Morsi supporters defiant after bloodshed

Egypt's health ministry says at least 74 people have been killed during violent clashes in Cairo. Source: AAP

SUPPORTERS of Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi pledged to press their protests on Sunday, a day after bloody clashes at a Cairo sit-in killed at least 72 people.

Sporadic violence was reported nationwide overnight, including in the Suez Canal city of Port Said.

Saturday's violence in the capital drew international and domestic condemnation, including from Washington, a key backer of the Egyptian army.

Following the clashes near the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque where Morsi loyalists have been camped out for weeks, the interior minister pledged to disperse the protests "soon".

But the violence and the warning did not appear to have thinned the ranks at the Cairo demonstration, where a core group of several thousand protesters remained.

And Gehad El-Haddad, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, said demonstrators were angry but "hugely defiant" after Saturday's deaths.

"There are feelings of agony and anger, but also a very strong feeling of determination," he told AFP.

"People are hugely defiant," he added.

"For us, if we die, we meet our creator and we did so for a just cause... Either we die or we succeed."

The violence early on Saturday was the bloodiest incident since Morsi's July 3 ouster by the military following huge demonstrations against his rule.

The deaths came after rival protests both for and against Morsi on Friday.

The health ministry said 72 people were killed in Cairo on Saturday, along with nine killed in second city Alexandria a day earlier.

Sporadic violence continued overnight, including in Port Said, where state news agency MENA said 15 people were injured during clashes at the funeral of a Morsi supporter killed in Cairo.

MENA and an eyewitness speaking to AFP said Morsi supporters opened fire during the funeral, but a Brotherhood spokesman said the mourners had come under attack.

A medical source at Port Said's Al-Amiri hospital said it had five people wounded in the clashes, "including two in a critical condition, with bullet wounds to the neck and chest".

In Menufiya, in the central Delta region, Morsi opponents set fire to the Brotherhood headquarters, causing no injuries, MENA said.

Funerals for many of the ousted president's backers killed on Saturday were expected to take place on Sunday, raising fears of further violence.

Morsi supporters accused security forces of using live fire against unarmed protesters, but the interior ministry insisted that its forces had only fired tear gas.

Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim also warned on Saturday that pro-Morsi demonstrations would be dispersed "in a legal fashion" and "as soon as possible".

He called on protesters to "come to their senses" and go home.

The violence prompted international condemnation.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, whose country contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Egypt, expressed Washington's "deep concern".

In a statement, Kerry called on the authorities to "respect the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression".

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has infuriated Egypt's interim administration by maintaining his support for Morsi, denounced what he described as massacres.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged the authorities to "cease the use of violence against protesters, including live fire, and to hold to account those responsible".

The violence also prompted domestic criticism, with Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei, a former opposition activist who joined the transitional government, denouncing "excessive use of force" by the authorities.

The head of Al-Azhar, Egypt's top Sunni Muslim authority, also condemned the violence, calling for an "urgent judicial investigation".

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China orders audit of government debt

CHINA has called for an audit of all government debt, the national auditor has announced, as concerns grow over official liabilities in the world's second-largest economy.

"In line with a demand by the State Council in recent days, the National Audit Office will organise auditing agencies nationwide to carry out an audit of government debt," the office said in a one-sentence statement on its website on Sunday.

The powerful State Council, China's cabinet, is headed by Premier Li Keqiang.

The demand for the audit was "urgently" issued Friday afternoon, the People's Daily, newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, said on its website citing a source.

It said the audit office suspended all other projects to prepare for the undertaking and would dispatch personnel to provinces and cities in coming days.

China's debt problem is considered to be a serious potential drag on its economy unless steps are taken to rein it in.

The International Monetary Fund earlier this month estimated that the combined obligations of both central and local governments stood at 45 per cent of China's gross domestic product.

Concerns about the debt burden centre on trillions of dollars of government borrowing, especially by local authorities.

While such debt has helped the investment-based economy expand strongly, economists and the government itself believe it is unsustainable and the growth model should be rebalanced towards consumer demand.

The National Audit Office said it had no more information to announce on the planned audit at present, according to the People's Daily.

Japan, the world's third-largest economy, suffers from an even worse problem. Public debt stands at more than twice the size of the economy, the worst figure among industrialised nations.

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Two million people join Pope in Rio

TWO million people have packed Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach for a prayer vigil with Pope Francis, the Vatican says.

"There are two million people," spokesman Federico Lombardi told AFP on Saturday, the second to last day of the pontiff's trip to Brazil, which coincides with World Youth Day, a gathering of young Catholics.

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NZ PM confident of Korean trade pact

New Zealand PM John Key says he expects to secure a free trade agreement with South Korea. Source: AAP

NEW Zealand Prime Minister John Key is confident he'll be able to push a South Korean free trade agreement over the line using the lure of "technology transfer" for farmers.

Mr Key, who is in South Korea to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, has made no secret of his visit's double-agenda and is pushing for free trade talks with President Park Geun-hye.

Talks with South Korea have stalled in recent years, with the country's agriculture sector opposed to a deal.

But Mr Key says new leadership under President Park has ignited new hope than an agreement can be reached.

"It's an emotional connection with New Zealand for her (President Park) and I think we'll get it over the line," Mr Key told TVNZ's Q&A programme on Sunday.

The key to securing a deal is pushing the benefit of "technology transfer" for South Korea's farming sector, he says.

"The way to sell this is to get them to understand that this is complementary," he said.

"We're not here to put them out of business."

Mr Key said an FTA had become urgent, with New Zealand companies in the market under pressure from the US and Europe, who have existing trade agreements.

South Korea is New Zealand's fifth largest market, he said.

"Our companies are clinging on at the moment, as every day goes by they are at a bigger and bigger disadvantage to US and European companies," Mr Key said.

"That was the point we made with the president, we were really polite about it but actually quite direct.

"In the end our companies could give up faith and hope in this market if they don't get an FTA."

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Korean veteran remembers mate's snoring

Fifteen Australian war veterans who fought in Korea have returned to mark the 60th anniversary. Source: AAP

RETURNING to Korea 60 years after fighting in the war has stirred up unexpected memories for Bill Monaghan.

During the Korean War, Monaghan bunked with fellow fighter pilot Bob Macintosh at the Kimpo Airbase, outside of Seoul.

"The room mate I'm sharing with, we were in Kimpo together, I had forgotten how much he snores," the 84-year-old Canberra great-grandfather told AAP on the phone from Korea on Saturday.

The pair are among 15 Australia war veterans who have travelled to Korea to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice signing that ended fighting.

Mr Monaghan joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1949 and was in active combat during the last three months of the war.

His role was to fly over enemy supply lines and try to stop supplies getting through to the frontline.

"I was a frightened young boy from the country who did not know what he'd gotten himself into," he said.

During his twelfth combat mission, his Gloster Meteor plane was hit by enemy fire which took out his right engine.

Unable to return to base on one engine, Mr Monaghan made an emergency beach landing on the island of Paengyong-do held by United Nations forces, where his engine was replaced.

Mr Monaghan returned to Australia in December 1953, to marry his wife Dot.

"She's only divorced me 14 times," he joked, hastily adding that they've had a wonderful married life and are proud of their son and daughter.

More than 18,000 Australians served in the Korean War, 340 soldiers died, 1200 were wounded and 43 are still listed as missing in action.

The 15 Australian veterans are attending a special ceremony at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul on Saturday, alongside Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon, and have toured some battle ground sites.

Mr Monaghan said it was sobering to visit the famous land battle site at Kapyong.

"You look at the conditions where the (Australians) fought back an overwhelming force of the Chinese, it's very daunting to consider that ... your hat comes off to them every time you think about it."

While the highlight of the trip has been the companionship of his mates, Mr Monaghan was keen to return to Korea and see first-hand the thriving democracy and economy.

"We look over the border at the north and we say it was well worth the effort," he said.

* Korean War veterans will also mark the anniversary at a service at National Korean War Memorial in Canberra on Saturday.

AAP lpm/nl

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Albo calls for patience on poll date

The Deputy Prime Minister has called for people to be patient about the federal poll date. Source: AAP

DEPUTY Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says no one in the Rudd government has a "rush to the polls mentality" but it will be before or after his league team wins the premiership.

Mr Albanese on Saturday called for patience, as speculation about the federal election date reaches fever pitch.

"No one in the government has had a rush to the polls mentality," he told reporters, flanked by scores of red balloons at a community campaign event for Chinese Australian lawyer Jason Yat-sen Li, Labor's candidate for the Sydney seat of Bennelong.

He said the government would consider calling the election at an appropriate time.

"It will be before or after the Souths win their twenty first premiership," he joked.

Mr Albanese is a South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott urged Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to stop "playing games" and name the date.

"The government of our country is not about showbiz," he told reporters at the Stockman's Hall of Fame at Longreach in western Queensland.

"Electing a national government is not a version of celebrity Big Brother."

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Six dead, 40 wounded in Philippines blast

Six people have been killed and at least 28 injured in a bomb blast in a southern Philippine city. Source: AAP

SIX people are dead and more than 40 wounded in the Philippines after a bomb struck a restaurant filled with doctors after a national convention.

Police say the improvised explosive device went off around midnight Friday local time at a popular restaurant in the southern port city of Cagayan de Oro.

Most of the victims were doctors and pharmaceutical salesmen who had just attended a national convention of lung-disease specialists at a nearby hotel, said the city police chief, Senior Superintendent Graciano Mijares.

"This is one of the busiest areas of Cagayan de Oro.... somebody left a bomb on a chair at the bistro," he told reporters.

He declined to speculate on the motive for the bombing, saying an investigation was under way.

Cagayan de Oro is located on the main southern island of Mindanao, which has been blighted by a decades-old rebellion by elements of the large Muslim minority in the mainly Catholic Asian nation.

Local businessman Noel Arcenas, who owns an electronics shop at the shopping complex where the restaurant is located, said at least 100 people were inside the bistro when the explosion occurred.

"I felt then heard the blast," said Arcenas, who added he was standing about 15 metres away.

"I looked around and saw this ball of white smoke. People were running away bloodied and survivors were dragging at least seven or eight people away from the blast site."

The powerful explosion broke glass panels, upturned tables and chairs, and damaged cars parked up to 30 metres away, reporters at the scene said.

The six dead included two doctors as well as local politician Roldan Lagbas, a member of the provincial executive board of Misamis Oriental province, police said.

Forty-six other people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, said regional military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Leo Bongosia.

President Benigno Aquino's government denounced the attack.

"We deplore this act of violence at this meeting of professionals, the Philippine College of Physicians, whose mission in life is to bring about healing," Aquino spokesman Herminio Coloma told reporters in Manila.

Cagayan de Oro mayor Oscar Moreno told ABS-CBN television network at least two of the wounded were in critical condition.

"Doctors have been attending to them and we hope their situation will stabilise soon," Moreno said.

Asked who he thought was responsible for the attack, he said: "It's hard to speculate at this time."

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Sydney teen mum reveals abduction ordeal

A TEENAGE mother has described her terrifying ordeal after her baby son was abducted at knife point in Sydney by her ex-partner.

As the hunt continues for Steven Hume, who forced his way into the Chester Hill home of his ex-girlfriend on Thursday night, the baby's mother said she tried to escape.

Casey Mifsud, 16, told the Seven Network Hume broke into her southwest Sydney home, took out a knife and told her to get in the car with her eight-month old son.

"He told me he was going to kill me ... and my son," said Ms Mifsud, who had cuts to her face.

"Every time he would ask me a question and I would answer it, he would punch me in the head ... smash my head into the car window and then told me that he's really sorry and that he only does it because he loves me."

When Hume stopped for tissues to wipe her bloody face she fled the car with her baby.

Ms Mifsud said she banged on a driver's door begging for help but the driver took off.

This is when the 24-year-old grabbed baby Zhaiden and took off.

Hume's car was found abandoned on Avon Dam Road at Bargo, south of Sydney, on Friday morning after it slammed into a tree.

Ms Mifsud said she thought her child was dead until one of Hume's family members handed him to Campbelltown police station around 5pm (AEST) on Friday.

"It just makes me feel like I failed as a mum," Ms Mifsud said while sobbing heavily.

"He should get jail time for beating a woman."

The baby is currently in the care of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.

Hume, who has a thin build, brown hair and several tattoos on his arms and chest, was last seen wearing a blue jumper and green track pants.

Police warn he's considered dangerous and should not be approached.

"I ask that members of the public do not approach him, but contact triple zero immediately," Superintendent Dave Eardley, from the Bankstown Local Area Command, said on Saturday.

"I urge Steven Hume to attend the nearest police station and hand himself in, or contact us and commence some dialogue."

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Bashed Sydney man's family seeks witnesses

THE family of a man brutally bashed by a stranger in the Sydney CBD have pleaded for two men caught on camera to turn themselves in.

Matthew Blackmore, 33, was crossing George Street to catch a cab home around midnight last Sunday when an unknown man smashed him in the side of the face, in what police have described as an "vicious, unprovoked" attack.

He was knocked unconscious and fell face first onto the pavement, breaking his nose and striking his head.

The Maroubra banker remained in hospital on Sunday, and his sister Karen Blackmore said he faced a long recovery.

"It's one day at a time," she told reporters.

"He's struggling, to be honest ... he doesn't recall anything, he doesn't know why."

Detectives have now released CCTV footage of two men who are wanted for questioning over the incident.

One man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with an athletic build and short brown hair.

He was wearing a black jacket, white button-up shirt, dark pants and white shoes.

The second man depicted in the footage also looks Caucasian, has a short stocky build and a shaved head.

He was dressed in a dark jacket, white shirt, black pants and black shoes.

City Central Local Area Command's Stephen Warren said CCTV video showed the two men pulling up in a dark 4WD to the CBD street where Mr Blackmore was bashed.

"The males that we wish to speak to are seen to get out of that vehicle, cross George Street, and moments later the assault on Matthew occurs," he told reporters in Sydney.

He said Mr Blackmore didn't know either man, but urged anyone who did recognise them to come forward.

"Tell us what you know, so that we can bring some comfort to this family and try to arrest the offenders," he said.

Acting Inspector Warren also revealed police have obtained CCTV footage of the assault itself.

Mark Blackmore told reporters it was time for his brother's attacker to come forward.

"It's been a week, you've had time to think about your actions," he said.

He's described his brother as "one of the lucky ones" because he escaped severe brain damage in the incident, but Matthew Blackmore still suffers memory loss, severe headaches and difficulty balancing.

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Nurses to strike at 160 NSW hospitals

Nurses and midwives will strike at more than 160 public hospitals and community health services. Source: AAP

NURSES and midwives at every major hospital in NSW will be walking off the job on Wednesday.

Staff at more than 160 public hospitals and community health services across the state have notified the union about their plans to strike.

They are protesting over what they say is the state government's failure to provide safe nurse staffing levels.

NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association General Secretary Brett Holmes said more branches were expected to join the cause by Wednesday.

"For a few hundred million dollars a year the state government can dramatically improve patient care in our public hospitals," he said in a statement on Sunday.

The union wants one nurse to four patients in all general medical, surgical and acute inpatient mental health wards.

It's also calling for one nurse per three children in general children's wards and one nurse to three patients in emergency departments.

The extra staffing would "save lives and money", Mr Holmes said, adding that the nurse-to-patient ratios needed to be consistent at every hospital in NSW, including those in the country.

A special general meeting will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre from 11.30am (AEST) on Wednesday, with a live webcast to 17 regional centres, including Albury, Broken Hill, Kempsey, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.

During the strike life-preserving services will be maintained in all hospitals and community health services, the union said.

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