell government moves to take away planning powers from local communities," Mr Robertson said.

"Linda has always been a fierce advocate for disadvantaged communities and cares deeply about the wellbeing of our state's children. I can think of no one in Australia better suited to stand up against the O'Farrell government's cuts in this area."

Mr Furolo late on Tuesday night announced he was stepping away from the opposition front bench, saying "with two children growing up all too quickly, and having recently remarried, I have decided to step back".

His resignation came just days after Fairfax reported Labor MPs' discontent with the roads spokesman, who missed important budget estimates hearings because he was in Greece on his honeymoon.

His decision to quit the front bench was immediately interpreted as a vote of no confidence in Mr Robertson, with senior government minister Chris Hartcher saying it was a sign of "internal turmoil".

"What Robert Furolo is simply saying to John Robertson is, 'I don't have confidence in your leadership. I am taking my bat and ball and going home'," Mr Hartcher told ABC Radio.

In a statement issued after the Labor reshuffle, Mr Hartcher said "the backroom boys of the failed Labor government are now front and centre of the opposition front bench".

"Labor's faceless men are now out in the open running the opposition," Mr Hartcher said.

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Missing bushwalker safe in Vic

A TEENAGER who went missing in Victoria's southwest is safe and well.

The 17-year-old boy was with three other teenagers and three adults when he became separated from the group while hiking along the Great South West Walk about 1pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

Police say he made his way back to the group's base camp at 8pm.

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Debts close Melbourne's Acacia College

THE educational future of more than 500 students is in doubt after the Uniting Church announced it is closing Acacia College in Melbourne's north at the end of the year.

The church said on Wednesday night it was in discussions with a number of parties to sell the school and keep it open under a new provider.

Mounting debts have been cited for the reasons behind the school closure.

Synod Moderator Isabel Thomas Dobson said it was "a heart wrenching decision" to close the school.

"This is a decision the Uniting Church takes full responsibility for and in no way does it reflect the sustained efforts Acacia's professionals have made to build it into a reputable education provider," Ms Thomas Dobson said.

She said the closure places extreme pressure on staff, parents and students.

"We will endeavour to find a solution to keep the school operational and will do everything we can to support staff and parents during this difficult time," Ms Thomas Dobson said.

Acacia College, with students from Prep to Year 9, opened in February 2010 in the rapidly expanding northern growth corridor of Melbourne.

Ms Thomas Dobson said the Property Board of the Uniting Church had become aware in recent weeks of cost overruns and unanticipated financial obligations.

She said there had been substantial costs associated with the construction work of an over-committed developer who was unable to fulfil contractual obligations and had since died, as well as local council compliance-related costs and a consequent legal dispute with the deceased estate.

In June, Mowbray College, which had campuses in Melbourne's west offering prep to Year 12 classes, closed with debts totalling around $18 million.

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Debts close Melbourne's Acacia College

THE educational future of more than 500 students is in doubt after the Uniting Church announced it is closing Acacia College in Melbourne's north at the end of the year.

The church said on Wednesday night it was in discussions with a number of parties to sell the school and keep it open under a new provider.

Mounting debts have been cited for the reasons behind the school closure.

Synod Moderator Isabel Thomas Dobson said it was "a heart wrenching decision" to close the school.

"This is a decision the Uniting Church takes full responsibility for and in no way does it reflect the sustained efforts Acacia's professionals have made to build it into a reputable education provider," Ms Thomas Dobson said.

She said the closure places extreme pressure on staff, parents and students.

"We will endeavour to find a solution to keep the school operational and will do everything we can to support staff and parents during this difficult time," Ms Thomas Dobson said.

Acacia College, with students from Prep to Year 9, opened in February 2010 in the rapidly expanding northern growth corridor of Melbourne.

Ms Thomas Dobson said the Property Board of the Uniting Church had become aware in recent weeks of cost overruns and unanticipated financial obligations.

She said there had been substantial costs associated with the construction work of an over-committed developer who was unable to fulfil contractual obligations and had since died, as well as local council compliance-related costs and a consequent legal dispute with the deceased estate.

In June, Mowbray College, which had campuses in Melbourne's west offering prep to Year 12 classes, closed with debts totalling around $18 million.

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Hopes rise as escapee Tassie Devil spotted

HOPES are rising for the recovery of three Tasmanian Devils after paw prints were found behind a zoo they busted out of in rural Western Australia.

A large eucalypt tree fell on the devils' newly-built enclosure at Peel Zoo, on the outskirts of Pinjarra south of Perth, allowing the three fugitives to scarper overnight.

However, a member of the public phoned owner David Cobbold around 3.15pm (WST) on Wednesday to say he'd seen paw prints at the rear of the zoo.

They definitely belonged to one of the missing devils, Mr Cobbold said.

There had also been an unverified sighting of a devil at a nearby golf club, he said.

While they were capable of travelling up to 20km a night in the wild, Mr Cobbold said he didn't believe the runaways had gone too far as the zoo gave off enough food smells to keep them in the area.

"It's extremely embarrassing for us even though there's not a lot you can do about a tree falling down," Mr Cobbold said.

"On the other hand, (my partner) Narelle and I are really quite obsessive-compulsive so even with freaks of nature like this, you still think 'what could I have done?'

"The most important thing is that the public are aware, not only for their own safety but also eyes on the street - let's get the power of the public on board.

"They're out there somewhere. I'm sure we'll find them."

Mr Cobbold said a torchlight search would be conducted on Wednesday night and traps would also be set.

Including the three escapees named Itchy, Scratchy and Genghis, the zoo has 19 Tasmanian Devils as well as other carnivores, ostriches and quolls.

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Opposition denied grilling in Ashby case

THE opposition has been denied the opportunity to grill some of the government lawyers involved in James Ashby's case against the commonwealth.

Shadow attorney-general George Brandis wanted to question in a senate estimates committee on Tuesday some of the 17 Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) lawyers directly involved in the case.

But Ian Govey, AGS chief executive, refused, citing a principle established by former coalition government attorney-general Daryl Williams.

"What is in issue is the way in which the Australian government solicitor has conducted this litigation and the competency with which it has conducted the litigation," Senator Brandis said.

The case in question was Mr Ashby's Federal Court proceedings launched in April against both the commonwealth and former Speaker Peter Slipper.

He alleged he had been sexually harassed by Mr Slipper while working in the Speaker's office.

Text messages sent by Mr Slipper formed the key part of his case, which lawyers from the AGS office supplied in early June with a CD spreadsheet of all 15,400 text messages from Mr Ashby's iPhone.

Despite lodging an application in mid June to have the case struck out as an abuse of process, the commonwealth later opted to settle with Mr Ashby, paying him $50,000 compensation.

Mr Brandis asked why the commonwealth made the application without properly considering all 15,400 text messages they had retrieved from Mr Ashby's phone.

"This application to terminate Mr Ashby's proceedings, strangle them at birth as it were ... the most radical application that can be made in civil proceedings was done on an incomplete view of the evidence and apparently an incomplete understanding of the evidence as well," he told the Senate estimates committee.

Attorney-General's department legal services group head David Fredericks said there were so many texts he did not have full knowledge of all of them by the time the application was made.

"But certainly in view of council and in view of AGS, there was sufficient knowledge of text messages to support the abuse of process application that was brought," he said.

Mr Govey defended the decision to settle with Mr Ashby, saying the threshold requirement was the existence of at least a meaningful prospect of liability being established.

"Legal advice had been given that this requirement had been met," he said, adding that this did not mean the claim had to be strong or likely to succeed.

Mr Govey said the AGS had to take into account the costs of continuing the action in determining the settlement sum.

Among those costs was the $4800 per day paid to the commonwealth's legal counsel, eminent lawyer Julian Burnside.

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German investor sentiment up for 2nd month

INVESTOR sentiment in Germany rose for the second month in a row in October, data showed on Tuesday, as recent uncertainty on the financial markets has abated somewhat.

The widely watched investor confidence indicator calculated each month by the ZEW economic institute climbed to minus 11.5 points this month from 18.2 points in September.

The reading was better than expected. Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a more modest rise to minus 15 points in October.

"This is the second consecutive rise in the indicator," ZEW said in a statement.

"It shows that, from the point of view of financial market experts, the economic risks for Germany have lessened somewhat. The easing of uncertainty on the markets in recent weeks has contributed to this," the statement said.

While there were still more analysts predicting a cooling down of the German economy than an improvement, "the proportion ... has shrunk," ZEW added.

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Ex-Fed Court judge to review ASIO findings

A FORMER Federal Court judge will review adverse security findings by ASIO against asylum seekers in a move that could see people released from indefinite detention.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon says former justice Margaret Stone will be appointed as an independent reviewer to re-examine cases where ASIO has found asylum seekers were a security threat.

The move comes as the federal government considers the impact of a High Court ruling earlier this month that found an asylum seeker deemed a security risk could still be granted a refugee visa.

The decision has important implications for about 50 asylum seekers, most of whom are Sri Lankans, who were given adverse ASIO security assessments and who remain in indefinite detention.

They can't be sent back to their home country and neither can they go to any third country.

Ms Roxon told ABC TV's 7.30 Report on Monday that while the High Court gave ASIO's process "a tick", there were complaints it was a secret process.

"We believe given the very serious consequences of holding people in detention, often for a long period of time, that an extra level of independent assessment should be put on top of those decisions by ASIO," Ms Roxon said.

"And if that independent reviewer, Margaret Stone, ... if she recommends the decision is flawed in some way, then of course that will mean that a decision is remade and in some instances it might mean that people are able to be released.

"I think it will be good for ASIO and good for the community that that extra level of accountability is in place," she said.

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says an independent review of ASIO decisions makes sense.

"The Greens have been pressuring the government to deliver a reprieve for these refugees and I am relieved that the government has accepted our recommendation of an independent review," she said in a statement.

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European satellite provider blocks Iran TV

EUROPEAN satellite provider Eutelsat has taken 19 Iranian television and radio broadcasters off the air as a result of European Union sanctions.

Eutelsat spokeswoman Vanessa O'Connor says the channels operated by Iranian state broadcaster Irib have been blocked for viewers in Europe and elsewhere as of Monday morning.

Eutelsat says a new round of EU sanctions against Iran adopted earlier this year included Irib.

The EU toughened its sanctions against Iran as part of broader efforts to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

Iran's Press TV says Iran's broadcasting company could seek legal action against Eutelsat.

Press TV says it is among the channels cut by the Eutelsat decision.

Others include Farsi-language channels for Iranian expatriates and Arabic-language offerings, including the news channel al-Alam.

Most are still visible in Iran.

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UN envoy urges Syria truce for Eid holiday

UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has called for a ceasefire in Syria during the upcoming four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as the revolt enters its 20th month with a death toll of more than 33,000.

Brahimi made his call as he shuttled between Syria's neighbours, which have been bitterly divided by the conflict along the confessional lines that have traditionally riven the Islamic world.

The envoy was in Shi'ite-majority Iraq on Monday after holding talks in Shi'ite-ruled Iran, closest ally of the minority Alawite-dominated Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Iraq has striven to remain neutral in the conflict.

Late last week, Brahimi visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the two Sunni-led states which have been the biggest champions of the Syrian opposition.

Turkey said on Sunday that it had banned Syrian civilian aircraft from its airspace, mirroring a similar move by Damascus, as tensions between the neighbours soared over Ankara's confiscation of a cargo of radar equipment from a civilian flight from Moscow last week.

"Brahimi has appealed to the Iranian authorities to assist in achieving a ceasefire in Syria during the forthcoming Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest holidays celebrated by the Muslims around the world," a statement from the envoy said.

"He reiterated the call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for a ceasefire and a halt to the flow of arms to both sides. A ceasefire, he said, would help create an environment that would allow a political process to develop."

The UN envoy is mulling seeking authorisation for a peacekeeping force if a political deal can be struck, Syrian National Council official Ahmed Ramadan said as the exiled opposition bloc met in Doha.

The Eid al-Adha holiday later this month marks the climax of the annual Muslim pilgrimage which is an obligation for the faithful who can afford it once in a lifetime.

The mounting spat between Damascus and Ankara threatened to mar arrangements for the pilgrimage.

The ban on Turkish flights entering Syrian airspace, through which pilgrims would normally travel to the holy places in Saudi Arabia, had an immediate impact on Turks wanting to take part in the hajj.

Even last Wednesday, when Turkish jets intercepted the Syrian cargo sparking the latest escalation, a first aircraft headed for Saudi Arabia from the Turkish city of Bursa made an emergency landing in southeastern Turkey rather than risk flying on through Syrian airspace.

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Putin allies win in Russia local elections

THE pro-Kremlin candidate steamrolled to victory on Monday in a poll on the outskirts of Moscow that had been seen by the opposition as a chance to lodge a high-profile presence near the seat of Russian power.

The Khimki District vote on the northwestern edge of the capital was one of a slate held on Sunday across Russia for the first time since President Vladimir Putin was overwhelmingly swept to power for a third term in March.

The ruling United Russia party that Putin founded and which is now headed by his prime minister and predecessor Dmitry Medvedev was leading in every race despite sporadic reports of violations by the candidates and observers.

The Khimki election was of particular interest to the opposition because the Moscow suburb was the site of months of protests against the destruction of part of a forest to build a new Kremlin-backed road.

Those well-organised but at times violent stand-offs spawned a new generation of anti-Kremlin leaders who later spearheaded the broader swell of street discontent that rose against Putin last winter.

And one of these was Yevgenia Chirikova -- the protest darling, who in the vote trailed former acting regional head Oleg Shakhov 17.6 per cent to 47.6 per cent.

"One can say with full confidence that Oleg Shakhov won this vote," local election commission chief Irek Vildanov was quoted as saying by Interfax.

The opposition has been trying to maintain traction since Putin's return but has suffered from periodically flagging attendance at protest rallies and the blow of new Kremlin legislation limiting their rights.

The restrictions stiffen protest penalties and force groups that get international funding to identify themselves as "foreign agents" -- a measure that appears aimed at associating their causes with the work of spies.

But it also remains a deeply splintered force that failed to rally behind a single candidate in Khimki and often bickers angrily in public about future strategy and its best leaders.

Chirikova tweeted that she did not plan to meet reporters at a formal press conference until Tuesday.

Things did not go much better for the anti-Putin forces in any of the other four contested elections -- a far more predictable outcome since protests had only seriously impacted Moscow and to some extent Saint Petersburg.

The Communist Party hopeful lost to his Kremlin rival with just 30 per cent of the vote in the agricultural Bryansk region while another leftist picked up just 22 per cent in nearby Ryazan.

Huge wins for United Russia were also recorded in the Far East and the central Volga Region.

The elections marked the first time that Russians had a chance to choose their regional leaders since January 2005 -- the year Putin cancelled such votes in response to growing militancy in the restless North Caucasus.

The measure -- with some clearly defined limits -- was brought back by Medvedev as one of his final acts before handing all formal powers to Putin.

But the liberal Vedomosti business daily said little seemed to have changed since the days when Russian regional races were characterised by low turnout and a high degree of confidence that the Kremlin man would win his seat.

"Old-Style Elections," the prominent daily remarked in a headline.

"Citizens did not turn out because yesterday's events resembled elections -- but only on the outside," it noted.

"The officials responsible for election results changed their tactics but tried to control the process as much as possible nonetheless."

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China FTA must be completed soon: Baillieu

VICTORIAN Premier Ted Baillieu, who last month led a 600-strong delegation to China, has called on the federal government to get a move on with the Fair Trade Agreement (FTA) with the People's Republic.

He told the Australia China Business Council that the FTA talks have dragged on for seven years.

"That's a long time," he said.

"Progressing these negotiations is critical if Victoria and other states and territories are to increase trade and investment and create new jobs.

"The commonwealth government must do everything it can to support business in engaging more effectively with our largest trading partner."

Mr Baillieu said his trade mission was expected to result in more than $1.4 billion worth of new trade over the next two years and 1400 jobs.

Two of China's biggest banks - China Construction and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China - will open offices in Melbourne before the end of the year.

And Sichuan Airlines will start flying three times a week between Melbourne and Chengdu, a major inland economic hub with a population of 14 million.

"The striking feature of China's economy is how Victoria's diverse economy, skills and expertise aligns with, and is complementary to, the needs and preferences of China's second and third tier cities and rapidly expanding middle class," Mr Baillieu said.

"The pressing task for us to make sure we engage with our largest trading partner on a size and scale that we've never done before culturally, economically, and at government-to-government level."

While in China, Mr Baillieu also launched an $8 million tourism campaign promoting the attractions of Victoria.

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