Tag Archives: oceania

Tributes flow for security guard allegedly stabbed to death

An off-duty security guard who died at a Melbourne train station on Friday night is being remembered as a "quiet hero" by his friends and colleagues.

Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.

His friends said they were heartbroken by the loss of their mate who always put himself before others.

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Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.

"He was the type to go out of his way and do what he did, and that's probably the biggest thing I love about him," his friend JD said.

"It's just heartbreaking – I miss him."

The spot where he died has turned into a shrine to the brave man, with members of the public leaving floral tributes throughout the day.

"It's just every parent's worst nightmare," local resident Rachael Taranto said.

"We really want the family to know we're all thinking of them, and their son is a hero."

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Becker was a local to the area, who loved animals, travelling, and making music.

He worked at the Alfred Hospital, which released a statement this afternoon mourning his death.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of young security officer, Aidan Becker," it said.

"Aidan's colleagues at The Alfred describe him as a dedicated, respected, and much-loved member of our security team.

Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.

"He will be remembered for being full of life, and for his positive energy, kindness and dedication.  He was a quiet hero who gave his all for those around him."

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Two 17-year-olds, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old were all arrested by police.

The 16-year-old, a 17-year-old boy from the Whittlesea area, and the 18-year-old were charged with murder and armed robbery.

One of the 17-year-old boys is still in hospital under police guard, and has not been interviewed or charged yet.

The 18-year-old man appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court today and did not apply for bail.

He will remain behind bars until his next court hearing in June.

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‘Frightening’ impact for farmers as Middle East fighting continues

A deepening fuel crisis is leaving Australian farmers running low on diesel and prompting calls for price monitoring to be expanded.

Following concerns war in the Middle East could impact crude oil supplies and accusations Australian oil companies were profiteering, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the fuel situation was "frightening".

"Australians should understand that while they can go to the servo and fill up, our farmers aren't getting their supplies," he said.

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Tehran, Iran

"If they run out, they can't produce your food and fibre. There is supply, and this is the issue. There's supply sitting there, but the big oil companies won't release it to the independents and to the small wholesalers."

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With oil shipments limited through the Strait of Hormuz, some big refiners are directing supply to retail bowsers and away from wholesale deliveries like farms. 

"Thursday they phoned and said there is an issue, they've been put on a quota or allocation system," farmer Layton Free said.

"Then by Friday they phoned and said there is a problem. There is no longer supply."

With the consumer watchdog monitoring prices for motorists, the opposition has written to the government for help monitoring prices for farmers.

"There's no way we should have a fuel security or food security problem right now," Free said.

With Iran attacking sporadically throughout the Middle East, some nations are asking not for monitoring but military and intelligence assistance

Australia is weighing up an appeal for military aid by Middle Easter countries under attack from Iran.

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Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 4 March 2026. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told the ABC Insiders program today the federal government had received requests from nations for protection against drone and missile attacks.

Iran has targeted pro-western neighbours, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, over the past week in a campaign of air attacks.

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"Many countries who are non-participants have been attacked by Iran through this," Wong said.

"You would anticipate as a consequence, that we have been asked for assistance and we will work through that."

She refused to be drawn on details about any potential military aid under consideration, but said the government would be frank if it approved any.

Wong also reiterated that Australian armed forces would not take part in offensive operations against Iran.

"We are not participating in offensive action against Iran," Wong said.

"This is not Iraq and we are not the Howard government."

She was speaking after the Iranian regime gave conflicting comments about the targeting of its neighbours.

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President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Arab Gulf nations in a remarkable address yesterday, saying Tehran would stop striking its neighbours unless any attacks on Iran originated from those countries.

He urged Gulf nations not to become a "plaything in the hands of imperialism," warning them not to attack Iranian territory.

It's not clear if the president's announcement comes into effect immediately. After the address, interceptions continued over the UAE and sirens rang in Bahrain.

– With CNN

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Man ‘stabbed to death’ at friend’s Sydney home after argument, police say

A man in his 30s has died after being stabbed in the chest after an argument at the Sydney home of two of his friends, police say.

Emergency services were called to a house on Spring Street in Concord just after midday today, where they found a man in his 30s with stab wounds to his chest.

He was treated by paramedics and was rushed to Concord Hospital, but was pronounced dead.

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A man in his 30s has died after being stabbed in the chest after an argument at the Sydney home of two of his friends, police say.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Burwood Police Station where he is expected to be charged.

He and a 47-year-old man lived at the house, with the pair believed to be in a relationship.

Police say the victim and his alleged killer had known each other for eight years

The nature of their relationship is now part of the investigation

The 47-year-old man is also speaking to police, but has not been arrested.

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Superintendent Christine McDonald said it was a "terrible incident."

"This level of violence is completely unnecessary," she said.

"This is a terrible incident, you go to someone's house on a Sunday afternoon for whatever reason, and this occurs.

"It's not something I'm sure the victim was expecting would happen, and now multiple lives have been ruined by this incident."

She said there was an argument before the alleged stabbing.

No one at the house at the time was known to police.

A crime scene has been set up and investigations are continuing.

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