Tag Archives: oceania

Parents of youngest Bondi shooting victim wed

The parents of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi shooting, have tied the knot in Sydney.

Valentyna Poltavchenko and Michael Britvan have announced on social media their wedding yesterday in a "semi secret" ceremony at Admiralty House on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour.

"The plan was a small, semi-secret ceremony at Admiralty House with a very limited group of family and close friends. Simple, quiet, low-key… the kind of plan that should have stayed nicely under the radar," Britvan posted on Instagaram.

READ MORE: 'Stay inside': Flash flooding risk facing Queensland

"And to be fair, it worked perfectly… for most of the ceremony — until my sister (who I love very much) discovered the Facebook livestream button."

Britvan's post went on to say "people probably assumed we had already been married for about 10 years anyway… so this was really just us finally making it official".

The announcement was greeted with congratulations.

"Matilda is smiling from above," one Instagram message said.

"Congratulations to a beautiful family," another said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVlT6hqD6hj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp

Matilda, 10, was among 15 people killed on December 14 when two gunmen, alleged to be father and son Said and Naveed Akram, opened fire on the gathered crowd at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration.

Her parents emigrated to Australia from Ukraine but met in Sydney, and named her Matilda as she was their first child born down under.

In the wake of the Bondi shooting, they declared they did not want their daughter's death to become a political symbol and appealed for community unity.

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Trump receives bodies of six dead US soldiers

The families of the six US Army Reserve soldiers who were killed last week in Kuwait watched as their loved ones were brought home during a dignified transfer ceremony.

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance joined top military officials at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) observing the solemn event.

As the transfer cases were taken from a C-17 aircraft across the tarmac the base, Trump saluted wearing a white ball cap with gold "USA" lettering.

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The military identified the six service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait on March 1 as Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, Captain Cody Khork, Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady.

Marzan is believed to have been killed in the strike, but is still awaiting final positive identification by a medical examiner.

All six soldiers were assigned with the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit out of Iowa.

"It's a very sad day," Trump said on Air Force One after the transfer.

He said that the parents of the service members "were so proud" and that such deaths are "always a very sad thing".

The president has previously said there will likely be more US casualties in the Iran war.

Asked on Saturday whether he thought he would have to attend more dignified transfers, Trump said, "I'm sure. I hate to … but it's a part of war."

READ MORE: Oil storage plant blast in Tehran after Trump warns Iran will be hit 'very hard'

Trump also cast blame on Iran for the strike on a primary school in southern Iran that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, contradicting expert analysis that suggested the US military was likely responsible.

"Based on what I've seen, that was done by Iran," Trump said, and described Iranian munitions as "very inaccurate".

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also blamed Iran.

"The only side that targets civilians is Iran," he told reporters.

The White House has not previously ruled out that US military personnel carried out the strike.

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‘Stay inside’: Large parts of Queensland brace for severe rain, flash floods

Parts of south-east Queensland and the interior of the state are preparing for flash flooding as heavy rain continues to batter the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for large parts of the south coast, including the Sunshine Coast, as a tropical low continues to make its way over the state.

Maroochydore could see up to 130mm of rain today, with the BOM warning isolated falls could reach 150mm on the Sunshine Coast.

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Residents in flood affected areas of Queensland have been urged not to drive through flood waters.

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The impacts could be serious and lead to flash flooding.

"There is some uncertainty where the heaviest rainfall will occur, particularly through the southeast of the state," the BOM warned, saying the worst of the weather could last into tomorrow morning.

Further inland, Toowoomba, Kingaroy and Roma are also facing the risk of floods from the heavy rainfall, with falls of up to 170mm possible in some areas in just 24 hours.

Further inland, heavy rains are also smashing the norther interior, with around 50mm falling in around six hours this morning.

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Parts of the northern interior were pelted with over 100mm of rain in around six hours overnight.

The danger zone is east of Mount Isa, with towns like Winton and Cloncurry all warned to brace for heavy rain and flooding conditions.

Sardine Creek, a small township in the region, recorded over 100mm of rain in just six hours overnight.

The BOM has issued several instructions to residents in impacted regions, urging them not to drive into floodwaters.

"Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed," they said.

Sweet 16 birthday party gatecrashed by 500 teens

A 16-year-old girl's birthday party in Sydney's south has gone horribly wrong after 500 teenagers turned up uninvited.

The Sweet 16 on Bounty Avenue in Kirrawee quickly spiralled out of control last night.

A video later circulating on social media shows a tense confrontation between police and some of the young people involved after the crowd turned hostile.

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A 16-year-old girl's birthday party in Sydney's south has gone horribly wrong after 500 teenagers turned up uninvited.The sweet 16 on Bounty Avenue in Kirrawee quickly spiralled out of control last night.

A boy, 16, was arrested at the scene after allegedly throwing a full can of alcohol at officers.

In a statement defending their actions, police said "when bottles were thrown at police, OC spray was deployed" and that during the arrest "the boy resisted officers".

He was one of three teenage boys arrested.

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All of them were later released without charge.

Neighbours said they were left shaken by what unfolded and many young children watched the chaos unfold on their doorsteps.

"There were a few people climbing over their neighbours fence here to get in and out of the party," neighbour Aedan Byrne told 9News.

It took police, an overhead helicopter and the riot squad more than an hour to disperse the crowd.

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Iran’s president apologises for strikes on neighbours

Iran's president said Saturday that a demand by the United States for an unconditional surrender is a "dream that they should take to their grave".

President Masoud Pezeshkian made the statement in a pre-recorded address aired by state television.

He also apologised for Iran's attacks on regional countries, saying that Tehran would halt them and suggesting they were caused by miscommunication in the ranks.

READ MORE: Israel hammers Beirut and Tehran as Iran attacks more Israeli targets

He blamed the killing of the country's supreme leader and other top officials for what sounded like a loss of command and control in the armed forces in recent days.

Pezeshkian's statement on Saturday said the country's three-man leadership council had been in touch with the armed forces over the attacks.

"I should apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf," the president said.

"From now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy."

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which has been at the forefront of the war, answers only to the country's supreme leader. However, an Israeli airstrike killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, at the start of the war February 28.

The comments came as intense Iranian fire targeted the Gulf Arab states early Saturday as Israel and the United States kept up their airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic.

There were repeated attacks Saturday morning on Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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Israel hammers Beirut and Tehran as Iran attacks more Israeli targets

Gulf countries say they have intercepted more ballistic missiles and drones on Saturday as Iran launched another wave of retaliatory strikes.

Saudi Arabia said early on Saturday it stopped four drones attacking the country's massive Shaybah oil field, the second attack within hours.

In Dubai, people heard several blasts in the morning, with Emirati authorities saying there had been "a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception".

READ MORE: Satellite images show the extent of US-Israeli attacks across Iran 

Tehran, Iran

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes hammered Beirut and Tehran.

Tehran's airport was attacked amid a bombardment of the city, and Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel as the United States warned of a forthcoming bombing campaign that officials said would be the most intense yet in the weeklong conflict.

A video circulating on social media, which CNN says it has geolocated, showed Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on fire after the strikes.

Iran's state broadcaster reported explosions were heard and smoke was seen in the eastern and western parts of Tehran, CNN says.

The death toll continued to rise on Saturday with at least 1230 people killed in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials. Six US troops were reported killed.

Beirut, Lebanon

In the first indication that Moscow has sought to get involved in the war, two officials familiar with US intelligence said Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region.

The war has continued to intensify, with no end in sight.

US President Donald Trump's administration approved a new $US151 million ($215 million) arms sale to Israel after Trump said he would not negotiate with Iran without its "unconditional surrender".

Iran's UN ambassador said the country would "take all necessary measures" to defend itself.

In other developments, evidence emerged suggesting that an explosion that killed scores of Iranian students at a school was likely caused by US airstrikes that also hit an adjacent compound associated with the regime's Revolutionary Guard.

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A video circulating on social media and geolocated by CNN showed Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on fire after the strikes.

Qatar's energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, warned in an interview with the Financial Times that the war could "bring down the economies of the world," predicting a widespread shutdown of Gulf energy exports that could send oil to $150 a barrel.

The price for a barrel of benchmark US crude rose above $90 on Friday for the first time in more than two years.

Iran's attacks on Gulf countries 'miscalculation of historic proportions'

In a sign of the widening nature of the conflict, sirens sounded early on Saturday in Bahrain as Iranian attacks targeted the island kingdom.

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four drones headed toward its vast Shaybah oil field, located deep in the sands of the Empty Quarter desert. It was the second attack within hours.

Earlier, the ministry said it intercepted a drone attack targeting an area around the capital, Riyadh. The ministry says it also intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces.

While authorities in the United Arab Emirates said there was an interception over the city-state.

TEHRAN, IRAN - MARCH 6: Smoke rises over buildings following explosions in the central region of the city on March 6, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was confirmed killed after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated by firing waves of missiles and drones at Israel, and targeting U.S. allies in the region. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

People heard several blasts in the morning. Later the government's Dubai Media Office said there was "a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception has been successfully contained."

Flights heading to Dubai International Airport — which is the world's busiest for international travel and has been trying to restart service — circled a distance away just before the interception.

While passengers waiting for flights inside the airport found themselves ushered down into train tunnels at the sprawling airfield after missile alert sounded.

Writing for the Qatar-funded news network Al Jazeera, Sultan al-Khulaifi of the Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies said Gulf Arab states "watched with dread" as the US and Israel launched the war with Iran and they had "invested enormous diplomatic capital in preventing precisely this moment".

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

"That Iran's response has been to turn its missiles on these same neighbours is not only a strategic miscalculation of historic proportions, but is also a profound moral and legal failure that risks poisoning relations for generations to come," he wrote.

He also argued that "the strategic logic Iran is operating on — that attacking Gulf states will pressure Washington to end the war — is not only flawed in practice, it actively serves Israeli interests".

"By spreading the conflict to the Gulf, Tehran is doing precisely what Israel could not do alone: steering the war away from the Israeli-Iranian axis and transforming it into a confrontation between Iran and its Arab neighbours."

Loud booms sound in Jerusalem

Also early on Saturday, loud booms sounded in Jerusalem and incoming missiles from Iran had people heading to bomb shelters across Israel.

Less than five minutes after giving the all clear on the second missile launch identified as from Iran, the military said another salvo was targeting the country. It was the third time that happened overnight.

There were no immediate reports of casualties by Israel's emergency services.

Central Israel

Russia is providing information to Iran, officials say

Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with US intelligence on the matter.

The people, who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that the US intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran on what to do with the information.

Still, it's the first indication that Moscow has sought to get involved in the war.

Trump says US will help rebuild Iran once it has 'ACCEPTABLE' leaders

In a social media post on Friday, Trump said "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"

After a surrender, "and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)," he wrote, the US and its allies will help rebuild Iran, making it "economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."

Those comments were likely to raise further questions about the endgame of the war.

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on social media that "some countries" had begun mediation efforts, without elaborating.

Trump has also told media outlets that he should be involved in choosing a replacement for Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of the war.

Trump spoke dismissively of Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei — a front-runner to replace his father — calling him "a lightweight."

Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned Trump's statement and said Iran "does not accept and will never allow any foreign power to interfere in its internal affairs."

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Iranian state television reported on Friday that a leadership council had started discussing how to convene the country's Assembly of Experts, which will select the new supreme leader.

US official warns that 'biggest bombing' is coming

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the "biggest bombing campaign" of the war was still to come.

Israel has said that over the past week it has heavily bombed an extensive underground bunker that Iranian leaders had planned to use during the hostilities.

New information surfaced suggesting that a deadly February 28 explosion at a school in the Iranian city of Minab, some 1,100 kilometers southeast of Tehran, was likely caused by US airstrikes.

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The information included satellite images, expert analysis, a US official and public information released by US and Israeli military forces.

Iranian state media has said more than 165 people were killed in the blast, most of them of children.

Iran has blamed Israel and the US for the explosion. Neither country has accepted responsibility, though Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the US is investigating.

Fighting with Israeli troops reported in eastern Lebanon

The Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with an Israeli force that landed late Friday in the mountains of eastern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least three people were killed.

Israel did not acknowledge the fighting, and its military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Israel has carried out waves of airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a large presence but which is also home to hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 217 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since Monday and 798 wounded.

Roads in the Lebanese capital were choked with evacuating traffic as smoke rose over the city's southern districts. Two hospitals evacuated patients and staff.

"What can we do? We prayed here under the tree. During the night, we slept in the car because there is no place to stay," Jihan Shehadeh, one of the tens of thousands of displaced, said.

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Entertainer Jamie Dunn, voice behind beloved puppet Agro, dies aged 76

Entertainer Jamie Dunn, the larger-than-life character behind the beloved puppet Agro, has died at the age of 76.

Dunn was a beloved Aussie TV fixture for three decades as the voice and personality of the children's character.

He was also a popular radio host.

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Jamie Dunn was the larger-than-life character behind the beloved puppet Agro.

He later became a fixture on Australian television as the voice and puppeteer for Agro's Cartoon Connection, Channel Seven's Super Saturday, The Super Sunday Show and Wombat.

Dunn wrote and co-produced Agro's Christmas Story in 1988 and A Very Agro Christmas in 1989.

Dunn also had successful radio career across multiple networks.

He was an original member of the B105 Morning Crew alongside co-hosts Donna Lynch and Ian Skippen, when the station launched on the FM band in 1990.

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Jamie Dunn.

Long-time friend of 48 years and 4BC Drive host Gary Hardgrave led the tributes to Dunn, who he described as a "legend".

"He died suddenly this morning," Hardgrave said on 4BC.

"Apparently he woke up this morning not feeling too well, said to the love of his life Maree 'I'm going to go back to bed for a little while' and unfortunately he passed away there.

"I've known him for a long time, this bloke was an entertainer his whole life.

"He loved the crowds, loved the audience, made everyone laugh and made some people cry with some of the funny stuff he did.

"This bloke was loved, he really was, a big larrikin.

"He had a lot of fun in his life, he had a few challenges in his life but he was always entertaining throughout his life."

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Fellow 4BC presenter Sofie Formica said she started her TV career with him.

"My first audition in 1989 for Wombat was with the man behind the puppet," Formica said.

"That's where my television journey began, from then until our recent reunion at 4BC studios."

Dunn's former employer B105 Brisbane said the radio station has "lost a legend".

"Rest in peace Jamie," the station said on social media.

KIIS FM breakfast team Robin & Kip with Corey Oates described Dunn a an"iconic Brisbane radio presenter".

"His impact on local radio, television and comedy will be remembered by many who grew up watching him," the trio said.

Dunn brought Agro to life to three decades.

Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner said Dunn was "a proud Brisbane talent who brought joy to millions of homes across the country".

"For so many Queensland kids like me growing up in the 80s and 90s, Agro's Cartoon Connection was a daily dose of chaos, laughter and cheeky humour," Schrinner said.

"Jamie's quick wit and comic timing turned a puppet into a cultural icon that entertained a generation of Aussies.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the many fans who grew up with Jamie and his iconic sense of humour."

SmoothFM head of programming Peter Clay told The Brisbane Times Dunn's death was a huge loss for the industry.

"Today we lost a giant of the entertainment business, a loved husband of Maree, obviously a father, and one of Australia's great entertainers, and a friend of mine," Clay said.

"We're left with so many incredible audio and visual moments in his and Agro's life.

"He was the voice of Agro for many years on Cartoon Connection and spanned across generations with humour that may not have been understood by the kids watching the shows during those days, but he certainly had a following of adults as well."

Through his work on radio, Dunn raised money for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation (RCHF).

He once trekked more than 60 kilometres around Brisbane to raise money for the RCHF.

"I am passionate about raising funds to help sick kids as I have seen first hand how the Foundation puts our donations to work in better diagnoses, treatment and ultimately cures for our kids," Dunn said at the time.

Dunn joined Zinc FM on the Sunshine Coast in 2006.

He and Agro presented the show Zinc Morning Zoo with co-hosts Ian Calder and Courtney Burns.

Dunn was an ambassador for Steve and Terri Irwin's conservationist organisation Wildlife Warriors.

He moved to 4BC in Brisbane from 2009 to 2010 to present a talkback radio show.

Almost a decade later he returned to radio to host a Saturday morning show on the Triple M network.

The radio show proved to be popular and led the breakfast ratings until 2004.

Dunn played dual roles on the show with Agro also enjoying airtime.

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