Hypnotist dies in Sydney balcony fall

The body of a man, believed to be a touring hypnotist, has been found outside a Sydney unit block. Source: AAP

THE body of a well known touring hypnotist has been found outside a central Sydney unit block.

It's believed Las Vegas showman Dr Scott Lewis fell from an eleventh-floor balcony to the fourth floor of the Pyrmont complex where he was staying with other performers.

His body was found by police on Saturday morning.

Dr Lewis was discovered missing when he failed to meet a bus which was to take him and six other members of the Illusionists 2.0 show to the Sydney Opera House where they were to perform.

"I came out of my room, I could hear someone screaming for help," witness John Breen told the Nine Network.

A crime scene has been established, which has been examined by forensic specialists.

Police aren't treating the death as suspicious.

However, a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Opera House released a statement on Saturday evening, saying it had been informed of Dr Lewis' death.

"We wish to express our deepest sympathies to Dr Lewis' family and friends, as well as to the cast and crew of The Illusionists 2.0," it read.

"Dr Lewis was a wonderful performer and he will be greatly missed.

The show's co-producer Tim Lawson said his colleagues were deeply saddened by the sudden loss.

"The entire company has decided to continue the show in his honour, and send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends," he said.

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Man dead after rolling car in QLD

A MAN has died after rolling his car on a North Queensland road.

The man died at the scene of the crash at Calcium, south of Townsville, shortly after noon on Saturday police say.

Forensic specialists are investigating.

No further information is available.

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Cannabis found at suspicious house fire

CANNABIS worth more than $72,000 and a hydroponic grow kit has been found in a southern Sydney home where a suspicious fire was lit.

No one was inside the Rockdale house when emergency services arrived on Friday night, police said.

But after an inspection the stash of drugs and the cannabis growing set-up was found.

A crime scene has been established and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

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Police release image of Boxing Day robber

Police are looking for this man in relation to a robbery in Brisbane's CBD on Boxing Day last year. r. Picture: Queensland Police Source: Supplied

Police are looking for this man in relation to a robbery in Brisbane's CBD on Boxing Day last year. r. Picture: Queensland Police Source: Supplied

POLICE have released the image of a man wanted in relation to a robbery in Brisbane City last year.

The man walked into a Queen St supermarket about 12.25pm on December 26 and approached the counter.
After making demands for money from the attendant, he fled the store with a sum of cash.

He was last seen on Queen Street heading towards Fortitude Valley.

The attendant wasn't physically injured during the robbery.

The man is described as being Asian in appearance, around 35-years-of-age, with black hair and a proportionate build.

He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, grey shorts and grey running shoes.

Police are appealing to anyone that may be able to assist with their investigations to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Turkmen leader fires central bank chief

THE autocratic leader of Turkmenistan has fired the country's chief banker and several other officials.

State television reported on Saturday that President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov dismissed Central Bank head Tuvakmammet Japarov and chiefs of two other state-run banks for unspecified "flaws in their work".

The firings came after Berdymukhamedov issued a reprimand to Japarov and several other bankers for receiving regular bonuses and ordered them to pay them back.

Berdymukhamedov also fired Kakageldy Abdullayev, the head of Turkmengaz state natural gas company over a low output and the failure to properly oversee the use of gas resources.

Turkmenistan boasts rich natural gas reserves estimated to be the fourth largest in the world.

Berdymukhamedov has run the Central Asian country with an iron fist since 2006.

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Police hunt teen after farmer threatened

A teenage boy is on the run after allegedly breaking into a farmhouse in NSW, police say. Source: AAP

A FARMER was threatened by a teen armed with a stolen firearm after a break-in on the NSW north coast.

Police say two teenagers forced entry into a farmhouse on Greens Lane at Swan Creek between 2pm and 5pm (AEDT) on Thursday and stole a firearm, two hunting knives and a quad bike before fleeing.

A short time later a farmer confronted the pair on another property, believing they were shooting at his cattle.

Police have been told one of the teenagers pointed the firearm at the farmer before attempting to flee on the quad bike.

They escaped on foot into bushland.

A search for the pair resumed at 7am on Friday after they were spotted on Coldstream Road at Tyndale.

Just after midday a 15-year-old boy was found by a police dog in a cane paddock at Tyndale and is now assisting police.

A search is continuing for the second teenager who was last seen crossing the Clarence River in a stolen boat.

It's believed he is in the Maclean/Yamba area.

He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged in his mid to late teens and approximately 170cm tall, wearing blue shorts and a blue shirt.

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Perth gas odorant leak tracked to centre

THE mystery gas smell which worried hundreds of Perth residents was likely to have been a leak of gas odorant from the industrial centre in Kwinana, south of the city.

An investigation was launched by authorities on Thursday, after hundreds of complaints were made to ATCO Gas Australia, with some residents claiming the smell was so strong it woke them up.

ATCO ruled out a gas leak from any of their infrastructure, with the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) taking over the investigation.

In a statement, DER said it was continuing its inquiry into the cause of the smell, but confirmed they were focusing on premises in the Kwinana industrial area.

"It is likely the odour was the result of a leak of gas odorant which is generally injected into otherwise odourless gases so they can be detected by people," a statement said.

"These gas odorants can be detected in the air at extremely low levels - as little as one part per billion."

The DER said they believed the emissions had ceased, however, investigations were continuing.

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Families of injured Vic officers thankful

THE families of three police officers seriously injured in a Melbourne explosion say words can't express their gratitude for the bravery of strangers who came to their aid after the blast.

Sergeant Tony Scully, First Constable Emma Quick and Constable Varli Blake had been called to a Middle Park flat on Saturday night after reports a man was threatening self harm.

As firefighters and police entered the flat via the balcony, a gas bottle exploded.

The brother of Const Quick, Matthew Quick, praised the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and paramedics for saving the lives of the police.

But he said the families were also overwhelmed by the bravery of neighbours and passers by who helped the officers in the chaotic moments after the blast.

"The stories we've heard about what people have done to help them out, that's what really sits us back in our chairs," Mr Quick said. "Our gratitude, words aren't enough to express what that is.

"Through a horrible, horrible tragedy ... we've all seen the best of people and the best of human nature."

The three police members, along with two firefighters since released from hospital, were injured in the blast.

Police say they are getting closer to finding the cause of the explosion.

Chief Commissioner Ken Lay told reporters on Friday he was hopeful that Victoria Police would be able to make an announcement on how the explosion occurred in coming days.

"Things are starting to develop in relation to what might have happened," Mr Lay said.

"I'd be hopeful that perhaps today or tomorrow there will be a bit more clarity around what was the ignition source."

Police have not spoken to the occupant of the flat, who remains under police guard at The Alfred hospital.

A recovery fund has been set up by the policing community to help ease the financial burden on the officers during a recovery expected to take years.

Victoria Police and the Police Association donated $10,000 each to the fund while BankVic has also made a "sizable contribution".

Mr Quick thanked both the police force and wider community for rallying around the injured officers.

"Humbling is the word that came to mind when we heard that was being set up," he said.

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Young man's death suspicious: police

Police have discovered a man's body on a dirt road in central Queensland. Source: AAP

THE death of a young Rockhampton man whose body was found on a road in central Queensland is being treated as suspicious.

A driver saw the body while travelling down the Jambin-Dakenba Road near Biloela, south of Rockhampton, on Friday morning, police said.

Investigations into the death of the 18-year-old man continue.

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President and PM quit in CAfrican Republic

A TOP regional official has announced that the president and prime minister of Central African Republic are stepping down from power.

The announcement was made on Friday by Ahmat Allami, the secretary-general of the regional bloc of Central African states.

Rebel leader Michel Djotodia seized power in a March 2013 coup when thousands of his fighters stormed the capital. He was later installed as president while longtime opposition leader Nicolas Tiangaye became prime minister.

However, the country has tilted toward anarchy in the months that have followed and the violence has turned Muslim and Christian communities against each other.

A Christian militia attempted a coup in early December, unleashing days of bloodshed on the streets of the capital that left more than 1,000 people dead.

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Sydney police charge man over coward punch

A MIDDLE-AGED man who allegedly punched a man in the back of the head outside a pub in Sydney's inner west has been charged.

Police say the 49-year-old followed the 48-year-old victim outside a pub in Rozelle late one night in mid December before attacking him.

The injured man was taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

On Wednesday police arrested the 49-year-old and charged him with assault.

Bail was granted with strict conditions and he's due before Balmain Local Court in late January.

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Young woman groped by elderly man

A YOUNG woman has allegedly been indecently assaulted by an elderly man during a train trip from Sydney.

An 81-year-old man began chatting with the 22-year-old while they travelled from Sydney's central station to Campsie on Tuesday morning.

But he then touched her inappropriately and tried to kiss her several times, police say.

The woman moved away and left the train before reporting the alleged indecent assault to police.

The man turned himself into police on Wednesday afternoon and charged with indecent assault.

Bail was granted with strict conditions and he's due before Burwood Local Court in February.

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Young woman groped by elderly man

A YOUNG woman has allegedly been indecently assaulted by an elderly man during a train trip from Sydney.

An 81-year-old man began chatting with the 22-year-old while they travelled from Sydney's central station to Campsie on Tuesday morning.

But he then touched her inappropriately and tried to kiss her several times, police say.

The woman moved away and left the train before reporting the alleged indecent assault to police.

The man turned himself into police on Wednesday afternoon and charged with indecent assault.

Bail was granted with strict conditions and he's due before Burwood Local Court in February.

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Beware of fake monks asking for cash

CONMEN are fleecing cash from people in Sydney by masquerading as Buddhist monks seeking donations.

Acting NSW Fair Trading Commissioner John Tansey has issued a warning about the saffron robbed charlatans, and said while begging was legal "this is nevertheless clearly a scam".

"These people are taking advantage of the public's generosity and have no affiliations with the Buddhist community," he said in a statement.

Fairfax reports that up to six men have for the past month trawled popular areas like Circular Quay, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, Surry Hills and Parramatta CBD looking for donations of up to $50.

Mr Tansey said several reports had been made to police but authorities haven't determined whether the monks are extracting cash under false pretences.

A police spokeswoman told AAP officers had spoken to the imposters several times but no offence had taken place because the men didn't claim to be monks or lie that they were collecting on behalf of a charity.

"Police would like to hear from anyone who believes they have handed money over to these people," she said.

Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils president Kim Hollow told Fairfax Buddhist monks wouldn't ask for cash.

"In no way do we condone ordained people, a monk or nun, wandering the streets collecting money," he said.

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Beware of fake monks asking for cash

CONMEN are fleecing cash from people in Sydney by masquerading as Buddhist monks seeking donations.

Acting NSW Fair Trading Commissioner John Tansey has issued a warning about the saffron robbed charlatans, and said while begging was legal "this is nevertheless clearly a scam".

"These people are taking advantage of the public's generosity and have no affiliations with the Buddhist community," he said in a statement.

Fairfax reports that up to six men have for the past month trawled popular areas like Circular Quay, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, Surry Hills and Parramatta CBD looking for donations of up to $50.

Mr Tansey said several reports had been made to police but authorities haven't determined whether the monks are extracting cash under false pretences.

A police spokeswoman told AAP officers had spoken to the imposters several times but no offence had taken place because the men didn't claim to be monks or lie that they were collecting on behalf of a charity.

"Police would like to hear from anyone who believes they have handed money over to these people," she said.

Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils president Kim Hollow told Fairfax Buddhist monks wouldn't ask for cash.

"In no way do we condone ordained people, a monk or nun, wandering the streets collecting money," he said.

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Rescued Antarctic group due home on Jan 22

Passengers rescued from a ship in the Antarctic are expected to reach Tasmania on January 22. Source: AAP

PASSENGERS rescued from an ice-bound ship in the Antarctic are expected to reach Tasmania on January 22.

But the effort that rescued 52 expeditioners, many of them from Australia and New Zealand, will delay the Australian Antarctic Division's shipping schedule, including the resupply of Antarctic stations.

University of NSW Professor Chris Turney led the Australian Antarctic Expedition to the region at the end of last November but the expedition's Russian vessel, Akademik Shokalskiy, became stuck in thick ice on Christmas Eve.

After more than a week of being locked in ice, the 52 scientists, tourists and journalists aboard the ship were airlifted by a helicopter from a Chinese vessel to the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis.

The rescue disrupted the resupply mission of the Aurora Australis to Australia's Casey station as it diverted 800 nautical miles to help the stricken vessel.

The Aurora Australis, with the rescued passengers aboard, is due soon at Casey station.

Australian Antarctic Division director Dr Tony Fleming said the ship should be ready to head back to Tasmania about January 13, arriving in Hobart about January 22.

"This is about two weeks behind schedule and will mean delays to the rest of the season," he said in a statement.

A US Coast Guard icebreaker, the Polar Star, has been sent from New Zealand to go to the aid of the trapped Russian and Chinese ships and is expected to arrive on Sunday.

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Climate change may slug leaping sea snails

The effects of climate change could alter sea snails abilities to evade predators researchers say. Source: AAP

THE effects of climate change could hinder sea snails' extraordinary ability to leap away from predators on one foot, Queensland researchers have found.

The study shows conch snails, found in sandy areas off coral reefs, find it difficult to make the quick decision to jump out of reach of prey when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide.

Lead researcher Dr Sue-Ann Watson of James Cook University says the chemical disrupts the snail's neurotransmitter receptor, causing it to have a delayed response.

The snail either stops jumping or takes longer to jump when exposed to the levels of carbon dioxide projected for the end of this century, the marine biologist says.

This leaves the three to four centimetre snail more vulnerable to the poisonous dart of its slow-moving nemesis, the cone shell.

"Snails normally move slowly and crawl around on their one big foot," Dr Watson told AAP.

"But this snail uses its foot in a very special way as it has a strong foot and uses it to push up rapidly on the sand."

The conch snail normally jumps backwards and can leap the equivalent of its body height.

Dr Watson says the broader effects on the ocean's ecosystem could be quite profound.

"Altered behaviours between predators and prey have the potential to disrupt ocean food webs," she said.

Study co-author Professor Goran Nilsson, from the University of Oslo, says results of the study suggest carbon dioxide emissions directly alter the behaviour of many marine animals, including seafood.

The study appears in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

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HK movie mogul Run Run Shaw dies at 107

Hong Kong movie producer Run Run Shaw has died at the age of 107, a TVB statement says. Source: AAP

PIONEERING Hong Kong movie producer Run Run Shaw has died at the age of 107.

No cause of death was given in a statement from Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), which Shaw helped found in 1967.

Shaw was one of the most influential figures in Asia's entertainment industry.

His Shaw Brothers Studios churned out nearly 1000 movies as it popularised the kung fu genre that influenced Quentin Tarantino and other Hollywood directors.

Shaw's movie studio, once among the world's largest, helped launch the careers of powerhouses including director John Woo.

His television empire helped actors including Chow Yun-fat rise to fame.

He also produced a handful of US films, including the 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner.

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Global disasters kill more, cost less

THE German insurance company Munich Re says about 20,000 people died in natural disasters last year, about twice as many as in 2012.

Most of the deaths resulted from Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines, Vietnam and China in November with a loss of almost 6100 lives.

This was followed by floods in India that killed about 5500 people in June.

Munich Re's annual disasters report released on Tuesday found the economic cost of natural catastrophes was lower last year.

About 880 events cost about $US125 billion ($A139.86 billion), with insured losses of $US31 billion.

This compares with costs of $US173 billion and insured losses of $US65 billion in 2012.

The costliest natural disasters were summer hailstorms in Germany, floods in Central Europe, and storms and tornadoes in the United States.

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Man dead, three injured after crash

A YOUNG man has died and three others were injured when a station wagon and a truck collided in southern Queensland.

The 24-year-old passenger died when the station wagon was hit by a truck as it turned right across the New England Highway into a property at Glen Aplin, near Stanthorpe, on Tuesday afternoon, police say.

Two other men in the car, 26 and 29, have been taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The 25-year-old driver was taken to Stanthorpe Hospital.

No one in the truck was hurt.

Specialist police are investigating.

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Storms pose problems for Stradbroke firies

FIREFIGHTERS battling a blaze on North Stradbroke Island hope that a cool change will help their efforts, but thunderstorms may force them to retreat.

The change is expected to arrive late on Monday and bring rain and possibly thunderstorms.

Firefighters are working to strengthen containment lines in case the blaze flares up.

Fire planning officer Phil Wilson says thunderstorms may make it difficult for fire crews to do their job.

"It will depend on the severity of the storm but we may have to withdraw crews from the fire line as the storm conditions can cause ... difficult situations," he told AAP.

However, fire crews are praying for rain.

"Rain will always help, even if it's just a light sprinkling of rain, very light showers will slow down the fire," he said.

Mr Wilson says firefighters are strengthening containment lines before the expected change to prevent the fire from jumping to the north side of East Coast Road, a main thoroughfare.

"It would then be able to move towards Amity Point and into Flinders Beach," he said.

The fire has been burning for eight days, and prompted the evacuation of about 900 campers on New Year's Day.

Difficult conditions over the weekend spread the fire, which came close to homes in Myora on Saturday night.

A community meeting was held on Monday morning to give residents up-to-date information on the blaze.

Back-burning has created a large smoke hazard affecting North Stradbroke and adjacent Moreton Bay islands as well as the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane.

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Turkish currency hits low amid scandal

THE Turkish national currency has fallen to a new low, a sign the government corruption scandal is taking its toll on the economy.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was forced to reshuffle his government after three ministers' sons were among dozens of people detained in a vast police corruption and bribery investigation.

The head of a state-owned bank was also arrested.

Erdogan's government has rejected the corruption allegations, pointing fingers instead at an alleged conspiracy to hurt his government ahead of local elections in March.

But the political instability is unnerving investors.

The Turkish lira reached a record 2.19 against the dollar and 2.97 against the euro on Monday.

It has slid more than seven per cent against the dollar since the scandal began on December 17.

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UK Treasury chief to order more cuts

BRITAIN'S Treasury chief says the country still has a long way to go to eliminate the deficit and that substantial savings must be gleaned from welfare cuts.

George Osborne says 2014 is to be the "year of hard truths" and that there are still big underlying problems in the economy.

Osborne told autoworkers in Birmingham on Monday billions of pounds in welfare cuts will be needed to reduce the deficit, which has been swollen by the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Pensioners are likely not to be affected, as the coalition government has suggested they will remain protected.

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Millions hit by deadly chill in US

AN icy vortex of Arctic air pushed deadly wind chills and heavy snow into much of the US Midwest with meteorologists saying at least 32 states were in its path over the coming days as it moves south and east.

Even the northern tier of winter-hardy states and cities like Minnesota, Chicago and Milwaukee called off school for Monday as the country braced for wind chill temperatures down to minus 51 degrees Celsius and colder.

It was the first time in 17 years that Minnesota schools have been closed due to snow and dangerously low temperatures, reports said.

Governor Mark Dayton ordered the closings.

"Temperatures are deadly," warned Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard in broadcast remarks. Snow fell in his state of Indiana on Sunday at the rate of 5 centimetres an hour, media reports said.

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, tens of thousands of fans braved minus-26-degree wind chill temperatures to watch a key football playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the Green Bay team having an apparent weather advantage, the 49ers won 23-20.

With the mercury expected to drop down to minus 44C through the night, food stands at Lambeau Field in Green Bay were offering free coffee and hot chocolate to keep fans warm. There were worries that beer would freeze in the open air stadium, CNN reported.

"Life-threatening wind chill," the National Weather Service warned.

"The coldest temperatures in almost two decades will spread into the northern and central US ... behind an Arctic cold front," the government forecaster said.

Before the "polar vortex" - as it's being called by meteorologists - hits the east and south, rain was expected to fall in those regions and be turned into thick ice when temperatures plunge into the minus-20C range on Tuesday.

The normally mild-temperature city of Nashville, Tennessee, has delayed by a day the post-holiday school start until Wednesday.

"Dangerously low temperatures forecast for Tuesday morning a concern for student safety," the school system said.

Flash freezes after the rain and blizzard conditions were expected from Tennessee to Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, the private forecaster AccuWeather said.

At least 13 people have died due to blizzard-like conditions and record cold over past days, most of them from traffic accidents in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana.

Broadcasters warned that frost bite could set in within just five minutes in the harsh conditions.

The weather caused cancellation of 3,467 flights and delays in another 11,191, according to the flight tracker FlightAware.com.

Overall, around 149 million people - about half the US population - were expected to be in the grip of the Arctic chill by Monday and Tuesday, meteorologists said.

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UK faces more flooding in wave of storms

BRITAIN'S coastal residents are bracing for more flooding with lashing winds, rain and high tides expected.

At least three people have died in a wave of stormy weather that has battered Britain since last week, including a man killed when his mobility scooter fell into a river in Oxford, southern England.

Weather forecasting body the Met Office warned on Monday of wind gusts of up to 113 km/h accompanied by exceptionally large waves, along the coasts of Wales, southwest England and Northern Ireland.

The Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning - meaning a threat to life and property - for the county of Dorset in southwestern England, as well as more than 300 less serious flood warnings and alerts.

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Girl, 5, mauled by family pet in NSW

A DARWIN kindergartener has been mauled by a pet dog while holidaying in Sydney.

The five-year-old girl's left cheek was severely wounded when she was bitten by a large mixed-breed dog on Sunday morning.

Police were told the girl had been visiting relatives in Rydalmere, in Sydney's west, for the past two weeks and was playing in the backyard with family when she was attacked.

She was treated by paramedics before being taken to the Children's Hospital at Westmead.

The dog owners voluntarily surrendered the animal to Parramatta City Council rangers and investigations into whether it is a banned breed continue.

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Bali deaths: family waits for answers

INDONESIAN officials say they are yet to perform an autopsy on a Queensland mother and her teenage daughter who fell fatally ill while holidaying in Bali.

But the family has been told toxic fish may have been the killer.

Noelene Bischoff, a senior nurse from the Sunshine Coast, and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana died in the early hours of Saturday, less than a day after they checked in to their beachfront resort on Bali's east coast.

Grieving relatives in Australia say the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has told them toxic food caused the deaths.

"We've been told it is fish they've eaten," Ms Bischoff's brother-in-law Kevin Bowe told the ABC.

Noelene's mother Jean told Network Ten: "It's a blessing to us that they've been taken together because one couldn't have coped without the other."

A school project prepared by Yvana last year depicts an animal-lover with big dreams.

"I have one horse and love to ride. My favourite food is mango or anything chocolate," she wrote.

"My hopes ... I want to be an equine vet."

Local sources told AAP on Sunday night they were yet to confirm a cause of death as they were still waiting for permission to proceed with the autopsy.

Under Indonesian law, an autopsy can proceed without permission from Tuesday.

However, the sources said a search of the hotel room where the mother and daughter were staying had not revealed any sign of violence.

They also said investigators had interviewed witnesses from the hotel, a clinic and a restaurant in Ubud where the pair ate dinner.

Padang Bai Beach Resort staff were alerted early on Saturday morning when Yvana asked for help, telling security guards she and her mother had fallen gravely ill.

The pair were taken by private ambulance to a nearby medical centre but about 1.45am local time the mother died, according to local sources.

The girl was rushed to BIMC Hospital, an international clinic in the Balinese capital of Denpasar, but could not be saved.

Medicine found in the Bischoffs' hotel room is being tested.

One senior local police source told AAP on Saturday the treating doctor at the first clinic suspected a food allergy.

"What kind of food, we don't know," he said then.

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Cameron aims to win Scots' hearts

THE campaign against Scottish independence must move beyond economics to arguments of the "head and heart", Prime Minister David Cameron says.

The UK offers security in a "diverse, dangerous world", according to Mr Cameron, who said he will "work very hard to play my part" in the referendum.

However, Number 10 has confirmed that the Prime Minister will not take part in a public debate with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, following a new SNP poll indicating a substantial proportion of the British people would like to see them go head-to-head on television.

Speaking in the Sunday Times Scotland newspaper, Mr Cameron said: "We've just got to keep pushing both the arguments of the head and those of the heart.

"I think the arguments of the head we've been winning very strongly. We now need to win some of the arguments of the heart.

"The UK is not something to want to belong to simply for economic reasons, but actually for emotional and historic reasons."

Mr Cameron has come under renewed pressure for a televised debate with Mr Salmond following his New Year message urging England, Wales and Northern Ireland to send a message to Scotland that "we want you to stay".

But in a new letter to Number 10, Mr Salmond told the prime minister that his New Year plea to Scotland undermined this argument.

Mr Salmond said: "I note that you used the centrepiece of your New Year address to attack Scottish independence.

"It seems that you want to dictate the terms of the debate about Scotland's future without taking the democratic responsibility to defend your views in open debate. That is simply unacceptable."

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: "The prime minister is prime minister of the whole United Kingdom and of course has a role in the referendum campaign, however, he believes that the debate should be led by Scots in Scotland."

A Panelbase poll, commissioned by the SNP, found more than three-fifths of people in Scotland and more than half in the rest of the UK want a TV debate between Mr Salmond and Mr Cameron, compared with about a quarter on both sides of the border who do not.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "While David Cameron is happy to pull the strings of the No campaign from 10 Downing Street, he is scared to debate with Alex Salmond face-to-face.

"As the principal signatories of the Edinburgh Agreement, the natural progression in these circumstances is a televised, head-to-head debate between Mr Cameron and Alex Salmond - a democratic position supported by a substantial majority of people north and south of the border."

A spokesman for pro-independence campaign Yes Scotland said: "A televised debate with the First Minister and Prime Minister will help Scots choose between the two futures on offer and ensure that the UK Government fully explains why it is willing to implement unwanted policies north of the border."

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Vic paddle boarders rescued

EIGHT paddle boarders swept out to sea in wild weather have been rescued from a bay southwest of Melbourne.

They were swept into Corio Bay from North Shore, Geelong, when a severe weather front hit the area just after 3.15pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

The paddle boarders, aged between 40 and 60, were found by helicopter in the water near Point Wilson, with one clinging to a channel marker.

The group was rescued by Coast Guard.

Two of the paddle boarders were treated at the scene for mild hypothermia.

Gusts of up to 50 knots and waves over two metres were recorded, police said.

Water Police Leading Senior Constable Felicity Bell said police were relieved the paddle boarders were found safe.

"This rescue should act as a warning to all about how quickly conditions can change out on the water," Leading Sen Const Bell said.

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Syrian rebels battle al-Qaeda fighters

SYRIAN rebels have seized a compound held by al-Qaeda-linked militants as their one-time allies used car bombs against them, in some of the most serious infighting between fighters challenging the rule of President Bashar Assad.

The rebel-on-rebel fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is the strongest pushback yet from Syrian rebels who have seen their uprising to topple Assad hijacked by al-Qaeda forces seeking to impose Islamic rule in opposition-held portions of the country.

The clashes began on Friday after residents accused the al-Qaeda-linked fighters of killing a doctor in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo. Fighting quickly spread to rebel-held areas of the northeast province of Idlib and the central province of Hama.

The clashes widened on Sunday, with at least one outside of Aleppo pitting the ISIL against the Nusra Front, which is also an al-Qaeda-aligned group, said Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Another clash struck the town of Tabqa in the eastern province of Raqqa, where ISIL forces are most dominant, Abdurrahman said.

The Observatory obtains its information from a network of activists on the ground.

Rebels seized the ISIL compound in the town of Manbij in the northern province of Aleppo, activists said.

The Observatory said ISIL fighters also used car bombs for the first time to defend its territory. Other activists reported ISIL was pushed out of the town of Atmeh.

There always has been resentment against ISIL in Syria, whose fighters, a mix of foreigners and locals, fanned into the country last year, taking advantage of the upheaval to assert power in areas seized by rebels.

It is seen as particularly brutal in Syria's civil war for its abductions and killings of anti-Assad activists, journalists and civilians seen as critical to their rule.

But other residents welcome the group for chasing out thugs who terrorised residents in opposition-held areas, and for distributing food and aid to the poor.

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