7News Just In

A firebombing attack on a Richmond tobacco shop resulted in unprecedented damage to 12 businesses, marking the most destructive incident in Melbourne's ongoing tobacco wars. The 4am blaze on Victoria Street required over 80 firefighters to control and has been linked to organised crime targeting tobacco retailers.

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A four-year-old boy on the Central Coast was allegedly murdered by his mother, with child protection workers having reportedly visited the family three times during his short life. An independent review has been ordered to investigate the department's actions and why the child remained in the mother's care. Police have conducted tests for cannibalism and the 32-year-old mother is now in Silverwater Prison awaiting trial.

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Melbourne's metro tunnel will close from tomorrow night until Sunday evening for infrastructure removal works, affecting five train lines across the city. Buses will replace trains on parts of the Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown lines, while Cranbourne and Pakenham line commuters must change trains at South Yarra. This marks the second shutdown since the tunnel opened at the beginning of the year, with services resuming Monday morning as schools return.

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A truck and hatchback collided on Melbourne's West Gate Freeway near the Todd Road exit at 6pm, with the car spinning 90 degrees and being dragged approximately 500 metres while wedged against the front of the truck travelling at 80 kilometres per hour. Both drivers miraculously walked away from the incident without injury.

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Two women suffered serious injuries after being stabbed at a Sydenham property in Melbourne's northwest just after 11pm. The alleged male attacker, who is known to the victims, fled the scene following the altercation and remains at large. Police are investigating the incident with all parties involved known to each other.

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A tobacco shop firebombing on Richmond's Victoria Street caused unprecedented collateral damage, destroying or significantly damaging 12 commercial businesses in a single building. The 4am attack required more than 80 firefighters to control as the blaze tore through the roof, marking the third tobacco shop firebombing in six days. The arsonists left behind a jerry can and a Mazda used to ram the shop, along with a blackmail note from 'The Commission'.

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Typhoon Bavi, a Category 5 storm, has made landfall near the US territory of Guam in the western Pacific Ocean, bringing winds of up to 290 kilometres an hour and 11-metre waves. Homes have been evacuated and significant damage has been reported across the islands. Scientists aboard the International Space Station captured images of the powerful storm system from above.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an unequivocal apology for comments made about Kylie Minogue during a podcast interview, where he participated in a provocative game involving the pop star. The remarks were labelled as degrading and disrespectful to women.

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Meta faces scrutiny at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion over a dramatic decline in hate speech removals following policy changes.

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A seventh bird flu infection has been confirmed in Australia, with five cases in Western Australia, one in New South Wales, and one in South Australia. A giant petrel in South Australia has been sent for testing. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has issued an appeal for the public to photograph, video, and report any sick wild birds to the animal disease hotline, while Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty is on holidays during the outbreak.

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