dailynewsnblog
Two repatriation flights from UAE expected to land
Some 1,549 Australians have been repatriated from the Middle East as of 5.30am this morning on nine direct flights, the prime minister’s office has said. Two flights from the United Arab Emirates are expected to land today and two more flights are scheduled to depart Dubai airport, assuming the airspace remains open.
The flights expected to land today are:
-
EK406 to Melbourne (ex Dubai), due at 1245hrs AEDT, carrying approximately 151 Australians.
-
EK412 to Sydney (ex Dubai), expected to land at about 1950hrs AEDT.
The flights scheduled to depart the UAE today:
At about 7pm AEDT yesterday, Dubai International Airport was forced to briefly close as Iran launched missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf. The airport was subsequently reopened.
The first three buses carrying Australians from Doha, Qatar, are arriving this morning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with 92 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members on board, the PMO said.
Qatar Airways has advised the Albanese government that 68 Australians departed Doha yesterday on Qatar Airways flights to different European destinations.
Key events
Penny Wong is asked how far Australia would go to support the war in Iran
Foreign minister Penny Wong has reiterated her claim that Australia is “not in a position to determine the legal basis of decisions that the United States and Israel have made” in attacking Iran.
Asked about how far Australia would go to support the war, Wong told ABC TV’s Insiders:
In these circumstances, it’s best for us to always come back to what is our position, both as a matter of objectives and also as a matter of conduct, which is why we have also said, you know, we are not engaged in offensive conduct, offensive action against Iran.
Asked about US President Donald Trump’s statements that the US must be involved in choosing the next leader of Iran, Wong said:
The future for Iran and its governance ultimately is a decision for the Iranian people. And that’s not just a values judgment, it’s also a pragmatic judgment … We have seen that regime change being sought by external parties historically. And I think we all know that for there to be sustainable change, a change of regime, it has to be something that the people of that nation back and seek.
Victorian Health and Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said her thoughts were with the family of the victim of Friday’s alleged stabbing attack, saying the horrific incident was very concerning.
She referred to the government’s toughened youth crime laws, which came into effect just over a week ago and could result in youth offenders being dealt harsher punishments for serious crimes.
Thomas said on Saturday:
Young people that are committing violent crimes are about to discover that they will be doing adult time.
Opposition police spokesperson Brad Battin said in a statement the incident highlighted Labor’s failure to tackle youth crime and remove machetes from the streets.
With nearly 2000 vacancies on police rosters, more than 40 stations closed or operating on reduced hours and PSOs to be stripped from 120 train stations, Victorians continue to pay the price for Labor’s community safety failures.
– AAP
Three teenagers face murder charges after a good Samaritan was killed in an allegedly “savage” stabbing attack after trying to intervene and help a 14-year-old schoolboy.
Emergency crews were called to Mernda train station in Melbourne’s northeast on Friday evening following reports of a fight among teenagers.
A group of passers-by, including a 22-year-old Mernda man, stepped in to intervene after a group of teens set upon a 14-year-old boy.
The passers-by tried to diffuse the situation, with the man taking the boy and walking him away from the situation and outside the train station, Homicide Squad Detective Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange told reporters on Saturday.
L’Estrange continued:
Unfortunately, those four offenders followed both of them and then, in what could only be described as a savage attack, assaulted the 22-year-old male physically, both fists, kicking, and they used edged weapons.
The victim suffered life-threatening injuries and was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
Four male teens were arrested. A 16-year-old, from Whittlesea, and a 17-year-old from Geelong and an 18-year-old from Mill Park were charged with murder and armed robbery. A 17-year-old from the City of Yarra is under police guard at hospital and yet to be interviewed.
The eldest suspect will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday.
L’Estrange said:
This is just a tragic situation where our victim here is just a good Samaritan who was trying to do the right thing.
He’s intervened, tried to protect this 14-year-old schoolboy, hasn’t been aggressive at all, tried to remove him from the scene, and as a result of his interaction, he’s now lost his life.
– AAP
Two men die after being pulled from water on NSW Central Coast
Two men have died after being pulled from the water on the NSW Central Coast yesterday evening.
Emergency services were called to Little Beach, Bouddi, on Saturday after reports of a body in the water, NSW Police said in a statement early on Sunday morning.
Brisbane Water Police District, PolAir and Marine Area Command attended the scene, alongside NSW Ambulance Paramedics, and Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
A 46-year-old man was pulled from the water before being assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.
At about 6.10pm, police learned there was a second man believed to still be in the water and commenced a search. At about 8pm, the body of the second man, aged 67, was found and pulled from the water.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Two repatriation flights from UAE expected to land
Some 1,549 Australians have been repatriated from the Middle East as of 5.30am this morning on nine direct flights, the prime minister’s office has said. Two flights from the United Arab Emirates are expected to land today and two more flights are scheduled to depart Dubai airport, assuming the airspace remains open.
The flights expected to land today are:
-
EK406 to Melbourne (ex Dubai), due at 1245hrs AEDT, carrying approximately 151 Australians.
-
EK412 to Sydney (ex Dubai), expected to land at about 1950hrs AEDT.
The flights scheduled to depart the UAE today:
At about 7pm AEDT yesterday, Dubai International Airport was forced to briefly close as Iran launched missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf. The airport was subsequently reopened.
The first three buses carrying Australians from Doha, Qatar, are arriving this morning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with 92 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members on board, the PMO said.
Qatar Airways has advised the Albanese government that 68 Australians departed Doha yesterday on Qatar Airways flights to different European destinations.
Good morning
Welcome to Guardian Australia’s Sunday live news blog. My name is Stephanie Convery and I’ll be bringing you all the latest news today.
First up this morning, 1,549 Australians have been repatriated from the Middle East as of 5.30am this morning on nine direct flights, the prime minister’s office has said. Two flights from the United Arab Emirates are expected to land today and two more flights are scheduled to depart Dubai airport pending airspace remaining open. We’ll bring you more on that in a moment.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for parts of north and south-east Queensland as heavy rainfall continues. It is expected to increase over Sunday and continue into Monday. More on that soon, too.
Grab a coffee and let’s get stuck in.
