More flights to Middle East cancelled<\/p>\n
Several airlines have now cancelled additional flights from Australia to the Middle East, including flights due to leave late on Sunday night.<\/p>\n
Earlier, we reported that Emirates and Etihad had advised travellers that Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports \u2013 along with others in the Gulf \u2013 were closed pending until this evening. <\/p>\n
Most Emirates flights due to leave Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane tonight are now listed as cancelled. One Melbourne flight remains scheduled, and travellers should check their flight status with the airline.<\/p>\n
Virgin Australia has advised customers of several cancellations of Qatar Airways flights travelling via Doha.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.17 EST<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Experts have warned people against squeezing ticks, or removing them with tweezers, following the New South Wales coroner\u2019s finding that Central Coast teenager Jeremy Webb died of a meat allergy triggered by a tick bite<\/a>.<\/p>\n Guardian Australia\u2019s heath reporter Natasha May spoke to Prof Sheryl van Nunen, a clinical immunologist and allergist at the National Allergy Centre of Excellence, who says that after two or more tick bites, one in two people\u2019s bodies will make the allergy antibody.<\/p>\n Therefore, preventing a tick bite from occurring is the most important strategy: \u201cNo tick bites, no problem,\u201d Van Nunen says.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re probably going to be able to negate the effect of the tick bite if you deal with the tick properly.<\/p>\n \u201cPulling it out with your fingers, taking it out with tweezers, get ready to have mammalian meat allergy or tick anaphylaxis \u2013 that\u2019d be the same as putting on a black wetsuit, taking a surfboard and hopping in after the big rain when we had all the bull sharks,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n The best advice is \u201cfreeze don\u2019t squeeze!\u201d: killing the tick in situ with an ether-containing spray, then waiting for it to drop off or seeking medical attention for it to be removed.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>More flights to Middle East cancelled<\/p>\n Several airlines have now cancelled additional flights from Australia to the Middle East, including flights due to leave late on Sunday night.<\/p>\n Earlier, we reported that Emirates and Etihad had advised travellers that Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports \u2013 along with others in the Gulf \u2013 were closed pending until this evening. <\/p>\n Most Emirates flights due to leave Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane tonight are now listed as cancelled. One Melbourne flight remains scheduled, and travellers should check their flight status with the airline.<\/p>\n Virgin Australia has advised customers of several cancellations of Qatar Airways flights travelling via Doha.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.17 EST<\/p>\n Pro-democracy rally to be held at Iranian embassy in Canberra<\/p>\n Australia-based supporters of democracy in Iran<\/a> will hold a rally at the Iranian embassy in Canberra this afternoon.<\/p>\n The Association to Defend Freedom and Human Rights in Iran \u2013 Australia say supporters will gather at 3pm AEDT to demand democratic reforms after the US-Israel backed strikes.<\/p>\n In a statement the group said: \u201cThis huge uprising made it very clear that the people want no more dictatorship \u2013 no Supreme Leader, no Shah \u2013 they want a secular democratic republic.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.17 EST<\/p>\n One teen charged after Perth out-of-control gathering, police say<\/p>\n WA police have charged a 15-year-old boy after officers declared an out-of-control gathering in Perth on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Police said they were called to Wembley Downs, in north-western Perth, at about 8.15pm on Saturday after receiving multiple reports of antisocial behaviour at a residential party.<\/p>\n Police identified a group of 150 juveniles in the street, allegedly fighting, shouting and refusing to leave the area. A number of them were observed to be intoxicated and behaving in a disorderly manner, police said.<\/p>\n A 15-year-old male was arrested and charged with one count of assaulting a public officer. He is due to appear in the Perth children\u2019s court on 6 March.<\/p>\n A second 15-year-old was arrested and later released with a formal caution.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.27 EST<\/p>\n Peak Jewish group \u2018profoundly disturbed\u2019 by reports of foiled terror plot to attack mosques and public buildings<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s peak Jewish body says it is \u201cprofoundly disturbed\u201d by reports of a foiled alleged terrorist attack targeting a number of public buildings and Islamic places of worship.<\/p>\n WA police on Friday charged a 20-year-old man with preparing a terrorist attack<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said it backed calls made by the WA premier for an end to \u201cdog whistling\u201d and the \u201clanguage of division\u201d<\/a> in public discourse, regardless of the issue.<\/p>\n Daniel Aghion KC, president of the council, said<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Executive Council of Australian Jewry is profoundly disturbed by reports of a terror plot that included plans to attack a number of mosques in WA as well as the police.<\/p>\n As a community that has suffered a series of attacks over the past two and a half years, including arson and vandalism at our places of worship, and culminating in the horrors of 14 December 2025, we are keenly aware of how distressing and unsettling such threats can be.<\/p>\n It is for this reason that we have advocated so strenuously for legislation that protects not just Jewish Australians but all Australians from the hateful actions and hateful speech that have cost us so dearly since October 7, 2023.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.20 EST<\/p>\n Victoria police extend retail crime operation until the end of the year<\/p>\n Victoria police will extend a crime crackdown on Melbourne shopping centres until the end of the year.<\/p>\n Police arrested more than 450 people since Operation Pulse launched in December. A man who allegedly stole $2,000 worth of knives is among those arrested.<\/p>\n In a statement, Victoria police said almost 1,000 charges had been laid in the first nine weeks of the operation. Of these charges, almost half are for retail theft and drug offences.<\/p>\n Acting deputy commissioner Libby Murphy said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019ve also had a lot of positive feedback from both retailers and shoppers in relation to this operation, and they are regularly approaching our members to tell them they feel much safer and have noticed a considerable drop in crime.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.57 EST<\/p>\n \u2018She\u2019s in the sky\u2019: K\u2019gari tragedy teen farewelled<\/p>\n Mourners from across the world have farewelled a teenager who died alone on an Australian beach surrounded by a pack of dingoes, AAP reports.<\/p>\n Close friends and family gathered in the Campbell River Baptist Church in the Canadian province of British Columbia to remember Piper James, the 19-year-old backpacker whose life was cut short on the Queensland island K\u2019gari on 19 January.<\/p>\n Her Australian friends joined the service in spirit, watching online on Sunday morning to farewell the brave teenager who ran toward danger, who loved deeply and was filled with joy.<\/p>\n James and her best friend, Taylor Stricker, were on the trip of a lifetime when World Heritage-listed K\u2019gari captured their hearts.<\/p>\n The pair landed a job on the island working at a hostel before James took a dawn walk on the beach from which she never returned.<\/p>\n Piper James, whose body was found near a pack of dingoes Photograph: Todd James\/PR IMAGEShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.41 EST<\/p>\n Iranian government is \u2018murderous regime\u2019: Executive Council of Australian Jewry<\/p>\n The Executive Council of Australian Jewry says it welcomes military strikes in Iran, while \u201cregretting the necessity for military action and the risks it poses to the people of Israel and Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n In a statement, the peak body for Australia\u2019s Jewish community says such action was \u201cunavoidable and inevitable\u201d. <\/p>\n President Daniel Aghion said the Iranian government was \u201ca murderous regime\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201dIt has attacked synagogues and Jewish targets in Australia and around the world. It funds terrorist groups Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. It massacres its own civilians.<\/p>\n \u201cWestern nations, led by Israel and the US, must curtail the nuclear aspirations of the Iranian government, disrupt its international terrorism network, and protect the Iranian people from their own leadership.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this time, our thoughts are with the people of Israel and Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.18 EST<\/p>\n Albanese says Australians should leave Middle East and Gulf countries \u2018if it is safe to do so\u2019<\/p>\n The prime minister says there is limited consular assistance available to Australians who might be in Iran<\/a>, after the decision to close the embassy in Tehran last year.<\/p>\n \u201dWe have travel advice for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar United Arab Emirates travel. Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so,\u201d Albanese says. <\/p>\n \u201dThe closure of transport hubs in the Middle East will likely lead to flight disruptions.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.11 EST<\/p>\n Legality of attack is a question for US and others involved, Albanese says<\/p>\n Albanese is asked whether he believes the attacks were legal under international law.<\/p>\n He says such judgments were for the United States and others involved in the attack.<\/p>\n \u201dWhat I would say is that the threat to international peace and of the Iranian regime is real,\u201d Albanese said.<\/p>\n \u201dThe fact that they orchestrated attacks here, from the other side of the world, underlines the threat that this regime presented to the rule of law and to international norms of behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.03 EST<\/p>\n PM says \u2018we are concerned about regional escalation\u2019 but supports \u2018action\u2019 against Iran<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese has reiterated Australia\u2019s support for the US and Israeli actions in Iran.<\/p>\n He says Australia\u2019s priority is the safety of Australians in the region.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe have long recognised that Iran, Iran\u2019s nuclear [program] is a threat to global peace and security.<\/p>\n We have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran\u2019s citizens. Sadly [these calls have] gone unheeded and action has now been taken.<\/p>\n We support the states acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing threaten international peace and security.<\/p>\n We are concerned about regional escalation and urge the protection of civilians for those on the ground.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.57 EST<\/p>\n Ayatollah Khamenei \u2018will not be mourned\u2019: Albanese<\/p>\n The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is believed dead in US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran, \u201cwill not be mourned\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markAustralia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is oppressive regime. Ayatollah Khameini was responsible for the regime\u2019s nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal violence and its own people. This claimed countless lives in Iran, but also internationally. He was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. He will not be mourned.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.54 EST<\/p>\n The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is due to address reporters in Sydney in a few minutes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.45 EST<\/p>\n Queensland \u2018adult time, adult crime\u2019 laws to be expanded to more offences<\/p>\n The Queensland government has said it will expand its signature \u201cadult crime, adult time\u201d laws to 45 offences including a number of domestic and sexual violence offences.<\/p>\n Children as young as 10 face potential life sentences under the Queensland LNP\u2019s youth crime regime, which it concedes is contrary to state and international human rights law<\/a>, is discriminatory and will disproportionately affect First Nations people.<\/p>\n The premier, David Crisafulli, says the laws will be expanded to include 12 new offences, in addition to more than 30 already subject to the \u201cadult time\u201d rules, which mean children can face punishment on par with adults.<\/p>\n The new offences include assault occasioning bodily harm, stalking, conspiracy to murder, and riot.<\/p>\n They also include indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16, domestic violence choking, aiding suicide, and administering poison with intent to harm.<\/p>\n The government says it is following the recommendations of its hand-picked expert panel.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.27 EST<\/p>\n Travellers in limbo after flights between Australia and Middle East cancelled<\/p>\n International flights between Australia and major hubs in the Middle East have been cancelled, leaving travellers in limbo.<\/p>\n Virgin Australia says four Qatar Airways flights headed from Australia to Doha have been turned around.<\/p>\n Emirates and Etihad flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Dubai and Abu Dhabi \u2013 common stops on long-haul flights to Europe via Gulf carriers \u2013 were cancelled on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n Emirates says it has \u201ctemporarily suspended\u201d all flights in and out of Dubai, until at least 10pm AEDT on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements,\u201d the airline said in a message to passengers.<\/p>\n \u201cThe safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.\u201d<\/p>\n Etihad has issued an update to passengers saying it had suspended arrivals and departures until 9pm AEDT. Any flight scheduled to arrive beforehand has been cancelled, but services due to arrive after were still \u201cexpected to operate, subject to operational conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n The airline says it is dealing with a high volume of calls.<\/p>\n \u201cAffected guests are being contacted directly and are being supported with rebooking options and hotel accommodation where necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cSituation remains fluid and further adjustments may be required.\u201d<\/p>\n Emirates says it has \u2018temporarily suspended\u2019 all flights in and out of Dubai, until at least 10pm AEDT on Sunday. Photograph: Mark Evans\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.53 EST<\/p>\n Activists say trans woman with Palestinian flag was \u2018violently restrained\u2019 by police at Mardi Gras<\/p>\n The activist group Pride in Protest says a trans woman holding a Palestinian flag was \u201cviolently restrained\u201d by police at the Sydney Mardi Gras on Saturday night.<\/p>\n The NSW police released a statement on Sunday commending the crowd for its behaviour. It said there were no charges laid but that four people \u2013 who were part of a group that had been prevented from marching \u2013 were arrested for a breach of the peace.<\/p>\n Pride in Protest had been blocked from participating in the parade<\/a> due to social media posts criticising Jewish group Dayenu.<\/p>\n \u201c[The people who were arrested] were removed from the parade ground and were issued with move on directions, which they complied with. No charges were laid as a result of the incident,\u201d a police statement said.<\/p>\n Pride in Protest said police were seen \u201cassaulting a trans woman attendee of the parade, yanking a Palestinian flag out of her hand\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAs [a] float entered the road to prepare to march, NSW police officers with the riot squad grabbed a Palestine flag away from a trans woman participant and violently restrained her, with four officers grabbing her,\u201d a statement issued by the group said.<\/p>\n \u201dThe woman was heard crying out \u2018help me\u2019 and other participants called for the police to let her go.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.49 EST<\/p>\n Travel advice updated for Middle Eastern countries: Wong<\/p>\n Penny Wong has confirmed travel advice has been updated for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n She says Australia is engaged with international partners and consular staff around the world.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have activated our crisis centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region and this morning we are opening our registration portal in Iran<\/a> and Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n