Tag Archives: oceania

Seven teenagers charged with murder over deaths of two Melbourne boys

Seven teenagers have been charged with murder over the deaths of two children in Melbourne's west two weeks ago.

Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were allegedly attacked by a group of people wielding knives and machetes shortly before 8pm on Saturday, September 6 in Cobblebank.

The pair were found critically injured about 200 metres apart, with Chol on Marble Drive and Dau on Cobble Street.

READ MORE: Doctor who blew whistle on mushroom murderer sanctioned

Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were allegedly attacked by a group of people wielding knives and machetes.

Police carried out warrants at properties about 6am today.

Police have since charged a 19-year-old Thornhill man, two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy with the murder of Akueng.

A 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with the murder of Achiek.

READ MORE: 'Obscene': Driver given ticket for 'eight seconds' in parking spot

Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were attacked by a group of people wielding knives and machetes shortly before 8pm on Saturday, September 6, in Cobblebank.The pair were found critically injured about 200 metres apart, with Chol on Marble Drive and Dau on Cobble Street. Tributes remain at the spots where both of the boys died.

Community leader Richard Deng issued a statement thanking police hours after the arrests were made.

"Today's arrests are great news and a relief not only to the South Sudanese community but also to the wider community," Deng said.

"The arrests will renew hope and trust in Victoria Police and the government.

The community was left reeling in the wake of the boys' deaths and tributes remain at the spots where both of the boys died.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Australia Post announces changes to US deliveries schedule

Australia Post will resume deliveries to the US and its overseas territories three days earlier than expected following a suspension prompted by changes made to US customs and import tariff rules.

The postal service has confirmed it will allow business parcels to be shipped to the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and US minor outlying islands from Monday, September 22.

Earlier this month the corporation originally announced the service would resume on on or before Thursday, September 25.

READ MORE: Doctor who blew whistle on mushroom murderer sanctioned

Australia Post will resume deliveries to the US and its overseas territories three days earlier.

Australia Post has worked with Zonos, a US Customs and Border Protection authorised third-party provider, to offer business contract and My Post business customers a solution to meet the new rules and allow deliveries to the US to resume.

Retail customers will be able to send all parcels to the US via the Post Office network on or before October this year.

Currently, letters and documents of no commercial value, and gifts valued under USD$100, are exempt from any tariff impacts.

READ MORE: 'Obscene': Driver given ticket for 'eight seconds' in parking spot

Australia Post was among several major international postal services which halted operations in the US after Trump's customs and tariff import rules. 

Australia Post executive general manager of parcel, post and eCommerce Services Gary Starr thanked customers for their patience and understanding. 

"We're pleased postal sending to the US for business customers will resume three days ahead of schedule," Starr said.

"We know our customers have felt the impact and disruption from changes the US government made to customs and import tariff rules, and we have been working around the clock to re-start sending as soon as possible.

"We know just how important it is for them to be able to send items to the US through our cost-efficient postal service as soon as possible."

Australia Post was among several major international postal services which halted operations in the US after Trump's customs and tariff import rules. 

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Vets issue urgent warning to dog owners over deadly virus

Dog owners in north-east Queensland are being urged to keep some pets inside as rates of a potentially deadly virus climb across the region.

Canine parvovirus, also known as parvo, is a severe and fast-progressing disease that can be fatal.

9news understands that about 10 cases have been reported in the Willows/Kirwan area, about 20 minutes from Townsville.

READ MORE: Suspicious fire engulfs iconic former entertainment complex in Melbourne

Golden retriever dog puppy playing with toy while lying on den

Another case has been reported at Woolloongabba.

Though parvo is preventable with proper vaccination, puppies that are too young to be vaccinated and poorly vaccinated dogs can still contract it.

Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating and pain, and changes to body temperature.

Without immediate veterinary care, it can be deadly.

A spike in cases across north-east Queensland prompted Greencross Vets to issue a warning to dog owners in the region to make sure their pets are up to date with all vaccinations.

"We are seeing more cases of parvovirus affecting animals in the area, so we want to encourage pet owners to stay on top of their dog's vaccination schedule," Greencross Vets Willows veterinary director Dr Wendy Smith said in a statement.

Parvo is highly transmissible and dog's don't even need to come into direct contact with an infected animal to contract it.

Though it is primarily transmitted through contaminated faeces, it can also be transferred through contact with a dog's paws or on items like leashes or bedding.

The virus can also survive in the environment for long periods of time, even after routine cleaning or rainfall.

"This means that even at home in their own environment they can be susceptible to the virus," Smith warned.

This makes the spread of parvo incredibly hard to control.

READ MORE: Woman missing after house fire on Sydney's Northern Beaches

Playful dog tugging, pulling the yellow frisbee from the owner's hand, ready to play fetch.

Greencross Vets warned north-east Queensland residents to keep any dogs that are not fully vaccinated indoors and away from areas frequented by other animals.

They should also immediately bag and dispose of faeces on walks and regularly clean their dog's bedding and food and water dishes.

"This not only keeps them safe but also helps prevent the virus from spreading in our community," Smith said.

"If you're unsure of when you can take your puppy out in public, it's best to ask your vet who can advise the timing based on their current vaccine schedule."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Man dies in workplace accident in Melbourne’s north

A man has been killed in a workplace accident at a Melbourne recycling plant.

Police were called to the Cleanaway Coolaroo Material Recovery Facility in the city's north this morning.

The man has not been formally identified and his death is not being treated as suspicious.

READ MORE: Doctor who blew whistle on mushroom murderer sanctioned

WorkSafe is investigating the death.

"Police will prepare a report for the coroner," a police spokesperson said in a statement.

A Cleanaway spokesperson said the team felt "deeply saddened by the loss of life" today.

"Our priority is supporting those impacted by the incident, in particular family, colleagues and our workers at the site," the spokesperson said.

"We are working closely with authorities to investigate the incident.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."